If there’s one thing you barely hear people say about Russia, it’d have to be their cuisine and authentic means of preparing dishes. The harsh weather condition, diverse and multiple traditions, and the struggle of peasants to feed several family members make up the Russian cuisine. Hence, the use of cheap and available ingredients to make Russian meals.
The combination of available ingredients is what gives Russian cuisine its uniqueness and delight, making it one of the underdog cuisines we have in the world. Out of curiosity, exploring Russian restaurants in Queens became a must. Surprisingly, there are a lot of people in queens who enjoy Russian meals with the right number of restaurants to keep them satisfied.
Here are some of the best Russian restaurants in Queens. Just in case you’re going to give the Russian cuisine a try, or you’ve been a fan for the longest time.
Food Rundown
1. Mari Vanna
Whenever you’re hungry and need a little spirit-lifting, visiting Mari Vanna restaurant should be the first thing that pops up in your head. At Mari Vanna, their hospitality is undefeated. Just as the myth goes about a woman who gave visitors a warm embrace, and served them delicious Russian traditional dishes in Petersburg. This restaurant still carries on with her legacy. The only difference is, you can now find them in Manhattan’s Flatiron.
The interiors are warm, cozy, and fancy. It is always neat too. Giving Mari Vanna a negative review is nearly impossible as they seem to have the friendliest staff and tastiest Russian meals. It is such a beautiful restaurant; it gets a lot prettier when it’s night time, making it perfect for a first date and many more to come.
2. Cheburechnaya
Eating in groups is fun, and finding an accommodating restaurant for you and your friends is quite impressive, making it possible to have the best Russian food experience. At Cheburechnaya, they have enough vegetarian options to try out from for customers with special diets. The chebureki with meat here is legendary and mouth-watering.
Salads served here are also fresh and easy to chew. Overall, meals served at Cheburechnaya are tasty and authentic for sure. They are also affordable, so you don’t have to spend a fortune while trying to explore Russian cuisine or eat a dish from home if you’re Russian. Service here isn’t the quickest, especially on special holidays, but the wait is usually worth it.
3. Tzarevna
Owned by one of the loveliest couples on earth, Tzarvena shows the beauty of Eastern Europe Cuisine. With about one year in business, they’ve proven to several customers that they are here to stay. They have one of the best wines and cocktail menus in queens. The seating arrangement and interior of this restaurant are simple but exquisite.
Tzarevna is one of the neatest and calmest restaurants to visit so far. When coming into this restaurant, there’s always a staff to direct you into this gorgeous spot decorated with flowers. It sure is a romantic spot to enjoy a night out with your loved one. You also get the tastiest dumplings at Tzarvena and a variety of other delicious Russian traditional dishes.
4. Russian Samovar
It is no surprise that Samovar has been named as the best restaurant in New York twice since its establishment in the ’80s. Roman’s quest to serve Russians dishes they’ve been missing, with the help of his friends; Mikhail Baryshnikov and Joseph Brodsky have risen the social status of this magnificent restaurant over the years.
The live band plays the most beautiful music – you’d never get bored. It is not distant from the Ed Sullivan Theatre, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite before or after heading to the theatre. Infused vodkas here are relatively cheap and fun to have. The Chicken Kiev tastes like heaven. Great staff, delicious meals, quick service, good music, affordable dishes and, drinks – Russian Samovar sure seems like a perfect restaurant.
5. Taste of Samarkand
Looking for a taste of Uzbekistan goodness and a friendly atmosphere to make you feel at home? The Taste of Samarkand restaurant offers both of these and many more. Meals served here do not only look good, but they also taste good and smell good too. They make one of the best kebabs, which has become a personal favorite to a lot of their customers.
It is quite easy to tell by the quality and authenticity of the interior and exterior design that a whole lot of time and money was used to bring this beautiful piece of architecture to life. Prices of meals and drinks are quite affordable, considering their taste and authenticity. Be sure to try out the Uzbek Pilaf, and see how quickly you fall in love with it.
6. Nadezhda Restaurant
Kudos to the staff at Nadezhda Restaurant for their quick and super helpful services. Staff work round the clock to make sure customers get their meals in time, and they always pay attention to details – keeping your orders correct. The interiors are simple yet very fancy and appealing.
At Nadezhda Restaurant, there’s enough space to accommodate a large number of people for parties. Meals served here are usually tasty and fresh – cooked to perfection. With enough tasty vegetarian options, this restaurant is a dreamland for vegetarians, especially with their salad options. They also make delicious kebabs, leaving your taste buds happy and your stomach full.
7. Stix Kosher Restaurant
Serving Middle Eastern dishes for nine years is not an easy task, but Solomon M. effortlessly makes it look easy, and that’s just one of many reasons to love this restaurant. His dedication towards running this fine restaurant is impressive and quite motivating.
The staff here are hardworking and friendly, making you feel at home and comfortable enough to express yourself. If you’re a fan of meats, here’s a restaurant with several meat options. The menu could be quite overwhelming as there is a lot to try out, but the good thing is, whatever you order is going to be flavorful and tasty. Just in case you’re a little too overwhelmed, try the Lamb Kebab. Nothing could possibly go wrong with the Lamb Kebab.
8. Sveta
Holding a strong reputation for selling the tastiest frozen drinks, Sveta will make you fall in love with it. Some think their frozen drink is a love potion that keeps customers coming for more, but they don’t care, they love it. Customer service here is pretty good, and you’ll get all the help you’d need up till when you leave this restaurant.
The décor here is appealing, making it the perfect spot for taking nice photos. They also have a nice collection of music, so you’ll never get bored, especially when you’re eating alone. Their music collection also gives this restaurant a nice ambiance, so you’ll definitely feel comfortable and relaxed. Their dumplings are to die for, coupled with a variety of seafood that’ll keep you satisfied.
9. Tandoori Food & Bakery
They don’t make Lagman soup as they used to, and it’s heartbreaking to order a bowl of this soup these days just to have the waiter get rid of the soup, forcing you to place another order. At Tandoori Food & Bakery, they serve delicious Lagman soup, with just the right amount of spice that’ll keep your head in the bowl till it’s empty.
Customer service is top-notch, with an attentive staff willing to give you the best experience. There’s usually a language barrier for non-Russian speaking customers, but that’s easy to overcome, especially when you’re sure of what you want to get. Their rice pilaf is a must-try. It isn’t always available, but be sure to try it whenever it is. Overall, Tandoori Food & Bakery is worth the try, and their meals smell nice, are tasty and fresh.
10. Salute
With over fifty years specializing in Middle Eastern and Bukharin cuisine, Salute has earned a spot as part of the best Russian restaurants in Queens. Its environments are super clean, making it super comfortable to dine in. They serve fresh and tasty Russian and Uzbekistan traditional dishes.
Services are not as fast as expected, but they try to get orders across to customers as quickly as possible. The ambiance here is warm and friendly – you’ll feel at home in no time. They make mind-blowing kebabs, and you get to eat tasty tandoori bread. Meals are affordable, and they come in large quantities, keeping your stomach full.
11. Café Arzu
Here’s another Russian restaurant in queens that serve mouth-watering Lagman soup with just the right amount of spice. Making a reservation is key to having a lovely experience at Café Arzu as it is most times filled with people craving authentic Uzbek meals.
Services here aren’t fast, and it gets annoying most times, but if you’re willing to overlook that flaw and focus on having a delicious meal, then this is just the right spot for you. They make one of the tastiest kebabs. Non-Russians may find it difficult to point out what they want from the menu, so it is good to do a quick search on what meal to order before visiting this restaurant.
12. Belarussian Xata
With a super cute décor and a generous quantity of dishes served, Belarussian Xata seems to have won the hearts of so many. Their services are pretty quick, so you don’t get to lose your appetite while waiting to get served. You feel so comfortable and relaxed here, as the interiors are appealing, and the atmosphere is warm.
The potato pancakes served here, seems to be the highlight of their menu, with so many customers – both new and old, trooping in to have a bite of this goodness. Staff wears uniforms that make you feel like you’re in Belarussia, and they are friendly and attentive, making it easier to place your orders properly while getting the help you need.
13. Oceanview Café
Oceanview café offers one of the most impeccable services in Queens, ranging from having your meal delivered to you in the comfort of your home or walking into the restaurant to place your order or sitting in for a while to enjoy your meal. You get tasty and quality food anyhow and anywhere you like.
Every meal tastes homemade, which makes it more enjoyable. There are no language barriers here as the staff understands both Russian and English; fluently enough to get your orders right and make necessary adjustments too. Try out their mouth-watering stuffed cabbage whenever you find it difficult to place an exact order, you won’t regret it. Don’t be deceived by its size; it has more to offer than you think.
14. Marani
It is quite impressive how Marani restaurant divides its services and dishes into two. With dairy items being served downstairs and meat upstairs. Quite organized and thoughtful, making it easier and quicker to place your orders. Whatever it is you’re ordering is sure going to exceed your expectations as it seems like they always cook their meals to perfection.
The adjaruli, chicken thigh kebab, and khinkali served here are affordable and absolutely tasty. The staff here are helpful, especially to new customers who have no idea what to order. It is advisable to make reservations as the Marani restaurant gets crowded most times.
15. Skovorodka
Located at Brighton beach is a hidden gem for all your Russian home-made food cravings. Their extensive menu has a variety of Russian meals on it, enough to make you understand the Russian cuisine to a large extent, if you may. It is small but quite easy to spot with a growling bear statue right in front of it.
If you enjoy having a live band while dining in, then you wouldn’t have a problem falling in love with Skovorodka. You’re allowed to come with your own booze here, although they have an impressive alcohol menu. They also serve one of the tastiest dumplings in Queens. Be sure to go there with an empty stomach, and fill it up with the taste of Russian goodness.
16. Anton’s Dumplings
Finding a food truck that serves Russian food is quite rare. Anton’s food truck is just one of the few trucks selling authentic Russian dishes, and this is one of the many reasons to love it. They accept credit cards, just in case you’re short on cash. Anton’s food truck is also neat, you can trust it with your health.
The dumplings are to die for, and they are quite chewy and easy on the teeth. Although Anton’s dumplings are quite small, you’d appreciate every moment it spends in your mouth. Services here are also quick and easy. There isn’t much on the menu, so choosing what to eat wouldn’t be difficult.
17. Veselka
Veselka means Joy in Russia, and they sure have been holding on to their strong reputation of bringing customers joy for as long as sixty years. It is home to a lot of tourists seeking comfort in Russian cuisine. You might find Veselka filled up most times, but that shouldn’t be an issue if you’re dying to enjoy authentic Russian meals.
A bowl of borscht and pierogies is just enough to keep you coming for more – just like every other person seated here. Servers are friendly, and they pay close details to customers. They’re open 24 hours a day, with tasty dishes to go round every hour. You get to enjoy meals that make you feel nostalgic.
18. Vstrecha Glatt Kosher
Owned by a lovely couple who love to put smiles on their customer’s faces by giving them all the necessary help they need to enjoy their meals. Alex and his wife Nadezhda are both great people, and they’re sure doing a great job running this restaurant – from the tasty meals to their impeccable customer service.
The shish kebabs seem to have won the hearts of many, making them come back for more in no time. If you’re looking for a restaurant that serves top-notch Glatt kosher, Vstrecha is your go-to restaurant. The décor is also simple but beautiful, and the atmosphere is usually calm – if you enjoy having your meal with some quiet, Vstrecha is just the right restaurant for you.
19. Taste of Home
Looking for a restaurant that makes your meals the way grandma makes them seems impossible, but Taste of Home is here to change your mind. It is a hole in the wall with a variety of authentic Russian dishes. Meals here are fresh and the aroma is just mind-blowing.
There are no tables here, just take out. They have great customer service with someone at the counter willing to help you with your order, especially if you’re new to the Russian cuisine. Everything is worth the price, as the quantity is just as good as its quality. It sure tastes like home whenever you buy your meals from Taste of Home.
20. Chinar Restaurant
Big enough to accommodate your guests, and experienced enough to keep them satisfied, Chinar has proven to be the perfect event center for over a decade now. There’s a wide variety of food to eat from, all tasty and delicious. The DJ also has a nice collection of music that’ll keep you grooving and moving your body.
It is sometimes difficult to get enough attention as you’d need if they’re hosting a party, but they try to be as helpful as they can. Chinar is known for giving people the best experience out of every event they plan here, and this is why it gets a lot of positive reviews. There’s never a dull moment at Chinar restaurant.
Final Thoughts
Queens have a lot to offer and we’re lucky Russian cuisine is one of its many gifts. Russian cuisine is magnificent, colorful, and tasty. They also take their décor more seriously than most – this is why they have their restaurants properly crafted.
For the best and memorable experience, these above-reviewed restaurants are your best bet. They’re the closest you can get to tasting grandma’s dishes. Visit one of them, for authentic Russian meals that’ll keep you coming for more all year long.
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