Queens is a goldmine of authenticity existing in stark contrast to the often uniform nature of Manhattan’s gentrification. Go down any block and you’re bound to find people living the American dream - often having saved money to travel great lengths across the world and settle in the borough to build better lives for their family. Thai, Indian, Cantonese, Himalayan, Italian, Jewish - you name it, Queens has an area defined by the immigrants of that culture. And the second best thing to the fact that the American Dream still thrives here, is the fact that their food thankfully came with them. Astoria, Queens is defined by its unbelievably strong Greek community - and as such, is arguably the best place to indulge yourself in insane Greek food in the entire country. The neighborhood is huge, essentially spanning from Long Island City to La Guardia, but the main drags are really along Ditmars Blvd or Broadway. Even though it’s just across the river from the Upper East Side, Astoria feels a world away. When I say the food is actually at the same level as my favorite spots in Greece, I mean it.
Food
Gregory’s Corner Taverna
This is my favorite Greek place in New York. Period. I stumbled in while waiting for a table at neighborhood institution Taverna Kyclades, and this place ended up being better by miles. Picture cozy, hole-in-the-wall, grandma’s cooking in the back vibe with checkered tablecloths and plastic menus. They bring out hot, flaky bread and an olive tapenade before you even order - immediately alerting you to the quality of food you’re going to get into. Must orders are the smoky eggplant dip, fried peppers with cheese, grilled calamari, and lamb chops - which are caramelized and charred so perfectly that they are never not gnawed to the bone. If you're lucky, you'll get the free honey puffs for dessert. No reservations.
26-02 23rd Ave, Queens, NY 11105
Aliada
I love to goto this place in the summer as they conveniently have Opentable reservations and Astoria is usually teeming on weekends - leading to multiple hour waits at some spots. It’s more hip than other places, having more of a focus on small plates - but hey, that’s just even more of an excuse to order everything on the menu. Of note are to-die-for garlic grilled shrimp that fall out of the shell and are cooked to the perfect texture, their hummus, and their lamb chops.
2919 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106
BZ Grill
Word on the street is that this is the best gyro in New York - no question about it. Crispy edges of the meat combine with juicy flavors, fluffy pitas, and the whole nine yards of accessories.
27-02 Astoria Blvd, Queens, NY 11102
Astoria Seafood
A neighborhood icon where you can buy or bring your own seafood for the chef’s to prepare to perfection - I prefer BYOS to BYOB any day of the week. Who needs Mykonos when you have these flavors a block away from the subway? 3710 33rd St, Queens, NY 11101
Lefkos Pyrgos Cafe
No night in Astoria is complete without stopping here for dessert. It’s right on the main drag near a ton of Astoria’s famous bars and restaurants, but this place is really the star of the show. Their mile-long dessert case is nothing short of a spectacle, but I always choose to dive into their plethora of Baklava-esque pastries - ranging from flaky and buttery filo pastry to ones that are covered in crispy strings. Ending your night here with coffee and a pastry before hopping back on the N train or over the bridge is the cherry on top.
3302 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
Neighborhood Attractions
Isamu Noguchi Museum
Really at the top of Long Island City, it’s close enough to hop over to Astoria after. This incredible contemporary art space features two floors of Noguchi’s sculpture work and history. It’s quite meditative and nice to bring a book for the garden.
9-01 33rd Rd, Queens, NY 11106
Socrates Sculpture Park
A rotating showcase of community sculpture projects promoting powerful conversations, with unreal views of Manhattan from the East River in the backdrop.
32-01 Vernon Blvd, Queens, NY 11106
La Guardia Airport
Always a good time!
Hell, Queens, NY
- DG
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