Everywhere You’ll Want to Eat in Queens Near Forest Hills Stadium and Citi Field

Cheering on the Mets or your favorite tennis player means you’ll need your strength, no matter how much we wish we could show up on an empty stomach and not pass out from stress. Enter CheLi, an excellent reason to head to the area, even on a non-game or non-match day. A critic favorite and certified institution, this Shanghainese spot serves up superb dim sum, blue crab soaked in wine, and tofu skin rolls. They’re open for lunch and dinner, so going again after the game is also an option. Just saying.

Marani serves up a large menu of Georgian delicacies that all happen to be kosher. Make sure to order the pelmeni to start, and one of their baked-to-order savory pies (we’re partial to the beef). They also serve kebab by the piece, so you can achieve that ideal lamb chop for the table ratio. Its location in Rego Park make it a convenient stop before or after you catch a show at Forest Hills Stadium.

You know why you’re here. It’s for the hand-pulled laghman noodles, stretchy and thin, topped with a ladle of savory beef stew. It’s easy to get lost in the menu at Nurlan, especially as you make your way through lesser-seen Uyghur dishes in their cozy, utilitarian dining room. Wait, were we going to see a game, or a match?

Walk-ins only.

There are few ways to improve on the experience of hot pot, but Chongqing Lao Zao manages to do just that by taking their last call for orders at midnight. Celebrate the night’s Mets win (we’re manifesting) by going all out at this wood-lined, traditionally adorned spot with the triple flavor pot (hot, please), some thousand-layered tripe, beef skewers, and rice cakes. Oh, and some homemade black tofu. Oh, and clams. And duck feet, please.

Call (917) 563-7171 to make a reservation.

Even if you’re not eating at the table housed inside a giant birdcage, Juqi is a showstopper. You should absolutely order the Peking duck, done here exceptionally well in a way that may ruin all other Peking ducks for you. It’s served in a beautiful wooden box with caviar treats, thinly sliced cucumber, and duck soup. This is the place you take your family when they’re in town for an event, to show them that living here really is worth all the extra rent.

Call (929) 608-9797 to make a reservation.

Maybe you live in a world where you and your entire crew got tickets to see Chappell Roan this fall. If so, first of all, can you share? Second of all, bring them (and us) to Agora before the show. Park yourself at one of the long tables that are perfect for groups, and order as much as you can from their long menu of Greek classics.

We’ve waxed poetic many a time about Tacombi’s ability to appear when and where you need it most, no matter what part of our city you happen to be in. Forest Hills is no exception, with a location perched right on Austin Street, not far from the stadium. You know the drill: Grab a few quick tacos and aguas frescas with your crew, perfect for when you just want to get to the show already.