BEST JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
WATAWA SUSHI
33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 -
(718) 545-9596
www.watawasushi.com
Renowned for being both fresh and flavorful,
it’s no wonder that Astoria’s own Watawa Sushi
takes the cake for best Japanese restaurant
in the borough. Lauded online as many a
Queens resident’s go-to sushi spot, the service
at Watawa is fast and friendly, and its menu –
which boasts all the classics and then some – is
reasonably priced, with something for everyone.
Complete with daily lunch and dinner specials,
Watawa’s vast selection and chic and modern
atmosphere make it the best Queens has to offer
when it comes to good Japanese.
BEST KOREAN
RESTAURANT
TANG KOREAN RESTAURANT
196-50 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11358
(718) 279-7080
www.tang24.com
This 24-hour eatery takes the cake when it
comes to Korean in Queens. Tang Korean
Restaurant, at home in Flushing, is an authentic
and traditional Korean restaurant that prides
itself on pairing classic Korean fare (from
soups to grilled meats and then some) with
quality service and a stylish atmosphere. To
boot, the bistro and sushi bar is open 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. That’s right. All day.
All night. Locally sourced and crafted with
love, Tang Korean Restaurant is a fan-favorite
amongst Queens foodies, so it’s no surprise it’s
number one.
BEST LATIN
RESTAURANT
PIO PIO
84-02 Northern Blvd Jackson Heights, NY
11372 - (718) 426-4900
www.piopio.com
New York City’s premiere Peruvian restaurant
since 1994, Pio Pio is at home at not one,
but three locations Queens-wide, including
its flagship in Rego Park. Its menu features
authentic cuisine from Peru, as well as specialties
like the restaurant’s famed Pollo a La Brasa
(rotisserie chicken) and “Green Sauce.” Those,
coupled with fellow signature items such as Pio
Pio’s avocado salad, Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry, an
array of ceviches and even some fresh juice pisco
cocktails and sangria, help make it a standout in
Latin cuisine. With two other locations in Jackson
Heights (which occasionally features exciting
live music), and a few throughout the city, it’s no
question why Pio Pio is people’s favorite Latin
restaurant in the borough.
BEST
MEDITERRANEAN
AVLI
38-31 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 224-7575
www.avlilife.com
This self-proclaimed “little Greek restaurant” in
Bayside is larger than life, according to the people
of Queens. A simple Greek spot serving souvlaki,
kebabs and other Greek staples, Avli is lauded as the
best Mediterranean spot in the borough. At home
on Bell Boulevard, the quaint but impressionable
eatery comes equipped with a spacious back garden,
and is supported by its exceptional staff. Its pleasant
atmosphere and affordable – and generously
portioned – meals make it the one to beat for
Mediterranean in Queens.
BEST MEXICAN
RESTAURANT
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 631-0377
www.baysidetequila.com
This fan-favorite Mexican restaurant on Bell
Boulevard reigns supreme in the borough,
taking the top prize not just for its unbeatable
margaritas, mojitos and customer service,
but also for being the overall best Mexican
restaurant in all of Queens. Decorated to
perfection, Tequila Sunrise is the place to go for
traditional Mexican fare (it’s guacamole alone
will keep you coming back for more), and an
ice-cold drink (we did mention margaritas and
mojitos, didn’t we?).
BEST EATERY
THE THIRSTY KOALA
35-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 -
(718) 626-5430
www.thethirstykoala.com
This Australian-inspired Astoria eatery may
already reign supreme when it comes to
healthy eating, but it also wears the crown for
best eatery in the entire borough. That’s right.
It’s number one. The restaurant, at home on
Ditmars Boulevard, boasts an impressive menu
of mainly gluten-free and veggie options, as
well as an extensive brunch menu, a beer and
wine list fit for the thirstiest of patrons, and a
reputation to match. From meat pies to sliders
and authentic vegan moussaka, The Thirsty
Koala has something to please just about
anyone’s palette and it won’t break your wallet.
Best of all, it’ll leave you feeling full, and good, as
all of its food is certified fresh and healthy. What
more could you want out of a meal?
BEST RESTAURANT
WITH A WATER VIEW
VETRO RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
164-49 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY
11414 - (718) 843-8387
www.vetronyc.com
With breathtaking views of Jamaica Bay, it’s
no surprise that Vetro Restaurant and Lounge
secured Queens’ vote for best restaurant with
a water view. From the moment patrons walk
through the doors of Vetro, at home on Cross
Bay Boulevard, they are promised an experience
like never before. Its mouthwatering Italianeque
fare is only accentuated by its impressive
views and quality customer care. A part of the
Russo’s on the Bay brand, Vetro is deep-rooted
in the borough and features more than 415 wines
from around the world. With the opening of its
private rooftop, Vetro can also accommodate
indoor and rooftop events in one of its five
rooms including the restaurant, lounge, Murano
Room, Rooftop, and Wine Cellar. And, for those
who want to take advantage of the awardwinning
view, the outdoor waterfront dining
area is where it’s at. As a restaurant, lounge,
and catering venue, Vetro offers a modern,
elegant setting for any event or occasion, and is
undoubtedly the best of the best when it comes
to under-the-stars dining.
BEST ROMANTIC
DINNER
PAPAZZIO
39-38 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 229-1962
www.pappazio.com
Your choice of restaurant could make or break
a date night. But, at Bayside’s own Papazzio,
romanticism reigns. Voted best romantic dinner
64 BEST OF THE BORO 2017 • winnER’S GUIDE • BESTOF.QNS.COM
in the borough, the high-end Italian eatery
features Northern and Southern Italian fare,
with weekly live jazz and blues nights that make
for an easy – but unforgettable – night out on
the town with a loved one. Renowned for being
both intimate and inviting, Papazzio prides
itself on its “taste of elegance.” From its elegant
exterior of brick arching over deep red French
doors, old-fashioned lamppost lighting, and a
redbrick sidewalk, to the charming interior of
distressed brick walls and walnut-colored wood
floors, Papazzio transports diners to a quaint, yet
comfortable trattoria in Tuscany. Its visual appeal
also includes an eclectic arrangement of warm,
unusual lighting, and a richly-appointed granite
bar backed with mahogany and glass shelves of
bottled wine. First opened in 1990, the romantic
restaurant has been previously dubbed “Bayside’s
treasure,” and the ‘hood’s “best kept secret.”
It’s no secret anymore that the famed eatery’s
exquisite menu and intricate décor go hand in
hand to make it the best in the borough.
BEST SEAFOOD
RESTAURANT
LONDON LENNIE’S
63-88 Woodhaven Blvd, Rego Park, NY
11374 - (718) 894-8084
www.londonlennies.com
Looking for fresh and unforgettable seafood?
Look no further than London Lennie’s. Owned
and operated by the Barnes family since 1959,
this seafood wonderland in Rego Park has
evolved from a quintessential fish-n-chips shop
to one of New York City’s premier seafood
restaurants. Celebrating over 57 years of
excellence, London Lennie’s is perhaps most
famous for its fresh, local seafood, selected
daily at the world-famous Fulton Fish Market.
Dubbed the best seafood restaurant in the
borough, London Lennie’s philosophy is simple:
it’s the best or nothing at all.
BEST SOUL FOOD
AND SOUTHERN
RESTAURANT
SUGAR FREAK - RESTAURANT
36-18 30th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103 - (718)
726-5850
New Orleans is at the heart of Sugar Freak.
This Astoria restaurant, renowned for its
cozy décor, delicious food, good service and
affordable prices, specializes in good oldfashioned
southern comfort food. Serving
up New Orleans standards like shrimp po’
boys and gumbo, it ousts the competition in
terms of soul food. Dubbed the best soul food
and southern restaurant in Queens, Sugar
Freak has made a name for itself, not just for
its culinary creations, but also for its novel
cocktails and “mega-rich desserts.”
BEST SPANISH
RESTAURANT
MARBELLA RESTAURANT
220-33 Northern Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361 -
(718) 423-0100
www.marbella-restaurant.com
A hidden gem of Bayside, Marbella Restaurant
promises a memorable experience. At home
on Northern Boulevard since 1967, the deeprooted
neighborhood eatery – dubbed the best
Spanish restaurant in all of Queens – boasts
an elegant, yet relaxing environment within a
posh, white-tablecloth setting and a menu jam
packed with distinctive Spanish cuisine from
various regions of Spain, as well as a number of
French and Italian masterpieces (and its fanfavorite
sangria). Renowned for the indisputable
quality of its ingredients, expert preparation and
beautiful presentation, Marbella marvels when it
comes to an unforgettable, and truly authentic,
Spanish meal.
BEST STEAKHOUSE
UNCLE JACK’S STEAKHOUSE
39-40 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 229-1100
www.unclejacks.com
The Bayside outpost of Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse
is renowned boroughwide for being the most
superior steakhouse. Since its inception in 1996,
the chophouse chain has become legendary for
unsurpassed consistency and quality. Previously
dubbed the best steakhouse in all of New York
City, it should be no surprise that it takes the
cake for Queens as well. Like its other locations,
the Queens leg of the restaurant, at home on
Bell Boulevard, features only the finest in USDA
prime beef, cut to the chain’s exact specifications
and aged to perfection. The restaurant also
boasts a full menu of the finest foods available
(including world famous Kobe steaks), helping
it smoke the competition when it comes to best
steakhouse.
BEST TEX-MEX
MOJAVE
22-36 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 545-4100
If you’re talking good Tex-Mex, you’re talking
Mojave. The southwestern restaurant, located
in the heart of Astoria, comes equipped with
a spacious, adobe-style space with an outdoor
patio, that is only bettered by its impressive
menu, the pages of which feature exciting
spins on traditional southwestern entrees.
Fan-favorites include Mojave’s guacamole,
empanadas, sangrita and (keeping with the
times) its awesome brunch deals. Of course,
its margaritas aren’t half bad either. Did we
mention it also serves over 140 types of tequila!
All of that and then some make Mojave the one
to beat for Tex-Mex in Queens.
BEST THAI
RESTAURANT
BKNY THAI RESTAURANT
47-11 Francis Lewis Blvd, Bayside, NY
11361 - (718) 281-1900
www.bknythai.com
Bringing Bangkok to Bayside since 2006, BKNY
Thai Restaurant sure knows what it’s doing.
The roomy, contemporary outfit at home on
Francis Lewis Boulevard offers up traditional
Thai dishes polished to please just about any
palette. Its extensive menu gravitates toward
traditional and authentic, while also occasionally
straying with its daily specials often bordering
Thai fusion. From som tum to jungle curry, and
pad thai to tamarind duck, there is something
for everyone, whether they’re a Thai aficionado
or not. To boot, almost any dish can be made
vegetarian friendly, making BKNY Thai
Restaurant the one to beat boroughwide.
BEST UPSCALE FINE
DINING
PARK SIDE
107-01 Corona Ave, Corona, NY 11368 -
(718) 271-9871
www.parksiderestaurantny.com
It feels like fine dining and traditional Italian
restaurants should go hand in hand. That’s
exactly the case at Park Side Restaurant. The
Corona eatery, lauded already for its atmosphere
and family-style menu, has also earned brownie
points as the best upscale fine dining experience
in the borough. In business for a quarter of a
century, Park Side Restaurant’s mission is to
make your night out on the town unforgettable.
BEST VEGETARIAN
RESTAURANT
THE QUEENS KICKSHAW
40-17 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11103
(718) 777-0913
www.thequeenskickshaw.com
Often commended for its excellence in serving
“comfort food with a twist,” Astoria’s own The
Queens Kickshaw first opened in March of 2011
by Astoria natives looking to give back to the
community they called home. Perhaps most
famous for its innovative grilled cheeses (and
coincidentally, its mac and cheese), this Astoria
restaurant has garnered attention for being
a hidden gem for the vegetarian community.
With an entirely no-meat menu (and a delicious
sounding one at that), The Queens Kickshaw is
a clear cut winner for best vegetarian restaurant
in the borough.
RESTAURANTS