Location: Kew Gardens
Top Restaurants in Kew Gardens
New York, United States Food Guide: 10 Italian food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Kew Gardens
Reviews on Italian food in Kew Gardens, New York, United States. Kew Gardens is a neighborhood in the central area of the New York City borough of Queens. Kew Gardens, shaped roughly like a triangle, is bounded to the north by Union Turnpike and the Jackie Robinson Parkway (formerly the Interboro Parkway), to the east by Van Wyck Expressway and 131st Street, to the south by Hillside Avenue, and to the west by Park Lane, Abingdon Road, and 118th Street. Forest Park and the neighborhood of Forest Hills are to the west, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park north, Richmond Hill south, Briarwood southeast, and Kew Gardens Hills east.
Things to do in Kew Gardens
10. Pizza Classica
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By TheSushiGuy
Pizza Classica has been a favorite guys night out destination for us for the past 9 years. Our group of 5 visits this establishment to enjoy their great food and experience their great service. Service was not great tonight. I felt we were ignored the entire evening. Getting drink refills tonight was like pulling teeth. We only saw our server when he took the order, once when we flagged him down for a refill, and when the check was dropped. Definitely, not the experience we anticipated. Never had such Subpar service here. Our group met 13 years ago working as waiters in a catering hall. We know hospitality and still tipped 20%. Maybe our server had an off night.We started with rice balls and wings. Both were very good. Wings were slightly spicy and crispy. As an entree, the three of us split a Chicken Caesar Pizza. It was as good as usual with plenty of grilled chicken. For dessert, I had Italian Cheesecake with coffee. It was a perfect cup of coffee! I would love to know the brand. The Italian Cheesecake was decadent, very light and creamy with a hint of orange.The food quality ended up saving this review from a "Poor" rating. Hopefully, next visit will have better service. I think it was a one off. We would tip 30% for great service. All in all, check this place out for dinner. You cannot go wrong.
9. Don Peppe's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Mark B
This was one of the best meals I have ever had. Generous portions of fabulous Italian food and wonderful waiters. Salads, clams, pasta with clams, pasta with shrimp, veal, lamb, it was all outstanding. The desserts were a feast as well.
8. Dee's Brick Oven Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By ruth b
If you want a pizza with the toppings you desire; and if you want the crispiest crust one can imagine; look no further. This is the place to go. Also friendly, polite servers and a happy atmosphere.
7. Alberto Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 79 reviews
Alberto has been a neighborhood institution for over 35 years. Owners, Silvana & Roberto Chiappelloni, originally from Piacenza, Italy, have always believed that good food should not be outrageously expensive and that good wines are meant to be enjoyed. A
Reviewed By NorForker_AJM
When a restaurant survives for 41 years, it has to be doing something right. Alberto's is not simply surviving, it's thriving. Under the continued watchful eyes of Silvana and Roberto, the siblings who started the restaurant, and a team of first-class servers, some of whom have been with the restaurant for decades, Alberto sets the standard for fine Northern Italian dining.It's classic regional pasta offering, tortelli, a melt-in-your-mouth pasta that you won't find anyplace else, is worth travelling hours to experience again and again. If you had a Northern Italian grandmother, it will bring back some wonderful memories. You will also find entrees like rack of lamb in a savory crust that fewer restaurants are offering, and unlike those that do, the portion is generous and cooked perfectly. The tuna with tomatoes and onions, another classic dish, seared, was enough for two and beautifully presented.Finish the meal with strawberries and zabaglione and a complimentary glass of moscato, and you'll want to return, after a visit to the gym, of course!It's well worth a trip from Manhattan or the east end of Long Island to visit Alberto's, again and again.
6. Portofino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By 768richardmp
At my girlfriends urging we (finally) had a meal at this local Italian restaurant which is a mere 3 1/2 blocks walking distance from our abode. She has garnered many great reviews from her co-workers specific to Portofino so yesterday after work we paid a visit so to speak. The interior is airy with high ceilings and big windows which is attractive from my point of view. At front is a small bar where drinks are prepared however this space lacks a counter or seats hence you may dine only at tables which are covered in thick white tablecloths. Napkins are cloth too and chairs are cushioned hence an upscale type ambience. Delicious garlic bread is first offered to all diners : small crusty and toasted slices of Italian bread delicately adorned with olive oil and garlic hence you may enjoy a bite or two with your wine or cocktails.We started our meal with the grilled octopus appetizer which we shared and offers enough for two. I typically will order grilled octopus if on the menu and use this as a gauge as tasty, soft grilled octopus requires a level of kitchen proficiency. This dish is listed on the menu with a connotation âPortugueseâ which I guess is the origin of the octopus. Naming convention aside, the octopus is presented in pieces and mixed with salad greens and lightly coated with EVOO and spices. It is a wonderful dish and my girlfriend and I enjoyed the tender and tasty pieces bite after bite until the serving dish was empty.For a main course she ordered the Angelotti : pasta stuffed with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and sun dried tomatoes. The pasta was coated in a Madeira sauce and my companion found it quite delicious. I opted for a Rigatoni Bolognese which was also quite tasty and well prepared. House wine (Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot) in addition to a Dewers and ginger ale were satisfying accompaniments to our meal which we finished with green tea, a double espresso and an excellent egg custard.I did not expect this local restaurant to be so good, am happy it is close by and we will return soon !
5. Il Poeta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By DrKatieRN
Came with family for a celebration!! Itâs a small. Cozy restaurant with little noise. The walls were decorated with art. Parking is on the street. For appetizers we shared baked clams, fried calamari, and filled octopus. Our 9 year old is an octopus lover. They were all good including the crust bread served with olive oil and capers. For entrees we enjoyed steak, home made spaghetti with mixed seafood, Cheyenne Recast with mashed potatoes, chicken fingers (for a little girl). All were delicious!For dessert we enjoyed ice cream and tartufo. The pistachio tartufo and amaretto tartufo weâre unusual and very good. Service was excellent.
4. Dani's House Of Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 86 reviews
Daniâs House of Pizza has been a Kew Gardens landmark since 1959. Thereâs a reason why weâve been here for 50+ years: fantastic food, a friendly relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices are just a few of the reasons that Daniâs has proudly continued to be
Reviewed By JtotheA1
Interesting place to say the least. A couple of friends and I came here before grabbing drinks at a bar down the block to get some slices. Place was semi-busy and they told us we couldnât just order a pie and sit in dining room with 4 of us and eat it and that we could ONLY order from a waitress but we could get 8 slices at the cost per slice and not at cost per pie. We were explaining to them that we shouldnât have to pay more than a pie if we were ordering the same amount of slices as a pie. The perk of getting a pie is to save a couple bucks. Didnât make sense to us. Clearly they didnât care about our business and they acted like it. Oh well, probably wonât be heading back here for a slice, pie or whatever else.
3. Bruno's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
5 based on 307 reviews
Reviewed By Lynn45tyler
We usually order the ravioli. Cheese is our favorite. Portions are wonderful tasting and very filling. Salads are fresh and crispy and nice sized. Dressings are fresh tasting. Homemade bread is hearty and delicious. Staff is most friendly and attentive. Prices are very good. Going to try their cauliflower crust pizza next time. This place is so clean and kept one would think it is brand new but it is a well established place. When he can, the chef comes out front and checks on every table. Casual dress. This is a 5 STAR Restaurant
2. Nick's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 146 reviews
Nick's Pizza Forest Hills has been serving up thin crust pizzas & calzones for over 20 years. Melty mozzarella and fresh ingredients in Forest Hills, NY.
Reviewed By Gary P K
I had no problem with the food, but I had a problem with the manner of service that I received. I asked him to have some wider width lemon wedges for my water so that I could squeeze them into my water. Well, he refused to go into the kitchen to cut a lemon the way I wanted. He also refused to get me a lemon from the kitchen so that I may cut it myself. All I was left with was these non-squeezable really thin lemon slices that absolutely did nothing. These lemon wedges are a garnish, whereas, I should have never been denied these lemon wedges for my water. A very reasonable garnish request from a guest inside of Nick's having dinner should have never be denied. This is the cost of doing business, an extremely small cost, mind you. My bill was $40.00 Good service means as much as the food!!Gary, rest assured you're right to expect outstanding service here -- I'm truly sorry for any miscommunication on our end regarding your lemon wedges. It's great to know you enjoyed the food overall, and I hope you'll have another opportunity to join us for a visit sometime soon. You can always expect a warm welcome here.All the best,Gus, Owner
1. Parkside Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 462 reviews
Reviewed By R G
As Italian Americans ourselves, we know what is good and what is not. Having been to the Parkside in the past, we knew that we would have a very tasty italian meal to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The entire experience was wonderful. First, valet parking was quick and efficient. Having made reservations on a Friday night, we were warmly greeted and seated promptly. Our waiter and busboy worked as a team and were extremely efficient. Wine was brought out promptly and is reasonably priced. Then our appetizers of stuffed mushrooms and cold antipasto arrived and were very good. Pasta was next and the sauce was seasoned just right. Our entrees of veal sorrentino and veal marsala were very tender and delicious. A side of sauteed escarole was tasty. The pistachio tartufo and capuccinos finished off a wonderful meal. The Parkside continues to provide excellent food, great service in a friendly atmosphere!
Where to eat American food in Kew Gardens: The Best Restaurants and Bars
