This place is incredible! The food is amazing and so is the service! Best Italian in Long Beach.

This understated Italian restaurant gives you everything you should want in a delicious meal with good service. It's delicious, no frills, fresh, and just the best. read more

I read some of the reviews and it sounded pretty promising. We ordered at 8 o'clock with an hour before closing. This was a to go order and we ordered Michaelangello Pasta and Alfredo Pasta with chicken. The flavor was pretty standard and didn't have a whole lot of great standing out flavor. They also gave us a side salad which was basically just lettuce a half teaspoon of garnish and dressing. It honestly look like just a box of lettuce. Not sure if this was all due to it almost been closed or if this is the normal. But with the price that we paid I don't feel like we'll be trying it again. read more

Went on Saturday night for dinner after reading reviews on Yelp! Loved it. My pasta (sausage and peppers) was amazing. The food was served promptly, and it was piping hot and tasty. The small atmosphere of the restaurant was cozy. It was as if the diners and I had found our own private slice of Italy right in Belmont Shore. Prices were very reasonable. Perfect for the diner looking for excellent food in a cozy/no-frills atmosphere. There's a reason every table was full when we got there, and when we left. Go and find out for yourself! read more

A hidden gem of 2nd St. It's located next to Sancho's Tacos towards the residential side, a little difficult to find. Went for lunch and tried their Penne Rusa, which is a creamy tomato vodka sauce. Portion size was excellent, one of the cheapest lunches I've ever had on 2nd, and the quality is great. Ended up paying around $9 and leaving satisfied. They have a lot of options for lunch and I believe it ends at 2:30! I'm going back the next time I'm around. read more

I dined at a place called 20/20 for twenty five years where Joe Parrino (the chef) simply amazed me every single time I was there. He moved back east about five years ago and I was beginning to believe I would never enjoy food as good and creative again until last night. We drove to Belmont Shores and parking being impossible as usual we searched for15 minutes until we found a spot. Being new in the area we were going to walk to see what we could find. As fate would have it we parked in front of Cafe Gazelle. The food here can keep company with the five best italian restaurants I have enjoyed in my life. No small achievement, considering I traveled to Italy on business for six years. I do not know yet if Gazelle will replace the void left in my life when Joe Parrino moved east, but I cannot wait to go back again. This place is very special.!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

This restaurant was recommended by a friend of mine. I would have never found it on my own. It is off one of the side streets in Belmont Shore off of 2nd Street. It is a very small and Quaint restaurant. Very easy to miss if you're not looking for it. There are about eight tables or so. It's not a very big restaurant. It has a very small bar with some wine selections. It is very very reasonably priced there was nothing over $20 and the appetizers were all under ten. The owner and waiter were extremely friendly. We have the pasta carbonara. The chicken milanesa and the raviolis. All three dishes were absolutely incredible. We were fortunate and did not have to wait but as small as it is I hear there can be some wait times. There was three of us and we just barely fit at one of those small tables. There's only one table that can seat for people. It is not good for groups. But it is some of the best Italian food I've ever ate. I will definitely be back read more

Yes it is small, yes it is quaint. The closeness of the tables is a definite negative. However, this is all part of the character of the place. The food is always tasty and the portions are just right. The service is superb, one of those places where the owner remembers you even if it is only your second time there. My favorite dish is the pollo articiocco (or however you spell it), my husband tries more dishes and has never been disappointed. Definitely a pleasant experience and not pricy at all. read more

For only being able to seat 12 people at a time, it is the definitely the place for a quaint dinner with the perfect portion. The Frutti De Mare (with angel hair- you can request it) is my favorite... but before you dig in.. the fresh bread will stuff you up! They also have a great selection of wines... read more

2 Stars because I do not have the heart, in this difficult time we are all facing, to give1 Star. I found the place by searching for seafood pasta in my area. Cafe Gazelle came up and had a good overall rating so I thought we would give it a try. I clicked on "website" on the page that loaded, it seemed very much like a web page from a business, and after looking it over I called and ordered the Frutti De Mare seafood pasta, the Lasagna, the Spaghetti and meatballs, and the Chicken Parm. Honestly, it was not much to brag about. That lasagna was a really small piece, chicken parm was ok but wifey makes it better, very thin, just ok. in the spaghetti there were 2 tiny little meatballs, and my seafood pasta was entirely forgettable, with 3 shrimp, 4 half-dollar sized half slices of scallops, and try as I might I could not really find the chopped clams. The bread and salad was good, actually very good, and if that was all I had ordered I would be totally happy. But wait, there's more. At the time i did not realize it but I was charged 16 dollars more than the website prices. I went back the next day to ask about it, and the owner (or whoever he was, at the counter) said 'oh yeah, thats old prices, somebody made that website, we don't even have one'. I told him I got the "website" from a search result for that resaurant, but he still denied having any responsibility. I pointed out the prices and he told me $17 for Frutti De Mare was 10 years ago, and pretty much dismissed me. So, I write this, because it was not just the price, but the overall quailty was short of anything we would ever go back for. Ever. Again. Keep the $16, sir. See ya. 2 Stars. Oh yeah, and the 2 guys making the food were not wearing masks, which at the time I thought was odd but not a deal breaker. Worth noting here, though. read more

Terrific Italian dishes served in perfect portions. They have a limited menu that is scrumptious. The space is cramped - be sure to arrive early to ensure a seat. Take-out is a fine alternative if you have a lovely ocean view down the street. read more

Well - the food was definitely excellent, but also, I am a sucker for great service, and the service is excellent too. As some of the other reviewers have rightly said, if you are not comfortable eating in a small room with tables stacked close to each other, this is not the place for you. If you are ok with that though, this is a great place to try out. We randomly ordered 3 dishes, and they were all great. The chocolate mousse is a great way to end dinner here. The place seems to run by a small 3-person team including the guy who seems to be the owner/server, but the service is very pleasant and efficient without being overbearing and intrusive. read more

One of our favorite places on 2nd Street. The bruschetta is delicious, and the calamari appetizer is pan cooked, not deep fried, which is rare in this world of deep fried fanatics. Even though it is small, we never feel rushed. My favorite is the ravoli. Just enough so as not to overwhelm you, with a wonderful, not thick and goopy, marinara sauce. The wine list is decent and the service is spot on. One recommendation--spend a little money and reprint the menus--they look tired and they could use a good cleaning. read more

This fine quaint tiny Italian restaurant hasn't changed on bit since 1984 when I first visited it! Why should it? It's perfect. Same waiter/owner all these years makes for consistency. Fine cooking, fine friendly service. The waiter even remembers what wine I tried last a month or two ago on our last visit! 4.5 well deserved STARS. A local favorite read more

Frank, who I believe is the owner, was absolutely pleasant. Great service. I may have found my favorite Italian restaurant.

Loved it! If you want good food, this place is for you. Taste and creativity was spot on. It is tiny, quaint, and cozy. Service was attentive, but not overly so. We will go back again and again! read more

Went back there recently for my birthday. The food was still really good. The owner was really nice and recommended a great bottle of wine. Although, i was disappointed with the dessert. We ordered creme brulee, my absolute favorite dessert, and i wasn't very good. It actual was terrible. I bumped my rating down to 3 stars because of the dessert, but if you are looking for a great meal and quaint atmosphere, then this place is perfect! read more

Amazing service, great food, great home like feeling ...perfect for dates!!!

This place is absolutely fantastic all around. I have lived on La Verne Avenue (the same street as Cafe Gazelle) for over 10 years and have heard great things about this place, but for one reason or another, we always found ourselves going to some of our other local favorites. That has all changed after our visit to this quaint cafe with tasty, real Italian classics not to mention their phenomenal service. Prices are very reasonable for the portions and their wine selection is fitting for their menu. The owner and the staff was on top of our every request and made us feel like we were the only table (yet every other table in the place was occupied). We look forward to adding this restaurant to our list of local favorites and we are kicking ourselves it took us so long to find this little gem, slightly off the beaten path (literally 25' off of 2nd Street). read more

Just adding my agreement to those who love this place. Really tiny, so be prepared to be cozy with the other customers. Food and Service A+ The Chicken Milanese is truly to die for - totally melt-n-your-mouth chicken cutlets with capers and fresh lemon. OMG delicious. No parking, but, hey it's 2nd Street. read more

This place was so amazing. Cute little spot for a date 5 star service 5 star food everything about this place is amazing. Shout out to the owner for making such a great place. The owner was also very nice he is polite and a helpful! read more

I had one of the best meals of my life on wednesday night. It was absolutely fantastically delicious, fresh, homely, authentic. It was awesomely inexpensive, but not cheap, rather inexpensive in the best traditions of a different culture, and maybe a different time, in a way that makes me want to sport a monocle and don a genuine beaver skin top hat. For the record, I had veil with brandy-cream sauce, mushrooms, and capers*. The ask for extra bread to sop it up, lick your plate good, effing brandy sauce. That brandy cream sauce alone is at like 7 stars, my mouth is going all pavlav just thinking about it. I missed that brandy sauce. It was two and a half years ago that I left Belmont Shore and moved inland just a wee two thousand miles. Gazelle was a sometimes packed but well hidden gem that I frequented; they served food that I loved and never tired of. It was a safe choice to bring visitors or dates who enjoyed eating - my brother had a single meal there and talks of it some years after. And, when I moved away from home (*sob*), Gazelle was one of my last dinners on my way out of town. Thus Gazelle was on my shortlist during a recent visit home, it was penned in for my coveted last days. It was destined to be a hail mary. 2nd street has changed a lot in the short time I have been gone, or perhaps my tastes have; unfortunately most of the places I remembered fondly had been disappointing. Gazelle started out much the same. It closes at 9 on weeknights, too early to accommodate us the first night we tried. The second night we went earlier but the single four seat table was taken and would be a forty five minute wait, there was a single two seat table available (we were a threesome), but it was the worst table in the place, prone to draft from the often opened door, and foot traffic. I wanted to wait, but the girls were ravenous. Thus I sat, intermittently cold, huddled in a third chair around a small table meticulously squeezed barely out of the way of foot traffic. It was about then that I predicted with 80% confidence, that this meal was going to suck. And I was sad. But as the owner/host/waiter/bartender greeted our table he recognized me and inquired about my long absence. In a split second I remembered just how much I loved this place. I excused myself and went to wash my hands in the only restroom, located through the kitchen where a single chef works magic over a handful of pans over a hot stove, past the prep area, in the way back. And as I walked past all this stuff, and it smelled fucking delicious mind you, and I recognized that everything was the same (save the missing tablecloths - boo), and the 4 person staff was the same save the prep cook, I smiled, because I knew that dinner was going to be awesome. Giddy, I returned to the table just in time for a fresh from the oven roll, and unsalted butter. It was familiar, completely, and it was delicious, and I was home again. I have to admit here that at this point more or less I started smiling and remained grinning throughout the meal. I was that stoked, to the delight of my traveling companions. We went with veil in various incarnations, pared with the least expensive bottle of Pinot Noir possible, cause I'm classy like that. The soup was excellent. From memory, the salad is as well despite the fact that it has a beet-ish dressing. Choose either with dinner. My entree was so off the hook that words cannot possibly do it justice. I loved that veil like its mother, and the brandy cream sauce compliments so perfectly that every time I have the dish I fight off the urge to lick my plate clean, sometimes unsuccessfully. It was cooked perfectly, served with a pasta al dente and I think some veggies. Its filling, but the portion size is inadequate if only because the dish is so damn good that I can eat for two. I smiled wider and devoured. Even though as a rule I am not a dessert person, I love, love, love the deserts here. They are classy enough to bring them on a tray and show them to you rather then provide a menu. We split the crème caramel (an unflamed crème brûlée) which was a regrettable miss, and also an apple turnover a la mode which was recommended, and excellent despite my hatred of the fruit. All said, I would rank my dinner at Gazelle equal to my former undisputed best meal (some sort of nut or sesame encrusted tuna - its been the titleholder long enough that most of the details of the meal are lost). I love Cafe Gazelle, perhaps more so then any other place on (or just off) 2nd, its an unchanging landmark packed with just enough character to be charming, and focused foremost on delicious food. * - this veil dish has a much more fancy Italian name on the menu, which I have unfortunately forgotten. I think its on the left hand side of the menu, it mentions brandy in the description. read more

Love it! Small, and intimate. The service is great. The owner is personable. The portions served are perfect if your not into large, heavy meals. They serve my favorite red wine, Ruffino classico chianti!!! read more

This place is almost too adorable! Tiny little Italian restaurant with simple, perfectly cooked dishes. Very cute spot for date night or dinner with girlfriends. Would not try to come here with group greater than 4 as the seating is very limited. read more

Ladies and Gentlemen, I first ate at this restaurant in 1999. I have been back several times since, been very pleased and not fell ill. However, early this year I left the restaurant and attempted to walk back to my hotel near Redondo Ave. and PCH. Before I reached 7th St., the urge to relieve my bowels of diarrhea was overwhelming, so I found bushes and defecated. Moving on, I only got as far as just south of Anaheim Ave and went into the bushes again. I notified management the next day by returning the uneaten leftovers and leaving a note on the business's front door. He compensated me with a free meal, and I experienced no ill effects. The next time I went, unfortunately, I was able to make it back to my hotel room before suffering from diarrhea again. It was the same story tonight, though unlike the other times, I DID NOT FINISH MY BOTTLE OF WINE, EAT DESSERT OR CONSUME THREE CUPS OF BLACK COFFEE. Yet, I barely made it home before running to the toilet. Management keeps the establishment fairly warm, I am uncertain how food is stored or handled, but I am concerned about the frequency in which I became ill. I eat all over the country with all kinds of cuisine. I prefer spicy food, I drink routinely and am fine. My repeated illness here can be no coincidence, and I am certain that management would rather I not return, as was apparent tonight. It appears that despite what I thought was an amicable resolution between me and the owner that let bygones be bygones, he harbored resentment that was unleashed upon me. Specifically, I ordered chocolate mousse and black coffee but expressly directed the owner to serve it AFTER I had consumed the last of my wine. Instead, the mousse was brought out to me IMMEDIATELY after our exchange. I sent it back and motioned for the owner to come speak to me again. He came to me enraged and said, "You're making trouble again and acting crazy. How would you like it if I '86'ed' you?" I finished the glass in my wine, paid the bill, walked out and hurried home to used the toilet...again. I notified the Long Beach Health Department about my recurring sickness from eating here. The food tastes wonderful and the service used to be great, but may I respectfully suggest that food borne illness is no laughing matter, and the fact that it happens repeatedly in one restaurant shouldn't be ignored. If the owner here reacts angrily because a patron's clearly expressed preferences are not followed, then, despite an agreeable history that has become a thing of the past, one is better served taking one's business elsewhere. Thank you. read more

pros: *almost everything i've had is DELICIOSO, although i must admit i tend to veer again and again the the eggplant special....YUMMY *portions are just the right size, i can finish a dish and feel sinfully full but not sick to my stomach *the homemade bread is fantastic and i love that they give you just one per person instead of a whole basket that you could end up stuffing your face with and ruining your appetite *love the grandpa's kitchen feeling, everything is fresh and homemade, great menu selection without being overwhelming *it lives on the same street as me so i can walk there in less than a minute :) cons: *SO small. i mean TINY. if more than three of their 7 tables are full, i cannot bare to stay....can be very uncomfortable *risotto. the one time i tried theirs it was more like watery, overcooked rice. disappointing. *those are all the cons i can think of i think everyone should try it at least once, i agree with mant others that it is a jewel tucked among shiny rocks read more

Amazing Food! The Filet Minon was heavenly! The chicken meatball appetizer is worth a try...the Italian wine selections are marvelous. This restaurant reminds me of a little authentic place right out of Italy. read more

Tried to share an entree and was told by the manager rudly that sharing is not allowed and every person must order an entree.

Small intimate setting. Food prepared to order and outstanding. Prices are moderate. If you are looking for a non-corporate restaurant I highly recommend Cafe Gazelle. read more

Everything I've ever gotten has been delicious!! Love this place, they always make you feel like long time friends.

The food is spectacular. You can't go wrong no matter what you order. Seafood, chicken, pasta. The place works but could be a little bigger for us big boned people. The only advice is for the young handsome guy with glasses. Please stop touching your face and hair and wiping your brow and then serving food and touching glasses at the rim and staws where people sip. Please stop scratching your head. Wash your hands! read more

We give them 5 stars for the creme brulee torte!! They warm up the bread right before they bring it over which is just awesome!! The atmosphere here is a little tight!! But the food is GREAT!! Great place for large parties. Just kidding! No, but seriously the place is small but the food is really good. This place is really dead, but it is perfect for dates. Very reasonably priced. Please people, I know the economy sucks, but you have to get out there and try this place!!! read more

Another bookmark added to my yelp faves! I'm so glad I took a risk to try something new today!

Great service and a very intimate restaurant on a side street in Belmont Shores. I loved the feel of the place it looks like it was a small family owned place. The food was good but not the best I've had which is why I am giving it a 4 and not a 5. If you are in the area and looking for a small intimate place for a date or double date this is your place. read more

Very small, but cozy place in Belmont Shore. I lived in Italy for 4 years and can attest that the offerings here are classic Italian dishes. No microwaved Olive Garden crap here. Support the little guy and try this place out. You won't be disappointed. read more

I have been to this restaurant many times and the food and service has always been good. However, tonight I had a terrible experience. We put our name and our phone number in, because that is what the list required and were told it was a 40 minute wait. There is only one table that accommodates a party of 4. We checked back 20 minutes and the party was just getting their meals. So we walked around 2nd st. We came back 25 minutes later to see they had seated another party of the 4. As we stood there to determine what the situation was, they ignored us for 15 minutes. And mind you, this place is tiny. It the size of your grandma's dining room. The just kept ignoring my stares. Finally, the owner, who has served my family dozens of times over the last decade, came to me and said he gave our table away. Yeah, no shit. I asked why they did not call us and he said they don't do that. So, I asked, why do you take down a cell number? He said they don't, people just put it there next to their name. Ok, clearly they aren't trying to create a solution. They didn't say they were sorry. They didn't try and figure out a solution. They didn't try anything, they basically said, too bad, piss off. After coming here for over 10 years, probably spending $3,000-$4,000 on meals, they discarded me and my family. They didn't say they'd try and get 2 tables together, offer us a drink or do anything to encourage us to stay. I will NEVER come back to this restaurant. Their customer service in this situation sucked, they blew it. Too bad Cafe Gazelle, we were your advocates and now we are never coming back. read more

This place is a definitely a gem! I stumbled upon in during a mid-day search for a quick lunch and I have been addicted ever since. Every dish I have tried since then has been exceptional. Service is quick, friendly and always with a smile. It's a very small place so expect a wait if you arrive on a "date night" but it is definitely be worth it! P.s. They do takeaway. read more

Small, semi-fancy Italian restaurant 20 steps off the main street in downtown LBC. We stumbled upon this place unexpectedly as we parked our car on one of the side streets. It seemed promising and there was no wait (I think it was a Friday early evening). Let me first say that I have lived with an Italian family in Siena for 3 months and enjoyed homestyle, authentic Italian dinners c/o my host mom nearly every night I was there - so I am now very critical on Italian cuisine made anywhere besides Italy. I find Olive Garden ridiculous, Fettuccine Alfreddo disgusting, spaghetti with meatballs barely tolerable, and most heavy pasta plates and cream-based sauces in America simply unappetizing. To deal with my raised standards for Italian food, I often resort to making pasta myself. With that in mind, I thought the food here was actually not too bad. It's still nowhere near the food I enjoyed in Italy, but I blame that partially on our mega-farms and genetically-modified, crops-for-the-masses, and shipped-from-miles-away produce. (Trust me, take a bite of a raw tomato in Italy and your tastebuds will be doing somersaults.) 1. Food: decent selection of pasta's, appetizers, and meat dishes (veal, chicken). Maybe because we were hungry and it was cold, but they had really good complimentary bread and butter! It was warm, crisp on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. It was actually the most memorable part of our meal, sadly. What I ordered: - Scallops with butter and capers sauce served on little toasted pieces of bread, appetizer: really good. We asked for more bread to enjoy the rest of the sauce with. - Pasta with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and eggplant: this was not bad. I still found the sauce a little heavy, but at least the pasta was al dente. I don't recall the prices being overly extravagant, probably $13-$23 per entree. I shared the above appetizer and pasta with a friend, and it was JUST the right amount for both of us. They also have a selection of desserts which they will try to tempt you with at the end of the meal, by bringing over a tray of samples. 2. Service: excellent. The (I think) owner was friendly and helpful. You can tell he took pride in the restaurant. 3. Atmosphere/setup: dimly lit and cozy. It's obvious they are trying to go for the whole romantic, fancy, Italian villa thing. It's slightly believable. Luckily there were only two tables occupied when we went, but since the place is rather small, I can't imagine how it would be if all the tables were filled up. Several small to mid-size tables and chairs are evenly spaced out in a small room - that's it. They host private parties to rent the whole place out, which would be good for no more than 15 people. I'm not sure if I'd make it a point to come back here. If I were in the area, with a few of my girlfriends, or a cute date, and I was too lazy to make Italian food myself, I would probably come back. I'm giving this place 4 stars though, since I know I am harsh when it comes to Italian restaurants. read more

There are two types of holes in the wall: one that is not very good and suffers because of a lack of cash flow; and one that is so good there is no need to put more money into it. Cafe Gazelle falls into category two. The minestrone was a bit too oily for my liking. The ravioli was quite good, as well as the veal. While it was good, it wasn't mind blowingly so; which means 4 stars read more

Very good quaint restaurant. Nestled amongst shops and boutiques, its a great place to include on your date or just have real italian family owned food. read more