Astoria - Ditmars Boulevard (N, W)

It’s the end-of-the-line in Astoria, bringing you to the cute, suburban vibes of downtown Ditmars Steinway.

The area has old-school charm, a mix of primarily Greek, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern immigrants, and a neighborhood feel to it. It’s kind of similar to Forest Hills.

There are three “main” streets in the area: 31st St & Ditmars Blvd & 23rd Ave.

31st Street

The train runs along this street. It’s a bit, well, standard under-the-tracks commerce. You’re probably just going to use this street to connect with Ditmars or 23rd.

Ditmars Blvd
(Between 29th St and Steinway St)

This is a main thoroughfare where the locals congregate for meals, snacks, Italian ice, Irish pubs, shopping, and the like.

Greek seafood: Taverna Kyclades

Rustic-chic American dining: Queen’s Room (more rustic) The Pomeroy (more casual), The Ditty (less chic, more homey, with board games)

Desserts: Cookie Crumz, Sweets by Linda, Martha’s Country Bakery (also profiled in Forest Hills), Uncle Louie G.

Drinking hole: The Last Word (small, dark pub)

23rd Ave
(Between 35th and 26th)

This avenue also has a main-street feel to it, but it’s more quaint and neighborhoody than Ditmars Blvd.

The vibe is cute, slow, and charming, but with some indications that the old-school spots are closing up shop to make way for newer/hipper commerce.

Cute Food & Drink Stop: Bonnie Cafe

Local Greek Food: Telly’s Taverna, Gregory’s 26 Taverna

Irish Pub: The Astoria Tavern

By-And-For-The-Locals: Bartunek Hardware, Pandora’s Mailboxes (these are the kind of places I hope can stay in business)

If you go all the way down 23rd Ave to the East River, past where the commerce fizzles out and it just becomes residential, you’ll get to the Astoria Pool. On a hot weekend day, the line snakes through the park. It mostly caters to the local Hispanic children. (If you’re looking for a bite to eat around the pool scene, try Kinship Coffee).

Photos! Organized by Street

***
31st St
***

***
Ditmars Blvd
***

***
23rd Ave
***

Since 1925!

Residential vibe on 23rd

The line for the pool

The pool, emptied for break time before the late-afternoon crowd.