Local Highlights

Six must-visit Long Island City restaurants

The Common Team
Posted on April 13, 2021
Updated on June 15, 2023

Get ready to discover the top Long Island City Restaurants

Like the rest of New York City, Long Island City brings its A-game when it comes to food. Known as one of the best neighborhoods in Queens, this neighborhood features a wealth of options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. From sushi and steak to pizza and pasta, Long Island City restaurants have it all. Want to find a great place to eat your next meal? Check out our list of the six best restaurants in Long Island City.

1. Enjoy dishes with fresh, local ingredients at Jackson’s Eatery & Bar

Jackson’s Eatery & Bar is more than just one of the local Long Island City restaurants. It recreates beloved American dishes from childhood using local ingredients, and its offerings change with the seasons.

Serving weekend brunch and dinner, as well as delightful desserts, Jackson’s delivers favorites like Momma’s Mac & Cheese, Organic Chicken Pot Pie, and Grandma’s Apple Pie. Between the food and the welcoming atmosphere, you’ll feel at home when you come here for a meal.

2. Order delicious sandwiches and salads at 51st Bakery & Cafe

There’s a good reason why this eatery is advertised as having the “Best Sandwiches and Salads in Queens.” Chef Faye Hess has created a menu that combines American flavors with rustic French and Italian cuisine.

The menu features enticing sandwich options like the Chicken Salad Sandwich and the Roasted Zucchini and Mozzarella Sandwich. For vegan diets, the restaurant features a popular Quinoa Bowl with Veggies packed with healthy nutrients and flavor. And because this restaurant is also a bakery, there are tons of loaves of bread and pastries to choose from.

3. Get a taste of Peru when you stop by The Inkan Restaurant.

If you’ve never had Peruvian cuisine, you should stop by The Inkan Restaurant. Chef Ezequiel Valencia immigrated from Peru to work as a private chef at the Mission of Peru at the United Nations, so you know the food is outstanding.

The names of the dishes are in Spanish, but don’t let that intimidate you. The menu includes descriptions of each dish in English. Some of the amazing offerings include the Ceviche Palteado, which is a seafood dish with shrimp, and the Entrana Muy Fina, which is a marinated skirt steak.

4. Find mouthwatering Thai dishes in Long Island City at Tuk Tuk

With a name inspired by the three-wheeled taxis that transport people around Bangkok, Tuk Tuk brings the delicious flavor profiles of Thailand to the Big Apple. The moment you take a bite of a dish from this eatery, you’ll see why it’s considered one of the best Long Island City restaurants.

The menu is extensive, but its offerings are well-organized into different categories. There are appetizers like the Green Dumplings and noodle dishes like the classic Pad Thai. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can order from the Explore menu to eat food the way that it’s served in Thailand. Keep in mind that it can be very spicy, and no substitutions are allowed.

5. Warm up with a bowl of ramen from Takumen in Long Island City

Promoted as a “New American Izakaya in Long Island City,” Takumen lives up to its billing by providing an informal lounge to grab alcoholic drinks and snacks. Right now, you can enjoy takeout, delivery, and indoor dining in the dining room.

The lunch and dinner offerings highlight dishes like ramen, rice bowls and Izakaya Samplers of snacks. At the bar, you can order a wealth of drinks, including wine, cocktail creations with Asian-inspired flavors, beer, and Japanese whiskey. There are even non-alcoholic beverages like tea, pop, and sparkling water.

6. Don’t forget to snag a slice or some pasta from Beebe’s

You’ll find Beebe’s in the lobby of Long Island City’s Boro Hotel. Whether you decide to enjoy indoor dining or outdoor dining, you’ll take in lovely views, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and private courtyard.

The restaurant’s menu pays tribute to classic New York pizza with thin, crispy crusts. Pies aren’t the only offerings from Beebe’s, though. You’ll also discover handmade pasta and American dishes that take their inspiration from Italian and New York cuisine. As for the beverage menu, it features wine, seasonal cocktail mixes, and local Long Island City brewery options.

You can enjoy these Long Island City restaurants every day when you move to the area

As a Big Apple resident, you can regularly visit the best restaurants in Long Island City. To help you get settled, we offer fully furnished coliving spaces at ALTA by Common. You can enjoy city living for an attainable price by renting a private room in an all-inclusive shared suite. We also offer studios as well as private one and two-bedroom apartments in popular cities around the United States. Explore our living spaces to find your perfect home today!

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