Where to Eat: Taste of Sunnyside 2025

Returning October 12 for its 15th year, the Taste of Sunnyside is a massive open-air restaurant crawl of 60-plus eateries that highlights the wonderful diversity of Sunnyside. Here’s why you should get to know this Queens neighborhood, and why participating in Taste of Sunnyside is the best way to do it.

This post is sponsored by Sunnyside Shines.

As a food and travel writer, I am frequently designing food crawls for myself and my family when I travel (like this crazy day of eating and sightseeing in Athens we did last year). As a food tour operator in Jackson Heights, it’s my goal to curate a few hours of exceptional eating from five to seven restaurants and street vendors that really reflect the neighborhood. Visiting a handful of eateries in one day undeniably lets you get to know a place better, faster—it’s a crash course in a community, and almost always inspires return visits. And the Taste of Sunnyside restaurant crawl, during which 60-plus restaurants will open their doors for tastes for one day only, is the biggest crash course of them all.

From 1pm-7pm on Sunday, October 12, more than 60 restaurants and breweries will set up on sidewalk tables right in front of their storefronts to offer tastes to the community. Visitors buy one all-inclusive pass (for the remarkably reasonable price of $55) and gain access to all the food, wine, and beer on offer, plus bus transport to help them get around. Showcasing the diversity of Sunnyside, participating eateries span a wide range of cuisines: Indian, Mexican, Italian, Filipino, Algerian, Colombian, Turkish, Irish, Nepali, Bolivian, Peruvian, American, and more. “We are so excited to host this annual Taste of Sunnyside,” says Dirk McCall de Palomá, executive director at Sunnyside Shines. “We love to highlight our amazing restaurants and help them connect to new customers, while deepening awareness of their specials with regular customers.”

With 60-plus eateries, it’s almost impossible to visit every stand. You will get full—if you are thinking it is all tiny samples of food being put out, you are mistaken! But part of the fun is hitting up as many places as you can (before you get too full), being surprised at what each restaurant has to offer that day. With your Taste of Sunnyside card in hand, approaching each table is kind of like trick-or-treating for adults (though children are welcome too, of course: kids under 5 are free; kids 5-11 are half-price).

For anyone who knows and loves the restaurants of Sunnyside, getting tickets to Taste of Sunnyside each year is a no-brainer. There’s a reason this event is going on its 15th year this year—it’s a great event. But if you’re on the fence, not ready to commit, I also hear you! I am late to the Taste of Sunnyside game myself, having only attended in recent years. But now I’m a fan for life. And along the way I’ve become a big fan of many of Sunnyside’s restaurants.

To that end, let’s look at some of our favorite restaurants in Sunnyside that are participating in this year’s Taste of Sunnyside on October 12. Please know that this list is nowhere near exhaustive, in terms of restaurants we like or those that are participating (see the full list here). It’s no easy feat to narrow down from 60-plus spots, and the good news is if you attend this event you won’t have to. Be sure to grab your tickets here before it sells out (it usually does!).

Some Favorite Restaurants in Sunnyside

The following restaurants are some of our go-to spots in Sunnyside, organized loosely by location (grab the map here). For the Taste of Sunnyside crawl, it’s easy to hit up a bunch of these in a row, as many restaurants are grouped together. There will be lots of good stuff in between them too!

North Side of Queens Boulevard, near 46^th St./Bliss St.

Floribella: This year-old spot specializes in both Ecuadorian and Italian foods, thanks to the roots of the family who owns it and the chef’s past experience in Italian kitchens. It’s not a fusion menu, but a menu of distinct cuisines—and when you visit, you should sample from both, as we did with the rich lasagna and delicious bolón (green plantain ball with cheese and pork) with stewed beef, pictured. (We were also fortunate to try their special morocho, a sweet milky drink with corn and warm spices, when we stopped by.) For this year’s Taste of Sunnyside, co-owner Angelica Benevides says they will likely put out some food from both sides of their menu. 45-12 43rd Ave., map

Vitality: Only a couple of months old, Vitality is an inviting juice shop and cafe with smoothies, juices, specialty hot and cold drinks, fruit bowls, soups, toasts, protein waffles, and more. A sweet and savory seasonal menu rounds out the offerings. I loved the Blue Moon lavender latte and healthy green juice I recently tried, and I look forward to trying more of its menu during Taste of Sunnyside. 45-22 43rd Ave., map

Cousin Larry’s: This cozy corner pub and grill has beautiful cocktails (and a terrific weekday happy hour), delicious comfort food with an Irish bent, a Sunday roast and a bottomless brunch—and just a super friendly vibe, thanks to Queens-born co-owner Marcos Rodriguez. (Rodriguez is also half responsible for the subtle callout to “Perfect Strangers,” explaining he grew up watching the show with his mom. There are other famous Larrys represented on the walls here too!) We loved the double smashburger and wings, the fish and chips, and the roasted half-chicken when we visited, but the fat, oozy, Parmesan-dusted mozzarella sticks are a scene-stealer here, and they’ll be put out (in smaller portions!) for Taste of Sunnyside. Don’t miss it. 49-02 Skillman Ave., map

 

Souk El Shater: This wonderful family-run Lebanese takeout spot and grocery is beloved for its shawarma sandwiches, like the delicious chicken one pictured above, with garlicky toum, crunchy pickled vegs, and various hot sauces. But don’t sleep on everything else, from the grape and cabbage leaves and the spinach pies to the baklava and anything on the steam table. They usually put out a generous selection for Taste of Sunnyside. 43-03 Queens Blvd., map

Cardamom: Owner Anil Amin says he always looks forward to Taste of Sunnyside, and at Cardamom’s table in events past, you could tell how much they enjoy being out in the community (see image at top of post). This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is well-known for its Indo-Portuguese specialties, like xacuti, that aren’t widely found in NYC, but attention to detail is noted throughout the menu. Take, for example, the brilliant little edible “dishes” placed under the dahi puri to prevent them from rolling around!  Cardamom’s central location and great Indian food make this restaurant a must at Taste of Sunnyside. 43-45 43rd St, map

Sotto Le Stelle: This neighborhood stalwart, open since 2017, specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza, but has plenty more to offer as well. It’s the sister restaurant to two other great Italian spots likewise participating in Taste of Sunnyside (SoleLuna and Arcobaleno Gelateria NYC, the latter located right next door). Pictured is one of its signature wood-fired pies, the star pizza. Each of those star points conceals a gorgeous dollop of ricotta; in the middle lies a pile of prosciutto di Parma, arugula, shaved Parmigiano, and balsamic reduction. It’s absolutely delicious, but the chewy, charred dough is the real star, and you’ll find that on all of their pizzas. 4407 Queens Blvd., map

South Side of Queens Boulevard, near 46th St./Bliss St.

Tito Rad’s: This 2006-opened Filipino landmark, owned by Susan Albenio and chef Mario Albenio, is a longtime participant in Taste of Sunnyside, and an absolutely essential neighborhood restaurant. The Filipino classics run deep here, from the delicious lumpia Shanghai, traditional fried pork-shrimp egg rolls that are honestly hard to stop eating; the great pork adobo and coconutty jackfruit ginataang; the garlic fried rice and crispy pata (fried pork knuckle); the breakfast silogs and the ukoy, a popular appetizer that’s a mass of deep-fried bean sprouts and shrimp. October 12’s event will be a great chance to sample from the vast menu. 49-10 Queens Blvd., map

Kora Bakery: The Insta-famous Filipino doughnuts that have been trending since Kora’s owners—Kimberly Camara and Kevin Borja—started selling them out of their apartment in 2020 finally gained a permanent home last year on Greenpoint Avenue. Be sure to stop by and see what the fuss is about, as Kora is participating in Taste of Sunnyside once again. The shop expects to put out samples of some of its most popular doughnuts, including the leche flan and fried ube brioche with purple yam chips pictured. This is a can’t-miss! 45-12 Greenpoint Ave., map

Curley’s Bagels: Since opening in early July, Curley’s Bagels has made a name for itself, thanks to its delicious, fresh-baked sourdough bagels and creative specialty sandwiches. The bagels come in flavors both traditional (sesame, everything, plain, etc.) and non (rosemary salt, za’atar), but it’s the sourdough that makes them stand out. “We have a unique fermentation with the dough,” explains Mark Curley, one of the three owners, when I interviewed him. “It’s a labor of love and a [several-day] process before we even get to the actual baking of the bagel.” For Taste of Sunnyside, they shop will likely put out a range of bagels and schmears for people to try. 4-304 47th Ave., map

The Sconery: Just a few months old, this little spot is already attracting attention from the likes of The New York Times for its hyper focus of one pastry: the humble but delicious handmade drop scone. They have a beautiful crispy, craggy exterior and fluffy interior that’s not too dense, and come in flavors both sweet and savory. Owner Sheila Connolly expects to put out some classic blueberry scone (which we loved) as well as a savory scone—perhaps the one we enjoyed, cream cheese with scallion, but likely an autumnal flavor like pumpkin or gingerbread. She will likely do some holiday pie samples too, as the shop will be selling those this year too. The Sconery is a special place you won’t want to miss. 39-39 47th Ave., map

 

Spicy Nepal: Participating for its third year, Spicy Nepal is owned by two brothers, Silvanus and Chef Rai, who are passionate about sharing and talking about Nepali cuisine. I really like the aloo jeera, potatoes with cumin (pictured), and the spicy tofu aloo chili here, as well as the thukpa, a comforting noodle soup with veggies (bok choy, carrot, broccoli, onions, ginger) in a light, chile-laced broth. Be sure to stop by for whatever Nepali snacks are put out for Taste of Sunnyside. 39-35 47th Ave., map

Empire Shop: This sandwich and smoothie shop is a go-to neighborhood spot for a quick and casual meal. I don’t often get excited about sandwiches, but I love Empire’s Italian: chicken cutlet, roasted peppers, burrata, pesto, and balsamic glaze on a warm-pressed hero. It’s an exceedingly well-built and balanced sandwich—not too overfilled, not too doughy. As owner Danny Astudillo once told me, he’s choosy about his bread, because “I want customers to taste what’s inside!”

The menu here comprises breakfast and lunch sandwiches and wraps, classics like chopped cheese and chicken Parm, a Cuban and a Puerto Rican sandwich (a riff on the tripleta), burgers, and more, plus açaí bowls, fresh juices, and smoothies (the coco loco smoothie, with pineapple, mango, banana, frozen coconut water, and coconut ice cream, is so decadent). Last year, Empire Shop put out a beautiful (and generous) display of chicken Parm sandwiches and smoothies for Taste of Sunnyside. Be sure to stop by! 47-10 39th Place, map

South of 47^th Avenue

Kasbah Café: Walk a bit farther down Greenpoint Avenue to this Algerian gem and its inviting, turquoise-accented storefront. The daily specials are always going to be the right thing to order—this place is especially beloved for its weekend specials, like the Friday cousous—but don’t skip the spicy merguez sandwich, the homemade sweet treats (like almond baklava and makroud, a date-filled cookie drizzled with honey), or any of the daily soups, like the white bean pictured. This is also a great place to try some Algerian sodas, like Selecto. 39-19 Greenpoint Ave., map

Maison de Gateaux: Detour onto 48th Avenue to reach this welcoming spot for the sweet tooths among us. Maison de Gateax  was opened about two years ago by two brothers from Egypt. Its bakery counters are lined with all manner of cheesecake and mousse (I had my eye on the pistachio variety), Ferrero Rocher and chocolate fudge slices, Oreo layer and strawberry shortcake. Muffins, croissants, spinach pies, and baklava also vie for attention. Pictured is one of their specialties, the berry Napoleon, which deliciously layers banana cream and pastry with fresh blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Stop by Maison de Gateaux for something sweet during the Taste of Sunnyside. 47-53 43rd St, map

Bolivian Llama Party: Continuing on 48th Avenue, BLP always comes up on lists of Sunnyside favorites, and it’s no surprise—it’s such a dynamic, fun place, specializing in a cuisine we don’t see much of in NYC. The baked salteñas, stew-filled Bolivian pastries, are definitely a highlight, but the menu of sandwiches, soups, bowls, and juices is fantastic. There are wonderful vegan and vegetarian options here, like jackfruit BBQ (pictured) and quinoa kale salads. 44-14 48th Ave., map

De Mole: This popular family-run Mexican restaurant is rightfully beloved for its classic, deep-flavored chicken with mole Poblano. It’s also a dish that translates well to burrito form (I loved the burrito al pastor, too, and have heard praise for the carnitas burrito). The menu includes plenty of tacos, quesadillas, sincronizadas, fajitas, enchiladas, and more—there’s something for everyone, even a vegan version of that mole Poblano! Whatever owner Ramiro Mendez puts out for Taste of Sunnyside, it will be worth seeking out. 45-02 48th Ave., map

Masa Madre: This beloved artisanal bakery—headed by chef Jose Luis Flores (previously of De Mole’s Williamsburg location), who self-identifies as “an old-fashioned bread maker and pastry chef”—specializes in a traditional and ancient bread-making method that involves fermenting his breads between 24 and 48 hours, and sometimes up to 72 hours. He cuts no corners and essentially uses just milk, butter, and eggs in his pastries. The dedication to purity shows in the incredible flavors and textures of all the breads and pastries you’ll find here. Don’t miss a chance to taste whatever Flores puts out for Taste of Sunnyside, be it pan dulce—the pillowy conchas are especially incredible—croissants, cheese breads, corn breads, sourdough bread, tamales, or tortas. 47-55 46th St., map

There’s a slew of other places we love that are participating, from Bajeko Sekuwa (Nepalese) and The Lowery Bar + Kitchen (American) to Mad for Chicken (Korean fried chicken), La Adelita de Woodside (Mexican), and Alewife Brewing. See the full list here. Got your tickets yet? We will see you October 12!