Kings of Queens: The Borough's Best Restaurants

by Keith Wagstaff - Citysearch Editor - 210 Reviews - 110 Lists

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Updated: May 11, 2009

Queens: As New York's largest and most diverse borough, it follows that it has one of the most varied and vibrant dining scenes in the entire country. From the bustling Chinatown in Flushing to the Greek enclave of Astoria, we flush out the best restaurants in all of Queens.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Queens Restaurants

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Donovan's Pub
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    5724 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11377 (map)

    Before Woodside became a haven for Asian and Latino immigrants, it housed one of the largest Irish populations in New York. This longtime staple of the community pulls a fine pint of Guinness, but what it’s really known for is its burger: a fatty, charbroiled half-pound of heaven that many rank among the city’s best.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended La Portena Restaurant
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    7425 37TH Ave, Flushing, NY 11372 (map)

    Argentina has the highest per capita beef consumption in the world, so it’s no surprise that the folks at La Portena know their way around a cut of filet mignon (that’s “lomo” en Espanol). Displaced “portenos” know that this former butcher shop, with its masculine gaucho atmosphere, is the best place in Queens for a killer parrillada plate for two.

  3. 3 3 Star Rating: Average Manducatis Restaurant
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    1327 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 (map)

    Leave that new-school Italian in Manhattan; in Queens, they do things old-school, as in a wood-burning oven, handmade cannelloni courtesy of the Cerbone brothers who know most of the longtime regulars by name. Sure, the menu isn’t exactly innovative, but who doesn’t love occasionally digging into a plate of freshly made spaghetti carbonara?

  4. 4 Philoxenia
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    3207 34th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106 (map)

    Say “Astoria” and most people instantly think of Greek food. But with so many options in the neighborhood, where does one go for their tzatziki fix? We recommend Philoxenia (which means “hospitality” in Greek), chef Dionysia Germani’s warmly appointed restaurant specializing in freshly caught, charcoal-grilled whole fish.

  5. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Sapori D'Ischia
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    5515 37th Ave, Woodside, NY 11377 (map)

    Italian cuisine has flourished in all five boroughs, and Queens is no exception. This simple retail store sells cheeses and other Italian goods during the day, but transforms by night into a bustling restaurant, complete with romantic live music and superb Neapolitan pasta.

  6. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Spicy & Tasty
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    39-07 Prince St, Flushing, NY 11354 (map)

    This Flushing restaurant’s name doesn’t lie; almost everything on the massive 200-item menu is tasty, and much of it is also delightfully spicy. The clientele is mostly made up of Asian-American families, who come for classic Sichuan cuisine plus more exotic delicacies like jellyfish and frog meat.

  7. 7 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Sripraphai Thai Restaurant
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    64-13 39th Ave, Woodside, NY 11377 (map)

    Thai food in Manhattan not authentic enough for your world-weary foodie friends? Then take them to Sripraphai, long acknowledged to be the best Thai restaurant in all of New York City--and for good reason, as it doesn’t dumb down its flavors (or spiciness) to suit Western palates.