Debi Z. 
Moving to Queens? Here’s a list of
Our Favorite Queens Attractions,
Hot Spots, and Restaurants
- Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria (37-08 30 Ave, Astoria): This place is famous for a reason (RIP Andrew Bellucci!), but complicated history aside, the pizza quality is always solid and the pairings are always well thought out. The VodkaRoni (fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, and vodka sauce) is a crowd favorite.
- Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave, Queens): This community-driven beer garden serves up Czech and Slovak cuisine – think grilled bratwurst galore – along with American favorites. There’s spacious indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty to keep you entertained like sports screens, cornhole, and darts.
- Sotto Le Stelle Pizzeria (44-07 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside): Sotto e Stelle makes fantastic Neapolitan-style pizza in Sunnyside, a welcoming and growing neighborhood in Queens. Don’t skip the “Star” pizza, where the crust is cut to resemble a star, and the dough is folded over and stuffed with fresh ricotta… a pizza and calzone all in one.
- M. Wells (43-15 Crescent St, Long Island City, NY): M. Wells has been a neighborhood fixture in Long Island City for more than a decade—first as a diner, then a café inside MoMA P.S.1, and most recently, as Canadian chef Hugue Dufour’s avant-garde take on a steakhouse. The three-time Michelin star bistro will close at the end of 2024, so get in quick!
- Gantry State Park (4-44 47th Rd, Queens, NY): Once an industrial wasteland, Gantry Plaza State Park has been transformed into a manicured 12-acre green space along the East River in Hunters Point. The park comes alive every day with strollers, picnickers, sunbathers, volleyball players, fishers, and admirers of the Manhattan skyline.
- Queens Zoo – This 18 acre zoo features a Sea Lion exhibit, woodland trail, great plains trail, and South American trail with the unique wildlife that inhabits those areas.
- Drunk Shakespeare – A unique and fun theatre attraction where one professional actor downs five shots of whiskey and attempts to perform in a Shakespearean play.
- Long Island City (LIC) Springs!: This community street festival is a celebration of Long Island City, with live music, dance performances, interactive art lessons, fitness classes, outdoor dining, and pop-up activities. It’s free and open to the public, drawing major crowds each year.
- Elmhurst Park – This city green space offers six acres of jogging trails, playgrounds and more. It is one of the favorite parks of the neighborhood.
- PreGame Sports Bar & Lounge: Snug bar with a wood-clad interior like a train car featuring sports on TV, plus happy hour deals.
- Evil Twin Brewing NYC: Gathering place offering local brews & bites in a relaxed setting with a beer garden & greenhouse.
- Steinway Street’s Spring Fest and Paw-rade: Springtime fun with a pet costume contest, on-site adoptions, and performances by the Afro-Latineers and Zabo Circus.
- Steinway & Sons Piano Factory (1 Steinway Pl, Queens): A must-visit for any musician, this historic factory offers tours that take you through the art of piano-making, from the raw wood to the final tuning. It’s a peek into the craftsmanship behind one of the world’s most storied piano brands.
- Mad Donkey Beer Bar & Grill – 32-07 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106. Feel like family in this relaxed taproom with weekend DJs, numerous whiskeys, jumbo cocktails, and pub grub. Loved by locals, it’s a must-visit spot in Astoria.
- Queens Night Market (4701 111th St, Corona, NY): This family-friendly, open-air night market features over 100 independent vendors selling a mix of art, merchandise, and cuisine from all around the world. With dishes priced at just $5 or $6, you can sample all the flavors without breaking the bank.
- Batesy’s BBQ (6820F Rockaway Beach Blvd, Arverne): If you’re heading to Rockaway Beach, this is a decent pit stop. Batesy’s pastrami sandwich is stacked with Swiss, coleslaw, and house sauce—but only available on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s worth planning around. And if your group can’t agree on BBQ or pizza, no worries. Batesy’s BBQ is right next door to Boardwalk Pizza, so everyone’s happy.
- Taverna Kyclades (36-01 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria): Craving Greek food? Skip Manhattan and head here for the freshest seafood, Greek salad, and fried calamari. This lively restaurant is a must-visit for Greek food lovers.
- Cachapas y Más: Since 2008, Cachapas y Más have made it their mission to offer New Yorkers a taste of Venezuela’s most iconic dishes. They’re dedicated to serving fresh, traditional Venezuelan fare.
- VR World NYC – This interesting attraction showcases the best of mixed reality and VR. Here, you’ll interact in a novel way with art, film, and games. The bar has some solid cocktails as well!
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop (LaGuardia Airport, Terminal C, East Elmhurst): If you find yourself at LaGuardia’s Terminal C and need a bite before your flight, Potbelly’s pastrami sandwich will do the trick. Is it worth going out of your way for? Not really. But for airport food? Not bad.
- Smile of the Beyond – This restaurant was open in 1972 when the vegetarian owner wanted to provide the neighborhood with a quality vegetarian experience. This is a good place to go and enjoy a good meal like breakfast, lunch or brunch . They also offer alternative options for vegans like, vegan tofu scramble, vegan cheese and soy bacon.
- Q.E.D. Astoria (27-16 23rd Ave, Queens): This intimate, community-driven space is made for and by creatives. It’s a performance venue, education center, and café all rolled into one, offering comedy shows, art classes, and more.
- The Beast Next Door (4251 27th St, Long Island City, NY): With its dimly lit, brick-walled, wood-furnished interior, this sultry bar is perfect for an easy date night. Plus, they’ve got an unbeatable happy hour, including $1 oysters.
- Stray Vintage – Shop for vintage furniture, salvaged items, and antique goods in this neighborhood mainstay.
- Rosario’s (22-55 31st St, Astoria): An old-school gourmet deli that welcomes you with open arms and is stocked with dry pasta, canned tomatoes, and olive oil. When it comes to the pizza, Rosario’s exclusively uses fresh, high-quality ingredients. The combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is heavenly.
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park – First and foremost it should be noted that the park is about 1-3 miles away from Elmhurst. However, the proximity is still something to be taken advantage of, as this is one of NYC’s largest, most iconic, and most unique parks. The 1964 World’s Fair took place within the park’s 897 acres, and today the park offers every sport under the sun, from tennis to kayaking. The park is also the site of the following institutions:
- Bridge and Tunnel Brewery: This Ridgewood Brewery has been making beer in Queens since 2012. They are a DIY, Self Built, and Family owned microbrewery.
- Noguchi Museum – 9-01 33rd Rd, Queens, NY 11106: Founded and designed by the legendary American landscape architect Isamu Noguchi, this intimate museum and sculpture garden is a peaceful oasis for you to escape the hustle and bustle of New York City life.
- Super Pollo: Low-key, colorful eatery focusing on hearty platters of Mexican fare including rotisserie chicken.
- Beijing Dumpling House – A small Chinese dumpling restaurant in the area offers many options to enjoy for every type of diet, like pork, shrimp, vegetables. For those who love spicy food, this is the right place.
- Cunningham Park: Is the second largest park in Queens, next to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. A place to recharge your energy, feel at peace and have a relaxing time by yourself or with others. This is a great place to take a walk, ride a bicycle, get some exercise or have a romantic picnic with your loved one .
- Murphy’s Bar – 45-01 23rd Ave, Queens, NY 11105: Murphy’s Bar is your quintessential sports bar. Think no frills, a community-first vibe, and affordable drinks. Perfect for summer sports viewing, it’s proudly dubbed ‘Astoria’s home for New York sports teams’.
- Queens College, City University of New York – Queens College is a public university within the City University of New York system. Notable alumni include Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Favraeu, and Joy Behar among many others.
- Sunnyside Gardens Park – This members-only park in the historic district of Sunnyside Gardens is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy some family time or time with your furry friends.
- Oh! Calcutta (10-57 Jackson Avenue, Queens, NY): Ruhel Amin, who’s already made a name with Indian restaurants in Harlem and Williamsburg, brings the flavors of Kolkata to Long Island City. Named after the risqué British revue, Oh! Calcutta is a creative twist on Indian and Bengali cuisine.
- Tony’s Beechhurst Deli (11-18 154th St, Whitestone): If you’re after a proper Italian hero, visit Tony’s. There’s no dedicated pastrami sandwich, but they sell it by the pound so you can always build your own. Grab a sandwich, head to Little Bay Park, and enjoy it with a view.
- Rolo’s (853 Onderdonk Ave, Ridgewood): Rolo’s is a bar and grill in Queens that specializes in wood-fired cooking. Their menu features a selection of charcuterie, including paper-thin pastrami, that’s made in-house with no preservatives.
- Astoria Alive / 31st Street Festival: (Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard) This annual street fair along 31st St. is a family favorite, featuring food vendors, rides, and live entertainment, sponsored by the Astoria Restoration Association.
- Porta23 (29-17 23rd Ave, Queens): This spot serves up hospitality as generously as their portions. Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you—inside, it’s a 10/10 culinary experience with deals like a $20 burger, fries, beer, and shot combo.
- Gottscheer Hall: This German tavern serves Old World German cuisine along a lineup of beers and spirits from around the world. There are multiple function halls and rooms making it a great place for occasions.
