Family-Friendly International Restaurants in Queens

No need to get in an airplane to give your kids a taste of cuisines from a wide array of cultures, including Burmese, Malaysian, Russian, and Pakistani. Just hop on the subway to Queens to dip your spoon in the melting pot!

Time was when you couldn’t get a kid (an American kid, anyway!) to put something in his mouth he couldn’t pronounce, but these days local young foodies are planning to open their own high end restaurants (like this Long Island girl) and preparing croquembouche for their middle school classmates. Why not encourage your own budding  young Master Chef Junior to sample the array of world cuisines on offer right in New York City?

Take a jaunt through Queens with your kids in tow for some neighborhood fun and a sample of tastes both sweet and savory from an array of cultures.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban population in the world. It’s not surprising, then, that it has become a go-to for tourists and New Yorkers alike when craving traditional ethnic foods.

Whether your little one is a picky eater or an adventurous foodie, we have pulled together a list of our favorite restaurants and meals for little taste buds.

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Burmese

Crazy Crab
40-42 College Point Blvd., Flushing; 718-353-8188

Crazy Crab serves a variety of seafood dishes with a Burmese flare. Those looking for a truly unique experience should try the soups and veggies—including the Burmese Tea Salad. Try offering tastes of various dishes to encourage children to sample several items.

Greek

Taverna Kyclades
33-07 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria; 718-545-8666

This Greek restaurant is a staple of the neighborhood and has become so popular that the owners recently opened an East Village location. Try fried calamari—it’s a house specialty and children will enjoy dipping the calamari rings in marinara sauce (call them “Italian French fries” to up the kid appeal!). If you’re little one doesn’t like seafood, try the patates fournou, lemon roasted potatoes. Fried cheese is another popular side dish (how could it not be, right?).

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Indian

Masala
39-26 61st St., Woodside; 718-672-9500

Family owned and operated since 1993, Masala serves up unique chicken tikka dishes. Start your meal with a samosa, a stuffed pastry with vegetable or meat. Then, order naan to accompany your main dish. Be sure to spoon up cooling yogurt if your little one complains that the meal is too spicy.

Malaysian

Malay Restaurant
13517 40th Road, Flushing; 718-353-2901

Since the 1990s, this niche restaurant has been accommodating those interested in Malaysian-Chinese food. Start your meal off with satay, grilled chicken or beef skewers and one of the most popular Malaysian dishes. Roti canai, a flat bread, can be eaten alongside to make a meal for a little one. Congee or porridge is a great option for older kids who may not like traditional curries. For an exotic, “I-can’t-believe-I-tried-it” dessert with a cool factor for kids, order a slightly sweet glass of soy milk with grass jelly (pictured)—in Malaysia, it’s often referred to as a “Michael Jackson,” and the jelly cubes are made from a leaf called Mesona chinensis, or xiancao.

Mexican

Chela & Garnacha
33-09 36th Ave., Astoria; 917-832-6876

After three years slinging tacos from the Mexico Blvd food truck, the Loaeza family has their own restaurant in Astoria. Look for traditional items such as tacos and flautas to get started. Quesadillas promise to be a hit as well.