Where the Instagrammers Eat: @eatdressgo
Husband and wife duo Christina and Michael are no strangers to exploring eats in Queens. Here are their top picks for Flushing, Bayside, Elmhurst, Woodside, Long Island City and Astoria.
FLUSHING
This neighborhood gem has been serving up breakfast staples for years. They have a handful of loyal customers, and rightlyso, because they are the only place in this part of town where locals can grab something to eat at 7am. Their menu is extensive with sweet and savory dishes that will satisfy your breakfast cravings. Our favorite item on their menu? The California omelet platter.
You won't find sesame chicken, sweet-and-sour-anything or General Tso's here. They serve authentic Shanghainese dishes like sweet soy bean curd and turnip puff for breakfast. It is mostly famous for their dim sum, but specifically for their soup dumplings. They only have two kinds—pork, and pork with crab meat—but that's all you need. Once you bite into one, a steaming flow of delicious liquid gushes out, revealing a delectable briny ball of meat.
BAYSIDE
It’s quite challenging for us to find a great brunch spot east of Jackson Heights, so when we discovered Aperitif, it was life changing. We like that we can just hop on the Q13 and have access to our favorite brunch in Eastern Queens. They are open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The French influences on their brunch items truly make their brunch unlike anything else on Bell Blvd. Also, we appreciate their support for local breweries. Aperitif is the first restaurant on Bell Blvd. to have brews on tap from multiple local breweries.
They have a vast selection of hot-pressed paninis that will satisfy both meat lovers and vegetarians. Their paninis are crunchy on the outside but juicy in the middle and are bursting with flavor. Want to pass on the paninis? Try one of their burgers. Press195 is a great place for beer fanatics as well. They have a big selection of local, domestic and imported craft beers. This restaurant also features an outdoor dining area during the warmer months which pairs nicely with their sangria.
ELMHURST
When we went here for the first time, the nice lady behind the counter recommended the following items: #2 Lemongrass Chicken, #4 Beef Bulgogi and #6 Kakuni Pork Belly. We stand by what we’re about to say: The sandwich hype does not disappoint. The bulgogi banh mi was packed with ingredients, flavors and textures. The bread is amazingly airy, the beef was perfectly marinated, and the pickled daikon takes the sandwich to a new level of flavor. Try both the pork belly and bulgogi banh mi sandwiches.
WOODSIDE
If you’re looking to experience authentic Filipino dining and food, definitely check this place out. We love coming here for breakfast and we usually get their longsilog and tosilog breakfast plates—if you come here really early, you can get taho (a Filipino breakfast snack made with silken tofu, arnibal and sago pearls) with your meal. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck, too.
ASTORIA
The Bonnie Astoria opened its doors in 2014, but the summer season is really its thriving moment because of its amazing outdoor garden. The space isn't huge, yet it's comfortably spacious. Each table is a communal table, making The Bonnie a perfect spot for group brunches and dinners. The food is just as lovely as the aesthetics of the place. The brunch menu isn’t overwhelming and there's a balance between the guilty pleasures and healthier options. We also really appreciate that their brunch cocktail choices are more than just mimosas, bellinis and Bloody Marys.
Not only does the space transport guests to another place, so does the food. The menu at Homemade Taqueria consists of small tapas to mammoth plates of huaraches. This is a family-operated small business, and it’s refreshing to see their level of passion when it comes to making the food that they serve. Their ingredients are fresh and their tacos are ridiculously wonderful.
What you need to know before heading out here: This place is cash only, the wait is long and for groups of more than three people, it may seem impossible to get in, but it is so worth it. The food here is simply amazing and everything you want comfort food to be. Their chicken and waffle balls from the small plates are a must try. You only get three pieces but there are a whole lot of flavors in one bite. Also, this place is the only restaurant in all of Queens that makes vegetables so darn mouthwatering. We also love that this is a BYOB establishment (we suggest heading to Astoria Bier & Cheese to get yourself a beer or two before making your way here).
LONG ISLAND CITY
When we think of places to eat in Long Island City, there’s one spot that stands out: The LIC Flea & Food. The LIC Flea & Food might be seasonal but it is our favorite place to check out new local vendors. This was where we discovered CakeBox NYC, Ice & Vice, Karl’s Balls, What’s the Dillaz?, Oaxaca, Mahalo New York Bakery and more. We also love the addition of the beer garden.
