Let me start by saying, I absolutely LOVE Italian food. I've experienced (and eaten my way through, Lol) many different cities in Italy and I've visited many different Italian restaurants across the Los Angeles metro area. This is by far the most authentic Italian restaurant I've come across in LA. The venue is small, yet warm and welcoming. And the ambience is relaxed with romantic lighting; very similar to a restaurant you'd find in Florence, Italy. The food is absolutely SPECTACULAR! I honestly can not rave about it enough. My husband and I ordered: Bruschetta: 5/5 Lasagna: 5/5 Chicken Normondy: 5/5 (AMAZING) Limoncello cake: 5/5 Vanilla Cheesecake w/ raspberry sauce: 5/5 Complimentary bread/salad with meal: unexpected and appreciated 5/5 Lol We didn't explore the wine list because I'm currently pregnant, BUT I'm sure the pairing of these dishes with a proper white/red would have taken these dishes to another level. Servers were awesome! Prompt, polite, and very helpful when navigating the menu (especially the older gentleman, I didn't get his name). I would recommend anyone to check out this place in their leisure! Amazing!! read more

Amazing!! Just amazing!! I left there thanking my friend for bringing me to this amazing place. Literally a hole in the wall, if you blink you'll miss it. The ambiance is amazing, so original so comfortable and welcoming. My first time having Gnocchi and the way the sauce was glistening as it was being served won my heart the flavor was something I've never had in my life, specially when it comes to Italian food. It's the kind of place you want to try a new dish every time you visit. I decided to go again for my MILs birthday, she's loves Olive Garden and has never had real Italian food so I knew it was gonna be a hit, which it was. As for her husband? He hates Olive Garden and any kind of pastas, I recommended the chicken Parmesan, which he ordered. I watched him take his first bite and as soon as he took that bite he looked up and said "WOWWWW this is amazing!!" So yeah go. Go and enjoy your self some authenticity also be patient it's a small place so seating is very very limited for big parties. If you are a party of 2 you'll get seated faster read more

Cafe Gazelle - Sadly the only photo I got during my visit. Food was so good I forgot to take a photo!! Delicious salad, soup is great too. - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This wonderful Italian restaurant is a literal hole in the wall that has been hidden on a side street for 45 years. I had the seafood pasta and it was delicious. It comes with a small loaf of bread, butter, and a salad. Don't expect white tablecloths and fine china. This adds to the charm of the place. It's just the owner and one employee. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Frutti di Mare - Seafood pasta - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

This place needs to work on ambiance. It's very run down with flies coming in from open windows. The walls and baseboards were dirty. It has an authentic style Italian restaurant. Bread not stall and hard , salad was okay, dinner was good. Service was good. For the price it and area I would not return nor would I recommend to a friend. read more

My boyfriend and I were throughly impressed by Cafe Gazelle ! The food was amazing and staff were very friendly. I wanted to leave a review to add some more images of their dishes and show our support. We will definitely be back ! read more

See all

I've been meaning to stop by this very quaint and cute spot you'd never know was hidden amongst the bustling 2nd street corridor. But it is a very small space; so I'd recommend coming at a non peak dinner hour with less people bumping into tables. Service was non intrusive and polite. Bread service was perfect, and my eggplant parmigiana was an authentic preparation with lots of eggplant and less breading. But I wish it were seasoned more. Same for the starter cream of spinach soup. My friend enjoyed his formaggi pasta. Dessert menu has a very nice selection of cakes, and the multi layered pistachio cake really grew on me, with a lovely texture and surprisingly delicious lemon cream! Espresso was astoundingly high quality. There's a nice wine list by bottle and a handful of selections by the glass. I am glad I came but will definitely consider another visit during the off hours. read more

See all

Me and my husband came here for our anniversary and the food was PHENOMENAL! We will DEFINITELY be returning in the future! The food tasted like it was made with love, and it reminded me so much of the Mediterranean flavors and styles of cooking that I grew up with. The service was perfect and on time every time between the bread service, the apps, the food, and the owner even offered us dessert afterwards and brought them to the table using a display platter just like they do in Europe. I was so full I couldn't even think about dessert but I can't wait to come back and try the Tiramisu! The ambiance is amazing- it is dimly lit, small, and feels like a perfect little off-the-wall mom-and-pop shop. 1000/10 the best Italian food i've ever had here in Southern California. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Chicken Parmiggiana & Pasta Russa - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Cozy little restaurant with big flavors. There were four of us this evening. We started with a bottle of Chianti, 2019 Gabbiano. It was the perfect amount without over indulging. Smooth and was an excellent pairing, it goes without saying. Three appetizers were shared amongst us: The mushroom al limone - sauteed with garlic, lemon, and butter. Very saucy and best to scarpetta - The art of using bread to soak up the last drop of sauce on your plate. And very healthy for your immunity, gut and brain health! The Melanzana - roasted eggplant, shallots, and fresh mozzarella. Calamari - sauteed with garlic. Not fried. I love this. Much healthier. A plate of angel hair pasta would have married well with all three apps! For our meal, I ordered the meatball pasta. Paying homage to my dad who loves this dish wherever Italian is served. It was delicious. Loaded with two giant meatballs and bolognese, this is your definition of comfort food. Husband had the Chicken Florentine - lemon, capers, lemon, spinach. With green beans and pasta. Very balanced. My sister and BIL ordered the veal piccata and mushroom pasta with sausage. They look good too! Can't forget dessert. The tiramisu and the Pistacchio cake. Wow. I could have easily eaten both, myself but we shared lol. I am so ready to come again and try all the rest of the menu. Service was super friendly and fairly quick. Glad to have dined and support local business. Buon appetito! read more

See all

The food was excellent. My wife had the chicken piccata and I had the pescatore. So many flavors we hadn't experienced before. The bruschetta was also fantastic. read more

See all

In 50 years when I'm in the senior living home, someone will ask me what my favorite restaurant is. I won't remember much, but I WILL remember this one hole in the wall Italian spot called Cafe Gazelle. Best Italian food I've ever had. I went there all the time. Frank was always so wonderful. Glad it's still there. I'm a bit of an Italian food snob. I cook lots of it at home, and I always try to be as authentic as possible. No heavy cream in my carbonara. Simple, tasty ingredients. Always San Marzano. I'm picky about pasta quality and firmness. Cafe Gazelle seems like the kind of place I dream of one day opening. When Frank brought the soup of the day out, I was pleasantly surprised to see how hearty and flavorful it was. The bread was delicious, and the soup tasted heavenly. As I was waiting for my food, I looked into the kitchen. Frank was inspecting the plates and garnishing them with parsley. Then, he brought the food out. I cried tears of joy inside. It looked like it was made with love and care. I took a bite. I was right. The sauce was not watery. It clung onto my penne, yet its flavor was delightfully refreshing. Eggplant was beautifully lightly charred. Hearty mushrooms to accompany it. Penne was al dente. Every piece. Same with the other pasta we got. The chicken was tender and seasoned just right. Everything looked like it was made at home; with love, care, and simple and fresh ingredients. When we were done, Frank brought out a platter of desserts to display. When we were finished, out came the check. Handwritten. No POS system. Like how I like my watches analog, I like my checks and bills handwritten. What a place. The staff here are all wonderful. Intimate service accompanying an intimate and classy setting. No frills. Hearty, classy, and good-for-the-soul food. 20/10 recommend. read more

See all

This is a tiny Italian restaurant with an intimate feel to it. It's a bit dated but that adds to the charm. It seemed there were only 3 people working: the chef, the waiter and the food runner, but with less than 10 tables that's all you need. I loved that the meal was served with hot, fresh bread and a simple salad. You don't often see that these days. You'll find all of the classics on the menu and the portions were quite large. We started out with the sautéed calamari and with all that butter and garlic it was just wonderful. We even dipped our bread into it so that none of that sauce would go to waste. I had the Spaghetti and Meatballs. The meatballs were on the small side but it also comes in a meat sauce with nice flavor that's well prepared. It was a nice touch that they bring the desserts out on a tray for you to select from. And of course once you see them you can't pass them up! We had a lemon cake that we both enjoyed as a way to cap off the meal. read more

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

See all

I hate paying for pasta on most days, but I would return for the attentive service by the younger gentleman, cozy mom and pop vibes, and delicious food. This is a no frills kind of casual restaurant, and not inundated by social media crowds (yet). It's definitely a hidden gem in Belmont Shore! There was bread and salad service, which was a pleasant surprise! My partner and I ordered the Melazana (roasted eggplant) and gnocchi for apps. I ordered the frutti de mare because I heard their seafood is excellent. We ordered with my eyes because we could not finish everything. Leftovers are always welcomed. read more

See all

My first visit to Cafe Gazelle after visiting Long Beach many times. It is my family friend's favorite in the Belmont Shore. It is certainly a very small, cozy, intimate spot so always best to make a reservation. There are only about 4-6 tables at a time. The owners and staff are so kind and delightful. The wine, salad, bread, and pasta were delicious. Their menu is expansive and you cannot go wrong with any plate. Try it for yourself, enjoy. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Fettuccine Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

We love this hidden gem in Belmont Shore! Great pasta and a very intimate setting. The service is great and it feels like a cozy little cafe in Italy. read more

Small, intimate, hole in the wall. Well-made pasta. Perfect portion sizes. Tried a few pasta dishes here and everyone is great. Pasta is well cooked and the ingredients seem fresh. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

What a gem ! Small Italian restaurant , located in the busy Belmont shore area parking is obviously busy , so expect to walk here from your spot ... Came on a not so busy night and got sat down right away , loved the atmosphere, very cozy , very close , table was set up nicely , everything looked clean , kitchen was firing up dishes ! When with the gnocchi for a starter .. wow loved it been thinking of it since .. and then I went with a pasta dish and got shrimp in it ... first of all how they slice the shrimp is so amazing ... definitely means they properly and devein it !! Love that .. everything tasted fresh , amazing flavors . Stafff was great ... didn't try any desserts ... I did see a waiter with a tray asking the couple next to me if they wanted desserts when I was leaving and I was a bit bummed because if they would have flashed me that tray I would have definitely been convinced lol ... A must try Italian restaurant! read more

See all

Cafe Gazelle has been around for decades and is well-known by locals. A tiny cafe with only about 6-7 tables, it does a superb job of getting out wonderful food at a reasonable price. Is it a bit tight? Yes. Do you occasionally have to watch out for your neighbor or a server? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. All entrees include a wonderfully toasted, warm roll with fresh butter on the table! You then have a choice between a fresh little salad or a small bowl of soup. I always take the salad and it's light and refreshing. I usually chow down the whole roll but try to pace myself before my pasta arrives. I recently had the Artichoke Pasta and it was wonderful with olive oil, garlic, and, of course, artichoke hearts. My companion had the lasagna and raved about it. I loved that the lasagna had ample sauce on the plate for dipping one's bread! Parking can be absolutely a problem albeit I lucked out and got a space right in front. Free parking after 7pm. Parking lot behind BofA for those of us who drive and find it easier just to pay. Yes, you might have to wait for a table. There are a few outside. They turn over quickly! It's worth it! I'd get there before 7pm or after 8:30! read more

I absolutely adore this place. I make my boyfriend come with me at least twice a month. Even came for my birthday with my family. The restaurant is very small, but I think that is why the service is so intimate and fantastic. Every time I finish an item, the plate is immediately bussed. They are so attentive, and I can tell they really care about this place. The food is delicious, with the artichoke hearts, cheese raviolis, formaggi, and russa being my favorites! It's hard to go anywhere else for Italian food now. If I could give 10 stars I would! read more

Parking is rough because Belmont Shore is always busy. You'll probably have to arrive early or wait for a table because there are only 7 inside. The food is well worth waiting for though. I went with a couple of friends and was able to try a few different dishes. Bruschetta, chicken Parmesan, michaellangelo, gnocchi with bolognese and a few desserts. Every single dish was a hit. I would order all of them again. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

The food was delicious! It's a very small place so just be cautious of that and be prepared, the staff is quick and friendly. Can't wait to go back and try a new dish read more

Cafe Gazelle - Formaggi, Penne baked in a cream-tomato and four cheeses - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

Love the artichoke spaghetti! Mushrooms appetizer is the best. Have been going since 2000. Highly recommended

Genuinely the best place we happened to stumble across. The ambience is cozy and familiar and the staff treats everyone so kindly. The food was genuinely the best thing I ever had. The appetizer, the bread, EVEN THE BUTTER, and especially the main dish. I plan on coming back again. You should definitely stop by and visit. COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF, THE OWNER, THE WAITER EVERYONE. read more

Cafe Gazelle - ravioli + salsicce - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

How is this place still in business? We've been here three times over the past 15 years and each time the food was awful -- everything from the low quality olive oil to the soupy pasta dishes. The second visit was five years after the first visit, and the third was more recent, just to give it one more chance. We had hoped that it had changed since most of the reviews are so positive. No, same bad food. read more

Outstanding food, service and vibe. We love the old school experience. Delicious and unmatched Italian food. We will be back!

The food at Cafe Gazelle is out of this world--some of the best Italian food I've had in southern california. Pasta is cooked perfectly and everything we had from the eggplant appetizer to cheesecake dessert had complex, delicious flavors. A great spot for a romantic but laid back date. Space is quite small so you'll be rubbing elbows with people getting in and out occasionally, but its definitely charming and service is top knotch. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

Last night was our second time to have dinner here. Both occasions were outstanding. Our first visit was a Saturday night, and there were four of us. We got lucky, and only had to wait a few minutes. Last night was Thursday night and getting a table eas easy. Both times, the food was amazing, delicious and authentic which warmed my Northern-Italian-American heart. Grazie! My husband is allergic to tomatoes and peppers, and I am vegetarian, so we're difficult customers, but this menu was easy for both of us. The artichoke appetizer was superb, the first time I had melanzane pasta, which was delicious, and the second visit I had artichoke pasta, even more delicious. Artichokes are carciofi in Italian, and these were meravigliosi. Richard had chicken marmalade both times and loved it. Desserts are fantastic, the Limoncello pie is amazing. Grazie, Caffeine Gazelle, we will be back often read more

All I can do is to continue RAVING about how much I love this little gem of a restaurant!!! The food is incredible, the service is impeccable, and the wine is affordable, haha! It's such a small and cozy restaurant that does not take reservations. Turn around is pretty quick! The street parking in that area can be horrid, but there's also a paid lot directly across the restaurant, thru the alley. Dealing with parking there is so worth it! It's amazing how you never feel like servers are staring at you, but the SECOND you're done eating, they clear a plate. The SECOND you finish your drink, they come and offer more. Just a fantastic dining experience, and it feels like I'm back in Europe every time. If you need to use the bathroom, just be aware that you have to walk thru their kitchen to use it, and it's a supply closet. But oh well, that's how the besttt old-school restaurant work! read more

See all

This is your hidden gem and a neighborhood Italian spot on 2nd Street, but it's off the main street if that makes sense. It is such a small restaurant, and I would easily categorize it as a hole-in-the-wall. When people were leaving, we literally had to move our table so people could pass through. I'm not sure if that is a pro or a con, but if you are claustrophobic, this place is not for you. Also, in my opinion, it's not a good date spot!! We started off the meal with a soup or salad, which came as part of the entree. For the meal, I got the Lasagna Bolognese, which was pretty good! I would try something else next time; I thought the sauce was very thin and greasy. read more

See all

This place is officially the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to. It's small, intimate, cozy, and feels like an authentic family run place you'd actually find in Italy. I ordered the Trifolata; veal with a mushroom cream sauce, green beans and some penne pasta with Parmesan. Normally when I've gone to Italian places or any restaurant in general I worry about their cream sauces, most the time they're just cream with no flavor. Not this place. Everything on the plate was PACKED with flavor. The veal was light, the mushrooms were intense, the sauce was deep and rich, the pasta al dente, the Parmesan delicious, and the green beans were lovely. The salad to start was bright, light, and zesty, and the Tiramisu was Devine! I am 100% going back there soon, I can't wait to slowly try everything on the menu. And the staff were lovely, they were kind and smiling and attentive. I HIGHLY recommend coming to Cafe Gazelle for any occasion, whether a romantic dinner date, a birthday or anniversary, or just a middle of the week dinner. read more

Dining at Cafe Gazelle truly feels like a time-travel and space warp experience. It transports you back to a simpler time and to a lakeside cafe in Northern Italy. The owner was gracious as he personally welcomed us to his restaurant. We were seated at a small table before the bigger table became available, and we were transferred to the more comfortable dining space. The restaurant is very cozy inside, and space is tight, but we're not here for ballroom dancing lessons. The smaller space just made the experience more intimate. I thoroughly enjoyed my pescatore (medium heat spiciness). The scallops were so tender that they melted in my mouth. I could almost taste the Mediterranean sea as I bit into them. The angel hair pasta was cooked to perfection, and the sauce was the impeccable blend of herbiness and tartness. Their homemade bread also shined before the entree arrived. I had their pistachio cake, and it was not overwhelmingly sweet. It was the best way to wrap up a satisfying meal. Being upscale and homey doesn't have to be a contradiction because you clearly have this combination at Cafe Gazelle. It's a great setting to celebrate a special occasion with someone you love. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Pescadore - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Food 5/5: wow? Simple, Clean, tasty, juicy chicken, delicious soup. 10/10 recommend. Service 5/5 Ambiance 2/5 very small But food I highly rec! read more

See all

SO good. Phenomenal. Took me back to eating in Italy. My mind is actually blown. And they were so friendly! Super cramped but in a way that was perfect and I loved the vibe:) 10/10 Pescatore read more

Cafe Gazelle - Pescatore - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Amazing place - the kind of restaurant that should have a line out the door but for now doesn't. Perfect hole in the wall

Delicious! DELICIOUS DELICIOUS delizioso I loved the fact the food came straight from the chef to my table! I could see him working his magic from my table! read more

I ask for this dinner every year for my birthday- it's my favorite Italian restaurant in LB. We've tried a bunch of different things on the menu and everything has been amazing. They are kind, have fast service, and I confirmed with the two sweet older Italian gentlemen that seem to run the place that the pasta is made in house. My boyfriend and I call this place "1 bed 1 bath Italian" because it's tiny, but so worth the quaint atmosphere. read more

Some of the best pasta and service we have ever experienced. Don't let the size of the dining room turn you off of eating here. You'll be missing a hidden gem. read more

This was our first visit to Cafe Gazelle. My wife and I enjoyed an intimate dinner there. Everyone who worked there, made us feel welcommed. My wife was impressed with the chicken piccata and I enjoyed the chicken parmesan. There was a tempting dessert tray. read more

The food is absolutely wonderful! I truly recommend it to anyone who loves the rich flavors of homemade Italian cuisine. Just a small tip--it's quite small, so dining during off-peak hours might make your experience even better. And the owner is simply fantastic! read more

The food was above and beyond. We traveled to Italy a couple of years ago and this place puts us in the same mood. The service was excellent and the attorney was friendly. Even in the midst of rising prices they are reasonably priced. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Wow! Many thanks to owner, Frankie, server Andy and Chef Terrino. A real find. Just off 2nd Street. I had the Pescatore. The scallops and shrimp were plentiful. Sauce was delicious. We also had the caprese salad. It was served with an artichoke garnish. The place is small, so Zi can imagine it with a wait-list. We went at 4:30 and had no wait at all. Please visit this place. A real papa and mama place. read more