10 Best Restaurants in Jackson Heights, New York City

The Arepa Lady, originally known for slinging cheesy, golden arepas (stuffed corn cakes) from her famed street cart on Roosevelt Avenue has since established three stand-alone restaurants across New York City. The Jackson Heights location is the original “mother restaurant” and keeps to the classics like arepa de queso (freshly ground corn flour mixed with cheese) and arepa de choclo, served with your choice of meat. Try the popular chicharrón (smoked pork belly) or Colombian chorizo (which is sliced, rather than ground up). Expect to find Manhattanites, locals, and tourists alike sipping sangria and margs while getting their fill of savory cakes at this charming eatery.

There are plenty of great Thai restaurants in Elmhurst, but this oft-packed spot tops them all (in fact, it's opened a branch in Manhattan's Chelsea Market). Operating out of two side-by-side storefronts (you go wherever there's a table), Ayada serves fiery, flavorful Thai favorites, as well as some dishes you've probably never heard of before. A favorite appetizer is raw shrimp served with a slice of garlic, bitter melon, and chili paste that will knock your socks off. The e-sarn sausage (made with fermented meat) is served with sliced ginger and peanuts, and, for a table of four, the succulent whole fried fish is a bargain.

Uruguay is known throughout the world for serving up heaping mounds of high-quality meat and this Jackson Heights corner spot does it just right. With a wide variety of marinated meats to choose from (including beef tongue and blood sausage), all cooked right on the open grill, expect large portions and classic side options like tostones (fried green plantains) and yuca frita (fried yuca). Ask for the homemade chimichurri dipping sauce (a vinegary delight with basil and garlic) that pairs well with just about any dish, or try their empanadas (stuffed with juicy beef, chicken, or spinach) and the signature chivito al pan (a decadent steak sandwich topped with ham, bacon, and egg) for a quick hearty meal.

Even in the most diverse neighborhood of New York City, you are still in New York, after all, so great pizza is a must. This no-frills pizza joint is run by Louie himself. Hailed as a local hero after surviving a horrific stabbing from protecting an elderly woman from being mugged, Louie has become somewhat of a staple figure in the neighborhood. Heroism aside, the grandma slice here is one of the best in the borough, but you also don't want to miss their homemade agnolotti pasta.

The truck that launched a foodie craze, Birria-Landia specializes in Mexican birria, a rich, tomato-y savory stew made with traditional goat or beef. Here, it's served folded into double-layered tacos, between two crispy ones with melted cheese called mulitas, or in a bowl in "consommé" form (also serving as a dip for those tacos). There will inevitably be a line, but that also means a number of other businesses have popped up along the block to service the line with candy, snacks, and traditional Mexican drinks like horchata. The fall-off-the-bone meat is best paired with a few slices of radish, some cilantro and a spicy sauce, and ferociously gobbled, standing up near the truck the moment it's handed to you out of the window. 

With daily almuerzo (lunch) specials on the menu, as well as an assortment of fresh pastries, cakes, and savory baked goods, this classic panaderia has a homey vibe with festive, brightly lit decor on the ceilings and Spanish guitar playing in the background. Try the buñuelos (cheese fritters), freshly squeezed juices, or the decadent flan with a cup of Colombian coffee.

This snug Lebanese café caters to locals with its popular vegan platters, mixed kebabs for two (with kofta, chicken, and lamb), shawarmas, and more. Seating is limited, but if you can snag a seat at lunch or dinnertime, you’re in for a treat. Try the mint lemonade and falafel sandwich, a house blend of chickpeas and fava beans, topped with turnip and pickles. For a carnivorous option, go for the El Toum sandwich, made with ground beef and pine nuts.

The multiyear winner of Jackson Heights's annual Momo Crawl, Nepali Bhanchha Ghar is an unassuming spot known for its jhol momo (juicy dumplings in a rich, tomato-y, chutney-esque broth) and other Nepalese fare. Also on hand are a spicy, crispy noodle dish that will remind you of packaged ramen (though in a good way), thali platters vibrant with fiery, colorful curries, and a special savory fried doughnut called sel roti, served with a spicy tomato chutney.

Step through a doorway beneath a Himalayan eyebrow-threading sign, head up a twisting stairway, and pass through a beaded curtain to reach this cash-only restaurant serving cuisine that is a delicious culinary anomaly: namely, Tibetan Sichuan. The traditional Tibetan momos are worth trying, as is the beef-studded yak-cheese soup (if you're adventurous), but it's the fusion of the two cultures that produces exciting dishes like spicy blood sausage or tofu in a fiery chili sauce. If the original upstairs restaurant is full, head directly across the street to the newer, expanded digs.

This straightforward local restaurant not only has one of the best restaurant names in the borough, but they're serving up some of the tastiest fried chicken in New York. UFC serves organic, humanely raised birds, fried crisp, spicy, and addictive with soy, garlic, or hot sauce. Other items on the menu include spicy pork bulgogi empanadas, beef bulgogi burgers, and good ol' cheese fries, but crispy chicken paired with one of the many craft beers on tap is a foolproof move here.