RESTAURANTS
BEST FUSION
THE THIRSTY KOALA
35-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria
(718) 626-5430–www.thethirstykoala.com
The Thirsty Koala combines classic comfort
food, latin digs and european cuisine with
indigenous Australian ingredients to create
the perfect fusion menu that transports you
to Oz. Sample the Thirsty Koala’s popular
street tacos, especially the Vegan Earth Chili
Tacos (feature a portobello mushroom-based
vegan chili that will make your taste buds
sing). Try Italian-inspired dishes with a
gluten-free twist, like Chicken Marsala and
Eggplant Parma, indulge in Pan Braised Wild
Sesame Salmon, or sink your teeth into the
Classic Pastured Australian Beef Burger. If
you’re seeking something light but satisfying,
order the Melbourne Greek Salad or Heaps
Good with organic quinoa and charred kale.
Finish up a meal to remember with Koala
Chocolate Truffle or the Key Lime Moose and
you’ll understand why there’s no better fusion
restaurant in the borough.
BEST GERMAN
RESTAURANT
ZUM STAMMTISCH
69-46 Myrtle Ave, Glendale
(718) 386-3014–www.zumstammtisch.com
At Zum Stammtisch, everyone is
“willkommen!” For nearly five decades, they’ve
been dedicated to serving Queens residents
authentic German cuisine that reminds them
of their native Germany. Its success has led
it to expand its space and open up a German
pork store right next to the restaurant where
they offer authentic German meats and
delicacies you wouldn’t find anywhere else!
Who can resist a bratwurst or a steak tartar or
a light and refreshing green salad with apple
slices? And of course, Zum Stammtisch carries
an extensive beer selection that truly makes
it feel like a fun, beer garden and restaurant.
What more can be said about the best German
restaurant in Queens that hasn’t already been
said!
BEST GLUTEN-FREE
THE THIRSTY KOALA
35-12 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria
(718) 626-5430–www.thethirstykoala.com
If you’re searching for a gluten-free menu
that features a variety of options and doesn’t
compromise on taste, you’ll surely find one
at The Thirsty Koala. Start off your meal with
corn and jalapeno fritters, made with sweet
corn and manchego cheese, or bite into Thea’s
Meatballs, prepared with pasturised beef,
fresh vegetables and herbs, served with Thai
basil yoghurt. For your main course, you can
go with Italian-inspired dishes with a glutenfree
twist, like Chicken Marsala and Eggplant
Parma, enjoy the gluten-free pasta of the day,
or try a crowd classic that’s sure to please —
the grilled Australian hanger steak. At the
Thirsty Koala, if there’s no wheat, there’s a
way.
BEST GREEK
RESTAURANT (TIE)
AEGEA WEST MEDITERRANEAN
KITCHEN
242-05 Northern Blvd, Douglaston
(718) 423-4329–www.aegeagyros.com
When it comes to Greek food, there’s no place
in Queens that prepares this dilectable cuisine
likeAegea West Mediterranean Kitchen. Aegea
West’s Greek specialties will have you feeling
like you’ve been transported right to Athens.
From lamb gyros slathered in tzatziki to falafel
and souvlaki, Aegea West has all the tastes of
Greece ready for you to try. Aegea West also
effortlessly weaves classic Greek flavors into
many of their dishes — including their wraps,
burgers, salads and even their pizzas — so you
can get a taste of Greece on your meal. Don’t
forget to order yourself a delicious spinach pie
for the ride home, you won’t regret it!
BEST GREEK
RESTAURANT (TIE)
KALAMAKI GR
2906 172nd St, Flushing
(718) 939-1616–www.kalamakigr.com
Many restaurants claim to serve authentic
Greek cuisine, but no one in Queens offers
a taste of Greece quite like Kalamaki.
Kalamaki GR uses the best imported and
local ingredients in its kitchen, including the
highest quality feta cheeses from Greece,
top-of-the-line extra virgin olive oil and
flavorsome Greek strained yogurt. With
everything made fresh daily, this fan-favorite
eatery serves up everything from skewers to
beef and chicken bifteki, kebabs and donner to
hummus and salads and spanakopita, among
other Grecian delicacies — all of which you
can get delivered or catered. With reasonable
prices, top notch customer service and food
that, according to many customers, rivals that
of Greece, Kalamaki GR needs to be your next
stop!
BEST HEALTHY EATERY
HEALTH KITCHEN
10-17 154th St, Whitestone
(718) 709-9010–www.healthkitchenfoods.com
Health Kitchen in Whitestone satisfies the
growing public desire for food that is both
healthy and flavorful! Whether you’re looking
for a protein-packed morning meal or a filling
dinner and low calorie dessert combo, Health
Kitchen is your one stop shop for feel-good
food. Choose from an array of colorful salads,
Poke bowls, Acai bowls, smoothies and protein
shakes. Health Kitchen also offers an innovative
Pokerito menu option, which is a wrap filled
with Poke bowl ingredients. The eatery offers
both hot and cold salad bowls, so there is
something appealing for every season! Before
you leave, let Health Kitchen quench your thirst
with on-tap cold brew coffee and frappuccinos.
BEST INDIAN
RESTAURANT
AGRA INDIAN RESTAURANT
213-35 39th Ave, Bayside
(718) 225-1201
If you’re looking for an authentic Indian
cuisine experience, you have to check out
Agra Indian Restaurant. Situated comfortably
in Bayside, Agra Indian Restaurant puts a
modern twist on quinnisential dishes of the
Asian subcontinent. From the Tikka Masala to
the many options of curry, you’ll find yourself
making Agra Indian Restaurant your go-to
Indian food spot from here on out. Your
tastebuds will sing for the varieties of naan
that the eatery has to offer. Each dinner comes
with a delicious Indian dessert, so you get to
round out your entire experience with a sweet
treat. So don’t hesitate, come by Agra Indian
Restaurant for a tantalizing taste experience.
BEST ITALIAN
RESTAURANT
PICCOLO SOGNO
195-14 47th Ave, Flushing
(718) 224-1717–www.piccolosognony.com
Piccolo Sogno in Flushing is all about serving
authentic Italian cuisine. When executive chef
and owner Maurizio opened Piccolo Sogno in
2009, he envisioned bringing the best of what
Italy has to offer to the mouths of locals and
his eatery has since become a staple in the
borough. Whether you’re craving calamari,
a big plate of penne vodka or pizza so freshly
baked you can smell each ingredient from your
seat, you’ll be rest assured that you’re getting
the best. What continues to make Piccolo Sogno
the premier Italian restaurant in Queens is its
commitment to treating every guest — old and
new — like a member of the family.
BEST JAPANESE
RESTAURANT
WATAWA SUSHI
33-10 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria
(718) 545-9596–www.watawasushi.com
When it comes to Japanese food, some of the
best around can be found at Watawa Sushi
in Astoria. From traditional to specialty rolls,
Watawa Sushi has a huge menu of sushi
options to choose from, not to mention its
entree menu that is full of some tried and
true Japanese favorites. Don’t forget to start
off your meal with one of their delicious
appetizers, such as gyoza, shumai or miso
soup, and finish off the night with a delicious
dessert like mochi, fried ice cream or a fried
banana. Be sure to come by for one of their
lunch specials — the lunch plates and boxes at
Watawa Sushi will have you full and thinking
about your next visit.
BEST KOREAN
RESTAURANT
JONGRO BBQ
155-14 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing
(718) 939-9330
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As the “World’s Borough,” Queens is not in
shortage of some of the greatest food from
around the world. If you’re looking for some
delicious Korean food, you should check out
Jongro BBQ. The restaurant’s expansive menu
has a number of options that will take your
tastebuds on a Korean journey that you will
never forget. Whether you are dining in or
taking your food to go, you can ensure that
Jongro BBQ will make your food fresh and
quickly so you can be satiated and full in no
time. Don’t forget to wash it down with one
of Jongro BBQ’s many varieties of sake or
Korean beer!
BEST LATIN
RESTAURANT
PIO PIO
84-02 Northern Blvd Jackson, Heights
(718) 426-4900–www.piopio.com
In a borough where there’s no shortage of
fantastic Latin American food options, Pio Pio
restaurant in Jackson Heights easily edges
out the rest of the competition. The familyoperated
Peruvian food staple has served
customers since opening its first location
in Rego Park in 1994. Since its expansion
into Jackson Heights and the rest of the five
boroughs, Pio Pio has incorporated favorites
like Chinese-Peruvian stir fry, fresh fish,
an array of ceviches, and fresh juice pisco
cocktails. It wouldn’t be a truly authentic
Peruvian restaurant experience without
the dishes that makes the eatery the best in
Queens — rotisserie chicken, green sauce,
rice and beans, avocado salad, plantains, and
sangria. Salivating already? Head on over to
Pio Pio where every customer is treated like
family.
BEST MEDITTERANEAN
AEGEA WEST MEDITERRANEAN
KITCHEN
242-05 Northern Blvd, Douglaston
(718) 423-4329–www.aegeagyros.com
The finest Mediterranean flavors in Queens
can be found through the doors of this
Douglaston favorite. Many of its dishes
incorporate classic Mediterranean flavors
and ingredients, including goat cheese,
lamb, pesto, chickpeas and so much more.
One bite into their Mediterranean fare and
you will feel as though you’ve been brought
right to the seaside. Even dishes that might
not be traditionally Mediterranean become
effortlessly infused with some classic flavors.
Be sure to give their Mediterranean Spaghetti
a try, combining the best of Greek and Italian
cuisine on one plate, and don’t forget to round
out your meal with a galaktoboureko or a
baklava.
BEST MEXICAN
RESTAURANT
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside
(718) 631-0377–www.tequilasunriseofbayside.
com
In the mood for a huge plate of nachos and
enchiladas? Tequila Sunrise in Bayside serves
up some of the most intricate and mouth
watering Mexician cuisine in all of Queens.
From an appetizing plate of chimichangas —
soft dough rolls stuffed with shredded beef
or chicken and garnished with guac or sour
cream— to a vegetarian fajita, Tequila Sunrise
has something for everyone to dine on. Since
1988, the restaurant has prided itself on
presenting the best of what Mexican cuisine
has to offer to the Bayside community and
other Queens residents alike. You’re not only
having a great dining experience at Tequila
Sunrise, but also a great “at-home” eating
experience.
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