– Photos By Cheantay Jensen, story by Matt Cohn
Ever since it was an unpaved road for horses and carriages in the earliest days of Long Beach, Pine Avenue has been the beating heart of Downtown. It’s a historic thoroughfare that has evolved with the times, attracting visitors throughout all eras of its existence.
What does a Pine Avenue evolution look like in 2026? For one thing, it’s a wave of fresh energy in the food and drink realms. You can take new culinary journeys to Panama, India, France and Spain, or keep it local with a state of the art burger! Check out these brand new eateries and one Pine Avenue mainstay that changed owners but kept its international flavors the same.
ROYAL INDIAN CURRY HOUSE / 242 PINE AVE.
“We’re proud of the flavor and vibe we add to Pine Avenue,” said Ranjodh Hans, who co-owns this brand new spot with his brother Tofan. “Our most popular dishes are butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and especially tandoori chicken. Nobody can make it like we do. Everything we serve is made in-house, and we import the finest spices from India.”
To create their restaurant, the brothers enlisted the help of their aunt and uncle, Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur and Amarjit Singh, who had retired after selling Natraj, their popular Belmont Shore eatery. “I asked my aunt if she’d be willing to assist us and let us use her recipes, because Natraj had the best Indian food in town,” Tofan explained. “She told us, ‘I’m going to come out of retirement with Mr. Singh and help you out.’”
Once word got around that the family was opening a new Indian restaurant on Pine Ave., the reservation book started filling up nightly. “We are so happy to open the business here,” said Bubbly. “We’re bringing back my old customers from Natraj. They’re happy for us, too.”
~ Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur and her husband, Amarjit Singh, in India in the 1980s. Photo courtesy Joti Kaur.
Royal Indian Curry House is literally right next to the big screen on Pine Avenue, making it another great stop for soccer fans during the LA Galaxy Celebration. Partake in the World Cup Special from noon to 5 PM: $2 off a fantastic appetizer combo, $4 off vegetable or chicken biryani, and beers for $4.
MARATHON BURGER / 245 PINE AVE.
“Nipsey Hussle created the Marathon Burger brand,” said his brother, part-owner Samiel Asghedom. “For us to be able to open up now and be successful lets us know what a visionary he was.”
The Marathon team has carried the late rapper and activist’s vision forward, doing extensive research in order to create a burger that would be the best of all their findings combined. Then they hired some head chef friends who developed a menu with top-quality products.
“We use a proprietary blend of seasoning on the meat that you’ll never find anywhere else. We have our ‘secret sauce.’ We use custom buns. Homemade pickles. Our Fresno peppers are pickled in-house as well,” said Asghedom.
Marathon Burger’s Pine Avenue location is the fourth to open in the greater L.A. area. Two more will be opening soon, in Las Vegas and Times Square in New York City.
“It feels amazing to be a part of the new Pine Avenue energy,” Asghedom said. “I feel blessed that we’re adding value here. I’m happy that they bet on us and that it’s working. Hopefully we’ll continue to play a part in the positive resurgence on this street.”
&WAFFLES / 95 PINE AVE.
When they were teenagers in the late ‘80s, brothers and co-owners Serge and Raffi Damadyan served a culinary apprenticeship under their father, who owned some restaurants in Los Angeles. Belgian waffles were on the menu. Many years later, the brothers have realized their dream of owning and operating an eatery featuring those very same waffles.
The &Waffles menu has become quite a Downtown hit since this Pine Avenue spot opened in March of 2025. Locals, tourists, and commuters using the nearby Long Beach Transit Gallery are loving rich, tasty dishes such as the Carlitos Churro Waffle and the Chicken Waffle Sandwich.
Waffle lovers will be happy to know that waffles can be ordered as a side dish with anything on the menu. Also FYI, &Waffles has celebrity photos on the walls, collected at the eatery’s first location in North Hollywood. Stop in for breakfast or lunch and maybe they’ll add YOUR picture!
PANAMA INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT / 211 PINE AVE.
Mercedes Squires, who co-owns this new Panamanian and Caribbean-style eatery with her executive chef husband Roger, didn’t hesitate when asked what’s the most popular dish on the menu. “Empanadas,” she said. “People are learning that our empanadas are definitely coveted. We’re selling them out daily.”
Diners also love menu items such as patacones (twice-fried green plantains), grilled snapper, jerk chicken, and oxtail. “Our fried fish is very popular, especially when served with ice-cold beer,” Squires added.
For World Cup fans, now is the perfect time to experience this restaurant which is hosting “The Global Table,” a series of World Cup watch parties starring the Panamanian team. They drew a great crowd for the Panama vs Ghana match on Wednesday June 17! They’ll be showing Panama vs Croatia on Tuesday June 23 and Panama vs England on Saturday, June 27.
“We’ll have DJs, games, and giveaways. Bring your flags and rep your home team!” said Squires.
OLE TAPAS BAR & KITCHEN / 140 PINE AVE.
Fans of Spanish food and authentic international vibes will be pleased to know that Ole, which has taken over the space formerly known as Cafe Sevilla, is adhering to the philosophy of “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”
“Our goal at Ole and Club O is to continue the Cafe Sevilla tradition of great hospitality and entertainment in a positive atmosphere,” said general manager Gilbert Tabares.
“We’re helping to put Pine Avenue back on the map,” Tabares continued. “All the businesses are gathering together to create a new energy and atmosphere that reestablishes Pine as a great destination.”
PARIS BAGUETTE BAKERY CAFE / 81 S PINE AVE.
~ Photo courtesy of Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe
This place, which opened in January, is a pastry lover’s dream. It’s open all day, every day, and you can grab a pair of tongs to serve yourself directly from the display cases!
Yes, the pastry selection is truly amazing. Click the link above and see for yourself. Also take a peek at the Father’s Day cakes, which could be the hit of dad’s party this Sunday.
Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe also works for quick stops and fuel-ups. Their fresh brewed coffee, which is getting excellent reviews, pairs well with a gourmet donut, a garlic cheese quiche, or perhaps a turkey, egg and sriracha protein breakfast wrap.
There are more cool new Pine Avenue businesses on the horizon! Keep an eye out for Dirty Birds Bar & Grill, a huge, high-energy spot that will be taking over the 3,000 square foot space at 200 Pine. This place, the spots mentioned above, and all the well-established businesses on Pine are pushing a positive wave forward for an ever-better Downtown scene!