Home to people from more than 100 countries, Astoria is one of New York City’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, located in the City’s most culturally diverse borough: Queens. Astoria’s blend of communities, traditions and cuisines is on full display along Steinway Street, a major north-south thoroughfare in the neighborhood.
Steinway Street was named after the famous German-born piano-maker, who set up his (still-functioning) factory along with residences for workers here back in the 19th century. Today, the street is a busy commercial area, with hundreds of businesses that reflect the vibrant cultures of the neighborhood’s Arab, Greek, Latin American and Asian residents.
Steinway Street
Looking to try a hookah pipe or Yemeni coffee? Craving bubble tea or baklava? Empanadas or fresh seafood? This bustling street has got you covered. Locals and visitors alike are no strangers to Steinway Street; Abuqir Seafood has gone viral across social media while Mombar is beloved by food critics.
Although Steinway Street spans more than two miles from top to bottom, its main hub is concentrated between Astoria Boulevard to the north and 34th Avenue to the south.
For a full day of exploring, start near 34th Avenue and work your way up toward 28th Avenue, where you’ll come to the stretch known as Little Egypt.
Along the way, you'll find plenty of places to hang out, shop and eat from morning to night. Below, follow along our curated guide to spending a day into the night on Steinway Street.
Have Lunch at Franky’s Souvlaki
Corner of 31st Ave. & Steinway St.
Astoria is bursting with Greek cuisine offerings, both high-end and street eats. Franky’s food truck stands out in the latter category for its reasonable prices, consistent food quality and friendly service. That’s how it’s stayed in business for a whopping 53 years—all on the same street corner. Locals love to order souvlaki sticks, which start at $4 a piece. If you’re in the mood for a heartier meal, get the sticks in a pita sandwich or a rice platter, which will set you back anywhere between $9 and $14. The menu is meat-heavy, but there’s also shrimp. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to grab one of the six chairs on the sidewalk available for patrons. Note that Sundays are cash-only.
Franky Englezos at Franky's Souvlaki
Franky's Souvlaki
Falafel rice platter
Enjoy Coffee and a Cutesy Treat at Meadow Dessert
31-12 Steinway St.
At Asian-inspired bakeries, “not too sweet” is one of the highest compliments pastry chefs hope to receive. Meadow Dessert offers fresh, whimsical-looking treats that won’t leave your teeth aching. The shop showcases seasonal ingredients, which means the menu switches up every few months. A crowd favorite is the Basque cheesecake—with its mousse-like texture and characteristic scorched top—which could be flavored with sesame, matcha or exotic fruits, depending on the time of year. Signature, year-round menu items include classic tiramisu, vanilla shortcake and a fluffy chiffon cake. Meadow Dessert also offers specialty drinks like the matcha einspänner, made with a sweet cream foam, as well as coffees featuring beans from NYC roaster Variety.
Meadow Dessert
Clockwise, from the top: Caramel Lava Cheesecake, Classic Tiramisu, Ice Chiffon Cake, Black Sesame Basque Cheesecake, Mango Bear Mousse and Coconut Milk Kitty Pudding. Center: Earl Grey Tea Cheesecake.
Blueberry and chocolate lattes
After Coffee, Browse the Hour Children’s Shop
31-24 Steinway St.
This thrift shop is open nearly every day, including most holidays. Peruse high-quality items, from clothes and bedding to furniture and housewares. You might even find a random surprise, like a flute or a brand-new massage table. By shopping here, you’ll be supporting a good cause. Hour Children’s Shop is part of a larger nonprofit organization dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated mothers get back on their feet and reunite with their kids. Prices range from single to triple digits, depending on the size and condition of the goods. Inventory—all donation-based—is put out on the floor nearly every weekday. Proceeds from the shop directly support the organization’s programs, which include housing, mental health and job training services.
Tammy Blake at Hour Children’s Shop
Linger Over Dinner at Sabry’s Seafood
24-25 Steinway St.
At Sabry’s, one of the oldest Egyptian seafood restaurants in Astoria, there’s no wrong choice. The menu is extensive, but you could just as easily ask Chef Sabry for any kind of preparation on the seafood of your choice. Fish dishes are served Alexandria-style, which means they’re charred nicely and seasoned with cumin and lemon, while the pita is baked in-house and will arrive at your table warm. Come for a grilled whole lobster, frutti di mare pasta or bubbly tagine. There’s no alcohol on the menu, and BYOB is not allowed, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying a bountiful dinner. Because everything is cooked to order, expect a leisurely pace, which will work out just great if you’re spending a late-night evening on the strip.
Asser Hamdy and staff at Sabry's Seafood
Tajine mixed, hummus, baba ghanoush, eggplant with tomato, mixed green salad, and lemonade at Sabry's Seafood
Sabry's lobster tail dish
Dance the Night Away at Sands of Persia
25-01 Steinway St.
There’s no shortage of hookah lounges on Steinway Street, but the vibe at Sands of Persia is especially lively, and an NYC Tourism favorite. On Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy your hookah while a belly dancer slithers to a live DJ set. There are over a dozen shisha flavors available, including combinations that evoke a passionfruit mojito or contain a hint of betel leaf. Otherwise, the menu is full of photogenic, elaborate cocktails, like the Sultan’s Secret (a vodka and lychee drink) or the Arabian Inferno (a spicy pineapple mezcal margarita). Not imbibing? There are also decadent desserts, mocktails, milkshakes and bar snacks. But keep in mind that even if you’re not drinking, you’ll still have to be 21+ to enter.
Melissa Han Chen at Sands of Persia Lounge & Restaurant
Persian Sunset at Sands of Persia Lounge & Restaurant
Hookah
Prolong Your Night Out at Moka & Co.
28-54 Steinway St.
If you’re looking for a place to regroup after Sands of Persia or want a chill place to hang with friends and family, even well into the evening, the distinctly communal coffee culture of Yemeni coffeehouses should be on your radar. At Moka & Co., you can choose personal-sized drinks of 12 or 16 ounces or order a pot for the table; this latter option isn’t on the menu but is available to those who ask. All teas and coffees here are imported from Yemen. Popular drinks include the Mufawar, a traditional Yemeni coffee brewed with creamy milk and cardamom, or the Adeni chai, a milky black tea with evaporated milk and cloves. The pistachio latte is a nontraditional but Yemeni-inspired coffee drink that customers love. And for children or anyone who’s avoiding caffeine, there are also plenty of other options, like the Yemeni limeade.
Turkish coffee at Moka & Co.
Tiramisu cup, roses milkcake, safran milkcake, mango refresher, and turkish coffee
Steinway Street
