I had seen this restaurant mentioned several times in the Long Beach Food Page on Facebook and the photos have always been amazing and it looks delicious. So when my colleague asked where I wanted to eat, I announced Selva! I am recovering from a car accident and don't get to get out much. So I was looking forward to enjoying a lovely happy hour of food food and drinks. Well... that didn't happen. The front staff were really friendly and sweet, and so that is why there are two stars instead of one. We ordered civeche, chicken wangs, mushroom croquettes, arepas and milkbuns. We were hungry. We also ordered drinks. I tried the coconut drink Batidas or something like that and my friend ordered a mescal margarita. The drinks were not good at all. We really wanted to like them and the bartender offered to add more lime to my friends drink and mine was so sour. So he made me a plain margarita instead. It wasn't good at all. We literally couldn't drink the drinks. The food... well. Most of it was pretty. The ceviche was okay... it tasted better with the green sauce he brought in the side. There was plenty of plantain chips to eat it with so that was good. The chicken wings were cooked nicely, but tasted like straight vinegar. We both wanted to like it but it was like eating spicy vinegar. The sauce it came with--we couldn't figure it out and it didn't make it better. The arepas. What the heck... they had no flavor at all. We didn't finish it. Or the wings. The mushroom croquette only came with three. That was the best thing we ate and there were two of us and three of them. They were delicious and I would have eaten a plate of them by myself. The milk buns. They were straight rocks. Like I banged my knife against it and it was rock hard. By this time we didn't want another thing. They offered to replace it but my friend literally said: "Let's just get the check, tip them, and get out of here." Which is what we did. $60 for food and drinks we didn't eat. It was rough to walk away without feeling satiated. The guy said he took off the milk buns--which, of course they should have. I wish they offered to take the drinks off too as they sat untouched. One thing I noticed though--is the kitchen is visible so you can see the chefs in back. They don't look happy at all. In fact the blonde man looked mean and mad. He looked unhappy and that seeps into the food in my opinion. My food tasted angry. The people in front were nice. But I'm not sure if it was an off kitchen day, but I'm hesitant to try this place again. Definitely not for the drinks. PS: We ended up at Olas after for more food and drinks cause we were still starving. Another $60 bucks spent to basically recreate our order. But it hit the spot! read more

I've been hesitant to write this review because my partner and I have frequented Selva many times, often bringing friends and family along. We've always been advocates of this place, which makes this particular experience all the more disappointing. Last Thursday, we decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner out, given our hectic work schedules recently. We ordered several dishes, including a fish entrée. Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the meal was interrupted when I bit into something hard in the fish. Initially thinking it was a bone, I was dismayed to find it was actually a large piece of plastic. We informed our server, Cole, who has always been fantastic, and he promptly notified the manager. While we appreciated the swift attention to our concern, the manager's inquiry about the specific location of the plastic in the fish felt a bit misplaced and didn't really address our immediate discomfort. He even clearly stated "It's a piece of deli plastic from the container." It was in my mouth and I could have swallowed plastic is the only relevant detail needed. This incident significantly dampened our appetite, and we chose not to order further, despite having more dishes planned. The restaurant did comp our meal, a gesture we genuinely appreciated. However, the incident left us feeling uneasy, and we're not sure when we'll feel comfortable returning if ever. It's important to mention that Cole, our server, was as professional and empathetic as always, managing to alleviate the situation somewhat with his exceptional service. His ability to handle such situations is truly commendable. While I understand that accidents happen, the way they are handled is crucial. I hope Selva takes this feedback constructively and implements measures to ensure such incidents are avoided in the future. We've had many good memories here, and unfortunately it was overshadowed by this experience. read more

Selva had been on my Long Beach list for quite some time, but I hadn't visited the area in over a year or two. When my partner mentioned that her friend was having a baby shower in Long Beach, it presented the perfect opportunity to finally try this Colombian restaurant. Having never experienced Colombian cuisine before, I was excited to see both familiar and new dishes on the menu. Though I was tempted to order everything, we restrained ourselves since it was just the two of us. Ambiance: The restaurant's ambiance was inviting and relaxing, with a beautiful decor featuring flowers and hanging plants, creating a chill vibe as the evening progressed. It quickly became crowded, hinting at its popularity, and I soon discovered why--it was the incredible food. Beverages: Selva Old Fashioned: 4.5/5 Mora Amora: 4.5/5 Food: Duck Afro-Asian Chaufa: 4.5/5 Mushroom Croquettes: 5/5 Sea Scallops & Arepas: 3/5 (Market Price around $32) Pork Belly: 3.5/5 Service: The waitress was friendly, but the service was a bit slow, likely due to the evening rush. Cleanliness: The restaurant maintained great cleanliness throughout our visit. Overall, if I find myself in the Long Beach area again, Selva would definitely be on my list to revisit. The food and atmosphere make it a worthwhile destination. read more

Had the worst service experience at Selva this weekend. They gave away the table we reserved (CC required) because we arrived more than 15 mins after the scheduled time. Totally understandable if you're busy. We were fine with putting our name on the list or waiting for a spot at the bar to open up. With in 10 mins I got a notification from my Credit Card that Selva had charged us $30 via Yelp reservation system. I thought this was a mistake. Again, we had our name on the list, we wanted to give them our business and eat the food. We were looking forward to it. Why would a restaurant do this? It must have been a mistake. Right? I talked to someone who said they were a manager. I asked if we are being credited this back on our bill, or are they charging me whether we eat there or not. She says they are charging this even if we eat there because we were over 15 mins after the reservation time. If this is how they treat customers in the front of house, I can't imagine what they are doing to the food. In summary. I made a reservation. I called to say were were running late. Put our name on the wait list and were expecting a little wait to get a spot. I was charged $30 and told they do this whether we eat there or not. read more

If you haven't been to Selva, you're missing out on one of the most vibrant and soulful dining experiences this side of the equator. This Colombian restaurant brings the heart of Cartagena to your plate, with bold flavors, warm hospitality, and a menu that makes you want to order one of everything. Let's talk highlights: * The plantains are perfection--crispy on the outside, sweet and tender inside. They're not just a side dish; they're a reason to come back. * The buñuelos are golden, airy cheese fritters that strike the perfect balance between savory and slightly sweet. Think of them as the lovechild of a donut and a cheese puff, in the best way possible. * And the yucca fries? Thick-cut, crispy, and lightly salted, they're the kind of fries that make regular potato fries look like amateurs. Dip them in the house sauce and thank me later. Selva isn't trying to reinvent Colombian food--it's honoring it with care, flair, and flavor that lingers. Whether you're Colombian or new to the cuisine, this place feels like a celebration. Highly recommended. read more

I was excited to try Selva in Long Beach but the experience didn't quite live up to expectations. We ordered the buñuelos, the pork belly chicharrón, and the fried rice. The chicharrón was delicious, crispy and flavorful, and definitely the highlight of the meal. The buñuelos were fine, but the fried rice, which was highly recommended, came topped with boxed fried onions and felt a little underwhelming compared to the photos online. Overall, it wasn't a bad meal, just not quite what I was hoping for, so I probably wouldn't revisit. read more

This place is an absolute must-visit in Long Beach and truly a hidden gem. The flavors were authentic and thoughtfully crafted, clearly made by a chef with a romantic flair and passion for their craft. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was exceptional from start to finish. A memorable dining experience I'd recommend to anyone. read more

Loved the food & the service was great! Yucca fries are a must and if you are a coffee drinker like me the moo goat drip is so good even without any sweetners or cream. Will definitely be back again read more

Horrible service, I would pick anything else over this spot. I don't get it, the food is mediocre at best, but the service is a huge turn off, I can't believe how they treat customers read more

We went here for the first time after they first opened and we cannot say enough good things about the food, the drinks, the service !!!! This is a must have place !!! LOVE LOVE LOVE read more

Amazing food and atmosphere. Very tasty and great quality. The ambiance is great and the staff is very friendly

Good food, portions small and expensive. The drinks not so good. I don't think I will ever really go again.

Food, service, and ambiance was extraordinary. It has its own parking . I would definitely try it again.

Awesome place to eat great people great food great atmosphere I told my family and friends great name

Selva is what happens when your Pinterest board takes precedence over your culinary career.

worst parking situation!!!!!!!! accidents waiting to happen!!!! fix it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Try it . Great food. The chef owner very pleasant. You must try it completely satisfied

Amazing food, lively atmosphere, and great service! Highly recommend this restaurant.