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    Reef on the Water

    3.4 (1.2k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Services - Reef on the Water

    Catering services

    Post-event cleaning services

    On-site management services

    Reef on the Water Photos

    REEF ON THE WATER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Reef on the Water

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    Reviews With Photos

    Pineapple shrimp, Fish and Chips, Chicken  and Waffles
    Veronica C.

    My siblings and I totally enjoyed this newly renovated restaurant! We were seated at a perfect table with a harbor view! The restaurant itself beautifully decorated with ocean theme very warm. Our server Amanda was an absolute delight attentive and friendly!!!! We had a couple of cocktails and entrees! Everything and I mean everything was absolutely delicious!! Thank you chef and kitchen staff! I recommend making a reservation as the restaurant is not very big. Plenty of Parking spaces too! I so can't wait to go back!

    View of back
    James A.

    Recently reopening after a long hiatus for brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner during weekends, the Reef Restaurant serves up a modern medley of dishes, with a killer view. Originally opening in 1958 on the Pier J peninsula man-made landmass that houses both the Queen Mary and Carnival Cruises port (if one takes a Carnival cruise out of 'Los Angeles', it's really here in Long Beach), the restaurant dining room closed before the pandemic, with the space only being open for private events since then. Our bus from downtown dropped us off a bit early, so as we explored the grounds while waiting for the restaurant to open, we noticed a small wedding ceremony was being performed in an outdoor garden area...so private events are still happening. But the restaurant portion has been closed until now, just reopening last weekend. Current hours are 11:30 - 9:00 pm, Th - Su. We came back around 11:30, and the doors had been opened and staffed for a bit. We put our names down to the friendly hostess, Toni. Others were waiting in the comfortable lounge as well, and we got seated third (first outside) soon after. The waterfront dining views were outstanding, similar to dining at the Queen Mary, with views of the downtown Long Beach skyline. We got to experience a beautiful California June day, with a large umbrella providing shade and ocean breezes providing comfort. George introduced himself as our waiter and took our drink order, and soon after, our food order. It was brunch menu time, which meant some special items were on the menu, one of which we ordered. It wasn't cheap, but my wife and I agreed that the food and drink were fabulous. Bottomless Mimosas ($22) - they didn't require everyone at the table to get it, so got it just for myself, and it was refreshing, not too sweet and cloying, nor too carbonated. I started out with the Dragon Fruit & Watermelon, and loved it, ending up getting two refills. Then tried the passion fruit & tarragon (next best) and the pineapple & Jalapeno (least favorite). All came in a large wine goblet (instead of the traditional flutes), and it was kinda crazy how the smell of the tarragon and the jalapeno (separately) hit your sense of smell as you tilted the glass to your mouth. It makes me appreciate the thinking behind creating a great drink, and this was definitely that....the best bottomless drinks I might have ever had. One in a Melon ($15) - this was my wife's cocktail and she really enjoyed it, slowly sipping it throughout her meal. It also has watermelon in it (seeing a pattern that the Reef uses watermelon really well in their drinks). It was also one of the prettiest drinks I've seen in a while. Half Dozen Chilled Oysters ($18) - one is at the mercy of the supplier, and these Pacific oysters were just OK, though definitely fresh, with a good mignonette sauce. The shucking could have been slightly better, with a shell piece in one of the oysters. Brunch Board for Two ($85) - felt like I was at a buffet, except with freshly prepared, expensive ingredient dishes, shareable for two. The eggs benedicts were OK. The 1/2 lb of snow crab was basically one cluster and was OK quality (had been cleaned of barnacles, etc, but the meat inside had shriveled a bit). The Teriyaki Wagyu Top Sirloin, served medium by choice, was excellent, reminding me of a very well prepared tri-tip, but more tender. The blackened shrimp skewers was also excellent: plump headless shell on shrimp grilled over an open flame. The sides were two pieces of waffles, crisp bacon strips, and two breakfast spuds (kinda like thick preformed hashbrowns) with sour cream. It was enough for the two of us. Service was excellent throughout, with both George (and later Lucille) clearing our plates as soon as we were done, and making sure we were doing OK. Payment is done at the table, with no added surcharges or fees that we could see. Because it wasn't so busy, we were able to enjoy the ambience a bit more, never feeling rushed. My wife and I had a really enjoyable time at the new Reef Restaurant, and hope to be back soon.

    My grilled fish dish for lunch
    Sam S.

    Excellent location between the Queen Mary and Hotel Maya with the same great views. I had been there years ago when it was a restaurant. It's now an event space and we were there for a private event for lunch. It's spacious with a big foyer, large bar and a very large banquet room as well as an outdoor patio. They have a 2nd floor but I didn't get a chance to go up. The staff were friendly and efficient. The food was good. There's plenty of parking. I would recommend for a private party or small wedding.

    Hot honey chicken and waffles
    Linda B.

    Went herw today at 1130 with friends. Its really pretty how the restaurant was redone. We sat by the beautiful big picture window. Met Jonathan the manager, who is very nice. Our sever was also the bartender. Very nice and attractive young lady. Everyone here was friendly. Food: the chargrilled oysters- 7. They were small and just ok. No real flavor. Bowl of clam chowder soup - 9. Thick and full of clams and potatoes. Savory and just yummy. Calamari-9. Crunchy and savory. Combination of Calamari, jalapeños and onions. Aolil sauce ok. Pineapple bowl fried rice with shrimp -7. Flavorful but a bit mushy. Too many peas for my taste. The shrimp was great. Hot honey chicken and waffles-6. Chicken a bit under cooked. Waffle was great. Overall 7 on the food. Would like more breakfast choices for brunch. The bottomless mimosa with cranberry juice was -10. Worth it. Mijito was -10. Will come back for happy hour 3-6pm Thursday-Sunday I believe that's what bartender said. Food not as good as it used to be but it ok.

    Evelyn G.

    I loved hosting my daughter's special day at the reef. My experience was outstanding and I received so many compliments from friends and family but most importantly my daughter was extremely happy. Maria S. Is so helpful, kind, informative, patient and reliable. She will support you every step of the way. She really made my experience seamless and easy and took the pressure off from event planning. On the day of the event I received outstanding service from the event captain and his team. They were on top of everything and did not skip a beat. The dinner and drinks were great 10/10. Do not look any further for your private event and reach out to Maria. Thank you so much to the entire Reef team.

    Proof
    Sharon F.

    If I could rate it a 0 I would. Horrible place. DONT GO. Jonathan the manager and his people refused to let my dad in including calling the police to remove him which was absolutely unnecessary because they weren't being disruptive. My dad and his friend simply showed the proof of their reservation (attached) and the manager kept refusing service without a valid reason. It was not because of clothing because both were dressed professionally in button ups and slacks and it wasn't because they made a late reservation because they'd done it with anticipation. This is past offensive it is also a racist move on their part where a Latino and middle eastern man with accents apparently are not allowed to enter this place without a given reason save for the assumption of 'using the place for parking' . What is that kind of excuse if your potential clients are presenting their reservation to you? It is not only humiliating but downright ridiculous. Do better

    Came in as a walk-in on Saturday for our first visit. The service was great, and the food was enjoyable. The highlight was definitely the amazing view, which really set the tone for the experience. Overall, we had a nice time and will definitely be back

    The view from my seat!

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    2 months ago

    Very disorganized and poor service. The menu is very limited and the only thing it has going is the view of the bay and downtown Long Beach.

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    The food was horrible ordered brunch for two and it was gross and sloppy not worth the money. It's hot and stuffy.

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    3 months ago

    The food and ambiance was amazing and the staff was so attentive. The pineapple shrimp and fried rice was epic!

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    8 months ago

    I regularly dine here before the covid, great view at night, sad it's no longer open for dine in but for the event only

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    Reef on the Water Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Reef on the Water

    Is this only for venue? Do they accept reservations for two for brunch? Thanks

    Thanks so much for your interest in The Reef. Those brunches were legendary weren’t they? In 2020, during Covid, we converted our beautiful restaurant into a full-time Special Events Venue. Since our main restaurant is no longer open, we no… 

    Do you have to be vaccinated to have an event here?

    I had an event in mid November, they weren't checking vaccination records at that time. masking was required unless eating or drinking.

    Are they open for dine in they are not answering phone since the Covid19 closer in 2020?

    No they are not open for dine in.

    How is the prime rib?

    It was great, I like an end piece

    What about parking? Is there valet parking if so how much?

    No valet parking.Parking is free.

    Do they offer bottomless mimosas?

    Natalie, yes we do offer bottomless mimosas on Sundays. There is a two hour limit though to help assure that all of our guests get a chance to enjoy the buffet without extreme wait times. Thanks for asking Natalie, we hope to see you soon!… 

    How much is Sunday brunch on a regular Sunday?

    I think it's $65 per person for 2 hours.

    Will there be a Thanksgiving brunch?

    Thank you for your interest in joining us for Thanksgiving Brunch yes we are open from 10am - 3:30 pm and the price is $64.95 for adults & $26.95 for children. Please visit our website at www.reefrestaurant.com to make a reservation.

    Do you need a reservation?

    No you don't but if it's on a busy day you might want to call to check if it's possible

    What is buffet price. Tried calling no answer on your lines?

    It's about 55.00 per person

    Last 2 times I dined for Brunch they're was no pasta station... did u bring it back yet?

    I went this past July they had the pasta station!

    How is Sunday brunch?

    Amazingggggg

    Do u need reservation?

    Not necessarily but is always a good idea.

    View All 25 Questions

    BO-beau kitchen + roof tap

    BO-beau kitchen + roof tap

    4.3(3.5k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    A New Job, A New Milestone & A Chance to Rewrite the Narrative…read more My best friend and I have a tradition of celebrating new jobs with a nice dinner. Since this was her new job and a major milestone, I let her choose the restaurant. She had visited Bo-Beau last year but didn't get the full experience, so this was her chance to rewrite the narrative. And it was truly night and day. I researched the restaurant beforehand and was excited to see that Bo-Beau is part of the Cohn Restaurant Group, which I mostly associate with San Diego and South Orange County. After this experience, I really hope they're here to stay. I noted on our reservation that we were celebrating her new job, and for once, the restaurant actually read the note and acknowledged it. From the moment we walked in, the hospitality was excellent. The hostess welcomed us downstairs, another staff member greeted us when we reached the rooftop, and our server quickly followed up. Then came the surprise: complimentary champagne for both of us. It was such a thoughtful gesture, especially because those little celebratory touches seem to be increasingly rare. Our server was also patient with our questions and attentive throughout the evening without being intrusive. We spent about 2.5 hours enjoying dinner and catching up over: Baked Brie Brussels Sprouts Steak Frites Everything was flavorful, and the entire experience felt relaxed, peaceful, and worth the price point. The food was great, but the hospitality is what earned the 5 stars for me. Real hospitality is paying attention to the guest, recognizing the occasion, and making people feel genuinely welcomed. My best friend got the celebration she wanted -- and a much better Bo-Beau experience this time around. Will definitely be returning!

    Ordered a burger and a sandwich. The meat on both were dry…read moreand overcooked. The bun was good. I could literally get the same quality from Carl's JR. 5% was added to my bill for "cost of living". The staff were very nice. 3/5, would not come again. Too expensive for mid quality food.

    Photos
    BO-beau kitchen + roof tap
    BO-beau kitchen + roof tap
    BO-beau kitchen + roof tap - Crispy calamari

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    Crispy calamari

    Luna Bistro Cafe - Guava Mimosa & Spicy Marinara

    Luna Bistro Cafe

    4.3(663 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    I found this bistro from a review reel on instagram about a month ago. The aesthetic itself drew me…read morein. It's even better when you get there. There are so many seating options! We will likely sit in a different area every time we visit. This particular time we were in the center right in front of the live music, it was perfect & we visited around 9:30pm on a Friday night. The lights were dim and the music wasn't overbearing to our conversation. The food was 10/10. I had honey glazed salmon and my husband had the steak (forgot the exact name of the dish naturally). We had a few cocktails also 10/10. Our server Jessie was amazing! I definitely appreciated her attentiveness & softness.I can't wait to go back.

    To start off, this is definitely not meant to bash Luna at all. I think Luna has a great…read moreatmosphere, and the food and drinks have been great every time I've visited. I've been about 2-3 times now, and the food has consistently been really good. That being said, I would definitely recommend a little more customer service training for the servers. Everyone I've encountered has been very nice, but sometimes it's the simple things, like showing that you're happy to serve your paying customers and making sure they feel taken care of. Each time I've visited, we've found ourselves waiting close to 30 minutes for our server to come by for refills, a to-go box, or even the check. I completely understand that mistakes happen and that things can get busy. I've worked in the restaurant industry before, so I really do try my best to be understanding. However, during one of my recent visits, my order came out incorrectly. There was an item on my plate that I had specifically requested not to have. Of course, mistakes happen, and I had no issue communicating the mistake to my server. What bothered me was that instead of apologizing for the error, she looked at me and simply walked away with the plate. I assumed it was a minor mistake and that she would have the order corrected. I could have just removed the item myself, but at the same time, I shouldn't have to pick through my food after receiving an incorrect order when I'm paying for it. When she brought the plate back, she simply left it on the table without saying anything or acknowledging the mistake. I actually found myself apologizing to her for making her do the extra work, and she just walked away. Overall, I really do think Luna is a great restaurant with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. I'm sharing this feedback because I think with some improvement in customer service, communication, and wait times, Luna has the potential to be even better. I would definitely come back, and I hope this feedback is taken as constructive criticism rather than anything negative.

    Photos
    Luna Bistro Cafe - Main dining area

    Main dining area

    Luna Bistro Cafe - Salt and pepper wings

    Salt and pepper wings

    Luna Bistro Cafe - Pain pain go away

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    Pain pain go away

    The 908 - Raspberry Chocolate Cake

    The 908

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    The food here exceeded my expectations. The ribeye was cooked perfectly with a great sear and was…read moreincredibly tender and flavorful. We also ordered the ube Basque cheesecake, and it was easily one of the best desserts I've had recently--rich, creamy, and not too sweet. Our server, Sergio, made the experience even better. He was friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations without making us feel rushed. The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere that's great for date night or dinner with friends. I'll definitely be back, and the cheesecake alone is worth another visit.

    DINING While Black…read more The 908 Restaurant Environment 1-5: 5 I really appreciated the ambiance and decor of the space. After enduring weeks of record breaking heat in Long Beach, this was the perfect place to land as the Summer Breeze... Makes Me Feel Fineeee again. A very well but gently lit space that still feels cozy and spacious. The outside gives no indication of how well the inside has been designed. Great for lunch or dinner dates. Noise level was low and there's no feeling of a chaotic restaurant environment. Food/Service 1-5: 4.8 I order the shrimp and lobsters fettuccine, bone marrow as an appetizer. My company ordered the lamb burger. All dishes we beautifully plated; true works of art. Neither of us had any complaints about presentation and creativity. As far as taste and as excited as we were to dig in to our food, the ONLY setback was the lack of seasoning mainly salt. I'm aware that a Chef does their best to meet the expectations of their guest. I'm also aware that meeting everyone's expectations is impossible. To confirm my advice of needing some salt in the food I patrons the restaurant twice, two days in a row. The food needs more salt and I stand solid on that opinion. The service was great and I thanked Mel for taking such great care of us. Mel is a rockstar! Diversity score 1-5: 4 The restaurant definitely appeals to diverse crowds. It reminded of the days I frequented Marcus Samuelsson's Red Rooster in Harlem, NY. Go again score 1-5: 5, Absolutely. I do hope I don't have to keep bothering the server for salt and pepper.

    Photos
    The 908
    The 908 - Caesar Salad

    Caesar Salad

    The 908 - Ube Painkiller

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    Ube Painkiller

    Dolores

    Dolores

    4.1(1.5k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Dolores, what can I say...exceptional! I've been coming here since when it was previously The…read moreSocial List. The food, service, just the overall hospitality never disappoints! The restaurant is family owned, and they not only treat their patrons like family, but they treat their staff with the utmost support and love. The food! Every single item I have eaten thus far has been so delicious! Today I had the pot roast....so damn good! My husband had his favorite: the western bacon vegan cheeseburger. He says it tastes better than Carls Jr! We also had the Kung Pao Cauliflower...it has just enough of a spicy kick that doesn't overwhelm the rest of the taste. They also do a once a month event called on a Tuesday called the Good Luck Vinyl Club. It's a listening session focused on one particular album. Speciality cocktails are made the for the event along with a limited menu selection since it's get really packed and sells out! I would highly recommend going to this event if you can! The ambiance, its open air space and very welcoming. It's a wonderful spot to gather with your friends, family, or even if you go solo! It's a must go to spot and has deep roots in the Long Beach community! Thank you Navarro family! What a great place to call my favorite restaurant (along with your Lola's, of course!)

    If you are gluten-free or celiac, do not go here. Based on the reviews and the phone call I just…read morehad with the manager, they do not have an understanding of what they're serving, and are unknowingly mistreating their guests. The manager's attitude was less than professional, and did nothing to offer any reassurance

    Photos
    Dolores  - New 2020 Menu

    New 2020 Menu

    Dolores  - Pulled Pork and Artichoke Flatbread and Peanut Butter French Toast Waffle. Both so good!!

    Pulled Pork and Artichoke Flatbread and Peanut Butter French Toast Waffle. Both so good!!

    Dolores  - Chilaquiles

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    Chilaquiles

    Reef on the Water - seafood - Updated September 2026

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