Get to Know Jackson Heights
Make it a double. Queens is the most diverse county in the United States, and Jackson Heights is the most diverse neighborhood in Queens. Largely due to a sizeable immigration of Colombians in the 1980s and 1990s, the area is pan-Latino, with restaurants offering cuisine from Mexico to Argentina. There’s also a “Little India,” with sari shops and a huge Patel Brothers supermarket, and a large, long-standing LGBT presence. Finally, many immigrants from Nepal and Tibet have settled there over the past decade, as evidenced by momo carts and a Sherpa association.
Get there: The E, F, G, R, and 7 trains go to the “Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74th St” station, where riders can transfer to LaGuardia Airport buses.
From 1943 until his death, jazz legend Louis Armstrong and his wife, Lucille, lived in a red-brick row house with a Japanese garden in Corona. Lucille donated the house to the city for use as a museum upon her death in 1983, and the inside is basically untouched. Tours are available, and the museum is currently undergoing a $23 million project to build a 14,000-square-foot education center with parking in a lot across the street. The center will feature a state-of-the-art gallery, a 68-seat jazz club, and a gift shop. Address: 34-56 107th St; www.louisarmstronghouse.org.
Louis Armstrong House
Where to Eat:
ADDICTIVE WINE AND TAPAS BAR - 87-01 Northern Blvd -
347.832.0951 | addictivewinebar.com
Top-rated by Travel & Leisure, this intimate locale with brick-and-wood accents offers Spanish tapas and wine, plus weekly flamenco shows.
AMDO KITCHEN FOOD TRUCK - 37-57 74th St
212.920.0881
Yes! This is a food truck if you are on the run and it serves up the most authentic Nepalese momos in town, hands down!
AREPA LADY - 77-17 37th Ave -
917.745.1111
Brick-and-mortar outpost of a popular food cart known for turning out South American cornmeal cakes. Not to be missed!
Arepa Lady
BIRRIA-LANDIA - 77-99 Roosevelt Ave -
347.283.2162
Taco truck specializing in excellent birria, a rich Mexican chile-laced stew of brown meat
BISTRO ELOISE - 75-57 31st Ave -
718.440.9493 | bistroeloise.com
Newcomer serving a unique blend of traditional French cuisine with a twist of modern favorites
CRUS- Z FAMILY (FAMILY CRUZ) - 87-09 Roosevelt Ave -
718.205.7977
Family-run delicious and specially seasoned carnitas to traditional tortas and tostadas
FARINE BAKING COMPANY - 74-24 37th Ave
718.433.9830 | farinebakingcompany.com
Breakfast and brunch, patisserie/cake shop, Modern European
HIMALAYAN YAK - 72-20 Roosevelt Ave -
Modern interpretation of classic dishes, with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Friendly staff. Offers takeout and delivery
LA CABANA ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE - 86-07 Northern Blvd -
718.426.5977
Relaxed eatery offering skirt steak, empanadas and other Argentinean dishes, plus sangria
LHASA FAST FOOD - 37-50 74th St Suite 3750
347.952.6934
Compact dining space decorated with Himalayan items and serving a range of Tibetan cuisine, tucked quaintly behind an arcade and trinket shop.
PAPA'S KITCHEN - 37-07 83rd St
347.724.9586 | papaskitchennyc.com
Tiny townhouse eatery serving homestyle Filipino food in a warm, humble space with karaoke music
PIO PIO - 84-02 Northern Blvd -
718.426.4900 | piopio.com
Casual Peruvian restaurant specializing in succulent rotisserie chicken with homemade sauces.
SAMUDRA VEGETARIAN - 75-18 37th Ave -
718.255.1757
Humble restaurant featuring a variety of South Indian vegetarian dishes in a laid-back atmosphere
THE QUEENSBORO- 80-02 Northern Blvd
929.296.0038 | thequeensboro.com
Keith McNally alum at the kitchen helm serving snacks, pastas, salads, pizza, mains and desserts
URUBAMBA - 86-20 37th Ave -
718.672.2224 | http://www.urubambany.com/
Low-key Peruvian restaurant dishing up classics, including ceviche, for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Urubamba