Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Long Island City (11101)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Meju
A fermentation-first Korean tasting counter built around house-aged sauces.
Essential Picks
#1
Meju
9.2
A chef’s-counter tasting menu centered on Korean fermentation and aged jangs, with a calm, minimalist pacing that lets the flavors build quietly over time. This is best approached like a set experience—show up curious, commit to the progression, and let the sauces and preserved ingredients do the storytelling.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fermentation-driven tasting menu progression, House-aged jang courses (doenjang/gochujang variations), Finale rice + kimchi course
What makes it special: A fermentation-first Korean tasting counter built around house-aged sauces.
Notable Picks
#2
Casa Enrique
8.8
A long-running LIC destination for regionally rooted Mexican cooking that leans into big, slow-cooked plates as much as tacos. The room stays energetic, and the kitchen’s best dishes reward ordering beyond the basics—think mole, braises, and seafood with deep chile-driven flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole de Piaxtla, Braised lamb shank, Branzino “al pastor”
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Mexican cooking anchored by mole, braises, and bigger plates.
#3
Sushi Saint
8.8
A tiny, reservation-driven handroll counter where the experience is built around precision, pacing, and high-flavor combinations rather than huge menus. It’s a destination-style night when you want chef-driven temaki and a curated set that feels special without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bluefin tuna with black garlic handroll, A5 wagyu handroll, Ikura handroll with yuzu soy
What makes it special: Intimate handroll counter with chef-driven combinations and tight pacing.
#4
Hupo
8.8
Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Sichuan destination where sizzling woks produce mapo tofu crowned with ground peppercorns and cumin lamb with proper numbing heat. The sleek space with hardwood floors and hanging lanterns attracts locals seeking Flushing-quality cooking without the commute.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mapo Tofu with Ground Sichuan Peppercorn, Cumin Lamb, Chengdu Cold Noodles
What makes it special: Only Michelin Bib Gourmand Sichuan restaurant in Long Island City with authentic mala heat profiles
#5
Jora
8.4
A polished Peruvian kitchen with a brunch-adjacent midday rhythm: come here when you want chef-driven plates and cocktails instead of the usual eggs-and-bacon loop. Best when you order like a small feast—one ceviche, one hot grill item, and a starch anchor to round it out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche mixto, Grilled octopus, Lomo saltado
What makes it special: Peruvian-forward plates and pisco cocktails that feel “brunch-plus.”
8.4
A New American small-plates spot that rewards decisive ordering and a shareable spread rather than solo mains. The best experience is built around contrast—one richer plate, one bright/acid-driven bite, and something crisp to reset the palate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal small plates, Chef’s daily specials, Shareable starters
What makes it special: New American small plates designed for sharing and pacing.
#7
R40
8.3
An Argentinian parilla with smoke-forward grilling and a menu that shines when you order for contrast—one beef cut, one seafood or vegetable plate, and a shareable starter to set the pace. It’s a strong pick for steakhouse-style dining that feels modern and intentional, especially if you lean into the wood-grilled specialties rather than over-ordering sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Empanadas, Skirt steak from the parilla, Parrillada-style mixed grill
What makes it special: Wood-fired Argentinian grilling with a Michelin Guide-listed profile.