The Flushing Guide

Flushing is where you go when you want to eat until you physically cannot walk to the train. The neighborhood is defined by consumption, a grid of streets packed tight with steam baskets, charcoal grills, and massive food courts. The scale is overwhelming. You will not conquer it in one afternoon. The smartest approach is to assemble a crew, pace yourself, and treat the neighborhood like a marathon.

The 7 train drops you right into the center of the action on Main Street, but taking the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station or Grand Central gets you there in under 20 minutes. Once you arrive, the only rule is to come hungry. You can start with dim sum, move on to hot pot, and end the night drinking cocktails on a rooftop. This guide breaks down exactly where to spend your time and money.

Where to Eat

New World Mall Food Court

Flushing · 136-20 Roosevelt Ave · $ WebsiteMap

The basement of this massive retail complex operates like a chaotic, deeply satisfying maze of regional Asian food stalls. You bring friends, split up to order from four different spots, and share everything on a small formica table. It remains ground zero for cheap eats in Queens, with 32 distinct vendors to choose from.

Go for: The sheer variety of hand-pulled noodles and spicy dry pots. Know before you go: Finding a table during the weekend lunch rush requires serious patience.

White Bear

Flushing · 135-02 Roosevelt Ave · $ WebsiteMap

This tiny takeout counter serves some of the most respected wontons in the five boroughs. The move is the number six, a plate of 12 boiled pork wontons smothered in roasted chili oil, scallions, and pickled vegetables. There is barely any room to stand inside, so expect to take your styrofoam container to the street. Check out our guide to the best dumplings for more.

Go for: The number six wontons. Know before you go: They are usually closed by 7 at night and prefer cash.

Maxi's Noodle

Flushing · 135-11 38th Ave · $ WebsiteMap

Maxi Lau runs this Hong Kong style noodle shop that focuses on massive, baseball sized wontons. The shrimp and pork dumplings barely fit on a soup spoon, while the duck egg noodles have a snappy chew that holds up perfectly in the hot broth. It is simple, consistent, and satisfying.

Go for: The signature wonton noodle soup. Know before you go: The portions are massive, making this an easy dish to split.

Asian Jewels

Flushing · 133-30 39th Ave · $$ Map

Flushing is packed with dim sum palaces, but this sprawling room remains a top tier destination for the classic weekend ritual. Carts roll constantly between large round tables, loaded with siu mai, turnip cakes, and shrimp rice rolls. The scale of the dining room means the food turns over fast and arrives fresh.

Go for: The classic weekend dim sum experience. Know before you go: Arrive before 11 in the morning on a weekend to avoid a massive wait.

Joe's Steam Rice Roll

Flushing · 136-21 Roosevelt Ave · $ WebsiteMap

A small operation turning out excellent Cantonese rice rolls. They grind the rice on site to make the batter, resulting in a perfectly soft, chewy texture. The signature roll comes stuffed with beef, pork, dried shrimp, and egg.

Go for: The Joe's Signature Rice Roll. Know before you go: Customize your roll at the condiment station with extra sweet soy sauce and chili oil.

Ju Qi

Flushing · 133-42 39th Ave (Tangram) · $$$ WebsiteMap

Located inside the slick Tangram complex, this Beijing import is high end and highly theatrical. The signature order is the tableside Peking duck, carved with surgical precision. The menu leans into presentation, featuring a mashed potato dish shaped like a rabbit standing in honey mustard.

Go for: The Peking duck. Know before you go: This is a great spot for a large group dinner, and you can reserve private rooms.

Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao

Flushing · 39-16 Prince St · $$ WebsiteMap

This local institution built a massive following on the strength of its soup dumplings. After upgrading to a much larger space at One Fulton Square, the lines still snake out the door. The wrappers are thin but sturdy enough to hold the rich, scalding pork broth inside.

Go for: The classic pork soup dumplings and the pan fried beef scallion pancakes. Know before you go: Do not bite into the dumpling immediately, you have to let the soup cool on your spoon first.

Spring Shabu-Shabu

Flushing · 136-20 38th Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

Hot pot usually requires a group consensus, but this massive dining room allows everyone to build their own individual meal. You pick a broth base, then head to the buffet line to load up on vegetables, fish cakes, and noodles. Sliced meats cost a little extra per plate. It is an affordable way to eat your weight in leafy greens.

Go for: The unlimited vegetable bar. Know before you go: The green tea soft serve at the end of the meal is included.

Chongqing Lao Zao

Flushing · 37-04 Prince St · $$ WebsiteMap

This highly popular hot pot destination feels like a rural Chinese village built inside a Queens commercial building. The interiors are incredibly detailed, but the real draw is the bubbling, intensely spicy Chongqing style broth. It remains one of the best group dinners in the city.

Go for: The spicy hot pot experience. Know before you go: They do not take reservations, so arrive right when they open to get your name on the waitlist.

CheLi

Flushing · 133-42 39th Ave · $$$ WebsiteMap

Step into this restaurant and you get a heavily stylized, nostalgic take on an old Jiangzhe setting. The menu focuses on refined Shanghainese food. You come here for the wine soaked blue crab, the beggar chicken, and the beautiful paper lanterns hanging overhead.

Go for: The wine soaked blue crab. Know before you go: You can make reservations online through Resy.

Mapo BBQ

Murray Hill (Queens) · 149-24 41st Ave · $$$ Map

Located slightly east of downtown Flushing in Murray Hill, this old school restaurant is a prime destination for Korean BBQ. The servers cook heavily marbled kalbi and thick slabs of pork belly over a real charcoal grill right at your table. The banchan spread is generous and fiery.

Go for: The charcoal grilled short ribs. Know before you go: You will leave smelling like wood smoke and roasted meat.

Hahm Ji Bach

Murray Hill (Queens) · 40-11 149th Pl · $$ WebsiteMap

Another Murray Hill staple, this traditional Korean restaurant turns out an impressive array of comforting stews and grilled meats. The thick cuts of samgyeopsal cook to a perfect crisp tableside. The sheer volume of complimentary side dishes alone is enough to justify the trip.

Go for: The pork belly and the massive banchan spread. Know before you go: The portions are large, so come hungry.

Tai Pan Bakery

Flushing · 37-25 Main St · $ WebsiteMap

A staple of the neighborhood, this bakery turns out constantly refreshed trays of Chinese pastries. The move here is the Hong Kong style egg tart. The crust is structured and cookie-like, and the custard is warm and not too sweet. Grab a roast pork bun for the road.

Go for: The egg tarts. Know before you go: The lines move fast, so know what you want before you reach the register.

Xing Fu Tang

Flushing · 40-52 Main St · $ WebsiteMap

Boba shops are everywhere in this zip code, but this Taiwanese import remains a standout for its brown sugar pearls. They stir-fry the boba in a wok behind the counter, caramelizing the sugar before adding it to rich milk. Being able to see the pearls made fresh makes it feel like you are getting the drink at its absolute peak.

Go for: The signature brown sugar boba milk. Know before you go: The line often spills out onto Main Street, but it moves quickly.

Where to Drink

The Attic

Flushing · 136-93 37th Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

Flushing is not known for its speakeasies, but this second floor hideaway delivers the exact mood you want for a date. The room is dark and cozy. You come here for freshly shucked oysters and an ambitious cocktail program that rivals the best cocktail bars across the river.

Go for: Happy hour dollar oysters and a craft cocktail. Know before you go: Look for the discreet entrance on 37th Avenue.

Leaf Bar and Lounge

Flushing · 133-42 39th Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

Located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Place Hotel, this upscale lounge offers great views of the neighborhood. The cocktail menu changes seasonally, featuring botanical drinks and a solid Hot Toki Toddy in the winter. It is a reliable, stylish option for rooftop drinks in Queens.

Go for: The botanical signature cocktails. Know before you go: The outdoor patio is the best place to sit during the warmer months.

What to See and Do

Queens Museum

Flushing Meadows Corona Park · New York City Building · $ Website

A short walk into the park brings you to this excellent art and history institution. The main attraction is the Panorama of the City of New York, a massive scale model of all five boroughs that puts the entire city into perspective. See current exhibitions and hours on their official site.

Go for: The Panorama of the City of New York. Know before you go: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point for the easiest access.

Queens Botanical Garden

Flushing · 43-50 Main St · $ WebsiteMap

A peaceful 39 acre retreat from the noise of Main Street. This green space features a Victorian wedding garden, an herb garden, and a quiet woodland area. Admission is inexpensive, and it offers a necessary dose of nature after a heavy lunch. Check their official site for seasonal programming.

Go for: A quiet walk through the floral displays. Know before you go: Admission is free from mid-December through March.

Jmart

Flushing · 136-20 Roosevelt Ave · $$ Map

This massive supermarket anchors the New World Mall and serves as a vital grocery hub for the neighborhood. The aisles are stocked with fresh produce, live seafood, and a massive selection of Asian snacks. It is worth wandering through just to see the sheer volume of ingredients and regional specialties.

Go for: Hard to find snacks and fresh fruit. Know before you go: Navigating a shopping cart through the crowded aisles on a weekend requires serious focus.

The Shout NY take

Flushing is not a neighborhood you conquer in a single afternoon. The sheer density of food requires strategy. Arrive early for dim sum, pace yourself through the food courts, and end the night at a cocktail bar overlooking the skyline. For more ways to spend an evening in the boroughs, check out our guide to things to do in New York at night.