The 13 best restaurants in Queens right now

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What is it? The cuisine of South America’s Suriname gets the spotlight at PNK Suranimese, a Queens gem that introduces more New Yorkers to a food culture blending Indonesian, Javanese, Caribbean and Dutch influences. The menu is packed with regional specialties, like Javaanse bami kip—fried noodles mixed with spiced chicken liver and gizzard, then brightened by pickled vegetables for a hit of acidity and crunch. You’ll also find fried plantains, crisp and caramelized at the edges, plus steaming bowls of saoto soup with shredded chicken, potatoes, vermicelli noodles and soft-boiled eggs in a fragrant broth. 

Why we love it: Queens is home to Little Guyana, but Surinamese spots are much harder to come by. Although they’re geographic neighbors, Suriname’s dishes are more influenced by Indonesian and Javanese cuisine, while Guyanese food tends towards Caribbean flavors. It’s also in the same spot as Majnoon Cafe, where you can puff on a hookah until 2 o’clock in the morning. 

Time Out tip: Don’t leave without a slice of bojo cake, a dense, tender square made from coconut and cassava, traditionally served on special occasions and finished with celebratory rainbow sprinkles.

Address: 128-12 Liberty Ave, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419

Opening hours: Daily noon–2am

Expect to pay: Around $15 per entrée

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What is it? What started as a popular roll cart has become one of Queens’ most exciting new takeout windows. The Karachi Kabab Boiz built their following on fiery, flavor-packed rolls, and they’re still the main event here. Get yours stuffed with tender chicken tikka, beef behari or creamy chicken malai, then wrapped in a deep-fried paratha. It’s the kind of food that hits hardest when you’re hungry, tired from a late night and in need of something really satisfying—no frills, no filler, just flavor.

Why we love it: There’s nothing quite like biting into one of these rolls fresh off the griddle. But the Boiz don’t stop there—their fragrant, vibrant biryani is every bit as delicious. This is Pakistani comfort food with serious personality, served fast and late into the night.

Time Out tip: Make a pit stop after the bar, when the griddle’s hot and the crowd is lively. Order two rolls: one to eat right away, and one for the cab ride home.

Address: 72-08 Broadway, Woodside, NY 11372

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 2pm–1am; Thu 1pm–1am; Fri, Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 3pm–1am

Expect to pay: About $10 per roll

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What is it? This new addition in Astoria’s Little Egypt is a love letter to feteer, one of Egypt’s oldest and most beloved dishes. The flaky, layered pastry dates back thousands of years; some even say that it’s the predecessor to the French croissant. Made from thin, laminated dough that’s been enriched with ghee, feteer is endlessly adaptable. Here, it’s drizzled with chocolate and nuts, stuffed with sausage or beef, or layered with sweet lotus for both sweet and savory takes on the Egyptian treat. 

Why we love it: Few things are more mesmerizing than watching Levant’s chefs stretch and fold the dough by hand before sliding it into the oven, from which it emerges all puffed and golden-brown. The open-faced pies are another standout here; they eat like thin-crust pizzas, and they’re flavored with spinach, meat or cheese and a dusting of za’atar. 

Time Out tip: Bring a friend to split a couple of pastries, one savory and one sweet. Sharing is the best way to experience just how versatile feteer really is.

Address: 25-64 Steinway St, Queens, NY 11103

Opening hours: Daily 8am–1am

Expect to pay: Platters are around $20

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What is it? This cozy spot brings Georgian flavors to Queens with a menu built around time-honored recipes. Traditional dishes like pkhali—vibrant spreads of vegetables, walnuts and herbs—and khinkali, Georgian dumplings that are currently having a moment in NYC—make it clear why this cuisine always makes it onto our must-try list. 

Why we love it: The breads alone are worth the trip to Long Island City. You’re going to want to try the khachapuri—a loaf shaped like a boat, then filled with cheese—plus the beef-stuffed kubdari and the lobiani filled with rich, mashed beans. They’re even better when paired with grilled kebabs or chashushuli, a spicy beef-and-tomato stew. It’s hearty, soulful food that feels like home, even if you’ve never been to Tbilisi.

Time Out tip: You might as well order an extra khachapuri for the table, since you’ll want a whole piece all to yourself before the night’s over.

Address: 37-10 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat noon–midnight

Expect to pay: Dumplings are about $15

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What is it? This small-batch pizza shop in Long Island City has built a loyal following due to its Grandma pies, the square, tender and perfectly caramelized pizzas that come out of the oven all day long. Once a pop-up, it’s now a full-fledged neighborhood favorite, known especially for its falafel pie: a sesame-seed–dusted crust topped with melted cheddar and gouda, crumbled falafel and a drizzle of creamy, Halal-cart-style white sauce. It’s a mash-up that works, and it takes NYC pizza to a whole new level. 

Why we love it: While the falafel’s famous, if you venture to some of their more classic creations, you’ll be richly rewarded. The BB Pesto features brown butter basil pesto, roasted broccoli, stracciatella and lemon zest, while the Scorpion Sfincione highlights the legitimately spicy Queen Majesty Sicilian Scorpion Hot Sauce, which is only slightly tempered by sweet yellow onions, breadcrumbs and olive oil.

Time Out tip: Each Grandma pie is 10”x10”, so you’ll get four medium-sized slices to share (or keep all for yourself.) Because they’re on the more manageable side, we recommend bringing a group so you can make your way through most of the curated menu. 

Address: 21-03 45th Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–9pm

Expect to pay: Pies are about $20

What is it? Go with the flow and order the Number 6; everybody else is doing it for good reason. The White Bear specialty features a dozen pork wontons doused in roasted chili oil, then topped with a smattering of diced greens for (still!) just $10. It’s got a little heat, but it’s not super spicy, so everyone in your group is going to want a bite. 

Why we love it: This no-frills, cash-only spot has just a couple of tables, but on busier days, you might find a line of dumpling-lovers waiting to put in their order. In a neighborhood filled with some of the best dumplings in the world (in fact, some folks come to Queens just for the dumpling crawls), White Bear’s No. 6 deserves its reputation as one of the best dishes around. 

Time Out tip: Since the space is so small, plan on taking your dumplings to enjoy elsewhere. If it’s nice out, head to a bench in the nearby green space, or, in the winter, score a seat in one of the nearby food courts. While you’re there, you might as well try another dish of dumplings—just to make sure White Bear’s are the best. 

Address: 135-02 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11354

Opening hours: Daily 10am–7pm

Expect to pay: The No. 6 is $10

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What is it? This Greek corner charmer makes up for what it lacks in menus with charisma. “No menus, just fish,” its website declares. If you’ve been here before, you’ve probably heard the same thing from your server, too. Just choose a table in the lively dining room or on the breezy deck, order some wine and let the staff walk you through the catch of the day. 

Why we love it: There’s something refreshing about skipping the menu scroll (you know you choose what you’re going to order in the afternoon before your reservation!) and just letting the meal unfold. It’s a reminder of how dining used to be before smartphones and QR-code menus: spontaneous and even a little bit mysterious.

Time Out tip: Order a glass (or three) of the house wine and soak up the sea breeze. If you squint, you can almost convince yourself you’re on a Greek island.

Address: 24-02 31st St, Astoriam NYC 11102

Opening hours: Sun–Mon 4–10pm; Wed–Sat 4–10pm

Expect to pay: Around $40 per entrée

What is it? This Thai restaurant opened in April of 2022 and went on to earn a spot among the year’s best new openings. It serves “true flavors of Thailand’s Northeastern Isaan region” in a cozy, colorful dining room inside and an outdoor space up front. The larb ped udon, gaeng om with beef shank and moo tod pla ra are among our favorites.

Why we love it: Lesser-seen ingredients make some star turns on the menu, with offal appearing in dishes like the above larb ped udon, which is a specialty from the chef’s hometown, laden with duck, fried liver and chili lime mint, plus larb beef and tripe with fish sauce and fried lime leaves.
Time Out tip: Zaab Zaab’s “isaan” spiced dishes don’t hold back on heat, so order a Thai iced tea to cool things down, along with grilled sticky rice for the whole table.

Address: 76-04 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Opening hours: Mon 11:30am–4pm, 5–11pm; Tue 11:30am–4pm, 5:30–11pm; Wed–Fri 11:30am–4pm, 5–11pm; Sat, Sun 11:30am–11pm

Expect to pay: Around $25 per entrée

What is it? A standout Greek restaurant in a neighborhood full of them, 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—like garlicky skordalia, tzatziki, cured-fish roe taramosalata and spicy, creamy tyrokafteri—along with kebabs and fried sardines. 

Why we love it: Go for an order of fish, like branzino or black sea bass, both of which come served with your choice of rice, veggies like beets and swiss chard or potatoes. It’s not really a choice, though, because you simply have to get the soft, fragrant lemon roasted potatoes with your meal. (You’ll probably want an extra side of them, too, along with a huge pile of mussels Santorini with tomato and feta and stuffed clams.)

Time Out tip: Dessert here is free—you can’t choose what you get, and that’s more than fine. Cross your fingers that you get a slice of custard pie, though, with layers of phyllo, semolina custard and more of that sweet-and-sour citrus tang. 

Address: 36-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–10pm; Sat, Sun 11:30am–10pm

Expect to pay: Around $40 per entrée

What is it? This restaurant in a modern office tower serves up Sichuan and Hunan food—the spicier, the better. It’s an upscale-ish spot to bring a date, especially since it doubles as a cocktail lounge. Their specialty is baijiu (a spirit often made from, you guessed it, sorghum), and you can try it in their take on a Negroni, a Sling or in a flight of four. Pair your baijiu with some dim sum to share—we like the crispy taro puffs and the spicy wings with garlic.

Why we love it: This is an excellent place to bring a big group, since the banquettes allow for conversation, and the dishes are best when passed back and forth across the table. Make sure to order one of the mala dry pots, which allows you to customize your mix of meats and veggies with options like beef tripe, fish ball with pork filling, sweet potato noodles and tofu puffs. 

Time Out Tip: Want to learn more about baijiu? Head to the cocktail lounge for a flight, which allows you to taste four versions of the complex spirit for $20. 

Address: 28-03 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 11:30am–10pm; Thu–Sat 11:30am–11pm

Expect to pay: About $30 per entrée

What is it? No, Jamaica, Queens, is not named for Jamaica (it is, in fact, a name of Lenape origin), but you can still find some of the best Jamaican patties right in the neighborhood. Grab a few stuffed with beef, jerk chicken, curry chicken and callaloo for $3.50 a pop, or spend an extra fifty cents to try their ackee version. Pair them with an order of slightly sweet, fresh-baked coco bread for an affordable, satisfying meal or snack as you explore the borough.

Why we love it: These cheap eats punch way above their price range—get an order of jerk BBQ chicken; a few sides like mac and cheese, reggae pasta (penne pasta with a jerk cream sauce) and festival, a deep-fried dumpling; plus a thick slice of cake, with flavors like red velvet, pineapple and caramel. 

Time Out tip: Throwing a party or heading to a potluck? Arm yourself with freshly baked or frozen patties—they’re $35/dozen for beef, chicken or veggie and $45/dozen for ackee and saltfish. 

Address: 164-17 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–8pm; Sat, Sun 9am–7pm

Expect to pay: Starting at $3.50/patty

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What is it? One of NYC’s oldest taverns is still an anchor on its Woodhaven corner. Founded all the way back 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. 

Why we love it: This spot has been around since NYC had a population of just 200,000 and street lamps were still lit with gas. The food is standard bar fare—nachos supreme, a fresh-baked pretzel with cheese and spicy mustard and beer-battered fish and chips—but the beers are cold and the cocktails are strong (including the Mae West Punch, made with whiskey, rum, juice and ginger ale and named for the actress, who is rumored to have frequented the bar). 

Time Out tip: A respectable chunk of Goodfellas was filmed at Neir’s, so bring your favorite superfan. Or—if you’re neither a Robert de Niro nor a Mae West fan—just bask in the vibes of all the folks who have nursed a drink at this very same bar over the last 200 years. 

Address: 87-48 78th St, Woodhaven, NY 11421

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 2–11pm; Fri–Sun noon–11pm

Expect to pay: Around $20 per entrée

What is it? Lhasa’s brick-lined walls, hardwood floors and intimate seating track more as a cafe than a fast food spot, making it an excellent choice for a low-key date night. Plus, there’s a nice amount of seating in this iteration of the Tibetan spot famous to those in the know. The momos, available in steamed or fried varieties, are an essential order as soon as you take your seat. Tibetan noodles come with lamb, beef, chicken, pork and vegetarian options, as do many signature entrées and stir-frys.

Why we love it: Everything on the menu tastes like it came from someone’s home kitchen. The puckered momos are filled to bursting, and the short hand-pulled noodles (no longer than the size of your thumb, they promise!) in broth are both simple and soulful. 

Time Out tip: Stop by for breakfast to try the amdo bread, which is traditionally baked in hot sand in some parts of Tibet. It’s fluffy on the inside and golden on the outside, with a springy texture that lands somewhere between flatbread and a dinner roll.  

Address: 76-03 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: Noodles are about $15