4 Best Restaurants in Long Island City, New York City

With Indian dance music on the speakers and tabloid pages papering the walls, Adda broadcasts a hip, fun vibe, though the trendy decor almost belies what comes to the table: authentic Indian favorites packed with freshly-ground spices that draw inspiration from Grandma's cookbook and Mumbai street-style fare. The Chacha’s lamb chops, marinated with garam masala spices and grilled to perfection in the clay oven are a must-try, as well as the flavorful halka phulka (snacks) like dahi batata puri, a delicately fried puff pastry meant to be eaten in one bite and filled with yogurt, chutneys, and baby potatoes. The garlic naan and black dal are also noteworthy as sides (and also to cool the palate).

Come for the tacos, stay for the margaritas: that's what a lot of local Long Island City folks do at this popular Mexican standout. The chef is from Chiapas, but expect pan-Mexican fare, with tacos crammed with slow-cooked beef tongue or rich chorizo, among other meat options; also worthy are refreshing fish ceviche and the tender meatballs wading in a spicy chipotle-tomato sauce.

New York has seen a proliferation of food halls in the past few years, but few are as sleek and modern as this LIC space. Fitting for its borough, JACX&CO offers a wide range of global flavors from independent chefs, including refreshing, vegetable-forward Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare from taïm, pastries from a James Beard award-winning chef at Ghaya, and Cantonese-style barbecue with create-your-own-bowl rice and noodle dishes from Lotus + Cleaver. Industrial lighting, exposed brick, and a plant-filled seating area make for a tranquil vibe that’s a far cry from your average food court, and the stylish bar allows you to pair your nibbles with a well-crafted cocktail.

From the team that made Long Island City a dining destination with M. Wells Dinette inside MoMA PS1 comes this mecca devoted to meat. Once you find the door—go through the gate, then walk across the courtyard—settle in at a table in the industrial space, order a cocktail (the Lucky Foot features cognac and Meletti amaro), and choose from the rotating menu of decadent appetizers like beef and scallop tartare with yuba (dried tofu skin) or foie gras, and tender steak entrées like the Bavette with shiitake butter.