Experience Greece without ever leaving the city in Queens’ Astoria neighborhood. Home to New York’s Taverna Row (located on 23rd Avenue), this outer-borough base for Greek grub attracts eaters from around the world, or at least from across the city. For fare that will have you cheering “opa!,” here are the best Greek restaurants in Astoria, Queens.
A traditional taverna reimagined for the modern diner is what you’ll find at MP Taverna, Chef Michael Psilakis’ interpretation of a Greek classic. Great for an intimate meal or a group dinner, this Astoria attraction comprises two levels featuring upscale accents such as floor-to-ceiling windows and plush leather seating. Wherever you sit, be sure to order MP’s fan-favorite dishes, such as the chicken in thick lemon sauce and Grandma’s meatballs.
Astoria’s most famous taverna (Michelin and Zagat are counted amongst its fans) also happens to be one of its best. At Taverna Kyclades, an exciting selection of seafood standouts showcases the best of Greek coastal cuisine. Dig into whole Mediterranean dorata, meaty swordfish and vegetable kebabs, and caviar dip for grub that tastes like a getaway.
At New York City’s mecca for seafood lovers, you’ll find no frills, just flavor. Well worth the trek from the city’s so-called “foodie boroughs,” Astoria Seafood is a fish market and eatery in one, making this Queens destination home to the freshest seafood in the city. Here, you’ll pick your very own clams, calamari, sea bass, and smelt (plus an assortment of other options based on market availability) and have them cooked to order according to your taste, whether it be fried to a crisp, perfectly grilled, or steamed. Tip: Wash your made-for-you meal down with the drink of your choice at this BYOB business.
For a taste of authentic Greece, head to foodie-favorite Gregory’s 26 Corner Taverna. Here, old-school offerings such as Kalamata olive paste, fried sardines, grilled octopus, and cheese-stuffed peppers pair perfectly with the rustic décor and warm service (which includes a complimentary Greek dessert!). Equipped with both indoor and outdoor seating and a menu featuring everything from traditional Greek salad to lemon chicken soup, Gregory’s is always in season.
Bring your family (or a family-sized appetite) to Stamatis, a casual restaurant with an almost unconquerable menu. Charred octopus, meat-stuffed grape leaves in egg-lemon sauce, Greek salad, grilled sea bass, and the fan-favorite (and unlimited!) house garlic bread are just a small sampling of the eatery’s offerings, all of which are best washed down with one of Stamatis’ Greek beers or wines.
Greek hospitality is what’s on the menu at Bahari Estiatorio, an Astoria eatery inspired by the rustic “family gatherings” back home. Here, an inviting staff feeds you like family, serving up home-cooked classics such as grilled octopus, horta, lemon potatoes, and dishes rarely seen in restaurants, such as papoutsaki. In true family affair style, dessert is complimentary, and you’ll have a hard time tearing yourself away from Bahari’s table.
Since 1991, Loukoumi Taverna has been “cooking the good stuff,” which in the case of this Astoria staple is classic Greek recipes prepared in the traditional style. Headed by the pioneer of Greek cuisine in New York City, Kostas Avlonitis, this remote restaurant in northeast Astoria is worth seeking out. Those who find it will reap—or eat—rewards such as chewy grilled octopus, fried Greek cheese, zucchini chips with spreads, and crispy calamari.
An Aegean-style taverna in the heart of Astoria, Queens, Agnanti is an example of culinary cosmopolitanism at its finest. Since serving its first Greek salad (a fan favorite) in 2002, the restaurant has distinguished itself from its peers with its down-to-earth dishes with prices to match. Greek sausage with oranges, grilled octopus, pan-seared cheese, and moussaka are all served just like γιαγιά used to make.
