This Heavenly Hidden Gem Restaurant is a Must-Try in Long Beach, CA

By Jeremy Schwegmann
BlogCaliforniaDestinationsHidden Gem RestaurantsLong BeachNews

Tucked along Long Beach’s vibrant Retro Row, Tarantella on 4th is where old-world charm meets California cool. 🎷

This family-owned spot dishes out hearty Italian classics with a side of live saxophone tunes and a backyard patio that feels like a secret garden.

@tarantellaon4th

your happiness is a reservation away 🍷🍝✨

♬ original sound – berlioz

Forget stiff white tablecloths—here, it’s homemade pasta, warm rosemary bread, and vibes so inviting you’ll want to stay all night.

Food Highlights

Ragu di Cinghiale Brandon
  • Carbonara: Creamy, salty, and ridiculously satisfying, this $9.95 dish is a steal. Freshly tossed with pancetta and pecorino, it’s the comfort food hug you didn’t know you needed.
  • Cacio e Pepe: Made tableside in a giant cheese wheel ($45), this showstopper is pure Instagram gold—and tastes even better than it looks.
  • Ragu di Cinghiale: Wild boar ragĂą slow-cooked to tender perfection over pappardelle ($15.50). Bold, rustic, and straight from Nonna’s playbook.
  • Tiramisu: Fluffy layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone ($35). Reviewers call it “heaven on a plate” 🍰—worth every calorie.
  • Cioppino: A seafood lover’s dream ($26.50) with shrimp, clams, and mussels swimming in a garlicky tomato broth. Pair it with crusty bread for dipping.
MiTom

Atmosphere

Step into a romantic, twinkle-lit patio where live saxophone melodies float through the air on weekends.

MiTom

Candles flicker at every table, and the vibe is equal parts date-night chic and neighborhood hangout.

While the front room bustles with energy, the hidden backyard feels like a cozy speakeasy—perfect for lazy dinners or clinking glasses with friends.

Just avoid Valentine’s Day: crowds turn the charm dial down, according to some reviews.

Bottom Line

Tarantella on 4th is Long Beach’s not-so-secret secret for hearty Italian fare, live music, and a patio that’ll make you forget you’re in a strip mall.

Go for the cheese-wheel pasta, stay for the sax solos and cannoli.

Address: 2120 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
đź“ž (562) 343-5728
🕔 Open Thu-Fri 5 PM–10 PM, Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM (closed Mon-Wed)