Best Places to Eat In & Around Jackson Heights, Queens
14 Must-try Meals from Jackson Heights, Queens
(and nearby)
Everyone knows that New York City is a food-lover’s paradise, but you haven’t truly experienced the City until you’ve eaten your way through (and around) Jackson Heights. From Bangladeshi snacks to Ecuadorian food trucks, flavors of the world converge in Queens.Â
Here are my favorite 14 meals to inspire your next mouth-watering adventure to Jackson Heights.Â
Must-Try Meals in Queens
Best Places to Eat in Jackson Heights
Let’s start our Jackson Heights Eating Adventure! Queens is definitely the most delicious borough, and Jackson Heights has so many incredible restaurants, cafĂ©s, food trucks, snack shops and more! If you’re a Foodie visiting NYC, definitely make sure an afternoon in Jackson Heights is on your agenda.Â
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Don’t just come to Jackson Heights for a meal. Come for a bunch of small meals! Think of it like a tasting menu, but with a bit of walking in between stops. Raja Sweets & Fast Food is the perfect place to start to your eating adventure.Â
Samosa Chaat - Raja Sweets & Fast Food
7231 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Raja Sweets & Fast Food is a no-frills spot where you order at the counter and hope to find an empty seat to sit and enjoy your meal. Raja offers plenty of quick, yummy dishes, and the samosa chaat is a must-try.Â
Made from a base of samosas, you cannot go wrong. If you’re not familiar, samosas are a fried snack usually filled with peas, potatoes and yummy spices. It gets even better – on top of the samosas add yogurt for a bit of creaminess and tamarind chutney for a sweet and tangy flavor. Topped off with a bit more crunch from small pieces of fried potato or chickpea. Samosa chaat is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and crunchy and creamy.Â
Raja Sweets & Fast Food has about 10 tables inside (and a few outside now during COVID) and a restroom in the back of the restaurant to the right. There isn’t table service, so order at the counter and step aside to wait for your food. As of 2020 Raja was cash only. Last tip: go with a friend. Dishes like Samosa Chaat are best shared!Â
Chaat is often used as a general word for a variety of Indian snacks / street food. Priya Krishna breaks down the true meaning behind 'chaat' and what the term truly embraces. Her Let's Chaat - A Guide to Indian Snacks should be required reading before your visit to Jackson Heights!
Samosa Snack Break - Merit Kebab
On the topic of samosas, don’t leave Jackson Heights without at least a samosa to go! There are plenty of places in the neighborhood to pick up a samosa for the road, but Merit Kebab stands out. Right below the entrance to the 7 train on 74th Ave, Merit Kebab is always busy. Buzzing with activity, don’t be afraid to make your way through the crowd and up to the counter. Each samosa is only $1.50, and they also come with a little container of green sauce. You may as well order a chai and round out your experience! Â
PabellĂłn Empanada - Empanadas Mix
8103 Northern Blvd, Jackson Heights 11372
A marriage of sweet and savory come together in perfect harmony in the PabellĂłn Empanada from Empanadas Mix. PabellĂłn is a common Venezuelan dish of shredded beef, black beans & rice, often served with plantain for an extra bit of sweet. This combo translates perfectly into filling for a delicious and addictive empanada! The PabellĂłn at Empanadas Mix is filled with beef, black beans, sweet plantain and also white cheese to really round out the flavor. Venezuelan empanadas are made in a maize-based shell.Â
Empanadas Mix offers a variety of fillings to meet different taste preferences: guava, ham & cheese, salchicha (hot dog), Hawaiian and even baby shark. The empanadas are pretty big, and I recommend getting one for a snack or two for a meal. Three for sharing between two people is ideal. Each are between $4 & $6.Â
Empanadas Mix has a small indoor space with a few seats and two tables outside as well. The Venezuelan community is newer to Queens than their Colombian and Ecuadorian neighbors. Learn more about Venezuelan immigration to Queens in this Voices of New York article.Â
Halwa Poori - Samudra
75-18 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
This South Indian eatery is the perfect place for vegetarians to grab a meal in Jackson Heights! Their entire menu is veg-friendly, and they specialize in dosas (rice /lentil crepes) and heartier uthappams with a variety of savory and/or spicy fillings. But, their stand-out dish is halwa poori! (Pictured above is Halwa Poori and a Spinach Dosa order.)Â
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Poori (or Puri) is a fried bread circle made of an unleavened wheat flour dough. This a perfect base for Samudra’s carrot-based halwa. The halwa is a deliciously sweet topping, pairing perfectly with with the poori. Completing the trifecta is the savory chickpea curry that rounds out the dish. The chickpeas add a bit of protein and bulk to the meal. The perfect bite is a handful of poori with a smear of halwa and a scoop of chickpeas, half rolled like a taco in the poori. Pure South Indian beauty! Halwa poori is often eaten as breakfast or a snack, but I am into this dish any time of day!Â
Samudra has been a neighborhood staple since 2013. There is a decent amount of seating inside, and a small outdoor area right now during COVID. Check out Ahn & Bellamy’s article to learn more about the inspiration for Samudra and founder Jagdish Shetty.Â
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Grandma Slice - Louie's Pizzeria & Restaurant
81-34 Baxter Ave, Elmhurst, New York 11373
New York’s got a lot of good pizza, and the Grandma Slice from Louie’s shouldn’t be missed! Technically located in Elmhurst, Louie’s has been serving up mouth-watering Grandma-style pizza since 2009. What is a Grandma slice? Think a Sicilian pie, but better! What sets this pizza apart is the flavors of the fresh herbs and seasonings. It is a simple dish with a flavorful and satisfying taste. Really takes a slice to the next level. Order a slice or two or go for the full pie!Â
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Look at Louie’s take out menu, and you’ll notice that the front depicts the Albanian coat of arms – not exactly what was I was expecting from an Italian pizza place. Apparently this should actually not be that surprising! According to the New York Times, already by 2001 there was a trend of Albanian immigrants in NYC purchasing and running pizzerias and Italian restaurants throughout the city! Just another reminder of the fascinating layers of overlapping history, culture and community that make NYC an awesome and delicious city!Â
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Jackson Heights is also a great place for window shopping! Take in the vibrant fabrics of the saree shops around 74th Street.Â
Paneer Khurchan - Angel Indian Restaurant
74-14 37th Road, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
The Paneer Khurchan from Angel is one of the best meals I’ve had in my entire life. This dish features bell peppers, tomatoes, spices and, of course, paneer. First, the paneer is homemade. It is so fresh and absorbs the flavors of the curry and vegetables. Bite into the paneer, and it will crumble perfectly in your mouth. (It’s not chewy or rubbery at all.) The paneer is also a magical compliment to the spiciness of the tomato curry base. Also impressive is that the bell peppers are well cooked, yet they maintain a crisp texture and crunch when you bite into them. One note is that sometimes the level of spice has been inconsistent between our visits. But, the Paneer Khurchan at Angel has always been drool-worthy.Â
Angel’s menu focuses on dishes from Punjab region in northern India. Head chef Amrit Pal Singh is Punjabi himself, sharing the dishes he grew up around. Angel started off only serving vegetarian dishes, but now has expanded to meat, too. But, there are still plenty of great veg options here, including the Paneer Khurchan. Angel only has a couple indoor seats, but during COVID they have 4 tables for outdoor dining. To learn more read Eater’s write-up of Angel from Oct. 2019.Â
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Traditional Ecuadorian Meals from the Street Carts at Junction Blvd
Take the 7 train Junction Blvd at the intersection of Roosevelt Ave, and you will be in for an Ecuadorian treat! From afternoon to evening food trucks and street vendors set up shop selling a variety of warm, delicious Ecuadorian foods. Walking down Roosevelt Avenue from Jackson Heights to Corona is an experience that engages all the senses. You’ll the hear the sounds of conversations across multiple languages, occasionally muffled by the roar of the train above.Â
As you near Junction Blvd you’ll see the corners occupied by hungry New Yorkers sitting on small plastic chairs or standing to order from the delicious carts. Steaming mounds of freshly roasted pork (hornado), corn and potatoes prepared in front you. You can get Ecuadorian favorites such as morcillo (blood sausage), llapingachos (fried potato patties), and humitas (steamed ground cornmeal with egg and spices cooked inside). Note that this is not a good recommendation for vegetarians.Â
Pro Tips: Bring cash. This will make paying at the carts easier. And pick up an humita to have for breakfast the next day.
As of 2019, the Ecuadorian population makes up over 25% of the Latinx community in Queens (according to a study by Caribbean and Latino Studies (CLACLS) at the CUNY Graduate Center). Ecuadorian communities began establishing themselves in the late 1960s in the US. In the Jackson Heights and Corona neighborhoods of Queens there was a second wave of Ecuadorian migration during the 1990s – setting the stage for the delicious contributions these communities have made to the gastronomic landscape of NYC.Â
Panza de Chivo Tacos - The Crus-Z Family Corp.
87-09 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights 11372
If you’re looking for authentic Mexican tacos, Cruz-Z is waiting for you! Hands down, my favorite taco in NYC is panza de chivo from The Crus-Z Family Corp. Warm, fragrant goat belly topped with flavorful roasted onions, freshly chopped cilantro and your choice of salsa verde or salsa rojo. All held in a double layer of soft tortillas. And a fresh lime wedge on the side, of course! The panza de chivo alone is not spicy, but add more of the salsa for an extra kick.
Crus-Z serves up a variety of other traditional Mexican dishes including tacos, tostadas, burritos and tortas. I usually order 2 tacos or 1 taco and 1 tostada. They have a decent amount of indoor seating, but during the pandemic it is currently only take-out.Â
For more information on planning a visit to Crus-Z and nearby attractions visit my post dedicated to their must-try tacos.
In the 1990s the arrival of Latinx immigrants increased, and today’s Mexican communities in Queens can be found along the MTA 7 line in Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights. On Roosevelt Ave, a main commercial shopping street, and you’ll find bodegas selling fresh corn tortillas, taco trucks, tamale stands, advertisements in Spanish and storefronts adorned with Mexican flags.
Dumpling Soup - Khampa Kitchen
75-15 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Dumpling Soup – a dish whose simple name juxtaposes the robust and spicy flavor it brings to the table. Khampa Kitchen serves traditional Tibetan cuisine (from the Kham province), reflecting the culinary traditions of owners Bachan & Deshen. For me, Khampa Kitchen’s shining star is the Dumpling Soup. The beef dumplings (also called momos) are handmade, with a shell that is the perfect balance of study without being overly doughy or heavy. But, what really stands out is actually the broth! It’s warm, it’s spicy and eating it will clear out your sinuses after each delicious slurp. The broth combines house recipe hot sauce, sesame oil and soy sauce with chunks of fresh bok choy for an added crunch. Khampa Kitchen even uses herbs that are harvested, dried and shipped directly from Bachan’s family in Tibet! I doesn’t get more authentic than that.Â
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Khampa Kitchen is so good it has even been written up by The New York Times. The customer service is fantastic, too. Normally there are about 8 tables inside, but with COVID it is currently take-out only. Khampa Kitchen is located right under the subway line on Roosevelt Ave, and there isn’t outdoor seating. But, consider heading over to the public tables and chairs in Diversity Plaza just a couple minute walk away.Â
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Korean Fried Chicken - Unidentified Flying Chicken
Crispy, juicy fried chicken – South Korean-style! Unidentified Flying Chicken (UFC) serves up high quality fried chicken that really hits the spot. UFC double fries their chicken, giving it that extra crunch when you take a bite. Order your wings plain or with one of four sauces: Hot, Soy Garlic, BBQ Mustard or Sweet & Spicy. What stands out about UFC is their ingredient quality and fun, fusion menu. Their chicken is certified organic and humanely treated. Check out other classic dishes with a Korean twist: spicy pork bulgogi empanadas, kimchi burgers and more! UFC also has a good beer selection with options on tap.
UFC was open in Jackson Heights back in 2007 by Korean-American restaurateur Young Jin. There isn’t a large Korean community in Jackson Heights, but head out to Flushing more awesome Korean dining options. Check out HMart about a 15 minute walk away (59-18 Woodside Ave.) for a robust selection of South Korean snacks and sauces.
Check out my post on the most delicious South Korean dishes to learn more about the history of Korean-style fried chicken!
Street Snacks from the Bengali Fuchka /Fuska Trucks
Head to the corner of 37th Ave & 73rd Street and you’ll find not 1, but 2 Bengali snack food trucks! Flanking the Duane Reade, these trucks made their debut in Jackson Heights just in the past couple years. Fuchka/fuska is a street food snack common in Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal region. A similar concept to pani puri in other parts of the Indian subcontinent, fuchka is a snack made from fried, hollow spheres and usually topped with yellow peas, potato, onions, spices and other ingredients to add texture and flavor! The final key ingredient is a bit of tamarind water on top. Pop these little balls of delicious into your mouth for a fantastic treat!Â
Tong and Fuska House are competing snack trucks that offer more than just fuchka. Read this New York Times article for more details on the history and stories behind these delicious businesses. Each truck uses their own recipes, so bring a friend or two so you can share a few snacks from each truck!Â
Chive Momos - Lhasa Fast Food
Address: 37-50 74th St., Jackson Heights 11372
If a chive-filled dumpling is your idea of a good time, definitely check out Lhasa Fast Food. Momos are a variety of dumpling from the area of Southwest China and Northern India, including Tibet. And Lhasa Fast Food’s Chive Momos are no joke. These steamed momos are chock-full of chives, giving a fantastic and fresh flavor inside the simple flour skin. I am really impressed by the amount of filling! Each order comes with 8 momos – perfect for sharing. Lhasa also serves beef and chicken momos, but in my opinion those do not stand out. I recommend ordering a cup of the slightly salty Himalayan butter tea to go with your momos.Â
Lhasa, named after Tibet’s capital, is one of a couple restaurants serving Tibetan food in Jackson Heights. Finding Lhasa Fast Food may feel like a small trek, but it’s worth it! Located just off the 74th St / Roosevelt Ave 7 Line stop, you will easily walk down the street right past Lhasa without seeing it. It is tucked behind a cell phone shop. The entrance to the building is under the Prahbu Money Transfer sign and next to Karishma. When you enter, walk past the first door and continue to the right and then straight. Lhasa will be there hiding with a couple tables for eating inside.Â
Pad Thai & Fried Banana - Ayada Thai
7708 Woodside Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373
Yes, Pad Thai is a dish you can pretty much get in any neighborhood of any borough in NYC. But, I am not exaggerating when I say that the Pad Thai from Ayada Thai is one of the best I’ve ever had! It is flavorful without being too heavy or greasy. The vegetables are fresh, and the dish actually comes with a decent amount of veggies in it. It is not like some pad thai dishes where all you can find is noodles with a single green item hidden underneath as the token bit of redeeming health. In their restaurant review, The Infatuation even said, “Simply the best pad thai you’ll find in New York. It will make you quite sad about 90% of pad thai you’ve eaten in this city.”Â
Head to Ayada on a Saturday and you can also try their fried banana dessert. Sweet and crunchy with a hint of sesame, this dessert will not disappoint. Ayada is known for their culinary creativity of bringing traditional Thai dishes to the next level, so there are plenty of great options beyond this commonly known dish. Ayada is still open during COVID, and they have a large outdoor eating area. Note that at this point it is outside, but still pretty enclosed. I opt for takeout. Â
Walk down Elmhurst’s Woodside Avenue between 76th St & 78th St and you’ll find a whole strip of Thai restaurants, shops & bodegas. This is a great place to enjoy a meal and pick up a snack or two for later! This area is definitely one of the best centers of Thai food in New York City.Â
Just down the street from Ayada, Khao Kang is also part of the group of yummy Thai spots along Woodside Ave in Elmhurst. Â
Thai Lunch from Khao Kang
76-20 Woodside Ave., Elmhurst, New York 11373
When you first walk into Khao Kham you probably won’t be impressed. You may actually wonder why this deli-style restaurant with school lunchroom-esque vibes made a ‘best food of’ list. Don’t judge this book by it’s cover. Khao Kang is actually the perfect spot to grab a quick lunch. Khao Kang’s offerings change regularly, so head up to the counter to see what is on the menu today. Choose your meal size (2 entrees & rice, 3 entrees & rice, etc.), pick the dish that calls your name, and proceed to checkout. Super fast and absolutely delicious! Many of the options are curry-based, and there are a few veg choices and dishes with a varying level of spice. I was thoroughly impressed!Â
Each Thai restaurant in the area has its own unique flavor or approach to curating their menu. At Khao Kang the recipes are inspired Thailand’s Chantaburi provence in southeast Thailand, with curry and seafood options. I also highly recommend trying Thai Mung Bean sweet dessert from Khao Kang. (One of the best desserts in NYCÂ if you ask me!)Â Think tapioca pudding, but creamier. This awesome dessert is a base of soft, steamed mung beans mixed with potato flour for a sticky, jelly-like consistency. The best part is the coconut cream topping!Â
There are so many more incredible places to eat in Jackson Heights, and this list is just to get you started! If you have other favorite Jackson Heights restaurants, let us know in the comments.Â
I lived in Brooklyn for four years so didn’t make it to Queens very much. On my recent visits back to the city I have explored the borough a bit more, but not Jackson Heights yet. I have heard good things about the food though. Your post definitely makes me want to eat my way through the neighborhood! I can’t wait for my next trip to NYC and a chance to try these places.
Hope you can make it back to visit NYC and Jackson Heights! Would love to hear your thoughts on any of the restaurants I highlighted. 🙂
Thank you for including some vegetarian options – that paneer dish looks SO yummy (I might actually order Indian food tonight now!).
All of this good looks delicious but especially the Indian selection. The food at Raja Sweets and Fast Food makes me hungry just looking at it. And that Phad Thai sounds amazing, I love Thai food too. Anything spicy!
I used to regularly travel to NYC for work and love a good list of great restuarants to visit during those trips. The Ecuadorian Street carts look so incredible, just drooling looking at the food in the photos. UFC also looks incredible and I love Korean Fried Chicken!
Thanks, Jamie! I hope you can make it out to Queens to eat on your next visit!
I just ate & I’m drooling. Wow. I had no idea of all the deliciousness in Queens. I used to travel to NYC twice a year for business and made it to Brooklyn but never Queens. Thank you! Definitely, will be checking it out next time I’m out east.
I love reading “best places to eat” posts, and in this post of yours, almost every entry grabbed my attention for various reasons. I am a Bengali from West Bengal, India, but living away from home for ages and hence have not tasted Phuchka in a long time. So, reading about the Fuchka Truck brought so many emotions as (I don’t know if you know) Fuchka is pure love for Bengalis 🙂
Pubali – So happy you enjoyed! It is so special to have not 1, but 2 fuchka trucks nearby!! The snacks are sooo good. I haven’t tried everything yet, and next will be the Jhalmuri from Tong. Come visit if you’re in NYC in the future!
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