Great Neck may not have LA’s kale-crazed wellness warriors, but this North Shore enclave has its own delicious contradictions. This list isn’t about fussy fine dining or fleeting trends, but rather places serving exceptional pastrami, perfect bagels, and, yes, maybe a surprisingly elegant beet salad. Here are our favorite spots in town when you’re looking to eat something satisfying and authentically Great Neck.
27 Dressings, Great Neck
$ | (516) 439-5144 | WEBSITE
Salad bars are our nutritional anchor. They’re always ready for us, from quick lunch breaks to assembling a week’s worth of healthy meals when even chopping vegetables feels like too much effort. But grabbing a wholesome meal at 27 Dressings’ cozy, health-focused spot is wonderfully convenient. (Their ingredients taste like they’ve been carefully selected and handled with genuine care.) This place offers a well-stocked salad bar, delicious paninis, wraps, juices, and smoothies.
Don’t miss their protein-packed cinnamond smoothie that puts any basic drink to shame. Essential items include the fresh, vibrant salad bar options, hearty and satisfying wraps, and their signature refreshing juices and smoothies.
Yahao Asian Cuisine
$$ | (516) 829-3811 | WEBSITE
Yes, it’s true that Yahao Asian Cuisine serves remarkably fresh sushi that’ll have you planning your next visit before you’ve even left. But their other dishes are just as impressive, including a comforting ramen with a deeply flavorful broth, or a vibrant poke bowl packed with quality ingredients. The atmosphere is clean and casual with an eclectic vibe, the service is genuinely friendly, and the prices are very reasonable.
Regardless of whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for dinner with friends, find an excuse to enjoy a meal at this cozy spot, perhaps even snagging a seat by the tranquil goldfish aquarium.
Elite Pizza
$ | (516) 466-2233 | WEBSITE
The name of this Great Neck spot sounds like somewhere that offers loyalty cards for free slices after ten purchases. In reality, it’s a casual all-day spot serving hearty, kosher dishes like thin-crust pizza with fresh toppings, Israeli-style dairy pasta, and crispy falafel. There are lighter options, too, like fresh sushi rolls and flavorful salads, which means there’s something for every family member you’ve been meaning to take out for a casual dinner, but never actually do.
Francesca’s Pizzeria
$ | (516) 466-5842 | WEBSITE
Francesca’s Pizzeria makes pizza taste so incredibly authentic, it’s like they’ve zapped frozen pies from the collective consciousness of the neighborhood. This cozy Italian spot sits near the LIR North Station Plaza in Great Neck, and serves generous portions of lasagna and other Italian classics. The pizza steals the show, though. The Margherita whole pie comes with fresh mozzarella and a crispy crust that’s a must-order. (Yes, it’s delicious. Yes, treat yourself!)
Royas Great Neck Kosher Pizza
$ | (516) 829-2660 | WEBSITE
Royas Great Neck Kosher Pizza is as chill as a family living room, except no one’s asking you to clean up after the kids. At this Great Neck spot, $15 gets you a massive cheese pizza feast, complete with a crisp crust, tangy tomato sauce, and a gooey mozzarella topping that tastes like food fit for a birthday party. The kind workers make this meal family heaven, ending with a satisfied smile. Everything is incredibly clean and accommodating.
Just don’t let the cozy atmosphere make you linger all afternoon at the table.
YAAAS TEA Great Neck
$ | (516) 888-0161 | WEBSITE
We know you’re here to learn about where you can get some bubble tea, but, more importantly, do you like a cozy, intimate setting? Well, this is a spot where you can sip fresh, authentic tea in a tiny, cute store in Great Neck. YAAAS TEA sets up a few small tables inside, so you can walk in from the bustling street and relax with favorites like creamy oat strawberry matcha with chewy boba or rich mocha with regular milk and boba.
The earl grey bubble milk tea is more like a smooth, aromatic blend with just the right sweetness, and the type of refreshing, fairly priced treat you want after a long day of errands or work.
Grill Time Express
$$ | (516) 487-2228 | WEBSITE
Tracking down authentic Mediterranean flavors can be a real chore, but Grill Time Express delivers that experience at surprisingly reasonable prices. This friendly neighborhood spot in Great Neck is a solid choice for a quick, satisfying meal, with its focused menu of well-seasoned kabobs and traditional sides.
If you have a moment to linger, the warm ambiance and inviting aromas make it a pleasant place to enjoy their tender baby shish kabob, a generously portioned beef kabob, and those fluffy, fresh pita breads served with pickles and salads. The owner and staff are consistently accommodating, always ready with a smile, which makes grabbing a meal here feel less like a transaction and more like a visit.
Mr.Poke
$ | (516) 482-0416 | WEBSITE
Mr. Poke in Great Neck birthed the neighborhood’s poke bowl craze. But the place is so much more than a basic poke spot. Come with an appetite and build your own bowl with Mr. Poke’s fresh fish (and, realistically, the addictive kimchi). The options stay consistent, but some stand-outs include ahi tuna that melts like butter, salmon that gets a lift from sesame shoyu, and tempura flakes that add crunch like a secret weapon.
Chez Kama
$$ | (516) 482-8360 | WEBSITE
Chez Kama has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine long before it became ubiquitous—we’re talking family-owned for decades. It’s managed to avoid all the sterile minimalism that comes with the territory by offering hearty dishes beyond sushi, like perfectly cooked rack of lamb, pan-seared salmon, and steak with thoughtful accompaniments. Their salads and sushi rolls are praised for impeccable freshness and artful presentation.
It’s conveniently open for lunch and dinner, so head to Chez Kama if you crave a substantial meal in Great Neck. Also, if you are of the green tea ice cream variety, this is your promised land.
Gino’s Pizza of Great Neck
$ | (516) 487-1122 | WEBSITE
We’ve all heard that ‘authentic Italian’ is the secret to a truly satisfying meal. If you subscribe to such beliefs, eat the pizza at this casual Italian spot in Great Neck until you’re completely stuffed. Gino’s Pizza bakes and serves all kinds of pies, like a particularly good margarita pizza bursting with basil flavor. Every order arrives with generous portions, including garlic knots and zeppole, to name a few.
Marie Blachère Bakery & Café
$ | (516) 487-0864 | WEBSITE
Even the pastries at Marie Blachère have fruit in them, so you can count a berry tart as one of your five-a-day. (Those antioxidants cancel out butter, right?). The French-leaning menu at this Great Neck spot consists of simple baked goods and fresh combos, like almond croissants with their signature flaky layers and turkey sandwiches with brie on fresh bread.
Marie Blachère also serves a great weekend brunch, too, if you’re in the mood to dig into an omelet on a sunny rooftop after some shopping.
Rothchilds Coffee & Kitchen
$$ | (516) 482-0434 | WEBSITE
The Mediterranean dishes at Rothchilds Coffee & Kitchen are great because they’re vibrant. Most of these flavorful plates involve just a handful of fresh ingredients, like the roasted eggplant appetizer served with green herb tahini sauce and the cauliflower flatbread topped with herbs. They’re bright, satisfying, and super flavorful without being heavy, and if you’re hungry, order the falafel platter.
(Yep, that’s a classic.) It’s seasoned with Rothchilds’ signature spice blend that permeates every bite of this crispy masterpiece. It also takes a solid 15 minutes to prepare, so order your platter as soon as you sit down and enjoy some hummus while you wait.
Tidal Tea
$ | (516) 500-7290 | WEBSITE
Bubble tea shops are generally casual spots, but Tidal Tea in Great Neck is the only place with a surfboard-designed table and bar-like area. This neighborhood favorite has developed a well-deserved following for specialties like spicy Kani and tuna and refreshing Winter Melon Tea. Get the $10 lunch special, which comes with rice balls, dumplings, or noodles paired with a beverage like almond milk tea with its unique fruity undertones and subtle burnt taste.
It’s enough food for a quick meal before the train or one smart person who wants to get some work done in the cozy setting.