Very friendly and attentive workers! Food was delicious!!! this place is a hidden gem!

This is probably one of the smallest places I've ever been to. Located on a one way side street off second, it is definitely hidden amongst the many places available on Second Street. We went on a Saturday night. The parking was a little challenging as there is limited street parking & some single level city parking lots which were completely full. We ended up having to park several blocks away. Once there, the place was completely full. They don't take reservations, so we had to put our name down and got a table in about 20 min. The wait wasn't too bad as second street is a great place to walk along and check out the sights. The effort to get there and the wait was definitely worth it. Once seated, they started us off with a fresh mini loaf of bread with butter. For an appetizer we ordered the mushrooms Al limone. They were nice sized & cooked just right in a tangy well balanced lemon garlic butter sauce. They then served a fresh salad with a light vinaigrette dressing. For the main course we had the chicken Marsala and shrimp scampi. Both were cooked very well with a lot of depth of flavor. This space is not fancy & felt a little cramped, but I was throughly impressed with the quality of food that came from such a small kitchen and how well the servers navigated the small dining area. They really have it down. Not great for large parties, but definitely a great to spot to take a date or a loved one(s) for a fantastic Northern Italian meal. read more

Cafe Gazelle is a total germ in the area. Everything we ordered was good. The day we were there was over 100C and we sat in the corner, so it was not pleasant but it doesn't change the quality of the food and its service. The price was very reasonable too. Support local business! read more

I got the chicken milanese based on the many good reviews, but the dish was alright. The meat was really tender and juicy, but had a funky and offputting taste that I couldn't get over and the seasoning couldn't cover it The service was great though, the staff were very attentive. The restaurant was small but had quaint european vibes. I would come again to try the other dishes or to see if the weird chicken was just a one-time thing. read more

The food was delicious and the service was very personal. Parking is usually a challenge in the area but we lucked out.

Shhhhhh...., Diamond in the Rough!!! My partner and I were trying to figure out a place to eat, that we haven't already tried. While cutting through the alley on the south side of 2nd St., we stumbled across the super small, super quaint, off the beat and path casual Italian place. We decided to give it a try and.... OMG!!!! So good!!! I had the Michaelangello and my partner had the four cheese Formaggi. All meals come with soup or salad and a dinner roll. We also ordered the chicken meatballs. The service was great, the food came to the table quick and hot and the flavors were superb. Turns out, this little Italian restaurant has been in this exact location for 40 years and is family owned and operated. 40 YEARS!!!!!! Keep in mind, it's super small (6 two person tables and 2 four person tables) and, walk-in only... no reservations taken. Their menu also offers steaks and a few other types of food and their wine list is pretty large. Don't even think twice about going here, just GO! read more

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Cute neighborhood restaurant; variety of entree choices; includes soup or salad with entree; bread was hot out of oven; very small so call ahead read more

I love this little place! I get hungry even thinking about it! Original Italian food made with love!

The food and service was good. I ordered the chicken piccata and my husband a seafood pasta. The bread they serve at the table could be improved.The place is VERY small and they don't take reservations, but the food was tasty. read more

Super underrated Italian spot off the 2nd street in Long Beach. Service was amazing and outdoor dining was pretty decent. An old gentlemen who we thought was owner (but he is owner's uncle) took care of us and expressed/explained food ingredients in depth and made our experience very pleasant! We ordered gnocchi in appetizer - and the pesto sauce was to die for! For main course we got Chicken Milanese (most talked on Yelp reviews) - was cooked to its perfection and chicken was super tender. It had the perfect lemon taste which was mostly because of lemon sauce and capers. If you like capers I would say this is the perfect dish to try. Other main course we got was chopped claims linguine (they ran out of whole fresh claims) was made to its perfection. The marina sauce it was served was rich in flavor and the sauce consistency was up-to mark! read more

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Met a friend here for lunch recently. Although I'd seen Cafe Gazelle dozens of times... it's one of those little gems that's tucked away on a side street and unless you're looking for it you'd miss it. When my friend suggested that we meet here for lunch I thought it was a great idea! We were lucky to find parking just out in front and made our way in to the little café. The cafe reminds me a lot of the European cafés where the tables are set closely together. The menu was great and offered quite a few lunch options. I ordered the chicken piccata which was AMAZING! The service was warm and welcoming and again I wondered why I'd never made time to stop in. If you've not been... stop in I guarantee you'll be back! read more

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Been there twice, both times have been delicious. We've ordered the Frutti de Mare, the Chicken Cacciatore, and the chicken florentine as well as the Articiocco as an appetizer. We've ordered to-go and the food has been ready in a timely manner. Picking up the food is easy and I can appreciate the small cafe vibe that they have. read more

It's a small hole in the wall Italian restaurant. The service is great and it's cuisine is delicious. I've been going to this place throughout the years and it satisfies my Italian appetite every time. One more thing I can mention is that their food is prepared fresh on the spot. Well except for a dish or two that requires more time. But overall I've been happy with my experience at this restaurant. Ahh! They also have a good wine selection. Hope this review helps. read more

This is a little hole in wall spot right off 2nd street behind the major restaurants. Right off the bat, I have say that out of the 3 times that I've been here, I've only had the chicken Milanese. I'm not going to claim that I'm an expert in Italian cuisine or a connoisseur of fine dining, but I must say that this dish is a breath of fresh air. I think this stands out for me in regards to other pastas that I've had from other places. The flavor was perfect. The chicken was juicy and flavored with lemon. The pasta was cooked perfectly and was a good texture. Parking is difficult due to the nature of that area. The restaurant is a little on the pricey side, but this is a family owned spot, so that makes sense. If you want a nice little quaint restaurant, look no further than this place! read more

Such a cute and quaint Italian restaurant! The service was great. The food didn't quite hit the spot for me but perhaps I ordered the wrong things, I'd like to give this place another try. The bread they served was dry and the bruschette didn't hit the spot. read more

A cozy family owned Italian eatery that offers a no-fuss experience and a surprisingly robust menu. Definitely something for everyone, but I recommend the veal. They've been around for decades, and their genuine warmth and hospitality make Cafe Gazelle a great choice for date night. read more

Super cute cozy Italian restaurant and we LOVED it!! Went there on Sunday night n wasn't too busy and food was delicious!! Highly recommend if anyone in the city of LBC this restaurant is a MUST read more

This has one of the best chicken Parmesan dishes I have ever had.. and my family is Italian. This is a small little place but quaint and family owned. I loved the environment of the cafe and it felt like I was at home ( in the best way!) read more

Tiniest restaurant, big on service and flavors. Perfectly cooked pastas and wonderful desserts. Best to arrive early to avoid long waits. Will definitely go again. read more

I've gone here a few times and the fettuccine has been decent but tonight I ordered spaghetti and meatballs and it's very disappointing. It's supposed to be a meat sauce and there's barely any sauce and two tiny meatballs-- just not worth $24 + tip. I'm now adding my own ingredients to the dish when I really just wanted an evening without cooking. I likely won't go back. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Spaghetti and meatball - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

My favorite restaurant! The best Italian food owned by the sweetest people who have the best service. Love this place so much!!

Always great Italian food from of old Italy. Make a reservation there is very little seating. Their cork fee is an average price. read more

Nice little hole in the wall restaurant with great service! They are open for indoor seating now, but we sat at one of the tables outside set up under a tent. We came for dinner at a little before 7 and were seated right away. They brought fresh bread for the table shortly after bringing the menus and glasses of water. We ordered the Chicken Milanese and lasagna bolognese. House salads came out within a couple minutes of us putting in our orders and entrees came right as I was finishing my salad. The lasagna was good, but I can see why so many Yelpers have mentioned the Milanese- delicious! At the end of the meal they asked if we wanted dessert, and then brought everything out on a tray. They looked pretty tempting, but we didn't end up getting anything. I also want to note that the timing of when all the food came out was great, with no waiting between courses at all. Would definitely recommend this place for a nice Italian meal with timely and friendly service! read more

Cafe Gazelle - Lasagna bolognese - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

The Formaggi was absolutely amazing and I've never had anything that good 10/10 truly amazing.

My favorite restaurant in LBC! Truly makes me feel like i'm back in Italy. It's so tiny and quaint. The pasta is incredible and they have GF options as well! What truly makes this place is the staff. They are outstanding. I leave this restaurant every time with a full stomach and the happiest heart read more

Unfortunately really disappointing. I've been on the lookout for great Italian in Long Beach to be my go-to and was so excited to try Cafe Gazelle. We went on a Saturday evening but even so upon arriving most tables were empty, it looked like the restaurant was at 30% capacity. It's off the main strip of second street so I don't think it gets a lot of foot traffic and must rely on word of mouth. We had our choice of tables and sat down. The decor is really sparse and the tables were super weathered, the menus were literally falling apart in their plastic sleeves, but still there was potential - maybe the pasta is great! My sister and I decided to start by splitting the formaggi, having some wine and salad, then ordering more as the evening continued, finishing with dessert. All told, it was going to be a lot of orders for two people to bring to a mostly empty restaurant. When we went to place the order, our server, who seemed to be a manager or owner, chastised us, saying "we don't do that here". We thought he meant the pasta was out of season, or he didn't want to split it? We explained it was just the first of many courses and he didn't have to worry about putting it on split plates or tabs, we were just starting there. He got really agitated and told us we had to each order a full entree right away or else. I would totally understand this policy if it was written on the menu, or if the restaurant was busy, or at least if the server was kind about telling us no, but the servers and cooks were just sitting around because it was ALMOST TOTALLY empty. We explained we planned to continue eating into the evening and simply wanted to start there and he wouldn't budge. When he came back to take our order I said that we were going to have to pass and he looked crestfallen, hanging his head and slinking away without a word. Such a weird interaction. If you are going to have random policies they need to be posted somewhere, and if not, some composure definitely needs to be had when telling people they can't order how they want. He offered no explanation or apology, just chastised us and accused us of wasting their time. The whole thing was really uncomfortable and awkward. We walked away with no pasta and they lost a table that would have ordered wine, appetizers, side salads, several pastas, and dessert - not to mention potentially becoming repeat customers. Bummer! read more

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I love Italian food so when my friend asked recommended this place, I decided to give it a try. I have been eating out all week long and I am a firm believer that you credit where it is due. I called aroind 5:30 and asked if I could place my order for a 7:30pm pick up and was told absolutely!! I ordered Chicken Marsala, Lasagna, & Michelangelo which is a fettuccine chicken dish. It came with bread (which was warm!) & a side salad with a very delicious dressing. The pasta was so yummy. Fresh and let me tell you they added two small contof pesto...OmG!! They have set up tables outside so yes they are open and yes you can dine outside. Wear your mask and come enjoy some authentic Italian food. read more

Everything was amazing. Don't be fooled with how tiny this restaurant may be because it definitely fulfills your standards when it comes to a date night, catching up with friends, or just wanting some authentic Italian food. I was not expecting our main dishes to come with lentil soup or salad (salad was beautifully made with bright pink colors). They also gave our own mini loaf of bread to start off with along with some Parmesan cheese and butter. The service was excellent, they were so quick when it came to clearing our table and to making sure we had our waters refilled. You can tell the pasta was made from scratch just by the texture and the sauce is not too heavy or greasy/oily at all. I would definitely recommend coming here 100000/10. When we asked for the dessert menu, our server came out with a whole tray of options for us to pick! Everything was a fun experience from beginning to end. You may be back to back with another guest from a different table but it's so worth it read more

Cafe Gazelle - Fettuccine & added shrimp to it! - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Hidden Italian gem in Belmont shore! Anytime we have a craving for Italian this is the go to spot. We always get take out as the restaurant interior is pretty small and cramped. They could definitely use a larger space on 2nd street that's for sure! read more

Had dinner at this place after a long day at the aquarium. My friends and I were served bread and salad that went along with our pasta. The bread was super fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. We ordered the chicken parmigiana, Russa (cream and tomato sauce), and fettuccine Alfredo. All three were so good, the pasta was super creamy and flavorful and was perfectly cooked. It was so good and I totally recommend coming to this place if you are ever in Long Beach! My friends also rate 10/10 btw. read more

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Outstanding food, service & dessert! The owner & staff are always so friendly! The food is pure deliciousness! Interior could use a freshen up but would never stop us from going there! read more

Always love visiting Michael and Frank! Food, service and ambiance is always the best.

Always the best. Simply good food and charming interior. Can ask for anything, and they'll figure out a way to- no problem! Great service. The best! read more

Very intimate small place that makes you feel like home. The food is good, served fresh hot bread and fresh grated parmesan at the table. The service is great with constant catering. The dessert should not be overlooked. Very authentic and highly recommended. read more

My son recommended this spot. We both love the food and the service. We typically order Carbonara and artichokes (both are his favourite). read more

Cafe Gazelle - Carbonara and eggplant parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This tiny restaurant tries its best, but fails as an Italian bistro. If you eat here, you will perforce be engaged in the conversations of those around you. Hope you are interested in their visits to Cambodia. The settings are paper, steel and sometimes plastic. I had to wrestle my veal to the ground. The service was excellent. The food, NSM. Decent wine list. read more

They confirmed that I had left my Credit card there and on the next day they and attempted to spend almost 10 thousand dollars on it. When I calmly called in and told the owner and told them I was being charged he said it wasn't there. Obviously not because it was at the Apple Store in the Irvine spectrum getting charged for $1,300! The food was okay, but I will never return. Even though I do feel like letting them have a piece of my mind! read more

Took my girlfriend here for her birthday as she loves Italian food. The plates were amazing and had so much flavor. I ordered the chick parmesan and it was the best I've ever had. She got the chicken Alfredo and it was the best she's ever had. They serve you right away! The place is a bit small, only about 7 tables but it's worth it! The food is very delicious here! read more

Cafe Gazelle - Alfredo w/ chicken - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I was walking down a side street of 2nd street and I noticed this little gem and I had to go! The ambience was so beautiful and romantic. We started out with complimentary fresh bread which was SO GOOD. We decided to order a bottle of white wine, which was so crisp and fresh. We started off with the bruschetta and gnocchi, both were AMAZING. We ordered the Checca pasta to split, also really good. Finished off the night with 2 desserts, one lemon cheesecake and one tiramisu. I loved how nice and helpful the staff was! Even though it was off 2nd st, it felt so homey and peaceful and romantic. Will definitely be coming back to his place for many date nights! 10/10 read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Best (but smallest) place to get Italian food hand down. Not great for a large party- there are about 5 tables total - but the food can't be beat. read more