If you think Long Beach is just about the ocean and the Pike, it’s time to detour east and discover South of Conant—a neighborhood where the food scene is as vibrant and welcoming as its tree-lined streets. Nestled between Lakewood Boulevard and Clark Avenue, this residential enclave teems with culinary surprises, ranging from unassuming strip-mall gems to beloved local bakeries and weekend food truck musts. Whether you’re a longtime local or a newcomer hungry to explore, here’s your go-to guide for eating your way through South of Conant.
Main Dining Drag: Spring Street and Beyond
The heart of South of Conant’s dining scene pulses along Spring Street, especially around the intersection with Bellflower Boulevard. While here, you’re never far from creative comfort food, international flavors, and some of Long Beach’s most celebrated breakfast spots.
- The Pan (3550 Long Beach Blvd)
- *Cuisine*: American comfort, breakfast, and brunch
- *Price*: $$
- *Why Go*: Famously buttery pancakes, over-the-top omelets (try the chili cheese or Greek), and strong community vibes make The Pan a breakfast anchor in the neighborhood. Lines form early on weekends, and locals swear by the cinnamon roll pancakes.
- *Insider Tip*: Portions are hefty, so split an entrée or go for the breakfast sampler.
- The Green Olive (3558 E. Broadway—note, they recently opened a lunch-only kitchen near the Spring St. corridor)
- *Cuisine*: Mediterranean
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Chicken shawarma and falafel wraps packed with fresh herbs and tangy sauce. Their garlic fries and housemade baklava are ideal additions. It’s casual, fast, and the Mediterranean flavors make this spot a standout for a quick lunch.
- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que (4828 E. 2nd St., but the Lakewood Blvd. location is super close)
- *Cuisine*: Southern BBQ
- *Price*: $$
- *Why Go*: Soulful Southern hospitality, smoky brisket sandwiches, and sides like cheesy grits or fried pickles. Their St. Louis ribs might be the best north of Memphis.
- *Insider Tip*: Don’t skip the complimentary biscuits and apple butter—they’re legendary.
Neighborhood Hidden Gems
Beyond the busy corridors, South of Conant hides a few lesser-known but equally crave-worthy eats tucked into small plazas and corners.
- Ground Hideout Coffee House (3562 Clark Ave)
- *Cuisine*: Café / Coffee
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: It’s the unofficial living room of the area, with locally roasted beans, inventive lattes (try the lavender honey), and a rotating selection of vegan pastries. Stay for the morning bustle, work-from-café afternoons, and the friendliest baristas around.
- *Insider Tip*: Check their Instagram for weekly pop-up bake sales featuring mochi doughnuts and Filipino-inspired treats.
- Bake-N-Broil (3697 Atlantic Ave, just north but worth the walk!)
- *Cuisine*: American diner/bakery
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Family-owned since the '60s, Bake-N-Broil is a pie powerhouse. Banana cream, seasonal berry, and even boysenberry custard pies grace their glass cases. The breakfast scrambles and chicken pot pie are as comforting as they sound.
- *Insider Tip*: Arrive before noon for cinnamon rolls hot from the oven.
- Pho America (3377 Spring St)
- *Cuisine*: Vietnamese
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Authentic broth, piles of fresh basil, and brisk service. Their house special with rare steak, brisket, and tendon is a healing hug in a bowl. Portions are big enough to share, but you may want your own!
- *Neighborhood ritual*: Many regulars pick up pho to-go for cozy movie nights in.
Food Trucks and Nighttime Nibbles
South of Conant comes alive at night with a small, but mighty food truck presence—often parked near the intersections of Spring St & Clark Ave.
- Birria El Chivo
- *Cuisine*: Tijuana-style birria tacos
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Melt-in-your-mouth beef, consommé for dunking, and fresh corn tortillas. Grab a plate and join neighbors at nearby picnic tables or on the curb for a true SoCal evening.
- Sweet Street Treats
- *Cuisine*: Desserts (rotating—look for churros, mini donuts, or paletas)
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Perfect for post-dinner sweet cravings, this roving dessert truck is a kid (and adult) favorite on warm nights.
Dessert Spotlights
No tour is complete without something sweet. South of Conant doesn’t disappoint:
- Frosted Cupcakery (4817 E. 2nd St.)
- *Cuisine*: Bakery / Cupcakes
- *Price*: $
- *Why Go*: Rotating flavors like red velvet, salted caramel, and seasonal specials (don’t miss the maple bacon).
- *Neighborhood tradition*: Picking up a dozen for birthdays, office celebrations, or just because.
Why South of Conant Keeps Locals Loyal
What sets the South of Conant food scene apart isn’t just the range of cuisines or affordability—it’s the sense of community you feel at nearly every table. Restaurants and cafés are locally owned, many family-run, and most spots have staff who remember your name after just a few visits. Aroma of roasting coffee, hum of backyard BBQ, and unforgettable bites make South of Conant a favorite for those seeking a laid-back, authentic Long Beach food adventure.
- Whether you’re diving into pancakes at The Pan, sipping local coffee on Clark Avenue, or hunting down the best birria on Spring Street, South of Conant’s food scene is deliciously down-to-earth and proudly local.
- Next time your stomach grumbles, skip the downtown rush and savor what’s cooking South of Conant—Long Beach’s low-key culinary treasure trove.