Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Forest Hills
45 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
La Boulangerie de François
A production-driven French bakery with serious pastry and bread execution.
Notable Picks
8.4
A French bakery-café that wins on laminated pastry craft and a deep bench of savory-and-sweet staples, with the open-kitchen setup reinforcing that this is production-first, not vibes-first. Come with a focused order—one croissant, one éclair, and one baguette item—so everything stays crisp, warm, and properly buttery.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, Pistachio éclair, Fresh baguette sandwich
What Makes it Special: A production-driven French bakery with serious pastry and bread execution.
8.4
A Sichuan-forward dining room on Austin Street built around punchy chile heat, tingly peppercorn, and shareable mains that reward ordering family-style. It’s at its best when you lean into the signature cold starters and the deeper-braised dishes, then round things out with one comforting noodle or rice plate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smashed cucumber salad, Crispy shredded beef, Mapo tofu
What Makes it Special: Sichuan-and-Hunan-leaning cooking with real spice precision and shareable depth.
#3
Sushi Time
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A compact Austin Street sushi counter built for consistent takeout: straightforward nigiri, sashimi, and tightly rolled maki that travel well. Locals lean on it for quick weeknight orders where freshness and speed matter more than ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna roll, Sashimi dinner, Hot udon soup
What Makes it Special: Fast, travel-friendly sushi that stays reliably fresh for takeout.
8.3
A long-running Forest Hills Thai standby that plays best for balanced curries and noodle dishes that stay bold without getting muddy. The room is comfortable for a proper sit-down, but it’s most consistent when you anchor the meal with one curry, one noodle, and a crisp salad to reset the palate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Penang curry, Drunken noodles, Som tum (papaya salad)
What Makes it Special: Classic Thai staples with curry-first reliability for repeat neighborhood visits.
#5
Katsuno
8.3
A more serious Japanese restaurant in the neighborhood, strongest when you order sashimi-forward and keep the meal paced. The room reads calm and grown-up, making it a reliable pick when you want higher-end fish without leaving Queens.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef’s omakase (when offered), Sashimi assortment, Toro nigiri
What Makes it Special: A sashimi-first neighborhood destination with a more refined fish focus.
#6
Radici
8.2
A newer Forest Hills Italian that’s winning locals with a warm, owner-forward room and food that leans handmade—especially pastas—without feeling heavy. It’s a strong pick when you want modern neighborhood Italian with a little more finesse than a standard red-sauce stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle Bolognese, Mushroom Calzone, Tiramisu
What Makes it Special: Newer neighborhood Italian with standout handmade pasta and unusually warm hospitality.
#7
Pho 99
8.2
A casual Station Square Vietnamese spot that wins on clean, aromatic pho broth and reliable noodle-soup comfort. It’s best when you keep the order classic—one pho, one fresh roll, and a banh mi for a crisp-herb counterpoint.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho tai (rare beef pho), Beef stew pho, Banh mi (house-style)
What Makes it Special: Pho-forward Vietnamese cooking with a broth-first, no-drama focus.
#8
Sakura-Ya
8.2
A Japanese market that quietly doubles as one of the ZIP’s most reliable grab-and-go lunch moves, thanks to a steady rotation of prepared foods and convenience-store-style sandos. The move is to treat it like a quick counter pickup—one sando or onigiri plus one small side—so it stays clean and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Katsu sando, Ebi (shrimp) sando, Onigiri
What Makes it Special: Japanese grab-and-go sandos and prepared foods inside a neighborhood market.
#9
Paratha Wala
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Queens Indian counter that’s built for vegetarian cravings—parathas, chaat, and curries that hold up whether you’re eating in or taking it home. The best orders stay focused: one stuffed paratha plus one chaat or dal lane, so the textures don’t get lost in transit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Papri Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Mango Lassi
What Makes it Special: A veg-first Indian comfort stop where parathas and chaat are the main event.
#10
Tamashii Red
8.1
A ramen-first counter that locals lean on for rich broth and a fast, no-nonsense meal on the Austin Street strip. Best used as a single-bowl stop: choose one signature ramen, add one fried side for crunch, and keep it moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu ramen, Spicy miso ramen, Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)
What Makes it Special: Broth-forward ramen that hits hard and stays reliably satisfying.
8.1
A modern Austin Street slice-and-pie shop that leans into higher-quality builds without turning precious. It’s strongest when you order like a regular: one signature pie or a couple standout slices, then keep the rest of the order minimal so crust and cheese stay crisp.
Must-Try Dishes:
NY 2.0, Margherita, Truffle & Mushroom slice
What Makes it Special: Signature pies that feel upgraded while still working as a slice stop.
8.1
A Metropolitan Ave Thai kitchen that locals use for straightforward, satisfying classics that travel well. Best as a takeout-first move: one soup, one curry, and one rice or noodle dish keeps the order hot, clean, and consistent.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tom yum soup, Pad Thai, Pineapple fried rice
What Makes it Special: Reliable Thai takeout execution with strong portions and value.
#13
The Bund
8.1
A Shanghainese specialist that locals use for dumplings, wontons, and noodle soups that feel like a real meal rather than a takeout fix. The move is to start with soup dumplings, add one savory staple (wontons or rice cakes), and keep the order focused so everything lands hot and textural.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Shanghai jumbo wontons, Rice cakes with pork
What Makes it Special: Shanghainese dumpling-and-wonton strengths in a neighborhood-friendly room.
#14
Pahal Zan
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A compact, counter-style Mediterranean falafel stop where the food shines most when it’s eaten immediately: hot pita, crisp falafel, and bright salads built to order. Treat it like a focused street-food run—one sandwich, one side, and you’re out with maximum crunch and freshness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel pita, Shawarma-style pita/sandwich, Hummus with fresh pita
What Makes it Special: Made-to-order falafel and pita with best-when-hot street-food energy.
8
A cafe-deli hybrid that works for a “real breakfast” when you want coffee plus something more structured than a pastry—panini-style sandwiches, baked goods, and an efficient counter rhythm. Order like a regular: one coffee, one main, and skip extra sides to keep it sharp.
Must-Try Dishes:
Iced Americano, Muffuletta-Style Panini, Breakfast Pastry
What Makes it Special: A deli-cafe lane that upgrades the breakfast sandwich-and-coffee routine.
8
A long-running Forest Hills Hungarian bakery known for strudels, old-world cakes, and a pastry lineup that leans butter-forward and traditional. The best results come from sticking to their signature lane—one strudel, one cookie-style pastry, and a simple coffee—rather than chasing every display-case item.
Must-Try Dishes:
Apple Strudel, Cheese Pie, Fruit Tart
What Makes it Special: Old-school Hungarian pastry craft with a strudel-first identity.
#17
Dirty Pierre’s
8
A small, character-heavy bar-kitchen that wins on big flavors and unfussy execution—exactly the kind of place locals return to for burgers and sandwiches. Keep it simple: one sandwich or burger plus one side, and let the drinks carry the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Steak Sandwich, Bistro Burger, French Onion Soup
What Makes it Special: A compact Station Square bar with a kitchen that over-delivers on sandwiches.
Worthy Picks
A long-running Forest Hills Southeast Asian kitchen where pho is a real, dependable menu lane—not a token add-on. The move is a beef-forward Pho Bo (or the spicy version) and you’re set; everything else is optional support, not the main event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Bo (Vietnamese beef noodle soup), Spicy Pho Bo, Roti Canai with curry dipping sauce
What Makes it Special: A full Southeast Asian menu where Pho Bo is a legitimate, repeatable order.
7.9
A kosher Mediterranean room that leans into kebabs and hearty rice-and-grill plates, best approached as a skewer-first order rather than a menu-wide tour. The most consistent play is one signature kebab, one bright salad, and one side that keeps the plate balanced instead of heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb kebab, Chicken kebab, Babganoush with pita
What Makes it Special: Kosher kebab-and-plate cooking that’s strongest when you go skewer-first.
#20
Asian Fortune
7.9
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
A cut-above neighborhood Chinese option with a comfortable dine-in setup and a menu that shines when you order the noodle-and-wonton staples. Best used as an easy lunch or low-key dinner: pick one soup noodle, one wonton/dumpling, and one classic stir-fry to cover all bases.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup noodles, House wontons, Spicy shredded beef lunch special
What Makes it Special: Handmade-leaning noodles and wontons that outperform typical neighborhood takeout.
#21
Mr Vino's Cucina
7.9
A small Italian sandwich and specialty shop where the best orders lean bold and focused—one panini or wrap that’s built with intent, not a dozen add-ons. Treat it as a simple lunch stop: pick a signature sandwich and move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Give Me Water Please Sandwich, The Spanican, Turkey & Swiss Panini
What Makes it Special: Italian sandwich counter with a few cult-favorite signature builds.
#22
Sushi Akio
7.9
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A smaller, neighborhood sushi spot that’s most consistent when you keep the order classic and let freshness do the work. Locals gravitate toward the roll lineup and value-minded set meals, making it a practical go-to over a destination splurge.
Must-Try Dishes:
Forest Hills Roll, Sushi deluxe, Negi toro roll
What Makes it Special: A compact neighborhood sushi counter that overdelivers on value and freshness.
A late-hours dessert cafe where the ice-cream lane is Italian gelato paired with waffle-and-treat builds that lean playful rather than traditional parlor. Best used as a tight two-item stop—one gelato-based dessert plus one drink—so sweetness stays clean instead of heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Italian gelato (cup), Bubble waffle with gelato, Macarons
What Makes it Special: Late-night gelato-and-dessert builds in a cafe setting, not a parlor.
#24
Tikka N Talk
7.8
A compact Indian spot on Austin Street that’s quietly useful for vegetarians because the classics stay steady and repeatable. Treat it like a two-item build—one paneer or dal anchor plus one bread—so the meal stays clean and satisfying without chasing the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani, Vegetable Samosa
What Makes it Special: A straightforward Austin Street Indian kitchen where vegetarian staples stay dependable.
7.8
An old-school Italian-leaning neighborhood bakery where the case is the whole point—grab-and-go sweets, cakes for occasions, and a steady local following. Best used like a local: pick two or three pastries, keep expectations classic, and you’ll leave happy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Croissant, Rugelach, Éclair
What Makes it Special: Classic neighborhood pastry counter for Italian-style sweets and celebration cakes.
7.8
A boba-forward cafe that earns its spot in the donuts lane when you want mochi-style donut bites alongside sweet drinks. Best used as a quick dessert-and-sip stop—pick one donut-style snack, one drink, and keep the order tight.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mochi donuts (rotating flavors), Crème brûlée-style dessert cup, Milk tea with boba
What Makes it Special: Mochi-donut energy paired with a bubble-tea dessert lineup.
A banquet-capable Indian-Pakistani room that’s designed for private functions—big platters, strong catering logic, and a menu that rewards choosing classics over deep exploration. Build the table around one biryani lane, one curry lane, and breads to keep the meal cohesive for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken biryani, Butter chicken, Garlic naan
What Makes it Special: A party-hall setup that makes Indian-Pakistani group dining straightforward.
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A fast-casual taqueria focused on tacos, burritos, and birria combos that’s best for quick, filling takeout on Austin Street. It shines when you order the signature taco sets and keep it simple—one combo, one salsa path, done.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo 3 Birria Tacos with Consomé, Chicken Burrito, Al Pastor Tacos
What Makes it Special: A streamlined taqueria with birria-forward combos built for fast, reliable takeout.
#29
Future Taste
7.8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A newer, delivery-friendly Chinese takeout option that’s strongest on lunch-special comfort: solid soups, dependable lo mein, and straightforward classics that arrive fast. Order like a local—one lunch special, one soup, one dumpling—and you’ll get the best balance of value and freshness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sesame chicken lunch special, Hot & sour soup, Boneless spare ribs
What Makes it Special: A newer takeout counter delivering better-than-average lunch-special execution.
7.8
A newer Queens Blvd Thai option that leans into familiar noodle-and-curry comfort with a slightly fresher, more modern feel than the old-school counters. It’s strongest when you keep the order focused—one signature noodle, one curry, and a crunchy starter to add texture.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Basil drunken noodles, Curry puffs
What Makes it Special: A fresh-feeling Thai kitchen that stays best on focused noodle-and-curry orders.
#31
Dante's Pizza
7.8
A neighborhood pizzeria that works best when you keep expectations in the NYC-slice lane: solid classics, fast turnaround, and a reliable stop when you want pizza without fuss. Go for the simplest slices and judge it on crust, sauce, and heat—not novelty.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Sicilian slice
What Makes it Special: A dependable local slice shop that keeps the basics moving.
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
A counter-service sandwich shop built around oversized heroes and deli-satisfying builds that are meant to travel. The best move is to commit to one signature hero and skip the extras—these portions are the whole point.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Stacked OG, Muffuletta, Stacked BST
What Makes it Special: Big, build-heavy heroes that eat like two meals.
#33
Ichiraku Ramen
7.7
A small, newer ramen-and-noodle counter that leans into an anime-styled vibe and a simple, takeout-friendly menu. It lands best when you keep it straightforward—one broth-forward bowl, no detours—so the noodles stay springy and the soup stays hot by the time you’re home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tonkotsu ramen, Tokyo shoyu ramen, Tokyo miso ramen
What Makes it Special: A focused ramen stop with a playful anime dining room.
#34
Feng's Garden
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Classic Chinese-American takeout built for quick, budget-friendly comfort on Queens Boulevard. It’s best when you stick to the greatest hits—one stir-fry, one noodle dish, and one crunchy appetizer—so the order stays hot, familiar, and reliably satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kung pao chicken, Lo mein, Moo shu pork
What Makes it Special: Straight-ahead takeout comfort with strong value and speed.
#35
La Dolce Italia
7.7
A neighborhood Italian bakery where gelato is a supporting player alongside cookies, pastries, and celebration cakes. Treat it as a quick in-and-out: one gelato to-go plus one classic pastry, keeping expectations aligned with a bakery counter rather than a dedicated scoop shop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gelato cup, Gelato pint to-go, Cannoli
What Makes it Special: A bakery-counter gelato option paired with a deep Italian sweets lineup.
7.7
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A compact halal market with a prepared-food counter that doubles as a serious Central Asian/Middle Eastern lunch option. The move is to shop like a regular: pick one hot-bar staple, add a baked sweet, and keep it simple so flavors stay clean and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plov (rice pilaf) from the hot bar, Kebab from the prepared foods counter, Honey cake from the bakery case
What Makes it Special: Halal market with a legit hot bar and Central Asian prepared foods.
7.7
A small dumpling shop with a takeout-first vibe that works best for straightforward dim sum comfort—soup dumplings, shumai, and a simple noodle bowl if you need a second anchor. Keep the order compact and eat ASAP; this is about freshness and heat, not a sprawling table spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork soup dumplings, Shumai, Pork noodle soup
What Makes it Special: A neighborhood dumpling counter that stays best with a simple, heat-forward order.
#38
Mas Tortilla
7.7
A Queens Boulevard taqueria-cantina that wins on fresh-tortilla comfort and a focused set of crowd-pleasers. Order tacos as the baseline, then add one heavier item (birria-style) only if you’re splitting—otherwise it can tip the table into overload.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria burrito, Chilaquiles, Steak tacos
What Makes it Special: Fresh-tortilla Mexican comfort that rewards a simple, taco-first order.
#39
PaPa Chicken
7.6
A takeout-first chicken shop where wings are the practical play: quick fry, straightforward seasoning, and best eaten immediately. Keep the order compact—wings plus one side—so the crunch survives the trip home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken wings, Fried chicken, Chicken sandwich
What Makes it Special: Fast, takeout-driven wings that stay best hot and crisp.
#40
Wafuu Izakaya
7.6
A newer izakaya-style spot that leans into shareable small plates with ramen and skewers as the anchor. Best for a casual, order-a-bunch meal: a bowl for the table, a few grilled items, and one crisp side to keep things moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ramen (signature bowl), Grilled chicken skewers (yakitori-style), Izakaya small plates (shareables)
What Makes it Special: An izakaya-style menu built around ramen, skewers, and shareables.
#41
Daikon Sushi Bar
7.6
A smaller, newer sushi option that fits a quiet, low-key date when you want an unhurried meal and a simple order. Best move is to keep it classic—one roll, one nigiri set or sashimi plate, and don’t turn it into a long checklist.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef's Sushi Roll, Nigiri Assortment, Sashimi Assortment
What Makes it Special: A quieter sushi-room vibe that works best with a classic order.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A low-profile 108th Street takeout shop that fills the neighborhood-utility role: straightforward slices, quick pickup, and minimal fuss. Use it for simple, hot-and-fast pizza—one or two slices plus a side—rather than a big mixed order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese slice, Pepperoni slice, Garlic knots
What Makes it Special: A no-frills takeout counter that’s priced for everyday pizza runs.
7.6
A neighborhood takeout-first taco spot that’s strongest when you treat it like fast utility: warm tortillas, quick assembly, and a straightforward menu built for repeat orders. Go in with a tight plan—tacos plus one side—so everything stays hot and crisp on the ride home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos on fresh tortillas, Nachos, Chips & salsa
What Makes it Special: Reliable, takeout-driven tacos with a simple neighborhood rhythm.
7.5
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A true street-taco option that fits the “happy hour” slot as an after-work grab-and-go: quick, filling, and best when you order like a regular. Keep it simple—one sandwich-style anchor plus one taco lane—so it stays hot and clean on the walk home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cemita, Al pastor tacos, Quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Street-taco speed with a sandwich-style cemita that eats like a full meal.
A small-footprint neighborhood sushi option that’s best for low-cost date nights when you just want rolls that show up on time and eat cleanly. The room is simple, so the win is value—order a roll trio plus one bento-style plate and keep the evening moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pick-3 roll set, Chicken teriyaki bento, Spicy salmon roll
What Makes it Special: A value-first sushi spot that’s easy to order and repeat.