El Paisa Restaurant

Welcome to El Paisa Restaurant, a vibrant gem nestled in Long Beach, California. This Colombian restaurant is located at 1640 Orange Ave, featuring a warm, inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Colombian culture through its food and ambiance.

From the moment you enter, you're greeted by the rich, enticing aromas of traditional Colombian dishes. The spacious dining area can comfortably seat over 100 guests, ideal for both intimate meals and lively gatherings. Although the restaurant occasionally carries the scent of freshly cleaned floors, the genuine warmth of the staff quickly compensates for this minor detail.

  • Authentic Colombian Cuisine: El Paisa offers a menu brimming with authentic Colombian flavors. Signature dishes like Bandeja Paisa, a hearty plate that reflects the richness of Colombian culture, and Arroz con Camarones, a delightful shrimp rice dish, promise to excite your taste buds. The Patacón is not to be missed, either—flat, fried plantain topped with delicious fillings.
  • Delicious Starters: Begin your culinary journey with the popular fried yuca and fried ripe bananas, which have garnered rave reviews for their exquisite flavor and texture. These starters set the perfect tone for a memorable meal.
  • Refreshing Beverages: The Strawberry Shake is a standout, offering a fresh twist without the heaviness of milk. This refreshing drink pairs beautifully with the restaurant's dishes.

While many reviewers noted that the pace of service can be leisurely, the atmosphere is lively, often enhanced by the sounds of a DJ and patrons enjoying music and dancing. If you're looking for a quick bite, perhaps this isn't the place; however, those willing to embrace the experience will find the wait worthwhile. Every dish is made with care and attention to detail, showcasing the culinary expertise behind each offering.

What truly sets El Paisa apart is the sense of community. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning, the friendly staff are eager to accommodate, ensuring that language barriers dissolve into shared smiles and delicious dishes. With ample parking available and a welcoming neighborhood vibe, El Paisa is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Colombian flavors in Long Beach.

Don’t just take my word for it, though—experience the magic of El Paisa for yourself. You might just find your new favorite Colombian haunt!

Menu

Location

Address: 1640 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90813, United States
Phone: +1 562-612-1357

🕓 Work Hours
MON 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
TUE 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
WED 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
THU 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
FRI 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
SAT 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
SUN 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Business info

  • Wheelchair-accessible Car Park
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Entrance
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Seating
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Toilet
    Yes
  • Does Not Have Assistive Hearing Loop
    Yes
  • Offers Kerbside Pickup
    Yes
  • No-contact Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeaway
    Yes
  • Serves Dine-in
    Yes
  • Fast Service
    Yes
  • Great Beer Selection
    Yes
  • Serves Great Coffee
    Yes
  • Serves Great Dessert
    Yes
  • Good For Watching Sport
    Yes
  • Popular For Breakfast
    Yes
  • Popular For Lunch
    Yes
  • Popular For Dinner
    Yes
  • Good For Solo Dining
    Yes
  • Serves Alcohol
    Yes
  • Serves Beer
    Yes
  • Serves Cocktails
    Yes
  • Serves Coffee
    Yes
  • Serves Comfort Food
    Yes
  • Serves Happy-hour Drinks
    Yes
  • Serves Happy-hour Food
    Yes
  • Quick Bite
    Yes
  • Serves Vegetarian Dishes
    Yes
  • Serves Wine
    Yes
  • Serves Breakfast
    Yes
  • Serves Brunch
    Yes
  • Serves Lunch
    Yes
  • Serves Dinner
    Yes
  • Catering
    Yes
  • Serves Dessert
    Yes
  • Seating
    Yes
  • Toilet
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Cosy
    Yes
  • Trendy
    Yes
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Good For Groups
    Yes
  • LGBTQ+ Friendly
    Yes
  • Popular With Tourists
    Yes
  • Popular With University Students
    Yes
  • Accepts Reservations
    Yes
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Debit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts NFC Mobile Payments
    Yes
  • Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • High Chairs Available
    Yes
  • Kids' Menu
    Yes
  • Free Of Charge Street Parking
    Yes
  • Free Parking Lot
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: A L L

    27 May 2025

    El Paisa is located in a local neighborhood with ample parking behind the street facing building. We walked in right when they opened. The place still smelled like floor cleaning solution (why the atmosphere had 3 stars). This restaurant can easily seat more than 100 people it seems. We were quickly shown a seat and our waiter was very friendly. My BIL is fluent in Spanish and was able to help w our orders. Drinks and appetizers were not a long wait at all. We got their fried yuca(sp?) and fried ripe bananas as starters - SO delish! We ordered a soup, carne and a fish dish. All were well cooked and seasoned very well. The fish may have been a tad bit overcooked but other than that, all the dishes were great. The servings were big portions as well and well worth it This was our first taste of Colombian cuisine and glad it was at El Paisa. Highly recommend this place and would visit again.

  • Author: Carol Tsung

    15 May 2025

    Got the Bandeja Tipica. Delicious! The sauce that came with the empanadas were great on everything because it was just a little spicy, but had great flavor. Also had the Strawberry shake with water, definitely recommend if you like fresh strawberry without milk. Staff was great and very patient with me. Recommend eating at this place.

  • Author: Andrew

    14 April 2025

    Had a great time here! Food was amazing and tasted very authentic. Very good variety of dishes. They had a DJ as well playing very good music and many people got up to dance. The service is slow though. Do not try this place for a quick meal. In my opinion, it was worth the wait, but I hope they improve on that. All staff was very friendly and attentive though.

  • Author: Herman

    09 April 2025

    I'm glad to have found this place in LB. Was feeling bummed when El Bambuco closed down. Been there twice. The first time I got the Bandeja Paisa. Good stuff all the way. The second time it was a patacón, a flat, fried plantain shell with stuff on top. I had ordered it with some beef. They messed up a bit and gave it to me chicken. I was short on time so I just ate it; they did offer to fix it but I was short on time. Together with my patacón I got a sweet corn arepa topped with cheese. It was awesome. Parking is in the back of the property besides the laundromat that is next door. Failing that, there's plenty of street parking. The neighborhood looks a little dicey, so lock up your cars and don't leave anything of value there.