Best food in Astoria, Queens

Azteca Pride
This brick-and-mortar spin-off of the cultworthy El Rey del Taco truck serves our favorite quesadilla—flor de calabaza, brimming with plump squash blossoms ($7.60). Be sure to order a house-made agua fresca, like the sweet-tart tamarindo ($2). 32-41 Steinway St between Broadway and 34th Ave (718-204-0241)

Balkh Shish Kabab House
Expats at this cozy Afghan lair come for tasty classics, such as bolanee kadu ($4.50), squares of pastry enveloping velvety mashed pumpkin, and expertly grilled skewers of meat. The chicken ($13)—charred outside, tender within, with raisin and carrot-studded brown basmati rice—is our go-to. 23-10 31st St between 23rd Ave and 23rd Rd (718-721-5020)

Eastern Nights
Among the best hookah hideaways lining Steinway Street’s Little Egypt is Eastern Nights. Regulars tuck into homestyle dishes such as Arabic lasagna ($8), a mammoth brick of perfumed ground beef and noodles bound by creamy béchamel. Sample one of the many fresh juices—like the cleansing lemon-and-mint ($5)—before hitting the shisha. 25-35 Steinway St between 25th and 28th Aves (718-204-7608)

Himalaya Teahouse
A surplus of Tibetan rugs and a lush back garden set the tone at this tea lovers’ haven, where loose-leaf organic and fair-trade varieties are served ceremoniously in hefty iron pots. Try the low-key Ceylon Curls green tea ($3.95), or a mug of fragrant masala chai ($3.95). 33-17 31st Ave between 33rd and 34th Sts (718-777-7450, himalayateahouse.com)

Il Bambino
Though its sexy new garden isn’t long for this season, locals continue to hit up this casual Italian go-to for its crackling panini ($9), in combinations like fresh tomato, goat cheese and tapenade. 34-08 31st Ave between 34th and 35th Sts (718-626-0087, ilbambinonyc.com)

Mundo Café and Restaurant
This Mediterranean-meets–South American eatery offers spot-on global eats such as the “Red Sonja” ($7), filling lentil patties wrapped in romaine lettuce, and the ground-beef dumplings ($14) in yogurt sauce seasoned with sumac, mint and paprika. 31-18 Broadway at 32nd St (718-777-2829, mundoastoria.com)

San Antonio Bakery
The tres leches cakes and alfajores sandwich cookies may lure you in, but it’s an unlikely specialty—the “Completo” hot dog ($3.50)—that has earned this bakeshop a following. Avocado and a drizzle of spicy pebre elevate their frank to epic status. 36-20 Astoria Blvd at 37th St (718-777-8733)

St. Honore Patisserie
Some comment on this 64-year-old French pastry shop’s plain interior—we say all the better to showcase the stupendous baked goods. The slender, chewy baguette is the ’hood’s finest, but our top treat is the apple tart ($2.75): thinly sliced fruit laid over delicate puff pastry made in-house daily. 33-18 Ditmars Blvd at 33rd St (718-278-3558)

Titan Foods
Join Astoria’s nostalgic Greek community in the crowded aisles of this Aegean grocery. Ration your time among the surplus of delights, including made-in-Greece olive oils, honeys and pastas, thick yogurts, sour cherry preserves and an expansive olive bar. 25-56 31st St between Astoria Blvd and 28th Ave (718-626-7771, titanfood.com)

Vesta
Some Astorians deem Vesta the best thing to have happened to the ’hood since Elias Corner. (Only it’s Italian.) This perpetually packed trattoria attracts diners nightly with its modern rustic cuisine—and pasta in particular. We can’t say no to the cavatappi with spicy cauliflower and bread crumbs ($9.50) and hearty three-meat lasagna ($14.95). 21-02 30th Ave at 21st St (718-545-5550, vestavino.com)

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