A photo of various dishes from RIGHTMEALZ
Marathon runners know that getting ready for the 26.2 mile race is exactly like preparing your car for a long trip: if you don’t fuel up properly, you’ll run out of gas! That’s why pre-race carbo loading is essential.
If you’re running in the 2024 Long Beach Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 6, you’ll be in Downtown on Friday, Oct. 4 or Saturday, Oct. 5 to pick up your bib number at the Race Expo at Marina Green Park. Why not make this pre-race day special by doing some carbo loading at a Downtown eatery? All of our suggestions promise delicious, carb-rich meals that will get you race-ready! You’ll be filling your leg muscles with plenty of glycogen, and giving yourself a well-deserved reward for weeks of diligent training.
L’OPERA RISTORANTE / 101 PINE AVE.
Photo provided by Yelp
Click here for photos of this truly classy restaurant and the carb-laden dishes that await you. Pasta and carb-loading are practically synonymous! L’Opera serves a brilliant variety of pastas, as well as a wonderful assortment of protein-heavy entrees. Executive Chef Walter Cotta wants you to know that many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu options are available for your pre-race dinner.
L’Opera is open Sunday through Friday from 4 to 10 PM, and Saturday from 4 to 11 PM. Click here to make your reservations or to have your feast delivered via DoorDash!
BROADWAY PIZZA & GRILL / 120 E BROADWAY
This comfortable neighborhood favorite has what it takes to fulfill your carb cravings — including a dynamite pizza menu! Start off your fortifying pre-race meal with some Parmesan Fries, segue into the House Broadway Salad (you can add chicken, sliced tri tip, or flat iron steak), then indulge in a pasta entree, a pizza, or a sandwich. Taste for yourself why this place is beloved by locals!
Broadway Pizza & Grill is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 10 PM, Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to midnight, and Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM — plenty of time to have your post-race victory meal! Click here to see menus — including house cocktails, wines, and sweets — and to order online.
MARIO’S LA TRAVIATA / 310 N CEDAR AVE.
Photo provided by Yelp
Load your carbs in an atmosphere of casual elegance! Split an appetizer of Crispy Brussels Sprouts with your fellow marathoners, then get some more complex carbohydrates when you order Chestnut Mushroom Ravioli, Linguini Primavera with grilled seasonal vegetables, or perhaps a huge plate of Fettuccine di Mario with a gluten-free option!
Mario’s La Traviata, located inside Downtown’s historic Willmore Building, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM. For reservations and to see photos of the Old World atmosphere and fine food, click here.\
BUONO’S PIZZERIA / 250 W OCEAN BLVD. #A
Photo by Alacier M. on Yelp
As the Buono family says, “Eating at our restaurant is like dining at a pizzeria in the Old Country!” Create your own pizza by choosing from a mouth-watering list of ingredients, or try one from the “Gourmet Selection” list. The Scampi-n-Spinach pizza gets lots of local love! Carb-rich Italian specialties such as Lasagna, Spaghetti, and Linguine are on the menu as well for you to enjoy inside the restaurant or outside on the patio.
Buono’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM. To see the full menu and to get valuable coupons, click here!
RIGHTMEALZ / 422 E 4TH ST.
Pick up your pre-race breakfast or lunch at RightMealz, which does healthy meal prepping for hundreds of top-level athletes — including 32 Olympians! Popular menu items include the Turkey Breakfast Burrito, the Grilled Veggie Sandwich, and the Rise & Shine Salad with Arugula, Quinoa, Egg, Garbanzo Beans, Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Hummus.
RightMealz is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. To see the full menu (including great coffee drinks), order online and to coordinate your pickup times, click here.
HIGHER TASTE / 340 1/2 E 4TH ST.
Photo provided by Yelp
Click here to see the beautiful, vibrant, and all-vegan food served at Higher Taste. Standout dishes include the Chickpea Tuna Melt Bagel, the Hawaiian Beyond Burger, and the Thai Temple Bowl. Plenty of super-healthy food here! Top off your vegan carb-load session with a smoothie or shake in this new restaurant that many are calling the best vegan spot in Long Beach.
Higher Taste is open daily from noon to 8 PM. To make a reservation, order online and to get 15% off your first order, click here.