Astoria’s Italian scene has quietly evolved from red-sauce stalwarts to something far more dynamic. In the past year alone, trattorias have multiplied like porcini after a rainstorm, offering everything from Sardinian pasta to Neapolitan pizza. By the time you finish reading, another might have opened—so consider this your essential guide to the neighborhood’s best.
Nonnas 1977
$ | (718) 606-0060 | WEBSITE
Lined with rock memorabilia and a steady beat of live music, Nonnas 1977 is a welcoming pizza joint with the most authentic Italian pies in the neighborhood. You’ll find things like the bomb parm, chicken parm hero, and tiramisu that’s simply irresistible. Stop by with a date or a group for a casual pizza night—there’s a chill atmosphere, and with its proximity to Astoria Park, it’s easy to make an evening of it.
The staff is attentive, offering samples of fresh mozzarella and roasted red pepper, while the dough, sauce, and cheese are all made in-house. Pizzas come out with a nice crispiness, fresh ingredients, and unique options like the Angie slice, featuring artichoke and creamy ricotta. It’s a fun spot for great food with a relaxed, rock-inspired vibe, though some items like the stuffed artichoke can be less flavorful.
Despite higher prices, the friendly cashier and welcoming vibe make it a highly recommended stop.
Apicius Pizzeria
$ | (718) 204-7722 | WEBSITE
We’ve taken way too many friends to Apicius Pizzeria. It’s easy to impress people with this cool, hidden-gem pizzeria that looks like a cozy Italian corner shop and has that classic New York slice joint vibe with checkered tablecloths and warm lighting. The garlic knots are the best thing on the menu, but they also serve delicious pies with mushrooms and mozzarella, fresh salads, and straightforward slices.
It’s more of a quick lunch spot during the day, but can get pretty busy during dinner time, so come with someone you’re hoping to share your personal space with.
Sotto la Luna
$$ | (631) 380-3569 | WEBSITE
Sotto la Luna serves Italian classics in what feels like a cozy neighborhood trattoria. We’d usually steer clear of places that prepare cacio e pepe in a cheese wheel tableside, but the food here is genuinely delicious, and you’ll feel like you’re at your favorite local spot, watching the chefs in the open kitchen as though you’re part of the family. Sotto la Luna is open late on weekends, with generous portions and warm, inviting service from staff like Gianluca making every visit memorable.
Gino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant
$ | (718) 274-9000 | WEBSITE
There are several late-night spots in Astoria, but Gino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is our favorite because of their kitchen, which turns out incredible cheese and pep slices, Hawaiian and plain pizzas, and inexpensive late-night specials. If you don’t mind eating pizza off paper plates at their simple counter seating, you can have a meal that rivals many pricier Italian joints.
Andrew Bellucci’s Pizzeria
$$ | (718) 407-2497 | WEBSITE
This bustling pizzeria in Astoria is a must-visit destination for pizza enthusiasts, and it’s easy to walk in. They make excellent pizzas with high-quality, vibrant ingredients, many of which are sourced locally. The crust is exceptional, the toppings are generous, and the pies have solid structural integrity down to the last slice.
Our favorites include the classic pepperoni with its robust seasonings and the unique clam pie where the clams are sous-vide before being added, resulting in a well-done and flavorful combination. The White Magic slice and vodkaroni are also standout dishes that have received high praise. The BYOB policy adds to the casual, lively atmosphere, and the homemade brownies make for a perfect ending.
With friendly, attentive staff and spotless, stylish decor, this pizzeria delivers a consistently positive dining experience that keeps customers coming back.
Astoria Family Pizza
$ | (718) 433-9602 | WEBSITE
Every neighborhood should have a reliable pizza joint. In Astoria, Astoria Family Pizza fills that role. Located in a clean, pleasant space with a welcoming vibe, this popular spot has a straightforward, family-friendly atmosphere, right out of a cozy community hub. With a varied menu and a bar available, it’s perfect for a casual meal out. The prices are very reasonable, with a meal for two, including pizza and a drink, costing around $15 each.
For that price, the Lunch Special is an awesome deal that easily satisfies. While the outdoor dining area can attract flies, the overall experience is positive, especially with the seasonal decorations and kid-friendly feel. It’s a great place for a tasty and affordable bite.
VIA VAI
$$ | (347) 612-4334 | WEBSITE
VIA VAI does one thing, and does it well: authentic Italian cuisine. Everything about this cozy Astoria spot is so charming, a nonna could run the place. And one kind of does. The owner from Italy ensures all ingredients are sourced from Italy, but your perfectly prepared meal will arrive in a warm, inviting atmosphere with dim lighting and candlelight. The standout dishes are organized by flavor, and there are some excellent options like fluffy polpette and tiramisu.
That makes VIA VAI a good choice for a romantic evening where you don’t need to leave your authentic dining experience behind.
Sac’s Place
$$ | (718) 204-5002 | WEBSITE
Sac’s Place feels like the sort of cozy kitchen where an Italian nonna would welcome you with open arms. It even has charming outdoor seating that invites you to linger. This family-run restaurant serves pizza and pasta, not just any dishes, but we wouldn’t hesitate to return for their soulful experience. It’s one of the standout Italian spots in Astoria, and for a memorable, authentic dinner, their spectacular eggplant parmigiana and generous linguini with clams are just perfect.
Basil Brick Oven Pizza
$$ | (718) 204-1205 | WEBSITE
Located in the heart of Astoria, Basil Brick Oven Pizza is a fantastic choice for a casual lunch or dinner. The menu consists of Italian classics, and everything from the pasta to the pizza is comforting and well-executed. But the Margherita is the biggest reason to come here. It’s perfectly balanced, with a substantial amount of fresh mozzarella that tastes like it just arrived here straight from the dairy. Sit in a quiet booth, and eat some with a side of fresh bread and olive oil.
Vite Vinosteria
$$$ | (718) 278-8483 | WEBSITE
As their name suggests, this cozy Italian spot does, in fact, serve delicious pasta. But you should actually come here for the grilled octopus. It’s incredibly tender on the inside, but so perfectly charred on the outside that the flavor of every bite lingers on your palate.
Vite Vinosteria’s fresh Insalata dello Chef, scattered with artichoke hearts, should probably be categorized as a work of art, but their Linguine alle Vongole (with garlic-infused white wine sauce and a generous helping of fresh clams) is our favorite thing on the menu. Get it with a side of their daily special.
Il Nonno Ristorante
$$ | (347) 808-0087 | WEBSITE
Il Nonno Ristorante began as a family-owned spot in Astoria, before word spread about their tender, pillowy roasted potatoes and flavorful bolognese, and they became a neighborhood staple. The restaurant sits conveniently with easy parking nearby. The calamari, sirloin steak, and black linguine all taste deliciously herb-forward, with a more nuanced pasta than the sauce-heavy ones you find at spots like other Italian joints.
It’s also a solid value: You can get a hearty plate of porcini pasta for about $24.
Forno Siciliano
$$ | (718) 267-0790 | WEBSITE
Forno Siciliano is for family gatherings. That is, families who really like to eat together. The Italian restaurant is one of the best options in Astoria for a special celebration or memorable dinner, in what feels like a cozy Sicilian kitchen brought to Queens. An obvious choice would be the $28 spaghetti carbonara, but that might leave you too full to try all of the other non-pasta dishes. The fresh bread, negroni, and gluten-free options, like the pastries, are worth making room for too.
Palermo
$$ | (718) 267-0010 | WEBSITE
Originally a family-owned spot, Palermo now serves their classic Italian dishes in a cozy space with just about ten tables inside. It might feel like an old-school trattoria, complete with rustic wooden chairs and checkered tablecloths, but their homemade pasta and pizza are anything but ordinary. The signature lasagna is rich from a generous layering of meat sauce and cheese, with a sprinkle of fresh basil.
And for dessert, they do slices—like the tiramisu, with espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone, and cocoa powder. It might sound like a classic, but it’s one of our favorite things here.
