The 26 best restaurants in Queens

Though its been recently eclipsed in buzz by sibling spot Dhamaka, the best new restaurant of 2021, Adda Indian Canteen also makes frequent appearances on NYC best of lists. And it’s easier to get into and check out its Aloo Chana Chaat, Bheja Fry, Kashmiri Lamb Ribs and Lucknow Dum Biryani.

This corner charmer makes up for in charisma what it lacks in menus. “No menus, just fish,” its website reads, and we’re pretty sure we heard the same thing in person the first couple times we were there, too. Instead, sit in its bustling dining room or out on the breezy deck and, through some combination of guessing and suggestions, you’ll end up with some of the best, simply prepared seafood in NYC. 

A standout Greek restaurant in a neighborhood full of ‘em, Taverna Kyclades is the king of the hill near the top of the N line. People flock to Ditmars Boulevard for the chance to wait for a table and sample its excellent dips, saganaki, and kebabs,  lamb chops, swordfish and fried sardines with lovely lemon potatoes. 

Astoria Seafood, which is actually located nearby in Long Island City, is a choose your own adventure of scallops, shark, octopus, shrimp, salmon, snapper and whatever else happens to be the catch of the day. You scope it, scoop it, and hand it over to the staff to prepare to your specifications. 

This counter service spot has been a vegetarian Indian food staple for more than 20 years. Its enticing variety, generous portions and casual, seat yourself style still attract an ever growing following. Samosas, alu tikki burgers, paneer tikka sandwiches, several chat varieties and dosas are all on Usha Foods’ lengthy menu. 

An offshoot of the popular but now closed Queens Comfort, Comfortland carries on the original outpost’s cozy conceit. The pastel-splashed space also pops its pastries with shades of purple, pink and blue in its Funfetti scones and selections from the rainbow on its take on Cosmic brownies. Grand breakfast sandwiches, “not breakfast” sandwiches and burgers and sides like cheesy tots are among the savory options. 

Both the original strip mall location of Cannelle Patisserie and its Long Island City shop are popular for their house made baked goods and seasonal specialties. There are a few seats at each, so you can pull up a chair for all manner of tarts, croissants, eclairs, cookies and macarons. They also prepare sandwiches and make whole cakes to take away.

Locally famed and beloved for its noodle soups, it’s hard to diverge from the comforting bowls once you get a taste. But Pata Paplean has even more to order, including dry noodle mains with ground pork or mock duck, plus some fun, punchy cocktails. 

Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao is a modestly appointed Chinese eatery serving top-notch Shanghai-style dishes including dim sum and soup dumplings. Start with scallion pancakes, try the chicken dumplings and, of course, order the Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao, with just the right amount of soup inside. Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao was on a break at press time with apparent plans to reopen in March. 

We could go on about Taqueria Coatzingo’s efficient, table-maximizing interior, but the restaurant recently announced that it would be temporarily closing for renovations. Will be thinking about its guacamole, chilaquiles, long list of tacos and margaritas in the meantime. 

This warm, handsome restaurant is a popular local hangout and a great date spot. Its midsized menu includes moules frites, roasted chicken, steak and burgers. Its cocktail list includes takes on classics and novel creations, and happy hour runs from 5pm-6pm Wednesday-Sunday. 

This small Brazilian restaurant offers breakfast all day alongside terrific sandwiches and burgers. Oodles of fresh fruit juices and smoothies, plus the popular Brazilian soda, Guarana, do the heavy bevvy lifting.

This wine bar near the beach has a rustic-chic, wood-lined interior, a charming back garden, events and plenty of vino varieties to sip by the glass and bottle. Pair them with ​​duck rillettes and baguettes, burrata and cheese and charcuterie platters. 

Lhasa’s new location’s brick-lined walls, hardwood floors and intimate bar track more as a cafe than a fast food spot,  and there’s a nice amount of seating in its second iteration. The momos are an essential order, in five varieties, steamed or fried. Tibetan noodles also come in lamb, beef, chicken, pork and vegetarian varieties,  as do many signature entrées and stir frys. 

Go with the flow and order the Number 6; everybody else is doing it for a reason. The White Bear specialty includes A dozen pork wontons doused in roasted chili oil and topped with a smattering of diced pickled vegetables for $9. There are just a few seats inside, so plan to take it elsewhere. 

One of NYC’s oldest taverns is still a staple on its Woodhaven corner. Founded in 1829, the handsome space has served as a set for film and TV productions, and its bar is an excellent backdrop for beers and burgers. Cocktails and other bar food bites are also on the menu.  

Vesta sources ingredients for its Italian menus from local greenmarkets. Brunch includes eggs in Purgatory, omelets, pancakes and carbonara mac and cheese, lunch and dinner bring even more pasta dishes, and pizza is available any time. 

What began as a food cart is now brick-and-mortar restaurant specializing in arepas and other Colombian bite. Sundry varieties like sausage, pork belly, shredded beef, pollo asado and cheese invite many returns. 

This is the kind of great neighborhood bar you see on TV shows about a group of good friends who just like hanging out and getting into low-stakes capers. Sweet Afton has a lot of outdoor seating on its sidewalk and back, mostly enclosed patio, plenty of more room inside and better bar food than those sitcom tropes are probably ordering. 

This 40-seat Mexican eatery specializes in the regional cuisine of Cintalapa, Chiapas. Brothers Cosme and Luis Aguilar pay homage to their late mother with traditional plates, including some based on her recipes. The chicken mole and cochinito chiapaneco are among those family blueprints. The bright white spot also has a homey little back garden. 

Jackson Diner has been serving a wide variety of Indian dishes since 1980, earning plenty of accolades along the way. Dozens of menu items include paneer, curry and biryani varieties, tandoori chicken, lamb and seafood and starters like achari mushrooms and samosas. 

New Yorkers love heat, and this is the place to find it. At Guan Fu Sichuan, platters of bean-jelly salads are amped up with garlicky chili oil, stewed pork legs are swamped in a hearty broth, and the other spicy dishes are great for sharing. 

Derick López’s The Freakin Rican has gained much critical acclaim since it went from street fair staple to standalone shop. The pasteles, broiled plantains with pork, are worth many trips.

Veggie Castle II in South Richmond Hill is one of many excellent vegetarian and vegan restaurants in NYC. Its active Instagram following can help you spy the fresh menus and whet your appetite for fantastic plant-based salt-baked fish, jerk chicken and wings and fresh juice varieties. 

The large dining room, quaint back patio and crowd-pleasing Italian plates of varied antipasti, handmade pasta and entrées built around duck breast, pork, cod and salmon make Maiella a great place for groups. One of the best Italian restaurants in Queens, it also has an up-close, though partial, view of Queens’ famed Pepsi-Cola sign that you can gaze upon while you sip wine and cocktails. 

Weave through the throngs of pedestrians outside the 7 train to find this basement-level food court. You can feast on items like hand-pulled noodles at Lanzhou and bubble tea at Kung Fu Tea. Pro tip: Go with a group so you can sample more food.