Best of Forest Hills
Ten Forest Hills classics, from a 1925 ice cream parlor to the burger pub beside the LIRR. Every spot checked and verified open, not lifted from old lists.
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The list
- 1Forest Hills · $$ · 105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Century-old ice cream parlor, opened in 1925 and run by the Citrano family since 1968, with its original marble counter and tin ceiling still in place.
Because the ice cream, the syrups, and the whipped cream are all still made in house, served over a marble counter that has been in continuous use since 1925.
Order Hot fudge sundae with the house-made whipped cream
It is cash only and the stools fill fast on warm weekend afternoons, so a weekday evening is the calmest way to get a seat.
Photo: Joe Shlabotnik, CC BY 2.0 Photo: Joe Shlabotnik, CC BY 2.0 - 2Forest Hills · $$ · 108-26 Ascan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brick-oven pizzeria a block off Austin Street, serving thin-crust pies, calzones, and Italian desserts from the same Ascan Avenue corner since 1993.
Because the pies come out of the same brick oven that has anchored Ascan Avenue since 1993, sold whole and never by the slice.
Order The fresh mozzarella pie, with a cannoli after
There are no slices and no reservations, and weekday doors open at 4 pm, so arrive early with a whole pie appetite.
@nickspizzaforesthills ↗Nick's Pizza
From @nickspizzaforesthills on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 3Forest Hills · $$ · Forest Hills-71 Av (E F M R) · 13 Station Square, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Tiny wood-paneled pub tucked beside the landmark Forest Hills LIRR station, pouring beers and flipping burgers since 1995.
Because Jamie, sister of the founding chef, still runs the room, and the burger has kept locals arguing since 1995 that the best one in Queens hides next to a train station.
Order The bacon cheeseburger
The room holds only a handful of tables, so land before 7 on a weeknight or plan to wait with a pint at the bar.
@dirty_pierres ↗Dirty Pierre's
From @dirty_pierres on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 4Forest Hills · $$ · 103-02 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Handcrafted chocolate shop operating in the same Metropolitan Avenue storefront since 1930, when it opened as Krause's Candy Kitchen, still using antique equipment and the original recipes.
Because the chocolate is still made on antique equipment from recipes that have run in this one storefront since 1930, through three generations of the Aigner family and the owners who took over in 2015.
Order A box of the hand-dipped dark chocolate truffles
They suspend shipping during summer heat, so in warm months the only way to get the chocolate is to walk into the shop, which pairs neatly with a cone from Eddie's two blocks away.
@aignerchocolates ↗Aigner Chocolates
From @aignerchocolates on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 5Forest Hills · $$ · 67 Av (M R) · 100-28 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Traditional kosher Hungarian bakery on Queens Boulevard since 1976, turning out hand-stretched strudel, rugelach, dobos torte, and babka.
Because the strudel dough is still stretched by hand the old Hungarian way, in the same Queens Boulevard flagship the bakery has held since 1976.
Order The apple strudel
Popular strudel flavors thin out as the day goes on, so stop in before the evening commute if you want the full choice of fillings.
@andreshungarianbakery ↗Andre's Hungarian Bakery
From @andreshungarianbakery on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 6Forest Hills · $$ · Forest Hills-71 Av (E F M R) · 72-05 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Festive, family-run Mexican cantina on Austin Street since 1990, its name a pun on the five boroughs, known for strong margaritas, fajitas, and a packed kitschy dining room.
Because the Cornejo family has owned and run it since 1990, and the margaritas, not the decor, are the reason the dining room still fills on an ordinary Tuesday.
Order A frozen margarita alongside the sizzling fajitas
Weekend waits are real, so either come on a weeknight or put your name in and walk Austin Street until your table calls.
@5burrocafe ↗5 Burro Cafe
From @5burrocafe on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 7Forest Hills · $$ · 75 Av (E F) · 109-01 72nd Rd, Forest Hills, NY 11375
French bakery-café just off Austin Street, run by French bakers making croissants, baguettes, tarts, and quiche, with a glass wall onto the working kitchen.
Because the croissants are laminated on site by French bakers, and the glass wall onto the kitchen lets you watch them prove it.
Order A plain butter croissant
The pastry case is a morning proposition, since croissants routinely sell out well before closing.
@la_boulangerie_fh ↗La Boulangerie de François
From @la_boulangerie_fh on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 8Forest Hills · $$ · Forest Hills-71 Av (E F M R) · 106-11 71st Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Also No. 8 on Best Hangouts in Queens →
Craft-beer gastropub off Austin Street with 16 rotating taps, whiskey, cocktails, and elevated pub fare, open since 2013.
Because its 16 rotating taps have made it the neighborhood's serious beer bar since 2013, close enough to Forest Hills Stadium that it doubles as the concert crowd's living room.
Order A pour from whichever of the 16 rotating taps the bartender vouches for
On stadium show nights it fills hours before the gates open, so arrive very early or wait until the opening act starts to claim a stool.
@fhstationhouse ↗Forest Hills Station House
From @fhstationhouse on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
- 9Forest Hills · $$ · Forest Hills-71 Av (E F M R) · 70-28 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Dessert bakery-café on Austin Street, the busiest outpost of a Queens-born mini-chain, serving cheesecakes, fruit pies, cupcakes, and coffee late into the night.
Because it is the rare New York bakery that serves cheesecake and fruit pie until midnight, and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Order A slice of the New York cheesecake
Weekend afternoons bring a line to the door, so use the late hours and go after 10 pm when the room quiets down.
Photo: Chun Yip So, CC BY 2.0 Photo: Chun Yip So, CC BY 2.0 - 10Forest Hills · $$ · Forest Hills-71 Av (E F M R) · 1 Station Square, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge on the ground floor of the landmark Tudor Forest Hills Inn, on cobblestoned Station Square since 2006, with a historic Tea Garden used for events.
Because since 2006 it has held the ground floor of the most photographed building in Forest Hills Gardens, surviving the renovations of Station Square that shuttered neighbors around it.
Order Sushi at a window table looking onto Station Square
Book ahead for weekend dinners and ask for a table facing the square, and in warm months ask whether the Tea Garden is open.
@jadeeatery ↗Jade Eatery & Lounge
From @jadeeatery on Instagram, shown through Instagram's own embed player.
Good to know
- Is anything on this list cash only?
- Yes, Eddie's Sweet Shop is cash only, so bring bills for your sundae.
- What's the best time to go to avoid a wait?
- Eddie's Sweet Shop is calmer on a weekday evening than a warm weekend afternoon, and 5 Burro Cafe's weekend waits are real, so a weeknight beats putting your name in and walking Austin Street.
- Any seasonal quirks worth knowing?
- Aigner Chocolates suspends shipping during summer heat, so in warm months you can only get the chocolate by walking into the shop, which pairs well with a cone from Eddie's two blocks away.