Queens is NYC’s most diverse borough—and a culinary trip through its enclaves is like a tasting tour of the world.
Queens’s proximity to the airports and comparatively lower cost of living have long made it a first stop for new arrivals, who quickly settle down and become New Yorkers. In recent years, Queens has been christened both the “most diverse county in the U.S.” and the “language capital of the world,” with hundreds of nationalities forming their own tight-knit but welcoming communities, and hundreds of languages or dialects spoken. The multitude of cultures and backgrounds that make up this densely packed borough have also led to a complex culinary mix.
Some of these cuisines, like Greek and Egyptian in Astoria, Indian in Jackson Heights, or Italians in Corona, have been here for generations, while others, like Thai restaurants in Elmhurst, Chinese in Forest Hills, or Himalayan “momo” dumpling shops in what is now called “Little Tibet,” have only cropped up in the last ten years or so. The 7 train, which begins in Manhattan and shoots through multiple neighborhoods before ending in downtown Flushing, is considered the “international subway,” but you can also find great eats along the express E and F and the local M and R trains. One thing’s for certain: wherever you land in Queens, you’re only steps away from something delicious.