This year, we’ve logged more hours at Flushing’s bar & grills than a Queens fire marshal. So many hours that our napkins now bear permanent grease stains, and our dreams feature sizzling platters. So, which spots truly earned their stripes after all that grilling?
Louie’s Prime Steak & Seafood
$$$ | (516) 883-4242 | WEBSITE
It’s going to take you a while to snag a prime dinner slot at Louie’s Prime Steak & Seafood before they close for renovations. But whether you’re booking weeks ahead or hoping for a last-minute cancellation, your persistence will pay off with some of the best steaks and seafood in Port Washington, if not the entire region. These expertly prepared dishes exist in that sweet spot of dining: they’re elegant but approachable, classic but exciting, and “just right” in every bite.
They’re luxurious canvases for thoughtful execution, like the perfectly seared New York Strip with its rich marbling, or the delicate crab cakes with their crisp exterior and tender interior. And we know what you’re probably thinking: isn’t waiting that long for a steakhouse a bit excessive? Then visit during their current run before the big changes—you’ll experience the attentive service and gracious atmosphere that have made this place an icon.
It might not have the future rooftop deck yet, but it’ll satisfy that same craving for a memorable meal.
Rolo’s
$$$ | (718) 417-6567 | WEBSITE
We’ve been loyal to the Double Cheeseburger at Rolo’s since our first visit. But if this Williamsburg spot shows us anything, it’s that this cozy bar and grill is more than just a burger joint. With equal enthusiasm, we love their crispy potatoes ‘war style,’ the simple but delicious polenta bread, and the hamachi crudo that’s so fresh it practically melts on the tongue.
Those dishes alone deserve high praise, but Rolo’s keeps things compelling by mixing in rotating specials (roasted carrot) and excellent desserts (like their signature cheesecake) that we check for like a foodie tracking a limited menu drop. Basically, we’ll find any reason to grab lunch or dinner at Rolo’s and think you should do the same.
Doc Watson’s
$$ | (212) 988-5300 | WEBSITE
If enjoying a classic Irish pub experience is your goal, make your way here. Long a staple on the upper east side, Doc Watson’s maintains its warm and welcoming atmosphere, complete with great decor and a lovely back yard that offers a peaceful spot to unwind. Our advice: grab a seat outside. Wherever you settle, you’ll dig into generous portions like the standout chicken curry, the hearty Irish breakfast, and flavorful sliders perfect for sharing.
They use quality ingredients from local businesses, like Orwashers for their delicious focaccia. This isn’t fancy dining—whatever that means—but it is top-notch food with crispy fries, chicken strips with delicious dressings, and fresh beer, all served by friendly staff who ensure a great experience. It’s a solid spot for brunch too, with a good deal that includes dishes plus two drinks you can mix and match, alcoholic or not. Despite some hiccups on busy days like St.
Patrick’s, you’ll leave happier than when you arrived, whether you’re catching a game or just enjoying the vibe.
The Anchored Inn
$$ | (718) 576-3297 | WEBSITE
This year, tons of pandemic-era pop-ups made the transition into full brick-and-mortars. Our favorite of the bunch is The Anchored Inn. The creative Filipino fusion food here is every bit as spectacular as it was at the former dive bar’s pop-up in 2020. Only now you get to hang out while you eat. The Flushing bar keeps things divey and vibrant, but it’s much more than a spot to pick up a spicy paloma in between shows.
If it’s your first visit, go for the bomb brunch special, which comes with big portions of perfectly textured fresh-cut fries, cheesy corn fritters with a nuoc cham-inspired sauce, and a dish of your choice (the sisig chopped cheese is a must). And make sure to return for some of the elaborate specials that are only served at dinner, too.
Bk Backyard Bar
Here’s the thing about Bk Backyard Bar: while it’s more laid-back than a traditional sports bar, this outdoor hangout in Williamsburg isn’t exactly a place you just pop into for a quick drink. And, frankly, we’re fine with that—because sprawling out at one of their picnic tables with a cold beer, some juicy burgers from their burger fest, and a plate of crispy wings is a chance to enjoy the same lively atmosphere for a fraction of the cost, and without any reservations needed.
Everything about an afternoon at this spacious retreat feels relaxed, from the soft turf underfoot to the private TVs showing the game without any pushing or shoving. There are plenty of great bars in Brooklyn, but none of them have the power to create such a fun, dog-friendly gathering spot like Bk Backyard Bar.
Archie’s Tap & Table
$$ | (718) 885-9229 | WEBSITE
Part of what makes Archie’s Tap & Table special is that you can’t compare it to any other bar and grill in Flushing. In fact, just describing this cozy spot will undoubtedly raise some eyebrows.
Yes, it’s a small, intimate bar and grill, but it feels nothing like the cramped, impersonal image that probably popped into your head: the warm, homey atmosphere is inviting, the lively yet comfortable vibe is buzzing, and the consistently delicious bar and grill classics play into the comfort factor without giving flashbacks to a generic chain with mediocre food.
Every dish has Chef Alex’s attentive touch to it, from the Belgian waffles to eggs Hollandaise to the onion rings that wouldn’t look out of place at a high-end brunch spot. It’s pure, unadulterated, slightly intimate fun—we don’t question how it all fits together, it just does.
The Local Eatery & Craft Beer
$ | (718) 480-6616 | WEBSITE
This Flushing bar and grill really only does two things—craft beers and satisfying comfort food—and both of them are fantastic. The beers are craft in their ideal form: a rotating, impressive collection with great value, and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that enhances every sip. The food is crave-worthy burgers and shareable plates, which are exactly what you want after sampling a few local brews.
There’s also efficient service from owners Louis and Jamie, but if you have the chance to hang out at The Local Eatery, you should. The relaxed, hole-in-the-wall space feels like a cross between a chill neighborhood pub and a ’90s-era grill spot you might’ve gone to after a game with friends.
And while the beer selection and some food items change with limited quantities, we feel confident saying the best thing to enjoy at The Local Eatery is whatever is available that day—whether it’s the Chipotle Melt, Smashed Bacon Cheeseburger, or Buffalo cauliflower.
Friendship BBQ
$$ | (917) 563-7856 | WEBSITE
Considering there’s no website, reservation system, or even a clear sign out front (at least one that’s visible from the street), Friendship BBQ easily wins for the most elusive restaurant find of the year. Or rediscovery, actually—the place has been operating in this Flushing spot for ages. And yet, when you walk into this bustling bar and grill, all you’ll be struck by is how clean and welcoming it feels.
Simple tables with matching chairs fill the spacious dining room, and votive candles glow under each table’s foil grate. Large groups of friends pass around plates of cumin-spiced lamb skewers and garlicky pea pod leaves. Dates in the corner share succulent bone marrow with garlic. Meals at Friendship are measured not by the hour, but by how many skewers are ordered (most run $2–$4 each). You know those quirky late-night spots that seem to only exist in foodie dreams?
That’s what’s happening here.
Anable Basin Sailing Bar & Grill
$$ | (718) 433-9269 | WEBSITE
When this breezy, waterfront spot emerged back in spring, it became one of the first seasonal gems to get us all excited. There was a warmth in the air, the sunsets were just getting longer, and we were served a steak so perfectly grilled and juicy, we wanted to savor every bite like a summer memory. Run with the same laid-back spirit as the best outdoor hangouts, this Flushing spot offers straightforward but satisfying dishes like well-cooked grilled meats and sweet, fresh corn.
Even a simple view of the illuminated Manhattan skyline from their self-service bar, lined with cool crowds and friendly faces, is worth braving the limited parking for.
Sugar
$$ | (646) 387-8136 | WEBSITE
We had a feeling this Flushing spot would be a smash hit well before we set foot inside its dining room. That’s mostly because Sugar is the restaurant equivalent of a seasoned performer—it’s been a popular destination for years, especially on Fridays with top-notch entertainment. But much like a surprise encore, this lively bar and grill exceeded our expectations anyway.
Building on the welcoming atmosphere described by regulars, Sugar serves food worthy of a memorable night out with the bubbly energy of a neighborhood fixture. You come here for perfectly prepared shrimp, outstanding fried chicken, and gooey macaroni and cheese, all in generous portions. And you’ll inevitably want to linger in a cozy booth during open mic night until the last note fades.
Getting a table at Sugar might take some patience on busy evenings, but the thrill of eating here makes all the fuss worth it.
HK Kitchen & Draft House
$$ | (347) 851-2000 | WEBSITE
Flushing has a lot of great bar and grill spots, so if you’re wondering why you should give HK Kitchen & Draft House your attention, we have three words for you: mango martini magic. Forget your standard happy hour drinks, because HK Kitchen has cocktails on cocktails of nuanced, creative flavors that you won’t find anywhere else in the neighborhood. And their chicken dishes are just as fantastic, with thought-out flavors, textures, and little touches you’d expect from a fine dining spot.
You’ll try expertly grilled chicken quesadillas with melted cheese and fresh pico de gallo and a crispy chicken sandwich with sautéed broccoli and a side of curly fries. Even in a city filled with casual dining, this welcoming operation has expanded our idea of comfort-food nirvana: sitting at a clean wooden table with a mango martini, a plate of chicken nachos, and as much of HK Kitchen’s warm, attentive service as we can handle.
Bayhouse
$$ | (718) 527-7575 | WEBSITE
On paper, Bayhouse might seem like any other airport-adjacent bar and grill near JFK. It’s bright and breezy, there are wide-open views from the terrace, and they pour a whole lot of cold beer. But this Flushing spot has something those other “convenient” places don’t: a spectacular panorama of bay waters and landing planes on Runway 31R. And though it does give the space an exciting, dynamic energy, it’s also what makes the seafood and steak here some of the most satisfying we’ve had all season.
Almost every dish, from the hearty seafood pasta loaded with shellfish, steak so robust it could anchor a ship, and decent bar snacks to share, gets enjoyed with that view and tastes all the more memorable for it. Whether going all out for dinner on the sunny terrace or popping inside for a quick lunch with drinks, Bayhouse is the kind of place we want to return to again and again.