New York City is famous for its diverse cuisine, and some of the best bites can be found right here in Queens, where a quick train ride opens the door to a world of authentic and exciting dining experiences.
Queens showcased 25 local eateries among the 400 participants in this year’s New York Restaurant Week, which ran from July 22 through Aug. 18. Diners enjoyed select menus at prix fixe prices, offering a perfect opportunity to explore something new.
We seized the opportunity to sample some of Queens’ most exciting and delicious restaurants. Here are three of our top picks:
When in Bangkok
161-16 Northern Blvd., Flushing
When in Bangkok has participated in NYC Restaurant Week since it first opened on Northern Boulevard in 2022. It is Owner Olie Sangpetpairot’s first restaurant in Queens.
“These are the dishes that I would go for if I visit Thailand right now, so it’s not gonna be the typical, classic Thai menu that most of the Thai restaurants have,” Sangpetpairot said.
All dishes, down to the sauce, incorporate traditional Thai spices and herbs. The house special spicy seafood sauce, which is a typical sauce that all seafood dishes are eaten with in Thailand, was served with the Raw Bar Sampler on the Restaurant Week menu.
“The name ‘When in Bangkok’ is exactly just that,” said Sangpetpairot. “It’s just like, you go to Thailand and get this kind of flavor.”
Sangpetpairot refused to cut down on Thai spices at her Flushing restaurant, as the neighborhood is known for its Asian cuisine.
“I think anywhere in Queens, it’s very diverse,” Sangpetpairot said. “People are familiar with more flavors and they are more bold to try the new things, so I didn’t hold back at all when I first came here to open.”
When in Bangkok is continuing to offer a two-course lunch for $30 and a three-course dinner for $45 for their NYC Restaurant Week menu until Sept. 1.
Hupo
10-07 50th Ave., Long Island City
While there is a growing number of Chinese restaurants in Long Island City, Hupo has been serving its customers since Owner Aric Ao opened it in October 2019. The Szechuan restaurant has received the Bib Gourmand Michelin rating since 2021, indicating a restaurant for exceptional cuisine at an affordable price.
“Because I live in Long Island City and Hupo is my first restaurant in Long Island City too, it’s an honor to attend the Restaurant Week event in 2024,” said Ao.
Hupo has become a local restaurant where customers receive a fine dining experience with authentic flavors. It is right off the Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue stop on the 7 train.
“The vision behind opening this restaurant was to let the neighborhood know about the food culture of Chinese Szechuan cuisine,” said Ao.
With the sounds of a sizzling kitchen and an aroma of spices, customers can expect bold flavors of Szechuan food in every bite. The Spicy Lamb Chops on the Restaurant Week menu were infused with hot chili peppers and seasoning that balances out the spice. Fresh meats and vegetables with authentic flavors cater to unique flavor palates.
Ao’s bold take on Szechuan cuisine shines on the regular menu, which includes dishes like Ma-La Szechuan Prawns and Szechuan-Style Beef with Silken Tofu with chili flavors seeping through to create authentic spice.
Florence Prime Diner
40-13 82nd St., Jackson Heights
Florence Prime Diner opened in Jackson Heights in February 2022 as a sister restaurant to Juquila Mexican Restaurant. Manager Michelle Mendez expressed gratitude for being invited to participate in this year’s NYC Restaurant Week.
Florence Prime Diner offered a two-course lunch for $30 and a three-course dinner for $45. Head Chef Julio Quisbert specially created Pan Seared Red Snapper and Ground Veal Lasagna for Restaurant Week, staying true to the diner’s modern twist on diner food.
Florence has a typical all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner on their standard menu, from two eggs in any style to creative brunch specials that use Latin ingredients such as plantains, tortillas, and refried beans with diner classics, inspired by the large Hispanic population in Jackson Heights. Regular menu items and specials are often infused with Latin flavors like Hominy Corn “Pozole” Soup—a traditional Mexican soup that includes pork broth, chicken or pork and corn tortilla topped with lettuce, cream and farm cheese.
“We really want to cater not just to our area, but also offer a unique experience that you don’t see on 82nd Street—a restaurant where you can sit down, relax, enjoy your cup of coffee or mimosa while heading down home the next block over,” said Mendez.
Creating original menu items for Restaurant Week is not new to Florence, as brunch specials are often incorporated into the menu. Sweet Potato Plantain Pancakes and Chorizo Hash and Eggs are just two of the house-made specials that the head chef has offered customers.
“We always say that every guest that walks in, it doesn’t matter if it’s your second or tenth time, we want to treat them as if it’s their first time coming into the restaurant,” Mendez said.
“A lot of our guests say that when they walk in they feel they’re in Manhattan. But they’re not in Manhattan, they’re in Queens.”
