Nestled between the major arteries of Pacific Coast Highway and Anaheim Street, the Sunrise neighborhood of Long Beach, CA, offers more than just tree-lined streets and friendly vibes—it’s a surprisingly robust destination for adventurous eaters and comfort food lovers alike. Whether you’re a local hunting for your next go-to brunch spot or a visitor craving something off the beaten culinary path, Sunrise delivers. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best dining, cafés, bakeries, and surprising food finds in this vibrant corner of Long Beach!
Where to Start: The Major Food Hubs
Sunrise’s compact size means you’re never far from great food. Key dining clusters can be found:
- Along Redondo Avenue, especially near 7th Street and Pacific Coast Highway
- Around the intersection of Cherry Avenue and Anaheim Street
- Scattered side-street gems, especially between Orizaba and Temple Avenue
Standout Restaurants Representing Sunrise Flavor
El Sauz Restaurant: Homestyle Mexican at Its Best
- Location: 7th Street & Orizaba Avenue
- Cuisine: Traditional Mexican
- Price Range: $
- Why Go: For nearly a decade, El Sauz has been a neighborhood staple with its sizzling carnitas, incredibly fresh salsa bar, and house-made horchata. Don’t miss their chile verde burritos or the breakfast chilaquiles—perfect after a late night or a busy work week.
Phnom Penh Noodle Shack: Cambodian Comfort
- Location: Cherry Avenue & Anaheim Street
- Cuisine: Cambodian, Southeast Asian
- Price Range: $-$$
- Why Go: This family-run spot draws loyal fans (and visiting foodies) from across Long Beach and beyond for its aromatic noodle soups and krueng-marinated beef sticks. The house special, Hu Tieu noodles topped with ground pork and shrimp, is legendary. Arrive early—this place gets busy on weekends!
The Social List: Gastropub Good Times
- Location: 7th & Orizaba (on the border of Sunrise)
- Cuisine: American, European-inspired
- Price Range: $$-$$$
- Why Go: Perfect for a casual dinner or lively brunch, The Social List impresses with truffle fries, Spanish-inspired tapas, and a craft beer list showcasing Southern California’s best. Try the patatas bravas and duck confit hash for something different.
Coffee & Cravings: Where to Caffeinate and Sweeten Your Day
Portfolio Coffeehouse: Artistic Brews & Bites
- Location: 4th Street near Redondo Avenue
- Cuisine: Coffee, Pastries, Light Fare
- Price Range: $-$$
- Why Go: A community hub for artists and students, Portfolio blends strong espresso drinks with a sunny patio, rotating art displays, and fresh-baked goods. Their avocado toast and vegan chocolate chip cookies are local legends. Open late—ideal for late-night studying or dates.
Colossus Bread + Coffee: The Croissant Whisperers
- Location: N Redondo Avenue at 7th Street
- Cuisine: Artisan Bakery, Coffee
- Price Range: $$
- Why Go: The crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside sourdough loaves and perfectly flaky croissants have earned this bakery a cult following. Go early for the best selection—the black sesame croissant and berry danish sell out fast!
Food Trucks & Casual Bites: Big Flavors, Small Bills
Tacos El Chavito Truck: Late Night Magic
- Location: Portable, but most often parked near Cherry Avenue & Anaheim Street after 7pm
- Cuisine: Mexican Street Food
- Price Range: $
- Why Go: With al pastor roasting on a spit and fresh salsas in abundance, this truck knows how to please crowds. Their carne asada tacos and cheesy birria quesadillas are a rite of passage for Sunrise night owls.
Waffle Love: Sweet & Savory Waffle Truck
- Location: Rotates, but often on Redondo near 7th or outside Portfolio Coffeehouse on weekends
- Cuisine: Sweet & Savory Waffles
- Price Range: $-$$
- Why Go: Offering Belgian Liège waffles topped with everything from fried chicken to lemon curd, Waffle Love is a Sunrise favorite for brunch-on-the-go. Their strawberry and cream waffle is perfect for Instagram (and your taste buds).
Hidden Gems Worth the Search
Phnom Penh Sandwiches: Bahn Mi with a Local Twist
- Location: Anaheim St. near Temple Ave.
- Cuisine: Asian-Fusion Sandwiches
- Price Range: $
- Why Go: Blending Cambodian flavors with French baguettes, their lemongrass chicken banh mi and fried tofu sandwiches are flavor-packed, generously stuffed, and very wallet-friendly. For just a few dollars, you can eat like royalty.
Bake ‘n Broil: Old-School American Desserts
- Location: Atlantic Avenue, just north of Sunrise—but close enough!
- Cuisine: Diner Classics, Bakery
- Price Range: $$
- Why Go: Worth the short drive, Bake ‘n Broil’s pies and layer cakes keep locals coming back for decades. The German chocolate cake and lemon meringue pie are not to be missed. Their breakfast menu is hearty, classic, and comforting.
Food Traditions and Community Flavor
The Sunrise neighborhood is a microcosm of Long Beach’s global food scene. Here, you’ll find:
- Multi-generational bakeries hustling day and night to keep the bread cabinets full
- Food trucks transforming street corners into communal gathering spots
- Chefs honoring family recipes from Mexico, Cambodia, and beyond, creating flavor memories for locals
- Cafés and coffeehouses that double as creative and social hubs
On weekends, follow the locals to farmers’ markets popping up along Redondo Avenue or outside area schools, featuring tamales, locally roasted coffee, and fresh orange juice. The annual “Sunrise Eats” pop-up street event highlights both neighborhood classics and up-and-coming food purveyors, giving you a taste of the neighborhood’s evolving palate.
Eat Like a Local: Tips for Sunrise Dining
- Don’t be afraid to wander side streets—some of the best bakeries are in unexpected spots!
- Many places are cash-only, especially food trucks, so bring small bills.
- Try a savory breakfast at one spot and grab a pastry from another—food-crawling is a local tradition.
- Sunrise is generally walkable, but lunch rush hour at big favorites like Phnom Penh Noodle Shack can mean a wait. Go early, or plan a late lunch.
Final Bite
Sunrise is more than just a quiet Long Beach neighborhood; it’s a living map of global flavors and local pride. From bustling Mexican taquerias to innovative coffeehouses and the comforting hum of family-owned bakeries, Sunrise’s food scene invites you to linger, taste, and return. Bring your appetite—and a friend or two. The next unforgettable meal is just around the block.