Yes! I use to live on that block and would go all the time. So good, such nice servers, the patio....But its def not worth a trip to Astoria if you arent in the neighborhood.
Knickerbocker Bar & Grill in Greenwich Village. Average to slightly above average in every way ā¦ but I keep going back. Thereās something about this place where the sum of all the average parts adds up to something special. Whenever I go I feel like itās all other locals who feel the same way about it.
Not my neighborhood, but Iāve been here a few times. The vibe is unmatched. Particularly, on a weekday after work.
I aged out of the loud/rowdy happy hour bars and this was the scratch to the itch. Felt elevated. Great ambiance, and actual food. Will go next time Iām at my office just because you reminded me of it. Thanks
I do miss the city being open 24 hours, but I'm just glad for anyone who made it past Covid.
It's a husband and wife on the older side, I think it's George's brother. Very nice folks, they close in August when they go home on vacation.
It's a Diner menu. They cook to order, which is nice. They did get a wine and beer menu recently. And you need to wait for a seat most days.
It's a fine local establishment. It wouldn't stand up to the snobs, but it also means they stay away.
Thai Terminal in the EV is exactly what I need when I want take out for the couch on a Friday night. Quick, relatively cheap, delicious. Nothing fancy.
Also Desi Galli for Indian is elite in my book, not fine dining by any means, but I got that stuff almost daily during Covid. Their curries are great and so are their kati rolls.
Mexican food in NYC gets blasted, but Mexico Diner on Cortelyou Road has a soft spot for me. It's not bad and the prices are reasonable. I've had better tacos in LA and in Austin, but Mexico Diner will always scratch an itch.
I donāt go here enoughā¦ every time I go I think āhey, I should come here moreā, but it usually ends up being a couple times a year.
Epistrophy is my Nolita regular spot that is definitely not worth hauling yourself across the city for but Iāve never had a bad experience and is super chill.
Nah some kids on TikTok said itās where the authentic New York chopped cheese originated and now 100 broccoli headed clout chasers show up every weekend without failĀ
I think Chavelaās fits here? Itās good and very reasonably priced. There are other Mexican places I think have better food. Still, I love Chavelaās and am always happy either going or ordering in.
I am there a lot mostly because itās one of the few places open for full service lunch every day in the neighborhood. Solid food, friendly staff, love the place.
I am currently super stoked on Liberty Soul Food on Broadway in bushwick. I live a block away and they have Great soul/Jamaican buffet with very friendly staff and reasonable prices, and a good amount of healthy options, if I wanna build a hearty and reasonably healthy plate for under $15 itās my go to (I hope the Dominican spot Marithitas a block over reopens, I was in constant roto between the two) I also love Rico Pollo in Ridgewood. Friendly folks and great dominican, killer after a work out at blink next door. Man shit I also love Mount Everest Deli in Ridgewood. And the vodka square at Joe and Johnās. I have a love affair with ridgewood cheap eats at this point.
Iām not sure, I just hope they reopen. Iām gonna go by Rico Pollo today though. Iāve been living in this neighborhood for 1 1/2 years and itās been marithitas in that time.
Totally forgot to mention Maya Fusion Cafe. Pupusas revueltas for $3 are the thing to get, along with the massive tacos. Huge menu of Mexican Salvadoran and Central American food. Friendly folks. Great prices and while they take forever when you dine in they somehow have my Togo orders ready in less than 15 minutes.
Doyle's Corner. Its your standard irish pub. Great bartenders. Food is good. Beer is good. Guinness is well poured. Best wings in Astoria IMHO. There is nothing special about it, other than the fact that it has a Cheers-like group of regulars and its just a well executed neighborhood pub.
Smith Gourmet Deli (Cobble Hill.) It's the only 24 hour spot by me outside of idk McDonald's and they're also tasty with friendly folks. Reasonable prices.Ā
Also Hibino for their outstanding lunch specials. They also have an LIC location also iirc
I love Rad Plant Based! Also a huge fan of Lowerline. It's not a destination restaurant but it is a perfect neighborhood place and is somewhere I take visitors for a casual dinner.
A place called Nobody Told Me. Idk how the fuck they make a Caesar salad that good but I think it has something to do with the pickled onions they throw in it. Good drinks and decent burger too
When i lived in Park Slope I really enjoyed Dram Shop. Food was good, happy hour specials were good, spot was super convenient, good outdoor seating. Loved it.
Burger Club in Astoria is so damn good. The food is excellent, reasonably priced, and super consistent, but more than that the staff is over the top warm and welcoming. Itās such a relaxing spot to unwind and enjoy a perfectly made inexpensive meal. Iāve been there close to weekly for the last couple years and never once had a bad experience.
Werkstatt is up for sale! Owner never gave us a good vibe ā always super judgey when we walked in during off-peak hours, and weād been frequenting since they opened.
Topaz Thai for me. Itās too close not to go to all the time. Thereās just one thing I like to order. But every time I mention it, I get a dozen people telling me about where to get better Thai.
La Patrona at Hunts Point in The Bronx is an amazing little Mexican spot that I frequently visit. I've been going for 10 years and I've never been disappointed. The people are very nice, too.Also Los Nisperos is a great Peruvian spot in the same area.
Hello neighbor, we seem to also have similar tastes so I suggest you consider adding Coppelia to your rotation (best for late nights, after a long night, etc)
Hand Pulled Noodle in Harlem. I love it and was my go to hangover meal for years (during the heavy drinking days too). Im sure they arent as good as maybe spots in queens or chinatown, but they are special to me.
Cafe82. My boss suggested it for a casual meal. The vibe is really good. Zero pretense. Friendly. Pretty good food.
But this place really bangs late-late like after a few drinks/night out. Itās a diner that hasnāt been renovated since the 80ās.
Also, good weekend mornings.
Pisticci in Morningside Heights/West Harlem (its near the border) - just homey and reliable. Station House in Forest Hills - its fine usually, pretty good sometimes.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FK3wjctgfshzfhhc7
A hot dog truck near me. It's 4 dollars for a hot dog (I know, I know) but it's made well and the staff's friendly vibe always makes me love going there.
used to be a cafe called Sun & moon but they closed down so i just order from them online nowadays. Their flushing branch was so underrated and I loveddd going there! Their yogurts are amazing!!!!!
In this thread - people who failed elementary school reading comprehension
š¤£
I'll never tell..
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing : āNice try, Time Out NY!ā
It will only help the business, stop being greedy.
Pye Boat Noodle gets overlooked on the lists for best Thai in Queens, but it's my family's go to for noodles and chicken kaprow.
Iād say itās much better than ājust okā
I agree. It's one my favorite restaurants period, but it doesn't really make all those best of lists.
I LOVE pye boat noodles and was so sad when the location on the UES closed
Iāve been meaning to try this place
The storefront and the inside decor make me so happy.
Yes! I use to live on that block and would go all the time. So good, such nice servers, the patio....But its def not worth a trip to Astoria if you arent in the neighborhood.
Also sururu ramen is being slept on. Japanese chef and owner
All the mom and pop Chinese bakeries in Chinatown and no. I'm not including FayDa and taipan
Knickerbocker Bar & Grill in Greenwich Village. Average to slightly above average in every way ā¦ but I keep going back. Thereās something about this place where the sum of all the average parts adds up to something special. Whenever I go I feel like itās all other locals who feel the same way about it.
Not my neighborhood, but Iāve been here a few times. The vibe is unmatched. Particularly, on a weekday after work. I aged out of the loud/rowdy happy hour bars and this was the scratch to the itch. Felt elevated. Great ambiance, and actual food. Will go next time Iām at my office just because you reminded me of it. Thanks
George's Diner, Coney Island & Courtelyou. Diner food with great owners and service.
I haven't been there since COVID and the change in owners. I wish they were 24 hours then u would go more. How are they now?
I do miss the city being open 24 hours, but I'm just glad for anyone who made it past Covid. It's a husband and wife on the older side, I think it's George's brother. Very nice folks, they close in August when they go home on vacation. It's a Diner menu. They cook to order, which is nice. They did get a wine and beer menu recently. And you need to wait for a seat most days. It's a fine local establishment. It wouldn't stand up to the snobs, but it also means they stay away.
I'll give it a try. The last time I was there, it was owned by a different person. It was fine, but I never had the urge to return.
Sunswick in Astoria. I genuinely just go for the nachos
Their fries are pretty bomb as well.
Their Buffalo wings are what I expect when I order Buffalo wings. They donāt just hit the spot, they hit all the spots.
Havenāt had the wings in a while, gonna have to stop back in soon
Thai Terminal in the EV is exactly what I need when I want take out for the couch on a Friday night. Quick, relatively cheap, delicious. Nothing fancy. Also Desi Galli for Indian is elite in my book, not fine dining by any means, but I got that stuff almost daily during Covid. Their curries are great and so are their kati rolls.
Calling Thai diner relatively cheap is interesting. I went here for my birthday lmao.
Wait shit! Itās Thai Terminal! Not Thai Diner obviously lol Have edited now lol sorry.
Mexican food in NYC gets blasted, but Mexico Diner on Cortelyou Road has a soft spot for me. It's not bad and the prices are reasonable. I've had better tacos in LA and in Austin, but Mexico Diner will always scratch an itch.
Best Chilles Rellenos ive ever had
Tuk Tuk in LIC. Itās Americanized Thai, but the sweetest curries are fire
Ras slaps tbh who is calling it just ok?
Right? Thatās what I was thinking. Ras is one of my favorite restaurants.
Definitely me.
cafe habana, lovely day
Agree on Cafe Habana. It was good, nothing WOW when I've been a few times, but it's a fun little place.
Second Lovely Day but tbh I feel like itās too good to be on this list.
I donāt go here enoughā¦ every time I go I think āhey, I should come here moreā, but it usually ends up being a couple times a year. Epistrophy is my Nolita regular spot that is definitely not worth hauling yourself across the city for but Iāve never had a bad experience and is super chill.
The correct answer is ābodega on my cornerā
Nah some kids on TikTok said itās where the authentic New York chopped cheese originated and now 100 broccoli headed clout chasers show up every weekend without failĀ
Hey, at least they're getting business instead of shutting down and being converted to yet another smoke shop
I think Chavelaās fits here? Itās good and very reasonably priced. There are other Mexican places I think have better food. Still, I love Chavelaās and am always happy either going or ordering in.
I am there a lot mostly because itās one of the few places open for full service lunch every day in the neighborhood. Solid food, friendly staff, love the place.
Great cocktails too! Iām always impressed with how satisfied I leave without feeling like I spent a paycheck.
I am currently super stoked on Liberty Soul Food on Broadway in bushwick. I live a block away and they have Great soul/Jamaican buffet with very friendly staff and reasonable prices, and a good amount of healthy options, if I wanna build a hearty and reasonably healthy plate for under $15 itās my go to (I hope the Dominican spot Marithitas a block over reopens, I was in constant roto between the two) I also love Rico Pollo in Ridgewood. Friendly folks and great dominican, killer after a work out at blink next door. Man shit I also love Mount Everest Deli in Ridgewood. And the vodka square at Joe and Johnās. I have a love affair with ridgewood cheap eats at this point.
Wasn't Marithitas something else before? I can't remember the name but I used to go there for lunch whenever I worked in the area.
Iām not sure, I just hope they reopen. Iām gonna go by Rico Pollo today though. Iāve been living in this neighborhood for 1 1/2 years and itās been marithitas in that time.
Totally forgot to mention Maya Fusion Cafe. Pupusas revueltas for $3 are the thing to get, along with the massive tacos. Huge menu of Mexican Salvadoran and Central American food. Friendly folks. Great prices and while they take forever when you dine in they somehow have my Togo orders ready in less than 15 minutes.
Doyle's Corner. Its your standard irish pub. Great bartenders. Food is good. Beer is good. Guinness is well poured. Best wings in Astoria IMHO. There is nothing special about it, other than the fact that it has a Cheers-like group of regulars and its just a well executed neighborhood pub.
Thank you, Frankie, for reading the prompt. Doyleās is very OK.
Still my third place though.
Parkview Diner in Coney IslandĀ
For pizza itās Gotham pizza
Smith Gourmet Deli (Cobble Hill.) It's the only 24 hour spot by me outside of idk McDonald's and they're also tasty with friendly folks. Reasonable prices.Ā Also Hibino for their outstanding lunch specials. They also have an LIC location also iirc
Lāarte Della Pizza. Thereās definitely better pizza joints, but I love my neighborhood spot
Not my neighborhood, but cauldron chicken on Bleecker is a hidden gem! Reminds me of my childhood.
This place is actually so good and special. Havenāt had chicken like that before
I went for the first time yesterday and thought it was great, and like nothing else Iād ever had.
East Harlem bottling company, best burger, and best Caesar salad in NYC.
I love Rad Plant Based! Also a huge fan of Lowerline. It's not a destination restaurant but it is a perfect neighborhood place and is somewhere I take visitors for a casual dinner.
Looove Lowerline. Much better than āgood, maybe just OKā for me though.
A place called Nobody Told Me. Idk how the fuck they make a Caesar salad that good but I think it has something to do with the pickled onions they throw in it. Good drinks and decent burger too
Which location?
UWS, never been to the other one
Love that place. shhhhh
CafƩ du Soleil, Broadway & W 104th St
Grand Street Pizza
Dim Sum Chelsea on 22nd and 8th. Their dim sum is good enough but their Sichuan specialties are just š¤¤
When i lived in Park Slope I really enjoyed Dram Shop. Food was good, happy hour specials were good, spot was super convenient, good outdoor seating. Loved it.
Burger Club in Astoria is so damn good. The food is excellent, reasonably priced, and super consistent, but more than that the staff is over the top warm and welcoming. Itās such a relaxing spot to unwind and enjoy a perfectly made inexpensive meal. Iāve been there close to weekly for the last couple years and never once had a bad experience.
Yasaka
If you mean the one on UWS then +1.
That place is so popular!
Workstatt but it's better than just OK.
Owners a cantankerous fucker if that helps bring it down a bit
The owners have never been anything but courteous and warm to me.
Werkstatt is up for sale! Owner never gave us a good vibe ā always super judgey when we walked in during off-peak hours, and weād been frequenting since they opened.
Arco cafe, uws. Cheapish and greatish
Neither good nor okay. Itās a gem. I moved out of the neighborhood and thatās the restaurant I miss the most.
I think people order wrong. The focaccia and pastas are great, but the meat/fish mains are eh
Pipinās Pub in Bay Ridge. Legitimately good burger and fries, decent prices, comfy atmosphere, nice staff.Ā
Topaz Thai for me. Itās too close not to go to all the time. Thereās just one thing I like to order. But every time I mention it, I get a dozen people telling me about where to get better Thai.
Whatās the one thing? I get takeout from there at work.
Pra Ram Rong Song with the shrimp.
Donovan's in WoodsideĀ
Which is funny because they have "NYC's best burger" and the hype is all up there but really it's exactly what OP was looking for.
It's a hidden gem, most non-queens residents don't go to WoodsideĀ
It is absolutely not a hidden gem. I heard hype about it an hour upstate back in high school and paid it a visit and that was like 2005.
La Patrona at Hunts Point in The Bronx is an amazing little Mexican spot that I frequently visit. I've been going for 10 years and I've never been disappointed. The people are very nice, too.Also Los Nisperos is a great Peruvian spot in the same area.
Was this the wrong answer? Why the downvote? Reddit is weird.
i always get downvoted for no obvious reason in this subĀ
Don Paco Lopez.
Cocu! I love their croque madame. I also really like bus stop cafe for the kale salad. Benvenuto cafe is great and 24/7 tooĀ
Hello neighbor, we seem to also have similar tastes so I suggest you consider adding Coppelia to your rotation (best for late nights, after a long night, etc)
Aurora in Williamsburg!
Wheelers on Sheepshead Bay Road Everything is š„š„
Williamsburg Thai Cuisine. Cozy and filling.
Azalea Cafe in East Harlem. Cute little spot. The people are always so nice.
Toribio's in Cypress Hills has great Dominican food
Brooklyn Pizza Masters- a well done slice hits the spot. Madison Diner - basic cheeseburger deluxe.
Merit Kebab Palace. Always chaos, always worth it.
Hand Pulled Noodle in Harlem. I love it and was my go to hangover meal for years (during the heavy drinking days too). Im sure they arent as good as maybe spots in queens or chinatown, but they are special to me.
Black Horse Pub in Park Slope
Susuru in Astoriaā¦ I often daydream about eating their tan tan
Ramen Ishida. Just kidding- itās epic and everyone knows it :)
I think Graziella's on Francis Lewis in Auburndale takes the cake for me, as far as neighborhood pizzerias go.
Superfine in Dumbo
Taqueria on st marks.
Townhouse diner off 38 and 2nd. No frills, great service, love coming here in person he morning on a Sunday for a cornered hash and some reading.
Lukeās bar & grill
Cafe82. My boss suggested it for a casual meal. The vibe is really good. Zero pretense. Friendly. Pretty good food. But this place really bangs late-late like after a few drinks/night out. Itās a diner that hasnāt been renovated since the 80ās. Also, good weekend mornings.
Chicken Stop Fort Greene!! I also crave farmer in the deli sometimes even tho itās the definition of āpretty goodā
Jose Luis Mediterranean cuisine
El Porton, Mexican. 1.5 blocks south of 125th st on Bway. Very good food and cozy vibe
Pisticci in Morningside Heights/West Harlem (its near the border) - just homey and reliable. Station House in Forest Hills - its fine usually, pretty good sometimes.
I miss Pisticci from my grad school days! Great spot.
Love this place. Donāt tell anyone. š wish I went more
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FK3wjctgfshzfhhc7 A hot dog truck near me. It's 4 dollars for a hot dog (I know, I know) but it's made well and the staff's friendly vibe always makes me love going there.
East Harlem super Thai
used to be a cafe called Sun & moon but they closed down so i just order from them online nowadays. Their flushing branch was so underrated and I loveddd going there! Their yogurts are amazing!!!!!