Due Fiori — Restaurant in Long Beach

We went to Due Fiore last night with a large group after a matinee concert, looking for a chill, delicious spot to unwind. The ambiance is gorgeous – like a secret backyard tucked off the hustle and bustle of 4th Street. I loved the lighting, and it honestly felt like eating on a friend’s patio.

The service was exceptional. Our waitress, Tess, was so gracious with her time, walking us through the wine list and offering us tasters. I had one of the chilled reds, which was delicious. My boyfriend is a new fan of orange wine, and they had an incredible selection. Admittedly, I was initially a little disappointed that they don’t serve cocktails (especially since the ones at Baby Gee’s – same owners – are out of this world), but the wine list was so well-curated and paired beautifully with the food.

The food itself was excellent. For seven people, we split two salads, one appetizer, two pizzas, and two pastas, and it was the perfect amount. The sprouted cauliflower appetizer was the most impressive dish of the night – though it’s cauliflower, it looks and even kind of tastes like broccoli. The eggplant purée that came with it was a fabulous addition. The Caesar salad was also a standout: perfectly dressed – and they're very generous with parmesan.

For pastas, we tried the lemon pasta, which was so comforting—it reminded me of buttered noodles from my childhood, but with a literal lemon twist. The special was a pasta with tomato cream sauce and nduja and was also delicious, though I preferred the simplicity of the lemon one (my boyfriend disagrees!).

The pizzas were small but mighty! The Diavolo came with a hot honey that I honestly wanted to eat with a spoon, and the pineapple pizza had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. I’m not usually a fan of deep-dish style, but these were more like focaccia pizzas.

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Visiting Long Beach, a friend suggested we try Due Fiori for dinner. We arrived just before opening to avoid a wait, which was a great tip. Ordering at the counter was expected, but the upselling felt a bit pushy; staff was friendly, just a little rushed when encouraging us to go family-style, and add drinks and dessert before we really had time to browse the menu.

We ordered Il Cesare, penne with tomato sauce, Margherita pizza, seafood linguine, and sausage rigatoni based on the host’s suggestion, that it was a slam dunk.

The outdoor seating was lovely, music and atmosphere were perfect, and the food came out quickly. Highlights were the Cesare. Seriously one of the best we’ve had with a mountain of Parmesan. The seafood linguine also hit the mark, rich and buttery with perfectly cooked clams and shrimp. We’d definitely order those again.

The pizza was tasty but smaller than expected and leaned more Detroit-style than classic Margherita. The penne had good flavor, but way more gravy than pasta. Would have been wise ordering that upsell side of sourdough at the beginning. Not sure we’d reorder.

Unfortunately, the sausage rigatoni missed the mark. The pasta itself was bloated and overcooked, and we ended up leaving most of it. When we shared our feedback, the response about other diners also complaining about the bitterness of the rapini felt unexpected and frankly awkward. A replacement or comped dessert would’ve gone a long way.

Once seated, service was attentive, but the order-and-pay-upfront model took away from the overall experience. Next time, we’ll skip the early gratuity prompt and tip in cash at the end based on service rendered.

Overall, a mixed experience—some dishes were excellent, others missed the mark. Worth trying again now that we...

Who needs Eataly? Not me—not after discovering Due Fiori, the ultimate Italian dining experience right here in Long Beach. We celebrated Mother’s Day at this warm, welcoming neighborhood gem, and it exceeded every expectation. The food? Exceptional. The service? Attentive, friendly, and professional.

Here’s what we ordered (and what you should too): • Marinated Olives – Simple, classic, and absolutely delicious. • Snap Peas – Fresh, vibrant, and beautifully seasoned. • Caesar Salad – Almost skipped this… but it turned out to be the surprise star of the meal. One of the best we’ve ever had. • Housemade Sourdough – A must. Warm, crusty, and perfect with both olive oil and butter—at the same time. Pure heaven. • Cacio e Pepe – The best I’ve ever eaten (and I’ve had it in Eataly NYC and Italy!). Creamy, peppery perfection that totally blew Eataly’s version out of the water. • Rigatoni Pomodoro – Rich, comforting, and packed with tomato flavor. • Pizza with Speck & Artichokes – Crusty pan like pizza with unctuous stringy smoky mozzarella. We couldn’t stop eating it. This one’s addictive.

Due Fiori delivers elevated Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and heartfelt hospitality. It’s everything you want in a local Italian restaurant—and more.

Tip: Get there early. There will be a line. But it’s worth every second.

Congrats to the whole team. You’ve created something truly special. We’ll be...