Everywhere You’ll Want to Eat in Long Island City

For an intimate super-fine dining experience…

Meju, a Michelin-starred eight-seat counter spot from chef Hooni Kim, fits the bill when you want luxury without the clamor. The focus here is on Korean fermentation, which means you’re in for dishes like gochujang and raw fish, kimchi and rice, and sikhye, a Korean rice drink, and red bean. It’s housed in the back of Little Banchan Shop, which only adds to the feeling that this is a true neighborhood spot.

For a drink that’s harder to find than it should be…

Head to Jora, a Peruvian spot that’s been serving up pisco sours to the neighborhood for more than 10 years. It’s got prime corner real estate and a bright, sunny interior that’s ideal for spending a summer day (with air conditioning). Do know that the ceviche and veal heart skewers are required eating.

For rooftop views of Manhattan…

Lost in Paradise fits the bill when you want all the views a rooftop offers without having to go to midtown. There’s guacamole, elote, empanadas, and tacos on the menu — what more could you want? Maybe a margarita, which luckily for you, they also have.

For a brief trip to Paris, sans airfare…

There are very few frills at Tournesol, but it still manages to make any occasion feel special. When we’re here, we like to go full Francophile and order the French onion soup, croque monsieur, homemade foie gras terrine, and a glass of something cold and bubbly. The breakfast happens to also be very good, if you feel so inclined.

For a burger best enjoyed by the water…

There are few pleasures so great as the opportunity to enjoy a meal next to a body of water. As New Yorkers, we’re lucky enough to have several nearby beaches and waterfronts, and LIC boasts one of the prettiest. Don’t try to rewrite the script at American Brass. Come here for a good burger, a seafood platter with shrimp cocktail and oysters, and maybe some mac and cheese. Sit outside, always, if you can.

For when you need to feel warm, literally or metaphorically…

When one is in need of comfort, few foods come close to the power that ramen has. There’s something about slurping up those noodles, the glistening broth, and the perfectly runny egg that just makes us feel cozy, no matter what the temperature is outside. At Takumen, we think the super-cilantro shio ramen with (duh) lots of cilantro, slow-cooked chicken, and thick-cut noodles could cure pretty much anything that ails you. Order a cold beer and some soy garlic wings, too, while you’re at it.

For people-pleasing pizza…

Head right to Beebe’s. Yes, it’s a restaurant in a hotel, but it’s not a hotel restaurant. And no, we won’t be elaborating on what we mean by that. At Beebe’s the crust is thin, and the cheese is perfectly browned and bubbling. Get a pie or two (or six) and some pepperoni chips (Bad Roman, who?!) or mussels to share. It’s a good spot to go with a group, or with anyone who enjoys good food.

For a speakeasy that doesn’t make you feel too old to be there…

It’s not just the name of a fabulous television show. The Newsroom in LIC is a speakeasy-style bar in the basement of what used to be the Z Hotel. Make your way through the 90’s-style subway station to the entrance (hint: try opening the Snapple fridge) to find yourself inside a decidedly swank bar. Order a drink (dealer’s choice), the fried plantains, and oxtail pizza.

For award-winning Mexican food…

For many years, chef Cosme Aguilar’s Casa Enrique was the city’s lone Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant. Times may have changed, but the food here is just as impeccable as it’s always been. Go for the guacamole that comes with freshly fried totopos (a tortilla chip’s sexier cousin), the slow-cooked lengua tacos, and whatever ice cream the kitchen has made that day.

For a first date…

56709 is what first-date dreams are made of. It’s the sister-slash-continuation of the bar 929, with the same focus on music, in particular, Japanese, Cantonese, and Mandarin pop. There’s low lighting, sexy, plush booths, and plenty of memorabilia on the walls to discuss if conversation stalls. As such, all the drinks are named after genre stars, like the Seiko, with aged rum, genmaicha, honeydew, and lemon. Don’t forget food, either, as the baked sweet potato with miso butter and meat floss and the fried oysters with Taiwanese pickles are not to be missed.

For an elusive crab dish…

You’ve probably seen Rice Thief’s delivery of Korean soy-marinated crabs all over your For You page. They’re gelatinous and shining, and pretty much always sell out instantly. Luckily for you (and for everyone), they’ve now opened a restaurant in Long Island City after years serving out of a ghost kitchen in Queens. Come early, come hungry, and come not wearing something you don’t want to stain.

For a listening room that’s about more than just listening…

We love the fact that New York is now home to several listening bars, each one seemingly cooler, more niche, and more exclusive than the next. Record Room happens to be a perfect balance of all these things, with a luxe red-lit space and easy-to-love food like fries and hot chicken sandwiches. Don’t forget an espresso martini (theirs comes with coconut foam) and your most pensive listening face.

For an (even more) unconventional steakhouse experience…

We’re still mourning the loss of our platonic ideal of a steakhouse, M. Wells, but luckily for everyone, they’ve been hosting regular pop-ups at On The 7 wine bar in their original neighborhood of LIC. You can pop by Sunday or Monday for a taste of their rotating menu; past dishes have included wedge salad, shrimp cocktail, and foie-gras stuffed duck. Swoon.

Ellie Plass is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn. Follow her on Instagram and X. Follow Resy on Instagram and X, too.