In recent years, Ridgewood — a mostly quiet and residential community in Queens, right over the border from Brooklyn — has become a popular neighborhood right off the L and M line. And last year, Time Out named it one of the Coolest Neighborhoods in the entire world, keeping company with the likes of Colonia Americana in Guadalajara, Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, and Shimokitazawa in Tokyo.
The criteria for Ridgewood's inclusion among such hip and happening spots? All of these neighborhoods are "incredible places to be right now. They’re areas with accessible, cutting-edge culture and nightlife; brilliant and affordable food and drink; lively street life and big community vibes." Sounds like a place we want to hang out! Especially since Ridgewood is so easy to get to via the MTA. Just take the L train to Myrtle-Wyckoff, or the M train to one of three stations in the neighborhood.
Best of all, even though there are a lot of great new restaurants opening in Ridgewood these days, the basic character of the neighborhood hasn't really changed. For one thing, with ten national historic districts and four landmark districts, new construction is rare around here, so all of those lovely old brick row houses remain safe from development, which makes for some very pleasant strolling.
Plus the area is home to the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in the city, the circa-1709 Vander Ende-Onderdonk House over on Flushing Avenue. In the backyard, you’ll find the Arbitration Rock, which was originally set there to mark the border of what is now Brooklyn and Queens.
So if you don't live in Ridgewood, you should go explore Ridgewood, is our suggestion. And when you go, make sure you go hungry. There are a ton of exciting places to check out here, both brand new and certified classic. To get you started, here's a non-exhaustive guide to some favorite spots.
If you're looking for lunch, brunch, an afternoon snack, an early supper, or literally any excuse to eat some incredibly good food, your first stop needs to be the corner of Grove Street and Cypress Avenue for the awesome Mama Yoshi Mini Mart.
Billed as a "convenience store," Mama Yoshi is Yukiko Muneyasu and Miles Tickler's new neighborhood treasure, with made-to-order and grab-and-go items like spicy chicken katsu, cups overflowing with shumai, shrimp tempura and salted plum onigiri, and a show-stopping spam grilled cheese sandwich. It's tiny, with a few stools inside and a couple of tables out front, but we can't recommend this place too highly. You'll instantly envy everyone who lives right nearby.
The other Ridgewood must is Rolo's, a lively, sprawling space on Onderdonk Avenue that functions as an excellent cafe and bakery during weekdays, a hugely popular brunch spot on weekends, and, come dinnertime every night, one of the best restaurants anywhere in New York City. The menus here all make good use of the constantly-roaring, wood-burning oven (pizzas, vegetables, various meats, and some amazing polenta bread are all beautifully charred in this beast), and the desserts are always phenomenal. It's not cheap, but oh man is it good.
As is the case in any neighborhood worth its salt, there are plenty of pizza options in Ridgewood, but the best one might be the year-old Mano's Pizzeria up on the corner of Forest Avenue and Bleecker Street, where co-owner and sole pizzaiolo Nick Manopella cranks out classic NYC foldable slices (the super cheesy, super garlicky "white pie" is particularly good) as well as some excellent "upside down" Sicilians. Bonus points for that old-school slice shop vibe too.
Another good choice: Panina, which is serving up stellar sourdough pies on Forest Ave.
Also called pizza on Forest Avenue, but from the Balkans and not really pizza at all, the stuffed triangular slabs of flaky, oily burek at longtime neighborhood mainstay Burek's Pizza come in three varieties — cheese, meat, and spinach and cheese — all of which will leave you feeling full and happy. Definitely get a cup of thick, sippable Balkan yogurt on the side; the greasy pastry and tangy dairy go great together.
Less expensive, and easily as delicious, as either of the above slices are any variety of the headlining dish at Pupusas Ridgewood. Pupusas, in case you haven't tried these beauties before, are round flatbreads made from cornmeal, stuffed with meats, cheeses, beans, and/or vegetables, then griddled and served immediately, usually with a cabbage relish called curtido and a tomato-based sauce. At Guillermina Ramirez's festive little place here on Fresh Pond Road, they are terrific. A huge cup of sweet housemade horchata makes a perfect accompaniment.
For a more South-of-France-type cafe scene, plus cocktails, the two-year-old Plein Aire is the spot. During the day you can get things like a fluffy goat cheese omelette or a plate of sausage and lentils; at dinner there are oysters and pork belly with beans. Either way, it's cozy in here, so maybe make a reservation if you can.
Speaking of cute and cozy, Norma's Bakery and Cafe draws a crowd on weekends for brunch-time sandwiches such as the self-explanatory "Spicy Bacon" one, the hummus and avocado "Californian" one, and the "Ranchero" one with eggs, black beans, and cheddar. There are also lots of homemade baked goodies here, from cookies to croissants to mini bundt cakes. An ideal neighborhood spot, in a neighborhood that seems to have more than its fair share of them.
Speaking of... the opposite of cute and cozy, Flying Fox Tavern is Tracy Bradbury and Chad Johnson's dark and freaky (in a fun way) horror-themed bar, restaurant, and all-around friendly local gathering place with lots of alcohol and dishes like green chili burgers, onion soup, and vegan haggis. At least stop by for a drink and check out the over-the-top decor!
If you're in the mood for a quick taco or two, the pro move here in Ridgewood is just pop in to almost any bodega for a snack. For a more sit-down restaurant experience, complete with cheery decor, check out La Chilangas on Seneca Ave, which serves a full array of Mexican favorites, from tacos and tortas to quesadillas, chilaquiles, enchiladas, and burritos.
Right nearby on Seneca is the popular Venezuelan restaurant Cachapas y Mas, a street-food joint with an expansive "build-your-own" type menu. There are sweet corn cachapas, obviously, and crisp arepas, and patacones, a sandwich which uses fried green plantain slices as the bread. Stuff any one of these with pollo, or chorizo, or pernil, or extra queso frito, squeeze on a bunch of sauce and you have a large and satisfying lunch.
Yet another spot on Seneca worth your attention is the Nepali neighborhood favorite While In Kathmandu, a "chiya pasal," or tea shop, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a charmingly ramshackle space. There are momos here, of course, those famous plump steamed Himalayan dumplings, as well as various grilled meats, stuffed flatbreads, and lots of vegan options.
Ridgewood is also home to the beloved Rudy's, the oldest bakery in all of Queens. First opened in 1934, Rudy's has had three owners over the decades, but the family running things now have been doing so for forty years. There's a stunning variety of baked goods and other treats on display, from traditional Italian cookies and gooey Argentine alfajores to croissants, danishes, chocolates, hamantash, and a solid rendition of that NYC classic, the black & white. It's the sort of place that makes you happy the moment you walk in, just because it still exists.
Another classic? Gottscheer Hall, which has been an institution in the neighborhood since the 1920s, is a great way to end your day in Ridgewood. Stop by for a pint, some German food, and cheerful vibes.
Do you have a favorite spot in Ridgewood? Tag @MTAaway in your photos on Instagram.
Subway
Take the L train to Myrtle-Wyckoff, or the M train to one of three stations in the neighborhood
