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The 32 best restaurants in Queens

Some of NYC's best restaurants are in Queens, and these are the top spots to check out right now.

Amber Sutherland-Namako
Written by
Amber Sutherland-Namako
Written by
Time Out contributors
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There are many wonderful things to do in Queens, and one of them is eat. But after long days at the Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Rockaway Beach, or simply the subway ride home, the last thing you want to do is have to choose a restaurant or bar. So we’ve assembled this list of the best restaurants in the borough, including old classics, neighborhood favorites, and newer spots. 

RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in NYC

Best restaurants in Queens

Elias Corner
  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Astoria
  • price 2 of 4

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. 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. 

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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Elmhurst
  • Recommended

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 previous favorites. 

  • Restaurants
  • Greek
  • Astoria
  • price 2 of 4

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. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Long Island City

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. 

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Steakhouse
  • Long Island City
  • price 2 of 4
  • Recommended

The frequently-changing items that populate M. Wells' menus create plenty of opportunities for repeat visits, and their quality all but demands return trips. Oysters, foie gras, frog legs, swordfish, duck and burgers are all available at press time, along with a list of $16 cocktails. 

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  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Thai
  • Elmhurst
  • Recommended

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. 

  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Austrian
  • Ridgewood
  • Recommended

Recent Michelin Bib Gourmand-honoree, Porcelain is an area favorite that became permanent after its previous concept first started hosting chef Kate Telfeyan’s “Vaguely Asian” pop-up series. The pretty space serves items like kimchi-brined fried chicken, steamed whole branzino and black pepper prawns. 

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  • Bars
  • Gastropubs
  • Queens

One of NYC’s oldest taverns is still an anchor 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.  

  • Restaurants
  • Indian
  • Queens

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. 

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  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Restaurants
  • Ridgewood
  • Recommended

Ridgewood’s latest red sauce spot terrifically splits the difference between restaurant and bar, literally and figuratively. It looks more like the latter around the entrance, and the back dining room has a Sunday dinner aesthetic with the menu items to match. It’s the perfect place to pair your pasta with a frigid martini. 

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. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • Astoria

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, burgers and sides like loaded tots are among the savory options. 

  • Restaurants
  • Bakeries
  • Jackson Heights
  • price 1 of 4

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.

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  • Bars
  • Wine bars
  • Rockaways
  • price 1 of 4

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. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Nepalese
  • Jackson Heights

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. 

  • Restaurants
  • Flushing
  • price 1 of 4

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 $10. Plan to take it to enjoy elsewhere. 

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  • Bars
  • Beer bars
  • Astoria
  • price 2 of 4

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. 

  • Restaurants
  • Ridgewood

Rolo’s became super popular shortly after opening in 2021. It’s cute and comfortable as a bakery and cafe by day, evening dinner destination and weekend brunch spot. Baked goods, charcuterie, fried chicken and waffles, burgers, pasta and steaks all appear at various times of day.  

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  • Restaurants
  • Brazilian
  • Astoria
  • price 1 of 4

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.

Vesta Trattoria and Wine Bar
  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Astoria
  • price 2 of 4

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

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  • Restaurants
  • Street food
  • Jackson Heights
  • price 1 of 4

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

Casa Enrique
  • Restaurants
  • Mexican
  • Long Island City
  • price 2 of 4

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. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Indian
  • Jackson Heights
  • price 2 of 4

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. 

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  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • Long Island City
  • price 3 of 4

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. 

  • Restaurants
  • Chinese
  • Flushing
  • price 1 of 4

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.

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