12 Places to Visit in Astoria Right Now
Published 06/15/2021
Known for its many Greek residents who immigrated here in the mid-1960s and whose presence is reflected in the cuisine and markets throughout the neighborhood, Astoria is also home to many Middle Eastern communities. The ’70s brought newcomers from Muslim-majority countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Egypt—enough that a block of Steinway Street is now known as Little Egypt.
The neighborhood is bordered on two sides by the East River. By day, joggers, skateboarders and wanderers head to Astoria for a taste of the outdoors and views of famous bridges; those looking for eclectic finds shop at vintage boutiques, Mediterranean grocery stores and record stores. Artwork abounds, both outdoors at a sculpture garden and inside contemporary museums. Food is a major highlight, from casual Egyptian fare on Steinway Street to carnival-worthy doughnuts, farm-made hot sauce and, of course, fresh Greek delicacies.
1
Astoria Park
1
19th Street
Flanked by the Hell Gate Channel and Triborough Bridge, Astoria Park is a spectacle in every season. The park features running tracks, hiking trails, a skate park and tennis courts, as well as the City’s largest public pool. It’s no wonder joggers flock to the park’s perimeter, scenically situated along the East River facing Randall’s Island. Just as intriguing is what’s happening beneath the surface: the Hell Gate Channel holds some of the New York Harbor’s deepest waters, with dangerous reefs and sunken treasure from 1700s Royal Navy ships.
2
Mighty Oak Roasters
2
28-01 24th Ave.
Warm up with a caffeinated beverage from the takeout window at this hip café. (Or get something iced—we won’t judge you.) What makes this place so special? They’re the only wood-fired coffee roaster in New York City, a rarity even worldwide. If you fall in love with their blends, you might want to purchase a bag of beans to make at home, along with a tastefully designed mug. In addition to specialty drinks, they serve tea, plus vegan and gluten-free baked goods.
3
HiFi Records & Café
3
23-19 Steinway St.
HiFi Records is an independent record shop and café, opened in 2015 by passionate audiophile Javi Velazquez. Crate diggers will find new and used vinyl spanning every genre, with an emphasis on world music. Expand your horizons with their selection of Arabian jazz and psychedelic cumbia—though you’ll also find well-known artists like Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie on the shelves.
4
Loveday 31
4
33-06 31st Ave
Shop the curated vintage selection at Loveday 31 on 31st Avenue, designed for those with a bold fashion sense. There are gems to be found in all sizes in this intimate space, with an emphasis on flashy and colorful pieces from the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. In addition to carrying used and vintage items, they have jewelry from local designers, like one-of-a-kind creations by The House of Bis, plus accessories like handbags and belts.
5
The Bonnie
5
29-12 23rd Ave.
One of the most celebrated cocktail bars in the borough, The Bonnie has seating in an outdoor garden, on the sidewalk for parties of four or fewer and indoors. The creative cocktails are a major draw: reward yourself after a day of sightseeing with a cup of their garden sangria, an old-fashioned on draft or one of their drinks with punny names, like Shroom for Improvement—gin, Salers aperitif, shiitake-infused vermouth and grapefruit bitters. The dinner menu includes elevated pub food like a vegan “pastrami” Reuben and a dry-aged burger; weekend brunch offers chicken schnitzel and waffles, French toast sticks and loaded tots.
6
Socrates Sculpture Park
6
32-01 Sculpture Park at Broadway
A former landfill that is now the site of thought-provoking and imaginative sculptures, Socrates Sculpture Park is free and open to the public. On display is Guadalupe Maravilla’s Planeta Abuelx, an installation that represents loss—both of an older generation and the knowledge its members had, due to Covid-19's devastation. The park was founded by sculptor Mark Di Suvero, known for his large-scale abstract works.
7
Titan Foods
7
25-56 31st St
Take home a piece of Astoria like a sweet or savory snack from one of the many European grocers in the neighborhood. Titan Foods is one good option, selling Greek foods and sweets on satisfyingly organized shelves, both colorful and well-stocked. This family-run shop claims to be the largest Greek grocery store and purveyor of Greek food in North America. You’ll find imported cheeses, olives and olive oil, plus baked goods made in Titan’s Long Island location.
8
Taverna Kyclades
8
36-01 Ditmars Blvd.
You can’t visit Astoria without trying some Greek food, and Taverna Kyclades serves some of the best and most traditional. Besides the swordfish mounted on the wall, the restaurant is known for their fresh seafood. The Kyclades special is a popular order, and includes lobster tail, sole, scallops, and stuffed clams and shrimp. They have spacious (yet busy) outdoor dining, offer takeout and delivery, and are open for indoor dining.
9
Comfortland
9
40-09 30th Ave.
On a walk down 30th Avenue you can’t miss the brightly colored Comfortland doughnut shop, with its teal awning, Barbie-pink signage and rainbow lettering. Order takeout or delivery or walk up to the takeout window for sweet and savory creations (you might have the privilege of hearing a DJ play punk records on vinyl while you wait). Confections change but currently include rainbow crumb cake and fresh strawberry old-fashioned doughnut. Savory food, such as the Freaky Friday—a Big Mac–style fried chicken sandwich—also graces the menu.
10
Hellgate Farm
10
30th Dr. Astoria
Hellgate is a residential farm—literally having started in a backyard—named after the Hell Gate Channel to adjacent to Astoria Park. They produce their own hot sauce in several varieties including wild habañero, as well as spicy honey made in their apiary. You can buy their products at several Astoria markets, like Astoria Bier & Cheese. They run a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program, teach gardening and carpentry and, from May to October, have a Saturday food stand in Socrates Sculpture Park. On weekends year-round you can drop off food scraps to the farm for composting.
11
The Noguchi Museum
11
9-01 33rd Rd. @ Vernon Blvd.
This contemporary art museum and gardens, which opened in 1985, was founded by artist Isamu Noguchi, known for his abstract, midcentury designs. Many of Noguchi’s original works are on display, and his handcrafted lanterns and furniture can be purchased at the museum’s gift shop. Noguchi’s delicate lamps, called Akari, a Japanese word meaning both illuminated and weightless, were made with paper and bamboo in the traditional Japanese Gifu style, and they make the gift shop feel like an exhibit of its own. Works by other artists occupy the gallery space on a rotating basis. The peaceful sculpture garden, for which Noguchi selected the sculptures and the plantings, holds species native to the US and Japan. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays, for timed reservations only.
12
Mombar
12
2522 Steinway St.
A short stretch of Steinway Street is nicknamed Little Egypt, home to several Egyptian restaurants including Mombar. This eclectic, colorful spot is filled to the brim with artwork made by Moustafa El Sayed, the chef-owner himself. A one-man operation, the restaurant serves classic Egyptian fare like rabbit and lamb tagine and the eponymous mombar, a sausage dish also called sheep fawaregh. Order takeout for dinner or dine in before leaving the neighborhood.
To find area accommodations, visit our Hotels page.
