Get to Know Astoria
Astoria has been the center of Greek-American life since the 1950s. Many wonderful, authentic Greek restaurants and supermarkets are still thriving there, along with always-busy Athens Square Park, which features replicas of Socrates, Aristotle, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom. However, times have changed a bit in this Northwest Queens neighborhood, and there are now “Little Egypt” and “Little Bangladesh” sections with restaurants, hookah joints, and ethnic boutiques. Add coffee shops and restaurants influenced by the influx of Brazilians, Central Europeans, hipsters, and Middle Easterners over the past two decades.
How to Get there: N or W train to 36th Ave, Broadway, 30th Ave, Astoria Blvd, Astoria-Ditmars Blvd, or pay the same amount, $2.75, and take the new Astoria Ferry to “Astoria Landing.”
Astoria Park, Queens
The Noguchi Museum is a two-story venue with 27,000 square feet of exhibition space and an outdoor sculpture garden that presents Isamu Noguchi’s sculptures, furniture designs, architectural models, drawings, and more. It’s located across the street from the prolific artist’s studio, where he worked from the early 1960s. Address: 9-01 33rd Rd. and www.noguchi.org.
The Noguchi Museum
Socrates Sculpture Park is NYC’s only public area dedicated to giving artists the chance to exhibit large-scale creations. Visitors might marvel at huge banners proudly flapping beside a larger-than life replica of a bear or ponder a dormant pick-up truck with water lilies growing in its cabin and hatchback. The outdoor venue is located at the banks of the East River with fantastic views of Roosevelt Island and Manhattan’s Upper East Side, including Gracie Mansion, where the mayor lives. The air has a slightly salty aspect, due to ocean water rolling in from the Long Island Sound, and birds are all around. Address: 32-01 Vernon Blvd
What to Eat
ANASSA TAVERNA - 28-10 Astoria Blvd - 718.721.5050 | anassataverna.com
Upscale Greek dining with a seafood focus and full bar in a chic and spacious ware- house-style setting.
CHRISTOS STEAKHOUSE - 4108 23rd Ave - 718.777.8400 | christossteakhouse.com
White-tablecloth steakhouse where cuts of beef is complemented by creative Greek appetizers.
Christos Steak House
GREGORY'S 26 CORNER TAVERNA - 26-02 23rd Ave - 718.777.5511
A compact, modest taverna specializing in traditional Greek dishes and fresh-grilled seafood.
LOUKOUMI TAVERNA - 45-07 Ditmars Blvd - 718.626.3200
Another local favorite Greek restaurant in Astoria, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. They offer a wonderful selection of fish and seafood, as well as your Greek-spot classics like octopus and tzatziki.
QUEENS COMFORT - 36-18 30th Ave - 718.721.3800
Local cash-only eatery serving modern takes on American comfort food in a simple setting.
TAVERNA KYCLADES - 33-07 Ditmars Blvd - 718.545.8666 | www.tavernakyclades.com
Lively eatery specializing in fresh Greek seafood.
TELLY'S TAVERNA - 28-13 23rd Ave - 718.728.9056 | tellystaverna.com
Long-running Greek taverna known for fresh-grilled fish served in spacious quarters with a garden.
THE BONNIE - 29-12 23rd Ave - 718.274.2105 | www.thebonnie.com
Cozy brick-and-wood gastropub with cocktails and upscale pub fare.
SWEET AFTON - 30-09 34th St - 718.777.2570 - sweetaftonbar.com
A lively Irish pub with a hip vibe, brick-and-beam interior, a garden and locally sourced food.
SEVA INDIAN CUISINE - 3007 34th St - 718.626.4440 | sevaindianrestaurant.com
Offers an exquisite yet diverse balance dishes and flavors from age-old recipes, crafted with authenticity straight from New Delhi.
SINGLECUT BEERSMITHS - 19-33 37th St - 718.606.0788 | singlecut.com
Brewing all beers on-site, this buzzing taproom offers live music, outdoor seating and local food purveyors.
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