The Long Island City Guide

Long Island City is not a secret anymore. For years, the pitch was about potential, a neighborhood of low-slung industrial buildings waiting for its moment. That moment arrived, and what came with it were glass towers, a relocated populace of Manhattan commuters, and the kind of amenities that follow them. But the original shape of the neighborhood, its artistic core and manufacturing grit, is still here.

You come to LIC for the views, and they are genuinely stunning, a front-row seat for the Midtown skyline. You stay because it’s a neighborhood that balances its newness with a real, established cultural footprint. It has one of the city’s most important contemporary art museums, a constellation of smaller galleries, and waterfront parks that are destinations in their own right. The food scene is a mix of Michelin-starred destination dining and neighborhood spots that have been here for years. It's a place of contrasts, where you can see a major international art show and then drink a cheap beer in a century-old bar a few blocks away. This is Long Island City now: polished, but with its edges still showing.

Art and Culture

Long Island City’s reputation as an arts hub is well-earned. MoMA PS1 anchors the scene, but a network of galleries and performance spaces makes it a year-round destination. For a full rundown of the city's gallery circuit, see our guide to art galleries in NYC.

MoMA PS1

Long Island City · 22-25 Jackson Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

This isn't a smaller MoMA, it's a different kind of MoMA. Housed in a former public school, PS1 is dedicated to contemporary art that’s often experimental, challenging, and too large or too risky for a museum in Midtown. The building itself is part of the experience, with its rabbit warren of classrooms-turned-galleries and a vast, gravel-filled courtyard that hosts installations and parties.

Go for: The most important contemporary art in Queens, and a glimpse of what's next. Know before you go: Check their site for the seasonal Warm Up outdoor music series schedule, a New York summer ritual.

SculptureCenter

Long Island City · 44-19 Purves St · $$ WebsiteMap

Just a few blocks from MoMA PS1, SculptureCenter pushes the boundaries of its namesake medium. The space, a former trolley repair shop, is dramatic, with soaring ceilings and a raw, industrial feel that the curators use to great effect. The exhibitions are consistently forward-thinking, often giving artists their first major institutional show in the city.

Go for: Seeing sculpture in a space that was made for it. Know before you go: It’s a non-profit space, so donations are always appreciated.

Culture Lab LIC

Long Island City · 5-25 46th Ave · Free-$ WebsiteMap

A true community hub, Culture Lab is a sprawling complex of galleries, performance spaces, and artist studios inside a former warehouse. You can wander through multiple visual art exhibitions, catch a play, or see a band play in the courtyard, often for free. The programming is eclectic and intentionally local, a platform for Queens artists.

Go for: A one-stop shop for local arts, from gallery shows to live music. Know before you go: Check their calendar for events like the LIC Arts Open festival, which happens in May.

Parks and Waterfront

The East River is LIC's western edge, and the neighborhood makes the most of it. The parks here are modern, thoughtfully designed, and offer some of the best skyline views in the entire city.

Gantry Plaza State Park

Hunters Point · 4-09 47th Rd · Free WebsiteMap

This is the postcard shot of Long Island City. The park is defined by its two massive, restored gantries, relics from when this waterfront was a dockyard. The promenade offers an unobstructed view of Manhattan from the UN to the Empire State Building. It’s a perfect place for a run, a picnic, or just sitting and watching the city across the water. Fall programming often includes activities like fishing.

Go for: Iconic views and a perfect sunset photo. Know before you go: It gets crowded on sunny weekends, but its size means you can usually find a spot to yourself.

Hunter's Point South Park

Hunters Point · Center Blvd between 50th Ave and 2nd St · Free Map

Just south of Gantry Plaza, this park feels a bit more modern and recreational. It has a dog run, basketball courts, a kayak launch, and a dramatic 30-foot-high cantilevered platform that extends over the water. It’s a showcase of contemporary landscape architecture and a functional, active space for the neighborhood.

Go for: A morning run, a game of basketball, or letting your dog off-leash. Know before you go: The NYC Ferry stops right here, making it an easy trip from Manhattan or Brooklyn.

Restaurants

LIC's dining scene has exploded, with everything from high-end tasting menus to casual neighborhood joints. For more ideas across Queens, check out our Astoria guide.

Casa Enrique

Hunters Point · 5-48 49th Ave · $$$ WebsiteMap

For years, Casa Enrique has been a standard-bearer for high-end, deeply researched Mexican food in New York. The Michelin star is well-deserved. The dishes, from Chiapas-style pork ribs to complex moles, are precise and flavorful. It’s a small, lively room that feels special without being stuffy.

Go for: The best Mexican food in the city, period. Know before you go: Reservations are essential and book up far in advance.

Blend on the Water

Hunters Point · 45-40 Center Blvd · $$$ WebsiteMap

As the name suggests, the main draw here is the location. The Latin-inspired food is solid, but you are here for a table with a direct, floor-to-ceiling view of the Manhattan skyline. It’s a popular spot for brunch and celebrations, with a loud, energetic vibe.

Go for: Dinner with a show-stopping view. Know before you go: It's a scene, especially on weekend nights.

Takumen

Long Island City · 5-50 50th Ave · $$ Map

A calm, minimalist Japanese restaurant that excels at both ramen and small plates. It's a versatile spot that works just as well for a quick solo lunch at the counter as it does for a group dinner. The menu is refined, with nuanced broths and perfectly executed izakaya-style dishes.

Go for: Excellent ramen and a quiet, civilized meal. Know before you go: The lunch sets are a great value.

Rice Thief

Long Island City · 25-02 Queens Plaza S · $$$ WebsiteMap

What started as a ghost kitchen specializing in ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crabs) now has a brick-and-mortar space. This is destination Korean food. The crabs are the main event, a messy, glorious, and deeply savory experience that you will not forget.

Go for: A unique and memorable Korean seafood feast. Know before you go: The crab sells out, so it's best to go early.

Bars and Breweries

From historic watering holes to modern craft breweries, LIC has a strong drinking culture. For a city-wide list of our favorite places to grab a beer, see our guide to the best breweries in New York City.

LIC Bar

Hunters Point · 45-58 Vernon Blvd · $ WebsiteMap

A neighborhood institution. This century-old bar has tin ceilings, a long wooden bar, and a sprawling, leafy backyard that feels like an escape. They have a solid selection of beers and spirits, and host live music regularly. It’s an authentic piece of old New York in a neighborhood defined by the new.

Go for: A pint in the backyard on a summer evening. Know before you go: Check their website for the live music schedule.

Dutch Kills

Long Island City · 27-24 Jackson Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

One of New York's pioneering craft cocktail bars, Dutch Kills is still one of the best. The speakeasy vibe is there, with a discreet entrance and a dark, moody interior, but the focus is squarely on the expertly made drinks. The bartenders hand-cut ice and meticulously build classic and original cocktails. It's a place for people who care about what's in their glass.

Go for: A perfectly made Old Fashioned in a grown-up setting. Know before you go: It gets busy, but the staff is adept at managing the crowd. They often have live jazz.

Fifth Hammer Brewing Company

Long Island City · 10-28 46th Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

Located in a spacious, industrial warehouse, Fifth Hammer has a welcoming, communal feel. They have a wide and constantly rotating selection of their own beers on tap, from hazy IPAs to rich stouts. There’s usually a food truck parked outside, and the brewery is dog-friendly.

Go for: A flight of interesting, locally brewed beers. Know before you go: You order at the bar; there's no table service.

Coffee Shops

Whether you need a quick espresso or a place to work for a few hours, LIC has you covered. For more options, see our city-wide guide to the best coffee shops.

Partners Coffee

Long Island City · 26-25 Jackson Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

This Brooklyn-based roaster has a beautiful, light-filled cafe in LIC. The space is large, with a charming backyard and consistently excellent coffee. They source their beans carefully and roast them in-house, and it shows in the quality of the final product.

Go for: A serious cup of coffee in a beautiful space. Know before you go: It can be a popular spot for remote workers, so finding a table with an outlet can be competitive.

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

Long Island City · 10-93 Jackson Ave · $$ WebsiteMap

One of the original specialty coffee shops in the neighborhood, Sweetleaf has a cozy, vintage-inspired aesthetic. Their signature is the "Rocket Fuel," a potent cold brew concoction that will definitely get your day started. The back room, filled with records and vintage audio gear, is a great place to settle in.

Go for: The Rocket Fuel and a cozy, lived-in atmosphere. Know before you go: They have multiple locations, but the original on Jackson Ave has the most character.

The Shout NY Take

Long Island City is a neighborhood of layers. You can have a fully modern experience here, bouncing from a sleek coffee shop to a contemporary art gallery to a glass-walled restaurant on the river. Or you can seek out the older grain of the place, in a 100-year-old bar or a gritty industrial side street. The best way to see Long Island City is to do both. The interplay between the old and the new is what makes it feel like New York, right now.