In honor of Long Beach Architecture week, we’re celebrating the most impressive places to grab a bite – and a side of history!
We are lucky here in Long Beach to be surrounded by so many beautiful historic buildings and feats of architecture. From historic Pine Avenue to the mammoth buildings of the 1920’s building boom, there are plenty of places to stop and take in the beauty of our remnants of early Long Beach.
Why not grab a bite to eat while admiring all this fine work? Check out these amazing restaurants and the historic buildings they call home!
Congregation Ale House – The Insurance Exchange Building
Congregation Ale House is a Catholic-themed restaurant and brewery that has taken their theme seriously! From stained-glass windows to cathedral decor, this restaurant feels like a step back in time. It’s located in the Insurance Exchange Building which began as a Beaux-Arts building (and one of Long Beach’s biggest buildings of the era) in 1925.
District Wine – The Lafayette Building
After a morning of enjoying historic art and architecture, District Wine offers a friendly and homey atmosphere to relax and enjoy daily wine tastings and small plates. They offer out-of-the-ordinary treats like strawberry jalapeno jam and gorgonzola pineapple flatbread to enjoy while basking in the beauty of the historic Lafayette Building. This building was completed in 1928 and originally offered 82 apartments in downtown Long Beach. The building still serves as housing, as well as a great place to sip a glass of wine!
La Traviata – The Willmore building
La Traviata offers classic Italian fare in the stunning historic French-revival Willmore Building on Cedar Avenue. The building was erected in 1925 as one of the most elegant buildings in Long Beach. La Traviata makes good use of the building’s historic charm with their elegant dining room, relaxing patio, events lounge, and live piano performances.
L’Opera – First National Bank Building
L’Opera Ristorante, located in the old First National Bank and clock tower, is fine dining at its best. Their timeless interior and old-world Italian charm are warmly inviting. The chef shops at local farmers and produce markets for the best quality ingredients to enhance the flavors of classic and modern Italian cuisine. The restaurant walls are creatively adorned with large artwork by renowned local artists and floor-to-ceiling windows to watch the city outside. We look forward to their Grand Re-opening coming soon!
