23 lovely things to do in Long Island City, Queens

Grab your coffee to go from Deploy Coffee’s signature blue cart, a veteran-owned and operated small business serving up seriously good specialty coffee.

Choose from classics like flat whites, cortados, and lattes, or opt for one of their tea offerings—because no matter your order, you’re in for a solid caffeine fix.

No Stress Coffee may be small, but it has built up a seriously loyal following—and plenty of regulars will tell you it’s one of the best coffee shops in LIC.

Grab a coffee to go, or stick around for one of its delicious pastries and a pretty damn good matcha, too.

Coffee Project NY may have gotten its start in the East Village, but the beloved coffee shop has since expanded across NYC—including to LIC, where we’re always happy to stop by.

Beyond grabbing your daily cup, you can also nerd out over coffee with one of their classes, including Coffee Tasting Intensive, SCA Brewing Skills, and Barista Intensive.

Red Sorghum is a relatively new 4,000-square-foot Hunan and Szechuan restaurant and baijiu bar inspired by the cinematic set designs of Wong Kar Wai—and the gorgeous space is only part of the appeal.

The menu is packed with seriously delicious dishes, so bring a few friends and order for the table to sample as much as possible. Trust us, you’ll want to try a little bit of everything.

Soothr brings the flavors of Bangkok’s Yaowarat Chinatown to LIC with an all-day menu of Thai food and drinks.

The menu goes beyond the usual Thai favorites, with LIC-exclusive dishes like Yaowarat-style branzino served in a comforting Chinese soy-scallion broth, Yaowarat Five-Spice Roasted Duck, and Dungeness Crab Curry.

Nothing says New York quite like a classic 24-hour diner, and Court Square Diner is the real deal.

The LIC institution has been serving hungry New Yorkers from the same location since 1946, making it a bona fide neighborhood staple. And yes, it’s still open 24 hours, because sometimes you simply need pancakes at 3 am.

If you’re craving something a little lighter for breakfast, Cannelle is the place to go.

This contemporary French bakeshop serves up classic breads, pastries, quiche, and delicious espresso drinks, with a case full of tarts, croissants, cakes, macarons, and pretty much every French treat you could possibly want.

Casa Enrique serves up Mexican cuisine inspired by different regions across the country, blending traditional favorites with more creative, modern dishes.

The restaurant is especially known for its rich, flavorful mole, so be sure to give it a try while you’re here—it’s a signature for a reason.

Yumpling got its start as a humble stand at LIC Flea before opening its first brick-and-mortar on Vernon Boulevard in 2021.

Today, the spot serves up Taiwanese-inspired dishes and street food staples reminiscent of Taiwan’s bustling night markets. Whatever you order, you really can’t go wrong—though we highly recommend ordering a few things to share.

Anable Basin is an unpretentious waterfront hangout serving exactly the kind of food you want on a sunny NYC day: burgers, hot dogs, and cold beer.

Add in the stunning East River and Manhattan skyline views, and honestly, what more could you ask for? Grab a drink, settle in by the water, and call it a pretty damn good day in LIC.

Family-owned Manducatis Restaurant has been serving straightforward, comforting Italian food since opening on Christmas Day in 1977.

The kind of place where dining feels less like going to a restaurant and more like being invited over to a friend’s house, it’s a true LIC neighborhood staple. For what to order, we recommend the eggplant rollatini or veal parmigiana.

929 is all about mixing in every sense of the word, from playful cocktails inspired by familiar Chinese flavors to meticulously curated playlists and live DJs spinning retro Asian pop.

The cocktails are named after classic hits from the golden age of Cantopop and Mandopop, while the shareable bites are seriously delicious. Add in the fabulous atmosphere and genuinely friendly staff, and you’ve got yourself a pretty damn fun night out in LIC.

New York City has no shortage of vinyl record bars, but Record Room in LIC is a standout. Tucked behind a vinyl-themed coffee shop, this intimate hideaway features DJs spinning carefully curated vinyl records, expertly crafted cocktails, and a seriously cool atmosphere.

It’s the kind of place where you can easily plan to stay for one drink and somehow end up spending the entire evening.

You may have seen videos of NYC’s Titanic-themed bathroom making the rounds on social media, and if you’ve ever wondered where it actually is, look no further than The Baroness in LIC.

But the quirky bathroom is far from the only reason to stop by: this eclectic eatery serves up a menu of dishes named after pop culture icons like Whitney Houston, Adele, and Mariah Carey. So yes, come for the bathroom, stay for the food.

Fifth Hammer Brewing is a 15-barrel neighborhood craft brewery in Long Island City, pouring a rotating selection of more than 10 house-made beers alongside guest wines and ciders.

The laid-back spot also hosts live events, making it a great place to settle in for a drink or two.

Rockaway Brewing Company is yet another brewery and taproom in LIC—because apparently Queens decided we could never have too much craft beer. The brewery got its start in Rockaway Beach, hence the name, but all of its beer is now brewed right here in Long Island City.

Choose from a rotating selection of beers on tap, grab a flight to sample a few, or check out one of their production tours and special events.

Gutter Bar in LIC is the brand’s second of three locations, offering eight vintage hardwood bowling lanes for a decidedly old-school night out.

Beyond bowling, you can grab a bite from the galley kitchen serving NY-style hot dogs, sip American craft beers at the full bar, or challenge your friends to a game of pinball or foosball. The space is 21+, making it a solid option for a grown-up night out in LIC.

Pick up some goodies at MogMog, a small Japanese shop that feels like stepping into one of Japan’s beloved konbinis.

The NYC-based team specializes in authentic Japanese pantry essentials, along with prepared foods like fresh onigiri, sushi rolls, bento boxes, bowls, and groceries. And whatever you do, don’t skip the mochi—it’s mouthwatering.

Long Island City’s waterfront is actually home to two gorgeous parks, so once you’ve explored Gantry Plaza State Park, keep heading south to Hunters Point South Park.

You’ll find the same jaw-dropping Manhattan skyline views, plus a central green, playgrounds, a dog run, picnic terraces, and a 13,000-square-foot pavilion with an elevated café plaza.

MoMA PS1 is the experimental sister museum of MoMA, showcasing boundary-pushing contemporary art, unconventional ideas, and creative practices you won’t find just anywhere.

And perhaps the best part? New York residents get free admission every day the museum is open, so you really have no excuse not to stop by.

Few things hit quite like seeing the New York City skyline from across the East River, and LIC’s Gantry Plaza State Park delivers some seriously spectacular views.

This 12-acre waterfront park is beautifully landscaped with plenty of space to stroll, relax, and take in panoramic views of Manhattan, making it one of the best spots in Long Island City to spend a sunny afternoon.

Oh, and this is where you’ll find the viral vintage-looking Pepsi-Cola sign!

Founded in 1928 as “The Clay Club” by artist Dorothea Denslow, SculptureCenter is a contemporary art museum dedicated to showcasing under recognized and emerging artists.

Since moving to Long Island City in 2001, the museum has presented work by more than 900 artists, many of whom have gone on to have major careers in the art world. It’s a great spot to discover artists before everyone else catches on.