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Astoria is known for its rich Greek influence, but this multicultural neighborhood has a lot more than some delicious Greek food to offer.
Here’s our neighborhood guide to Astoria, so you have the inside scoop on all the best places to go, things to see, and bites to eat.
Brunch/Breakfast
1. The VEGOIST @ No5
The VEGOIST @ No5 is the perfect spot to head to for brunch for two main reasons: 1. it has a full vegan menu and a full regular menu, and 2. it offers two different brunch deals. The first deal offers an entree, a smoothie or a fresh juice, coffee or tea, and one brunch cocktail. The second deal offers an entree, coffee or tea, and 1.5 unlimited hours of brunch cocktails, selected beers, or house wine. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 11a.m. – 5p.m.
Where: 35-43 37th St.
2. Mom’s Kitchen & Bar
The great thing about Mom’s is that they serve brunch all day, but on top of that they also have the most delicious cocktails. Their brunch entrees offer some out-of-the-box meals, such as Mac and Cheese Pancakes and a Pancake Burrito. As for the cocktails, we suggest the Hot Girl Summer, made with jalapeño-infused tequila, triple sec, blackberry puree, and served in an inflatable flamingo, or the Duckie Slide, made with gin, elderflower, cucumber, lemon, club soda, and served with a rubber duck. P.S. they even have jello shots!
Where: 33-01 31st Ave.
3. Queen’s Room
Queen’s Room’s mediterranean-influenced menu features brunch dishes including Smoked Salmon Benedict, Loaded Potato Hash, Shakshuka, and Biscuits and Gravy. Pair your meal with a classic brunch cocktail, such as a mimosa, bloody mary, or a screwdriver for the perfect brunch.
Where: 3602 Ditmars Blvd.
Coffeeshops
4. Mighty Oak Roasters
Known for wood roasted coffee, Mighty Oak Roasters has some of the smoothest espressos in the world–trust us, we’ve tasted a lot of espresso. The cool part is that roasting with wood makes the environmental impact significantly less than roasting with gas! Plus they have a ton of delicious vegan pastries you won’t be able to pass on.
Where: 28-01 24th Ave.
5. Château le Woof
Astoria’s favorite dog-friendly cafe, Château le Woof is a must-visit. Self-proclaimed canine lover and coffee addict, Château le Woof owner Natassa Contini got the idea for this dog-friendly cafe on one of her many dog walk/coffee searches. Stop in for delicious coffee, pastries, and of course to pet all the adorable puppies you’re bound to see there.
Where: 3101 Vernon Blvd.
6. Astoria Coffee
Originally a whole bean delivery service, Astoria Coffee’s now brick and mortar shop is the perfect low key spot to head to for good coffee or tea and some light bites. Here you’ll find roasters from around the country on a rotating basis and baked goods from local companies.
Where: 30-04 30th St.
Astoria Restaurants
7. Duzan
A go-to place in the Little Egypt area of Astoria, Duzan serves delicious Middle Eastern food for an extremely good price. Among their most popular items are their Chicken Shawarma Pitas and Bowls, and according to their many loyal customers they have the best hummus in all of Astoria.
Where: 2411 Steinway St.
8. Tufino
Tufino is an Astoria go-to for the most mouthwatering pizza and it’s easy to see why when you find out that their custom Stefano Ferrara wood-burning oven was hand-built in Naples, Italy using volcanic lava ash from Mt. Vesuvius…like, okay. Every single pie here is delicious, and they even have options for the vegans who miss pizza. Plus they make a pretty mean dirty martini.
Where: 36-08 Ditmars Blvd.
9. Stamatis
Opened in 1990 by chef and owner Stamatis Bililis and his wife Ioanna, Stamatis has been serving traditional Greek dishes since the beginning and has been a community a staple for over thirty years. Their menu is filled with the most authentic dishes, from Saganaki and Skordalia to Stuffed Grape Leaves and Lamb Fricase. And truthfully, it would be crazy to head to Astoria and not eat some Greek food!
Where: 29-09 23rd Ave.
10. Astoria Seafood
If you want fresh seafood in a super casual setting, Astoria Seafood is the place to go. And though regardless of the name it’s technically considered L.I.C., it’s too good for us not to include. This seafood market allows you to choose from their seafood on display and tell the staff exactly how you’d like it cooked. This spot is super popular, so you may have to wait a little bit for a table, but you can’t ignore the quality of the food and the BYOB perk.
Where: 3710 33rd St.
11. Bund Dumpling House
Bund Dumpling House specializes in handmade soup dumplings, dim sum, and noodles, and they’re the only NYC restaurant to serve Shengjian Bao, which are pan friend soup dumplings. Plus you can even get their dumplings frozen to have on hand whenever the craving hits! And though the soup dumplings are the star of the show the brisket scallion pancakes are incredible and a must-try.
Where: 25-08 Broadway
12. Taverna Kyclades
Taverna Kyclades is your go-to spot for phenomenal Greek food in Astoria. Their short and simple (but insanely delicious) lunch menu opens up to a larger dinner menu, that puts an emphasis on seafood. Some of their most popular dishes are their calamari and their grilled octopus, which is a definite must-order when dining here. Their fish and other ingredients are chosen daily so they’re guaranteed to be fresh, and they’re a must-visit when you’re in Astoria.
Where: 36-01 Ditmars Blvd.
13. The Bonnie
The Bonnie is a great place to grab food whether you’re in a larger group or a small one, as they have outdoor sidewalk seating, indoor seating, and backyard seating picnic table style. Their cocktails are great and include out-of-the-box options such as a Dirty Pickle Martini, and their Spinach and White Bean Hummus is a must-order. Plus they even have a vegan “Pastrami” Reuben!
Where: 29-12 23rd Ave.
14. Comfortland
Ooey, gooey, deliciously fried comfort food…are you intrigued yet? From the owners of now-closed Queens Comfort, head here for po’ boys, burgers, the sweetest desserts, chopped cheese empanadas…even milkshakes and arnold palmer slushees! Plus, they have a vegan version of almost everything on the menu.
Where: 40-09 30th Ave.
15. Agnanti
Obviously we had to throw another Greek spot into the mix, and who else would that be than Agnanti?! (You literally feel like you’re dining in someone’s house here it’s so homey). Honestly, we can go on and on about this spot, so to save the rambling we’ll give you a few must orders–Shrimp Kataifi (shrimp dipped in homemade mustard sauce and rolled in finely shredded pastry), Aegean Pasta (seafood sauce over pasta), and their Grilled Salmon (served with your choice of sauce, fresh tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and dill). Pair it with a bottle of wine and you’ll have the most delicious dining experience!
Where: 19-06 Ditmars Blvd.
16. Makina Cafe Eritrean-Ethiopian Eatery
For those nights where you’re starving but have no idea what you’re in the mood for, Makina Cafe will literally never not satisfy. They only offer take-out and delivery so you won’t be able to dine-in, but what’s better than enjoying takeout while bingeing your fav show? A word of advice: order rice as your base with injera on the side so you get the best of both worlds!
Where: 36-47 30th St.
Happy Hour
17. Sweet Afton
Sweet Afton is a local Astoria spot serving local craft beers, tasty cocktails, and “the neighborhood’s best burger,” and they’re owned by the same ones who own The Bonnie. Their burger is totally customizable, and comes with add-on options including bacon, avocado, frizzled onions, and more. During Happy Hour which is Monday-Thursday 4p.m. – 7p.m. and Friday 3p.m. – 7p.m. you can get $2 off select cocktails, house spirits, draft beers, and wines. They even have their own version of an old fashioned on draft!
Where: 30-09 34th St.
18. The Highwater
The Highwater brings the tropics straight to Astoria. This tiki bar does happy hour the right way, offering tasty tropical drinks for as low as $8. From daiquiris and margaritas to rum punch and mojitos, you can’t go wrong regardless of which drink you choose. They even have some small bites on the happy hour menu to pair with your drink.
Where: 34-20 Broadway
19. Ruta Oaxaca
Ruta Oaxaca offers an affordable happy hour Monday-Friday 4p.m. – 7p.m. Margaritas cost only $8, and include different options such as their Rosita, made with Premium Blanco Tequila, triple sec, guava nectar puree, simple, syrup, fresh lime, and chili piquin. Tequila and Mezcal shots are also only $8, draft beers are $6, and bottled beers are $5.
Where: 35-03 Broadway
20. The Shady Lady
If you’re looking for happy hour you need to head to The Shady Lady because they offer it seven days a week. Monday-Thursday 5p.m. – 8p.m. and Friday-Sunday 4p.m. – 8p.m. enjoy $5 well cocktails, $9 house cocktails, $7 classic margaritas, $5 glasses of sangria, $2 off draft beers, and $3 off glasses of wine.
Where: 34-19 30th Ave.
Bars
21. Heart of Gold
Heart of Gold is a low-key beer bar in Astoria serving up great drinks and good vibes. They host Astoria Horror Club on Mondays where they play horror movies, host a comedy show on Tuesdays, and host trivia night on Wednesdays. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, and are also dog-friendly! Their beer selection is constantly rotating, so there will always be a new drink for you to try out.
P.S. They even received one of our Secret NYC Stamp of Approval stickers!
Where: 37-14 31st Ave
22. Break Bar
Break Bar is the place to go if you’re looking to have a drink and play some games. Put your name on the list to secure a pool or ping pong table, and while you wait enjoy foosball, basketball, giant jenga, and more. There are also a ton of TV’s throughout the bar so it’s the perfect spot for game day.
Where: 32-04 Broadway
23. Maggie Hall’s
Maggie Hall’s is the perfect spot to head to whether you want a beer or a cocktail, and being they have indoor and outdoor seating it’s a great spot to head to year-round. They host trivia every Monday, a drag variety show every Tuesday, and offer happy hour every day til 7p.m. If you’re looking for a drink suggestion we suggest the deliciously spicy Sprag Pole made with Ghost Tequila, Ancho Reyes, Spicy Sichuan Syrup, Luxardo Maraschino, and Lime.
Where: 34-06 30th Ave.
24. Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden has indoor and outdoor seating, frequent entertainment, and is the perfect spot to go to for a casual drink and bite to eat. Grab a tasty bite to eat from the Czech-inspired menu that features items such as bratwurst, pierogis, and BBQ ribs. As for the beer menu, you’ll find a ton of beers imported from Eastern Europe.
Where: 29-19 24th Ave.
25. Botte
For great Italian food and the perfect bar to enjoy a glass of wine and a cozy atmosphere, Botte is the place to go. They serve a selection of small plates as well as a large selection of pastas, appetizers, salads, seafood, and meat dishes. Plus, the wine is handpicked to compliment each item on the menu.
Where: 25-07 Broadway
Astoria Parks
26. Astoria Park
Astoria Park offers a ton of things to do outdoors, from tennis courts and playgrounds to a track and a skate park. There’s tons of picnic benches and grassy areas to sit down and have a picnic, and sweeping city skyline views make it the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Where: 19 19th St.
27. Socrates Sculpture Park
Socrates Sculpture Park has a rotating exhibition of artists on display throughout the year. The Park typically presents four major visual arts initiatives each year: The Spring/Summer Exhibition; ‘The Socrates Annual’ fellowship & exhibition; Folly/Function, a design-build competition in partnership with The Architectural League of New York; & The Broadway Billboard series. During the summer they even set up a farmer’s market and outdoor yoga! Plus, the park also has gorgeous views of the city skyline and some benches to sit on. You can view their event schedule here.
Where: 32-01 Vernon Blvd.
28. Rainey Park
A bit south of Socrates Sculpture Park you’ll find Rainey Park. During the springtime picnic under gorgeous cherry blossom blooms, or get sporty at the climbing wall, basketball courts, or baseball field. It also offers stunning views of the East River and city skyline.
Where: Vernon Blvd between 33 Rd. & 34 Ave.
Museums
29. Noguchi Museum
If this museum looks or sounds familiar, it may be because it was referenced in The Devil Wears Prada! This underrated museum and sculpture garden was designed and created by the Japanese-American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. It has a lovely outdoor garden to enjoy in the warmer months, and you can find their calendar here.
Where: 9-01 33rd Rd.
30. Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image is a media museum located in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios. It maintains the nation’s largest and most comprehensive collection of artifacts, over 130,000 of them, relating to the art, history, and technology of the moving image. You can even see how a live television production works where recordings need to be “edited” in real time, such as baseball games. Plus if you become a member you can see all their film screenings for free!
Where: 36-01 35th Ave.