New York Times names 14 Queens spots among city’s best restaurants of 2025

Fourteen Queens eateries earned spots on The New York Times’ annual list of the 100 Best Restaurants in New York City, which highlights the most compelling and dynamic culinary destinations across the five boroughs.

The 2025 list includes a mix of returning favorites and new additions from Queens. Flushing and Jackson Heights continue to dominate among the borough’s food neighborhoods, with entries in Ridgewood, Forest Hills and South Ozone Park also recognized for excellence.

Returning to the list this year are AbuQir Seafood in Astoria, Birria-Landia in Jackson Heights, Chongqing Lao Zao in Flushing, Temple Canteen in Flushing, Zaab Zaab in Elmhurst, Trinciti Roti Shop and Don Peppe in South Ozone Park, and White Bear in Flushing.

AbuQir Seafood, located at 24-19 Steinway St., is earning praise for its Egyptian-style seafood and eggplant dishes. Trinciti Roti Shop, at 111-03 Lefferts Blvd., was again recognized for its Trinidadian cuisine and “the best fish sandwich in the five boroughs.”

Temple Canteen, in the basement of the Hindu Temple Society of North America at 143-09 Holly Ave., is known for its dosas and South Indian vegetarian fare, the eatery remains one of the most affordable destinations on the list.

Okdongsik, a Korean restaurant known for its Jeju-style pork soup, has recently expanded to Bayside,and is on The New York Times’ 2025 list of the 100 Best Restaurants in NYC. Photo courtesy of Okdongsik

New additions to the 2025 list from Queens include:

Dera Restaurant (7209 Broadway, Jackson Heights), offering a wide range of South Asian dishes.
Hellbender (68-22 Forest Ave., Ridgewood), a modern Mexican eatery with creative flair.
Levant (25-64 Steinway St., Astoria), focusing on Middle Eastern specialties.
Old Sport Food (6703 Austin St., Forest Hills), serving Halal Chinese cuisine.
Salty Lunch Lady’s Little Luncheonette (565 Woodward Ave., Ridgewood), a sandwich shop praised for its bold and nostalgic flavors.
Taiwanese Gourmet (84-02 Broadway, Elmhurst), known for its authentic Taiwanese menu.

Two Queens establishments that appeared on the 2024 list did not return this year: Papa Paplean in Elmhurst and Adda Indian Canteen in Long Island City.

Additionally, The New York Times list includes Okdogksik, a Korean spot that has recently opened a new location in Bayside.

For more information on the full list and other featured restaurants, please refer to the official publication by The New York Times.