Here is a list of restaurants in Forest Hills, which is by no means comprehensive but reflects some of the more authentic choices. The variety and quality of restaurants continued to improve prior to Covid shutdowns. There are many options to choose from, all close by.
Here is the list:
Tuscan Hills on Queens Blvd. Run by 2 brothers from Tuscany, it has some excellent authentic Tuscan dishes including fish stew (Cacciucco).
http://www.tuscanhillsnyc.com
Parkside in Corona, a 10 minute drive. Rated one of the top Italian restaurants in NYC for the last 30 years, very well known for traditional Italian.
https://www.parksiderestaurantny.com/
Katsuno on Metropolitan, less than half a mile. Chef is a Tokyo native who got his Sushi training there and created this small authentic Japanese restaurant. Excellent sushi and a menu that goes well beyond that. My Japanese brother-in-law swears by the traditional egg custard for one, also with authentic Japanese beers and Saki.
https://www.katsunorestaurant.com/
Cabana on Restaurant Row (71st Road, 1 block east of Continental). Nuevo Latino cuisine, they did have a location in Manhattan and in Miami at different times. Consistently excellent quality and flavor; just not easy to get in. Very good fish dishes, meats and Paella.
https://www.cabanarestaurant.com/
Nic’s Bistro and Agora, 2 authentic Greek restaurants, Nic’s on Metro and Agora on Austin Street, both very close. Nic’s is more casual with American dishes complimenting Greek fare in a very hospitable environment; all of the food is well-prepared. Agora focuses on traditional Greek seafood dishes in a modern setting.
http://www.nicksbistro.com/
http://prod.getmymeal.com/en/agorataverna/home
Dee’s Wood Fired Pizza and Kitchen. On Metropolitan as well, maybe half a mile, great wood-fired pizza and American and Italian comfort food, very popular with the locals. We eat there regularly.
https://www.deesnyc.com/
Metro Taco, on Metropolitan as well. Relatively new, in an upscale environment with both authentic and creative Mexican food. Very good flavors.
https://metro-taco.com/
Mighty Quinn’s Casual BBQ, ON Queens Blvd by the Midway Theatre. Excellent ribs and brisket with pulled pork, chicken and sausage as well as excellent side orders. Small dining room but their food travels well for pick up.
Il Poeta, on Metropolitan to the west. Very authentic Northern Italian, served in the Italian way (dinner is 2-3 hours) with great service. Dishes are not Americanized. Can also get daily specials that are not on many menus, such as tripe.
https://www.ilpoetanyc.com/
There has also been an influx of Chinese food into Forest Hills, there was a NYTimes article about Forest Hills becoming a rival to Flushing. Here are a few:
The Bund, on Queens Blvd at Forest Hills / Rego Park border. Authentic Chinese from immigrants who came from Shanghai; lots of Chef’s Special and excellent soup dumplings.
http://www.bundon67.com/
Memories of Shanghai, on Austin Street. Again, an immigrant chef from Shanghai who specializes in steamed dumplings and Dim Sum. Very well liked, very friendly chef/owner.
https://www.memoriesshanghai.com/
Spy C Cuisine on Austin Street. More immigrant chef/owners, specializing in authentic Sichuan and Hunan cuisine. Very casual atmosphere, does a ton of food delivery. Our ethnically Chinese friends call it a favorite.
https://www.spycnyc.com/
Flushing is also only a couple of miles away with well-known restaurants.
London Lenny’s on Woodhaven, about 2 miles away. A real institution, the neighborhood seafood restaurant of choice for many years. During normal times, an extensive raw bar, selection of fresh fish, lobster and crab.
https://www.londonlennies.com/
Queens Bully, on Queen Blvd. Relatively new, this restaurant has American BBQ and also adds international flavors to traditional meats. Creative combinations and side dishes.
https://www.queensbully.com/
White Radish on Ascan. A brand new restaurant, it is the one of the first self-proclaimed “farm to table” restaurants in the neighborhood, and it has a nice variety on the menu without going crazy.
https://www.whiteradishnyc.com/
There are also some pubs in the area with very strong followings, here are a couple of them:
Station House, right off Station Square. This could be in an affluent area of Manhattan with an enormous craft beer and hand-crafted cocktail menu in addition to American pub classics with some interesting twists and internationally inspired specials.
https://www.fhstationhouse.com/
Dirty Pierre’s (aka Lucien’s), on Station Square. Small beloved local spot known for excellent food even though in large quantities. Original owner/chef was CIA chef who wanted to create his own bistro in Forest Hills and did so very successfully. Menu is pub food with French influence and menu items.
https://dirtypierres.com/
Tikka Indian Grill, on Metro in Kew Gardens. It is a chain, but Indian friends swear by it for Tikka and Biryani, not so much for Tandoori.
https://www.tikkaindiangrill.com/
Umi Sushi, on Metro. Excellent Japanese appetizers, rolls and delivery sushi. More 5 star ratings than any other sushi delivery restaurant in Forest HIlls. https://tapthru.com/store/umi-queens-7683/
Mi Tea, on 71st Continental. A large assortments of teas and tea/fruit mixes as well as some great fried chicken options. I love the salt popcorn chicken. http://www.mitea.us/forest-hilles/
Lastly, here is Trip Advisor’s take on the best restaurants in Forest Hills: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g47732-Forest_Hills_Queens_New_York.html
