Taste South America Without Leaving Jackson Heights: A Culinary Tour

Vegetable quinoa soup, stew with avocado, corn, beans
Vegetable quinoa soup, stew with avocado, corn, beans | © Anna_Pustynnikova / Shutterstock

The diversity of Jackson Heights restaurants has made the neighborhood a foodie destination, attracting enthusiasts from all over New York City for a taste of their favorite dishes. While a handful of Indian restaurants might have been what originally put Jackson Heights on the map, there are several Latin American spots that cater to the huge Latinx population in the area.

Owned by first- or second-generation immigrants, the eateries on this list serve up authentic dishes that will either remind you of home or inspire your next trip to South America.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Colombia

La Boina Roja Steak House

Butcher, Restaurant, South American, Steakhouse

Varieties of bandeja paisa, a classic Colombian platter, is available at Boina Roja Steak House in Jackson Heights
© Jonathan Hood / Flickr

Jackson Heights is saturated with Colombian restaurants, and while La Pequeña Colombia is well-known throughout the tri-state area, La Boina Roja (the “red beret”) is a smaller neighborhood joint that specializes in steak and pork from the attached butcher shop next door. The restaurant offers variations on the classic bandeja paisa—an enormous platter consisting of rice, beans, sausage, pork, beef, fried egg, and more—so be sure to come here on an empty stomach. It originally became popular in the Andean region (including Medellin and Bogotá) as a traditional breakfast before a day spent working in the fields.

The interior can feel a bit cramped with small tables that get crowded quickly. So, come with good friends, or be prepared to make new ones—especially if there’s a soccer game on.

Peru

Urubamba

Restaurant, Peruvian, South American

Named after a town in the Sacred Valley, this Peruvian restaurant is cozy and dimly lit from inside arched window dressings, making it a great spot for date night. While other Peruvian restaurants in Jackson Heights specialize solely in rotisserie chicken (pollos a la brasa), Urubamba offers a wider menu that includes not only a great roasted chicken but also delicious ceviche and jalea (fried fish) too.

The friendly waitstaff are happy to explain potentially unfamiliar items on the menu, such as tacu tacu, Peru’s answer to refried beans, or papas a la Huancaína, boiled potatoes in a yellow cheese sauce (try it!). You’ll leave here buzzing from their strong sangria and dreaming of a trip to Machu Picchu.

Venezuela

Arepas Burger

Restaurant, Sandwich Shop, Venezuelan

Different types of arepas
© nehophoto / Shutterstock

Inside an unassuming fast-food-style storefront on Northern Boulevard are some of the tastiest Venezuelan creations anywhere in New York. Specializing in both “traditional” burgers (if you consider three quail eggs, crushed potato chips, or pineapple sauce “traditional”) and the sandwich-like crispy arepas stuffed with meat, you will not be going home hungry. Arepas Burger is more of a takeout spot than a sit-down restaurant, where a burger or arepa won’t cost you more than $10—a small price to pay to bite into the juicy pabellón (shredded beef, black beans, avocado, maduros, and queso blanco) and be transported to the streets of Caracas.

Ecuador

La Puntilla Bar and Restaurant

Bar, Restaurant, South American

Llapingachos, fried potato cakes that originated in Ecuador
© Alexandre Rotenberg / Shutterstock

If you’ve never had Ecuadorian food before, you’ve probably never known the satisfaction of the savory crunch of a fried potato cake slathered in peanut sauce and topped with onions and fried eggs—but now you will. Ecuadorian bar and restaurant La Puntilla serves these llapingachos along with a wide array of stews and seafood dishes typical of the country. A modestly decorated restaurant along the main drag of 37th Avenue, it’s easily reached by the 90th Street station on the 7 line. Order the guatita (beef tripe in peanut sauce over rice) if you’re feeling offal—or awful; Ecuadorians say it will cure a bad hangover.

Uruguay

El Chivito D’Oro

Restaurant, Steakhouse, South American

Revered for its grilled Provolone appetizer, an egg crate-like platter filled with melty ham and cheese bites you can scoop out with a fork, El Chivito D’Oro is one of only a handful of Uruguayan restaurants in New York City. Uruguay sits just north of Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires, and the cuisine of both countries share more than a few similarities, including the elevation of grilling meats to an art form—steaks and sausages, especially.

Chivito” refers not to goat meat but to the national sandwich of Uruguay—available at kiosks and street corners everywhere—which consists of steak, bacon, ham, hard-boiled egg, olives, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. If you possibly have any room left for dessert, consider trying the colorful confections at La Gran Uruguaya Bakery, one block down on 85th Street.

Argentina

La Fusta Restaurant

Restaurant, Argentina, South American, Steakhouse

Grilled beef steak with chimichurri sauce
© AS Food studio / Shutterstock

Just steps outside the southern border of Jackson Heights, down the block from the 82nd Street 7 train station, is La Fusta Restaurant, serving the best Argentine food outside Corona Avenue’s “Little Argentina” since 1970. A dark and romantic traditional restaurant with dark wood beams and clay walls, it is a perfect place to take someone special and enjoy a glass of wine (or sangria!) and steak. The key here, as any Argentinian will tell you, is to ask for the vacio (“flap steak” in English)—it’s the most flavorful cut that lends itself to crispy, charred edges on the grill that sop up the ubiquitous chimichurri (parsley, garlic, and olive oil) sauce. An evening spent here feels like sharing an intimate meal with family at a gaucho’s ranch house in the Argentine countryside.

Brazil

Aroma Brazil Restaurant

Cafe, Restaurant, Brazilian, Steakhouse

Bouillabaisse
© hlphoto / Shutterstock

The population of Jackson Heights residents is overwhelmingly Spanish-speaking Latinxs from all over Latin America, but the neighborhood has recently welcomed a Brazilian restaurant too. At Aroma Brazil, diners pay for food by the pound, which is great for when you’re in the mood for rodizio (the all-you-can-eat-style steakhouses that serve grilled meats right off the spit) but not for the price tag. From the buffet in the back, you can pile food onto a tray should you wish to stay and eat at one of the padded banquets up front, or into a foil container to take home. Grilled meat is still available from the open kitchen window, but the bacalhau (cod) is especially light and fresh and will make you feel like you’re sitting on the beach in Rio.

Bright and welcoming despite the high-traffic area underneath the elevated train tracks, Aroma is located one block east of the major train hub at the 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue station (7, E, M, F, R).

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