Sripraphai Thai Restaurant
Photo (c) John Roleke
It's hard not to repeat the same praises that have been showered upon Sripraphai for years now. It is truly one of the best restaurants in Queens and the best Thai restaurant in New York City. The popularity hasn't ruined the restaurant at all; Sripraphai has continued its quality of food and service and kept the spice in the cooking.
If you haven't ever tried a crispy watercress and seafood dish or you've never tried more than a couple types of noodle dishes from the huge menu, you need to go eat at Sripraphai.
Sripraphai, 64-13 39th Avenue, Woodside, NY, 718-899-9599
Donovan's
Photo (c) John Roleke
Donovan's is an long-time neighborhood fave, a family-centered Irish pub (in the heart of the Woodside's new Irish belt). The Guinness is poured right, and the hamburger has won awards, including Best in NYC and Best in Queens. There are steaks, fish and chips, and more pub classics on the menu. Sure, Irish pubs are pretty common in New York and Long Island, but call Donovan's an original, a classic, maybe even the best you'll find this side of the Atlantic.
Donovan's Pub, 57-24 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY 11377 (at 57th St), 718- 429-9339
La Flor Bakery and Cafe
Photo Credit: © Alexis Arieff
Mexican-American-European fusion in a neighborhood cafe? La Flor can surprise you. This is the sort of cafe where you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but the tastes are more varied and the atmosphere more fun and homey. For a brunch, get french toast or hueveos rancheros. For dinner, tuck into grilled snapper or enchiladas.
La Flor Bakery and Cafe, 53-02 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY (at 53rd St), 718-426-8023
Sweet Basil Thai
Sweet Basil is a small, neighborhood Thai restaurant in Woodside that lives up to its sweet name with its warm service. The menu is small compared to nearby Sripraphai, but the flavors are big. Sweet Basil is a great backup when your plans to eat at Sripraphai are thwarted by a line that stretches out the door.
Sweet Basil, 39-28 61st St, Woodside, NY 11377, 718-205-0080
Sapori d'Ischia
Photo (c) John Roleke
Sapori d'Ischia is an Italian specialty retail store that converts into a taste-sensation Italian restaurant at night. It's much farther from the subway than the other restaurants listed above, and in Woodside's industrial/warehouse area, closed to Northern Boulevard than Roosevelt Avenue. It's worth the trip, but taking a car will save you a lot of hassle.
Sapori d'Ischia, 55-15 37th Ave., Queens, NY 11377, 718-446-1500
