Best Hidden Gems Italian Restaurants in Astoria (North)-Ditmars-Steinway
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Rizzo's Pizza
A distinct Astoria square slice style with a crisp, dense bite.
Notable Picks
8.3
A long-running Astoria slice institution known for its signature thin-crust Sicilian-style square—crisp, dense, and unlike most neighborhood pizza. It’s best treated as a focused pizza mission: grab the squares, keep the order tight, and let the crust be the point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thin-crust Sicilian square slice, Tomato pie, Classic cheese slice
What Makes it Special: A distinct Astoria square slice style with a crisp, dense bite.
#2
Rosario's
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Rosario's is a family-run Italian deli and pizzeria near Astoria Park known for fresh house-made mozzarella, loaded sandwiches, and classic New York slices. The space is more counter than dining room, but locals treat it as a go-to for takeout pies and substantial heroes at very friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken cutlet hero with roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella, Prosciutto and fresh mozzarella sandwich, Cheese slice
What Makes it Special: Classic Italian deli and slice counter with house-made mozzarella, stacked heroes, and affordable pies locals have relied on for decades.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Forno Siciliano is a Sicilian-focused restaurant on Ditmars where pizzas and housemade pastas sit beside a standout Lasagna alla Bolognese. Guests use it for relaxed, sit-down meals that feel more like a trattoria than a slice shop, especially when a baked pasta and a bottle of wine are the goal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna alla Bolognese, Stuffed Ravioli, Grilled Chicken with Hot Cherry Peppers
What Makes it Special: Sicilian-style kitchen where Lasagna alla Bolognese and other pastas headline a cozy dining room.