Holly's Guide to Astoria
Food & Drink
For indulging and imbibing
Ruta Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine
35-03 BroadwayOh the mole, sweet mole …
Vesta Trattoria
21-02 30th AveSuper good Italian cuisine, nice little romantic space.
The closest you can get to Berlin or Prague or Zagreb this side of the Atlantic. (Also guaranteed crowd for South American soccer matches too!) All the best of Queens in one place. You can go there on a date, or go and let the kids run around while you and your partner grab a pint.
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Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th AvenueThe closest you can get to Berlin or Prague or Zagreb this side of the Atlantic. (Also guaranteed crowd for South American soccer matches too!) All the best of Queens in one place. You can go there on a date, or go and let the kids run around while you and your partner grab a pint.
One of the best cocktail bars in the neighborhood. The back porch is a favorite of mine.
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Sweet Afton
30-09 34th StOne of the best cocktail bars in the neighborhood. The back porch is a favorite of mine.
The Letlove Inn
27-20 23rd AveAwesome dive bar with live jazz on weekends.
NYC's only Welsh bar! Endless comfort food menu and quality beers. The few cocktails they have on the menu are quite good also.
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Snowdonia
32-01 35th AveNYC's only Welsh bar! Endless comfort food menu and quality beers. The few cocktails they have on the menu are quite good also.
The Bonnie
29-12 23rd AveBrunch, cocktails, you name it. Totally hipster and worth it.
Mar's
34-21 34th AvenueCozy and chic. Good place to go for a second round of cocktails after dinner.
Amazing brews, good prices, vinyl records during the week, and live music on Friday nights.
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SingleCut Beersmiths
19-33 37th StAmazing brews, good prices, vinyl records during the week, and live music on Friday nights.
For when Taverna Kyclades is too busy, definitely come by here for some quality, homemade Greek food.
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Gregory's 26 Corner Taverna
26-02 23rd AveFor when Taverna Kyclades is too busy, definitely come by here for some quality, homemade Greek food.
Ugh, the best sandwiches. It's open really early too. Cash only.
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Sal, Kris & Charlie's Deli
33-12 23rd AveUgh, the best sandwiches. It's open really early too. Cash only.
Coffee Ave
34-56 33rd StThe baristas here know their stuff. Hearty, varied bakery goods too.
The Coffee Pot
2819 23rd AveGet the Freddo. You won't regret it.
BZ Grill
27-02 Astoria BlvdAwesome, affordable spot for gyros and souvlaki.
My go-to sushi takeout spot. Some inventive, dare I say flamboyant, big rolls.
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Pink Nori
36-06 30th AveMy go-to sushi takeout spot. Some inventive, dare I say flamboyant, big rolls.
The Pizzucca is my go-to winter pizza order. Ingredients: Herbed Pumpkin Walnut Sauce, Homemade Fresh Mozzarella, Pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Basil.
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Basil Brick Oven Pizza
28-17 Astoria BlvdThe Pizzucca is my go-to winter pizza order. Ingredients: Herbed Pumpkin Walnut Sauce, Homemade Fresh Mozzarella, Pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Basil.
Very hip spot, lots of activities. Skews to a slightly younger crowd.
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The Ditty
3503 Ditmars BlvdVery hip spot, lots of activities. Skews to a slightly younger crowd.
Zorbas
29-05 23rd AveWhenever I get a hankering for a feta burger, I order from here.
Great brunch spot, one of the few you can still get true bottomless drinks. Diverse crowd, not hipster.
The Trestle
34-02 BroadwayGreat brunch spot, one of the few you can still get true bottomless drinks. Diverse crowd, not hipster.
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company
35-05 BroadwayAlways go for the specialty schmear.
Their unique breakfast circle sandwiches are a perfect size.
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Madame Sousou Cafe
31-05 33rd StTheir unique breakfast circle sandwiches are a perfect size.
Tacuba
35-01 36th StGreat margaritas, solid food.
Chela & Garnacha
33-09 36th AveGood tacos, and you can make your own michelada too.
No5
35-43 37th StNice, expansive if not a bit repetitive vegan restaurant.
Latin Cabana
34-34 Steinway StThe place to go for Cuban sandiwches and more. Riquisimo.
Bench Flour Bakers
43-18 25th AvenueA true local obsession of a bakery.
It’s an experience. Amazing fish, kinda chaotic inside. Pro tip: BYOB, sit outside, get salad and bread if you want but skip the other sides, and enjoy some delicious seafood.
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Astoria Seafood
3710 33rd StIt’s an experience. Amazing fish, kinda chaotic inside. Pro tip: BYOB, sit outside, get salad and bread if you want but skip the other sides, and enjoy some delicious seafood.
Macoletta
2815 24th AveTasty pizza, plus good deals on wine by the bottle too.
One of my favorite places to eat in the summer, especially if you can snag a table on the park side and dine under the massive leafy trees.
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Agnanti
19-06 Ditmars BlvdOne of my favorite places to eat in the summer, especially if you can snag a table on the park side and dine under the massive leafy trees.
New York Pao De Queijo
31-90 30th StAuthentic Brazilian lunch spot
Arts & Culture
Super fun/innovative museum, with lots of movie and local history on one of the first film studio locations in the country. Screenings on the weekends for both blockbuster and artsy films.
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I-Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35th AveSuper fun/innovative museum, with lots of movie and local history on one of the first film studio locations in the country. Screenings on the weekends for both blockbuster and artsy films.
Sort of a descendant of the lost and beloved 5pointz that was down in LIC
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Welling Court Mural Project
11-98 Welling CtSort of a descendant of the lost and beloved 5pointz that was down in LIC
I-Museum kaNoguchi
9-01 33rd RoadSmaller, high caliber museum.
Q.E.D.
27-16 23rd AveAwesome, tiny community comedy spot with a never-ending calendar.
Sightseeing
Beautiful, wide open space with phenomenal views of RFK and Hell Gate Bridges. Biggest pool in the city and an oasis in the summertime. Be sure to bring a lock if you’re going in the pool! (Or you can buy one there with cash.)
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Astoria Park
19 19th StBeautiful, wide open space with phenomenal views of RFK and Hell Gate Bridges. Biggest pool in the city and an oasis in the summertime. Be sure to bring a lock if you’re going in the pool! (Or you can buy one there with cash.)
Cool plaza, with lots of regular performers and events, especially in the summertime.
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Athens Square
30th St & 30th AveCool plaza, with lots of regular performers and events, especially in the summertime.
Unique, free park/open-air gallery with spectacular views of Manhattan.
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I-Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon BlvdUnique, free park/open-air gallery with spectacular views of Manhattan.
Underrated park, right under the Queensboro Bridge, as the name would suggest.
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Queensbridge Park
Vernon BoulevardUnderrated park, right under the Queensboro Bridge, as the name would suggest.
Shopping
I would spend all my money here if I could. There are three shops: home goods and paper goods on 33rd St, and then clothing around the corner on Broadway.
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Lockwood
32-15 33rd StI would spend all my money here if I could. There are three shops: home goods and paper goods on 33rd St, and then clothing around the corner on Broadway.
Amazing what you can find in this little grocery store. Stock up on everything from rose petal jam to Turkish delight to bee pollen to labne to harissa paste.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Parrot Coffee
3112 Ditmars BlvdAmazing what you can find in this little grocery store. Stock up on everything from rose petal jam to Turkish delight to bee pollen to labne to harissa paste.
The Brass Owl
36-19 Ditmars BlvdAnother favorite local goods shop
The Astoria Bookshop
36-19 31st StEverybody needs a good, local bookshop.
Grocery store with some of the best selections of beer, feta, olive oil, and other goods.
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Euro Market
30-42 31st StGrocery store with some of the best selections of beer, feta, olive oil, and other goods.
The place to go if you want fresh veggies and fruit while you're in the neighborhood. Open 24/7.
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United Brothers Fruit Markets
32-24 30th AveThe place to go if you want fresh veggies and fruit while you're in the neighborhood. Open 24/7.
Parisi Bakery
198 Mott StLegendary local spot.
Great place to pick up cured meats and cheeses. Well-stocked shop and very friendly staff.
Salumeria Antichi Sapori
2813 Astoria BoulevardGreat place to pick up cured meats and cheeses. Well-stocked shop and very friendly staff.
Every Brazilian in Astoria I know shops here when they're in their saudade.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
Rio Market Inc
32-15 36th AveEvery Brazilian in Astoria I know shops here when they're in their saudade.