Astoria, Queens’s restaurants, truly exemplify the idea that in New York City you can “taste the world.” Today, it boasts a diverse range of communities who have brought their unique traditions, making the neighborhood one of NYC’s most exciting and varied culinary hubs.
Whether you’re interested in savoring classic Greek fare at one of the neighborhood’s long-standing Greek restaurants, trying Alexandrian-style seafood in Little Egypt, or sampling inventive Korean-inspired bagels, head to Astoria’s restaurants to experience firsthand how its food scene reflects the rich cultural tapestry of its residents and showcases NYC’s ever-evolving culinary landscape.
Check out our guide to 10 unmissable restaurants in Astoria, Queens and start feasting your way around the neighborhood.
Taverna Kyclades
Astoria, once an enclave for Greek immigrants, is today still home to many excellent Greek eateries, but Taverna Kyclades stands out as a true neighborhood institution. For many, it’s considered one of the best Greek restaurants in NYC. Family-run and unpretentious, it’s the perfect spot for a casual, group-style meal:
- Start your meal with classic Greek starters like the pan-fried saganaki cheese, flaky spinach spanakopita, and an array of Greek spreads—skordalia, tzatziki, taramosalata, and tirokafteri—that are sure to whet your appetite.
- Once you’ve worked your way through the appetizers, dive into the grilled dishes—the octopus is a standout, and the delicately broiled scallops are just as worthy of your attention. For fish lovers, the whole red snapper is a must-try, while meat enthusiasts will enjoy the tender pork kebabs and juicy lamb chops. Don’t miss pairing your main dishes with their irresistible lemon potatoes and fresh Greek salad.
- For dessert, the galaktoboureko –a sort of Greek custard that’s set in a crispy, buttery phyllo pastry shell, is typically served on the house and makes for the perfect conclusion to your Greek feast.
Taverna Kyclades doesn’t accept reservations, so be prepared for a wait. But rest assured, the experience is more than worth it.
Villa Brazil Café and Grill
As Villa Brazil’s (34th Ave, 43-16) name indicates, it’s a Café and Grill, but also a buffet with many Brazilian delicacies to choose from. It’s no wonder why this eatery makes our best restaurants in Astoria list.
Meat enthusiasts should head straight to the churrasco counter at the back, where the head chef serves up the day’s selection —which typically includes things like picanha, frango, and chicken sausage. Order to your heart’s content, and then explore the self-service area for classic staples like pão de queijo, coxinha, feijoada, Brazilian corn pudding, and much more.
Make sure to leave room for dessert – Villa Brazil offers around 10 rotating freshly baked cakes and dessert, featuring everything from brigadeiros to bolo Marta Rocha.
Between the Bagel
Between the Bagel (30th Ave., 31-13)is an excellent bagel shop that features some classic breakfast staples, but what really sets it apart is its korean-accented creations, which pay homage to owner Ben Suh’s roots.
Opening during the pandemic, Between the Bagel quickly gained a cult following after launching its signature Seoul Meets Bagel:
- A breakfast sandwich that consists of thin, juicy bulgogi beef paired with egg, cheese, kimchi, and spicy gochujang mayo piled high on your choice of bread. We can attest that it very much merits the hype it has received.
More of Ben’s genius inventions is the DAPS:
- Or “dank ass pork sandwich” – stuffed with spicy pork, mozzarella, grilled onions and jalapeños, kimchi slaw and gochujang mayo, or his “balls,” which are a Korean twist on arancini.
The bagel range is also strong, and along with classic cream cheese selection you’ll often find Korean toppings. For a sweet finish, try one of their rotating house-made puddings. Interested in exploring other Korean options? Check out our guide on where to get the best Korean-style BBQ in the city.
AbuQir Seafood
Part fish market, part restaurant, AbuQir features a unique dining experience.
Here the protocol involves heading over to the ice display in the back where you literally pick out your seafood and hand it over to the kitchen staff, which prepares it in Egyptian-style. The daily selection typically features a variety of whole fish, along with smaller items like squid, baby octopus or scallops.
But what is not to be missed is their baked whole branzino –which comes blackened on the outside with cracked wheat bran, cumin, lemon, and crushed pepper. Inside you’ll find it stuffed with a medley of tomatoes, celery, parsley, dill and cilantro, which makes for a ridiculously tender and flavorful meat.
Other standouts include:
- The grilled shrimp, Egyptian-style tagine, the crispy calamari and their homemade baba ganoush.
Pro-Tip:
- For dessert, head next door to Al Sham (Steinway St, 24-39)and satisfy your sweet tooth with some of their top-notch knafeh and baklava.
Arepas Café
Arepas Café is a Venezuelan eatery that offers more than 25 arepas to choose from:
- Featuring classics like Reina Pepiada (chicken salad with avocado) and Pabellón (shredded beef, black beans, grated white cheese and fried sweet plantains), they also offer options for all diets, featuring vegan varieties such as the vegan Hongos, which comes with white top mushroom sauteed in garlic and white wine, or the Guayanes, piled high with Venezuelan-Guyanese cheese.
We’re big fans of their seafood arepas, like the cazón, which comes stuffed with slow cooked baby shark, peppers, onions and celery.
While arepas are obviously the call, they also offer other excellent Venezuelan dishes like cachapas, tequeños, and criollos –which you can get in tasting format as part of their appetizer plate. Wash it all down with one of their frozen sangrias and you’re set for a superb Venezuelan culinary experience.
Sami’s Kabab House
After years of running coffee and donut carts on the streets of NYC, Sami Zaman saved enough to open his own restaurant, Sami’s Kabab House in November of 2016. His lamb and beef kofta kababs quickly became popular in Astoria, and today, Sami’s is known as one of the best spots for Afghan food in the city.
If you can, come with a group and order family style. Start off with small plates like the borani banjan –an eggplant dish that is topped with an ultra creamy yogurt, steamed mantu dumplings, which come stuffed with juicy beef, as well as the house-made hummus and Afgani naan.
Then move on to the kabab platters, which come served with rice, Afghan salad, and a selection of sauces. If you still have room—or even if you don’t—try the Uzbeq qabli palaw, a tribute to Sami’s half-Uzbek heritage. Finish with homemade Afghan rice pudding for a truly memorable meal.
Pro-Tip:
- If you want to explore more Afghan delicacies, head over to Little Flower Café (36th Ave, 25-35), Sami’s all-day concept that serves delicious Afghan-inspired sweets and pastries, like their firni donut.
Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria
Founded by the late pizza visionary Andrew Bellucci in 2021, Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria quickly became an Astoria landmark, earning a well-deserved reputation as one of the neighborhood’s top spots for pizza. Though Bellucci sadly passed in 2023, his legacy lives on as the pizzeria continues to serve outstanding pies—both classic and innovative.
For a true taste of their expertise, bring a group and start with their:
- Classic NYC cheese pizza, celebrated for its thin, charred crust that’s perfectly crisp yet chewy.
- Then, explore their inventive creations, like the clam pizza—a tribute to traditional New Haven-style pies. This standout features fresh little neck clams, garlic-infused chimichurri, and a sprinkle of fine herbs atop a flawlessly baked crust. Another favorite is the Vodka-Roni, topped with fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, Bellucci’s famous vodka sauce, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a dash of black pepper.
All pizzas can also be made with gluten-free dough, and they offer a selection of vegan options, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions
Duzan
Duzan is an affordable Palestinian spot that’s known for top notch kebabs, freshly prepared falafel, and a notoriously good chicken shawarma. These dishes can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: stuffed in a pita, wrapped in flatbread, or served as a platter, which comes paired with two tasty sides and smothered in your choice of their delectable house-made sauces.
Located in the strip known as Little Egypt, it’s good for both casual dining or takeout. In addition to veggie-based sandwiches and plates, they offer plenty of fresh vegetarian appetizers. We can’t get enough of their foul mudamas, a dip made from mashed fava beans, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, or their fattoush, with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce, freshly tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice, topped with sumac.
For meat aficionados, the arayes pita is a must-try—a crispy, olive oil rubbed grilled pita stuffed with seasoned ground beef, onions, and spices.
Pye Boat Noodle
Pye Boat Noodle is an excellent option for, you guessed it, noodles. Named after the “pye” or paddles used to steer small wooden boats along Thailand’s canals, this Astoria restaurant celebrates Thailand’s culinary heritage with a focus on noodles and traditional hawker food.
The menu rounds out with classic Thai favorites like:
- Pad see ew or pad thai, as well as other less known (but equally as tasty) dishes like sukhothai noodle soup—a flavorful blend of roast pork, ground pork, and bean sprouts; kee mao drunken noodles, spiced with baby peppercorn, chili garlic, and kachai root; and their signature nam tok “boat noodles,” served in a slightly sweet, dark beef broth infused with soy and anise, topped with tender beef, meatballs, and crunchy pork skin.
For an aesthetically palate-pleasing experience try their yen ta fo noodle (pink noodle soup), which consists of a pink bean paste and chicken broth, which comes with shrimp, fish balls, squid rings and mushrooms.
Non-noodle favorites also include the somtum and moo ping. For dessert, don’t miss their mango sticky rice or their pandan custard.
Parceros Bakery II
At Parceros Bakery II (30th Ave., 3015), you can indulge in hearty Colombian breakfasts and lunches that will keep you satisfied and energized for hours. On the breakfast menu, you’ll find things like arroz parcero, which features a flavorful combination of rice, eggs and sweet plantains, the tamal Tolimense, made from cornmeal with carrots, peas, rice, pork and chicken wrapped in a plantains leaf, or hefty egg platters paired with melt-in-your-mouth Colombian-style cheese arepas.
If you’re looking for something particularly filling, opt for the “mini” bandeja paisa–a Colombian classic which consists of rice and beans, paired with a juicy grilled steak, chicharron, chorizo, fried eggs, and sweet plantain. They also feature a rotating dish of the day, with staple soups like sancocho or caldo de costilla (rib soup) with rice and a mini arepita.
On your way out, make sure to buy some of their top-notch Colombian baked goods like pandebono, almojabanas, and pan de queso to take home.
Pro-Tip:
- If you’re near Forest Hills, their original location on Woodhaven Boulevard offers the same delicious menu with an equally welcoming atmosphere.
