Get to Know Forest Hills
Forest Hills is an upscale, largely residential neighborhood with easy auto access to the Grand Central Parkway, the Long Island Expressway, Union Turnpike, and the Van Wyck Expressway. The main retail area, Austin Street, has a mix of international, high-end stores and small, mom-and-pop businesses. Restaurants are diverse and plentiful with everything from national chains (Boston Market and Shake Shack) to ethnic gems. The adjacent Forest Hills Gardens — a leafy enclave of Tudor mansions, winding streets, tree canopies, and a private club with grass tennis courts — adds to the area’s charm and reputation for exclusivity.
Get there: The LIRR has a Forest Hills station and the “71st/Continental” subway stop is a hub for the E, F, R, and M lines.
Forest Hills Stadium (temporarily closed for COVID-19) was built in 1923 to host the U.S. Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament’s center court matches. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, it became an iconic concert venue. The Beatles played two consecutive sold-out shows there in 1964. The Doors and Simon & Garfunkel did a double bill in 1967. Even Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, and Diana Ross performed there before the venue shut down in the mid-1990s due to financial concerns. After a multimillion-dollar renovation that included a complete structural overhaul, seat replacement, and the installation of a state of-the-art stage, the stadium re-opened in 2013 with a concert by British rock band Mumford & Sons. Since then, it’s attracted a wide range of musical performers, including The Who, Van Morrison, and Carlos Santana. Address: One Tennis Pl; www.foresthillsstadium.com
Forest Hills Stadium
Where to Eat:
ALBERTO - 98-31 Metropolitan Ave -
718.268.7860 | albertorestaurant.com
Longtime fixture for homestyle Northern Italian classics and fine wines.
BANTER IRISH KITCHEN - 108-22 Queens Blvd -
718.268.8436
Irish pub with traditional eats, beers on tap, an ample whiskey selection and occasional live music.
CABANA - 107-10 70th Road -
718.263.3600 | cabanarestaurant.com
Lively restaurant and bar serving Nuevo Latino fare and cocktails in a Miami vibe.
CAFE ARZU - 101-05 Queens Blvd -
718.830.3335
Cozy stop for kosher Uzbek fare, including a large kebab selection in simple, BYO-friendly digs.
CIPOLLINA GOURMET - 116-09 Queens Blvd -
718.520.5444
Gourmet market serving Italian bites.
DEASURA - 100-05 Metropolitan Ave -
718.480.8567 | deasura.com
Specializing in falafel, shawarma, kebabs and traditional dishes.
DIRTY PIERRE'S - 13 Station Square -
718.830.9698 | dirtypierres.com
Offbeat outfit preparing burgers and other bar bites, along with daily specials, in compact surroundings.
FOREST HILLS STATION HOUSE - 106 -11 71st Ave -
718.544.5000 | fhstationhouse.com
Gastropub offering craft brews and lots of whiskey options, plus an upscale bar menu and weekend brunch.
Forest Hills Station House
IL POETA - 98-04 Metropolitan Ave
347.745.8522
Family-owned Italian restaurant serving traditional fare in a homey, white-tablecloth setting.
KISSFISH Poke - 70-21 Austin St -
718.263.2861 | kissfishnyc.com
Bright, casual and cozy eatery for poke bowl and sushi wraps