The 12 best places to eat and drink around Rockaway Beach

The tiny, beloved seasonal destination Rockaway Taco evolved into Tacoway Beach 2015, keeping its fish, chorizo and black bean tacos in the move and adding plenty of space to sit (though it does get crowded!) along the way. The summertime-only operation opened for 2023 earlier this spring. 

The sprawling Rockaway Hotel opened in September of 2020. Hit the 6,000-square-foot, sixth floor space for skyline and ocean views, raw bar and cocktails. Pool passes are also are also available for $100 a day, should you need a mini-staycation without the actual beach or overnight commitment. 

With a lovely wood-lined interior and a leafy garden in the back, Sayra’s is a splendid place to settle in for wine by the glass, carafe or bottle, and tapas like burrata and marinated Greek olives, plus larger plates at brunch and dinner. One of the overall best restaurants in Queens, Sayra's also hosts chef pop-ups, live music and comedy shows. 

Although it’s open year-round, spring and summer are Bungalow Bar’s time to shine. It’s situated right on the water, so you can create the beach day experience without getting sand in your swimsuit, plus there’s table service for cocktails, beer, wine, and a wide-ranging menu of items like guacamole, wings, tacos, salads, sandwiches and burgers, plus plenty of seafood. 

This old favorite’s been frequented by everyone and their grandma since the 1920s. We’re partial to the scruffy subterranean tavern’s frigid piña coladas and vodka pink lemonades, which come in nondescript disposable cups with a cherry on top. Ownership recently changed hands, but Connolly's new operators have kept the humbly asserted "best frozens in the universe" flowing. 

Caracas Arepa Bar clocked its twelfth year by the beach when it reopened for 2023 on May 19. It's known all over the shore for its titular specialty, available in a few varieties to mix and match. This outpost also boasts all the lovely, breezy, sunshiney perks you’d expect from its ideal summertime location. 

RBC, which has a brewery in Long Island City, too, got its start right here in the neighborhood. The taproom has seating inside and out, its own beers on tap, and a menu that has previously included fried chicken sandwiches, burgers and vegan hot dogs. 

In addition to fresh ceviche, this Peruvian staple has chicken salad sandwiches, quinoa salad and empanadas. Refreshments include Inca Kola, frozen no-booze mojitos, and of course, the salty ocean breeze rolling off the boardwalk.

The end of 2020 was hot, hot, hot for new openings in the Rockaways, with Bar Marseille also entering the chat. Provençal-inspired menu items include moules frites, charcuterie and cheese, macarons and plenty of French wines in a seaside space fashioned after the Riviera. 

A quaint, family-run cafe and provision shop since 2012, Cuisine by Claudette is open year-round. Its lengthy menu includes all manner of espresso and coffee drinks, smoothies, bowls, falafel, shawarma and veggie pitas, grilled cheese variations and larger entrées like lemon pepper chicken and baked salmon. 

Rippers has beach burgers of the cheese and veggie variety, fries, ice cream beer and wine, all on the boardwalk. Dine on the adjacent picnic tables or share with the seagulls back on the sand. (Please do not feed the gulls.)

Stop by this cute cafe, where the ceiling’s lined with coffee bean bags, for a caffeine kick before you hit the waves or lounge all day. In addition to its bevy of hot and cold coffee options, Roasters has smoothies, bowls, sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats.