East Flushing - Flushing, NY Area Guide

The East Flushing neighborhood traces its roots to mid-17th century Dutch and English settlers. The area was joined to New York City in 1898 to become part of the borough of Queens. In the 1970s, Taiwanese immigrants began to establish residences in the neighborhood, contributing to the great ethnic diversity that the area enjoys.

While there are no museums in the neighborhood, the Voelker Orth Museum features a lovingly preserved home and Victorian garden just a few blocks to the north. For a live theater venue, the Flushing Town Hall lies within walking distance on Northern Boulevard, and it hosts a full calendar of performing arts events. No annual festivals go on in the neighborhood itself, but residents have plenty to choose from in surrounding areas. A local favorite remains the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival held every August in Flushing Meadows Park, which residents comfortably walk to from anywhere in the neighborhood.

Small local restaurants collect in pockets of the neighborhood along 45th Avenue, 46th Avenue, Parsons Boulevard, and 162nd Street, with many more choices in adjacent areas along Northern Boulevard to the north and Kissena Boulevard to the west. Locals head a few more blocks to the northwest to hit the culinary jackpot in the downtown area. Residents find themselves spoiled by the high number of quality Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Italian eateries available in the area, but they find easy satisfaction for cravings for just about any other cuisine as well.

With its location on 46th Avenue in the heart of the East Flushing neighborhood, the Punjabi Deli & Restaurant receives rave reviews from locals for great-tasting authentic Indian food at reasonable prices. To say that this mom-and-pop establishment serves a diverse menu would be an understatement. It has been described as a “deli grocery store,” and in addition to selling groceries and popular Indian fare, it serves breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, pizza, and pasta dishes. Due to limited seating and the minimal interior decor, most patrons opt for takeout or delivery. Crowd favorites include the chicken tikka masala and the fresh garlic naan.

When cravings turn to Chinese or Taiwanese, Pioneer Cuisine on Parsons Boulevard quickly becomes irresistible. Its extensive menu choices belie the small unassuming appearance of this community gem. Try a bowl of the beef noodle soup, or sample one of the more than 12 dumpling varieties -- the house specialty. The eatery serves its dumplings fresh in-house or frozen in 50-count packages for home consumption.

For a hearty breakfast or a daily special at an authentic old-fashioned diner, residents head to Pop’s Diner on Kissena Boulevard. This unpretentious local stalwart has served up diner grub at diner prices since 1963, and for those into nostalgia, it hasn’t changed much over the years. For the served-all-day breakfast, the corned beef hash gets high marks. Try it with the #3 Breakfast Special or in an omelet. For something completely different, consider one of the Tuesday specials: fish cakes over macaroni and cheese.

The neighborhood’s nightlife consists mostly of local watering holes with some karaoke and sports bars in the mix. A local cigar aficionado should check out Sir Gar Bar, the neighborhood’s very own cigar bar on 162nd Street. Residents rave about its cozy, well-ventilated interior and wide selection of stogies at reasonable prices. Local karaoke fans have no problem finding a nearby establishment to sing their hearts out. Crooners can take a short stroll to the downtown area to visit the upscale Zebra Lounge 2, which serves up a good selection of songs and some great hot pot for a late night snack. For live music on the weekends, B.B.’s Pub and Grill on 46th Avenue rates as a popular choice.

A popular mode of commuter transit for years has been the Long Island Railroad, which runs just north of the neighborhood. The Broadway and Murray Hill stations remain the most convenient for local residents. The Flushing Main Street station in the downtown area connects residents to the #7 Flushing Local subway line for easy transport to Manhattan. Bus service ranks as excellent with several routes servicing the area. The #65 bus bisects the neighborhood along 164th Street.

Hailing a cab in the East Flushing neighborhood isn't always easy. However, many residents use one of the car services that are prevalent in the New York City area by scheduling pickups ahead of time. Uber and Lyft have also become popular choices.

Like most areas in the New York City metropolis, the community ranks as very walkable. However, biking can be hazardous. Parking may be hard to find in East Flushing, especially in the small commercial areas in the neighborhood. Parking meter rates stand at $1 per hour. Several lots have daily or monthly parking specials and rates vary by location. For quick access to JFK Airport, residents take the Long Island and Van Wyck Expressways. Other parkways and expressways surround the neighborhood for easy connections to the outside world.

The East Flushing neighborhood features some truly special parks, including Kissena Park on the southern edge of the neighborhood, Kissena Corridor Park on the southwest side and Bowne Park on the northern periphery. All the parks maintain a kid-friendly environment with playgrounds, and all of them allow dogs as long as owners keep them leashed. Free admission to all the parks serves as an added bonus to neighborhood residents.

Kissena Park ranks as the largest in the area and among the best in all of New York City, and it includes fitness equipment and the Kissena Velodrome cycling track. The Kissena Corridor Park connects Kissena Park to the huge Flushing Meadows-Corona Park complex to the southwest. Bowne Park comes in as the smallest in the area, but it still provides its visitors with a recreation center, bocce and basketball courts, and playgrounds for the kids.

The cost of living in East Flushing remains on par with other surrounding Queens neighborhoods, but it still remains much cheaper than Flushing’s famed neighbor, Manhattan. A one-bedroom apartment will run an average of $1300. The cost to get to the center of Manhattan on the #7 subway stands at $2.50, but regular riders can save money by purchasing a MetroCard. Expect to pay about $3 for a beer at the local saloon, and if the car needs a fill-up at the local gas station, anticipate paying about 19 percent more than the national average.

East Flushing doesn’t have a central shopping area or high-end retail establishments, but small specialty shops locate themselves in the scattered commercial areas. For more shopping options, residents walk to downtown Flushing and the Shops at SkyView Center, which houses a Target store, Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, and many other familiar national chains.

The area’s ethnic diversity is on full display at MGS World in downtown Flushing, a short walk from the East Flushing neighborhood. The Korean stationery store stocks a wide selection of unique gifts, plush toys, jewelry, clothing and tons of imported Morning Glory stationery. For fans of Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters, this shop rates as a must-visit.

Neighborhood residents looking for a custom Chinese wedding dress or traditional qipao dress, or who need specialty alterations of any kind, count on Sylvia Boutique on 38th Street in downtown Flushing. This tiny, out-of-the-way shop has earned a sterling reputation for its high quality at reasonable prices.

The neighborhood lacks any national grocery chains, but several Asian grocery stores, such as Gold City Supermarket on Kissena Boulevard, provide a good selection of produce, meats, seafood, and Chinese products. For organic and antibiotic-free meats and gourmet cheeses, locals stroll south of the neighborhood to the Queens Natural Meat market on Horace Harding Expressway. Regulars rave about the friendly service and great selection of meats, which ranges from venison and quail to lamb chops, chicken, pork, and beef. A popular seasonal farmers market takes place every Friday from late June to late November at the Queens Botanical Garden, which lies just a few blocks west of the neighborhood on Main Street.