If you're at a Floral Park restaurant, you might be in New York City, or maybe not. Floral Park is actually a dual neighborhood. There's one in Queens (part of NYC), another in Nassau County, and they're distinct. But to get the best tastes, you'll need to visit both.
Indian and Pakistani Restaurants in Floral Park
Out in the far eastern section of Queens, there's a South Asian strip of restaurants and shops on Hillside Avenue in the cross-border neighborhood of Floral Park.
The tandoori and curry takeout at hole-in-the-wall Fiza Diner (259-07 Hillside Ave, Floral Park, 718-347-3100) is delicious, intensely spicy, and cheap. The dosas at Kerala Kitchen (267-05 Hillside Ave, Floral Park, 718-470-6240) are top-notch, with real spices in the masala, but the restaurant itself seems to be hanging on by a thread.
Best and most unusual is Mumbai Xpress -- an Indian fast-food restaurant specializing in street foods from Mumbai. It's cheap, delicious, and unique in NYC. Three words: Indian-style grilled cheese.
Usha Foods (255-03 Hillside Ave, Floral Park, NY, 718-343-1500) is an Indian snack and sweets shop. There are chaats or savory snacks like samosas, but most recommended are the Indian sweets. Pick out a few -- if you like intense, dense sweets, you won't be disappointed. The setting is humble, the prices are great, and the staff is approachable.
Bakeries in Floral Park
There's only one Tulip Bakery (138 Tulip Ave, Floral Park, NY, 516-354-1105), and it's worth crossing into Nassau County for the tastiest baked goods, danish, cookies, and plain old rolls this side of the East River -- old-fashioned in the best possible way. Devour a lemon danish with its custard center and cinnamon-infused cake and you'll think Tulip is the greatest baked shop since sliced bread.
Italian Restaurants in Floral Park
Fiore Restaurant (142 Tulip Ave, Floral Park, NY, 516-775-8226) is also worth the step into Nassau County. More than worth the step. The restaurant gets high marks for service and food. Come here for a special occasion, and just enjoy, with top-notch standards and delicious takes on the classics like a pork osso buco special. The owners are the chef and hostess and they bring a warmth and family vibe to the restaurant, while keeping the quality high.
American Restaurants in Floral Park
Koenig's Restaurant (86 S. Tyson Ave, Floral Park, NY, 516-354-2300) might be billed as a German restaurant but the menu has accepted American and Italian standards over the years. This is an "old person's restaurant," but interesting with good food and stellar service from a polished staff.
Chinese Restaurants in Floral Park
Hunan Cafe ... this is what takeout Chinese should always be! Hunan Cafe (255-09 Hillside Ave Floral Park, NY, 718-347-1320) isn't authentic Chinese like you get in Flushing, but it's fresh and flavorful and outstanding compared to 99% of local Chinese takeout joints.
