Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.
Sept. 27, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
Food lovers, mark your calendars.
The Taste of Sunnyside returns for its 14th annual event on Sunday, Oct. 13. This festival, organized by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID), will feature 60 local restaurants offering diverse flavors from around the world.
“Attendees will be treated to various tastes from local signature dishes and brews,” said Dirk McCall de Palomá, Executive Director of Sunnyside Shines. “Eventgoers will get to visit each participating restaurant, which is great for small business owners to make direct connections with their neighbors and for people to know where restaurants are located.”
Participants sample local cuisine at the 2023 Taste of Sunnyside. Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.
A Celebration of Culinary Diversity
The festival kicks off at 1 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m., allowing ample time to explore the food offerings from some of the neighborhood’s most beloved eateries. Participants can expect globally inspired dishes from restaurants like Bolivian Llama Party, Turkish Grill and Malaysian cuisine from Laksa Shop, along with local favorites such as Soleluna and Takesushi. Newcomers like Curley’s Bagels and Kora Bakery will make their debuts.
“Sunnyside is home to an incredible array of small, diverse businesses that make it one of the most vibrant dining destinations in New York City,” said Thomas Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “This event is the perfect opportunity to explore the unique flavors that define this community and support the hardworking local entrepreneurs who bring them to life.”
Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.
More Than Just Food
Taste of Sunnyside is more than a culinary experience; it is a community celebration. As guests sample dishes, they will enjoy roving musicians, a DJ and live performances by local artists. The event aims to not only highlight Sunnyside’s dining scene, but also foster connections among neighbors and support the local economy.
46th Street, between Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue, will transform into a vibrant block party featuring live music and activities for all ages.
“Taste of Sunnyside is about trying delicious food and supporting our small businesses to ensure our money stays in the local economy,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Thank you to Sunnyside Shines for helping us highlight the local restaurants that are the heart and soul of our district.”
Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.
Event Details and Tickets
Tickets for the event are $55, plus taxes and fees, and can be purchased at tasteofsunnyside.com. The ticket grants access to all tastings and includes a passport to guide attendees through the event’s culinary journey. To accommodate all guests, Sunnyside Shines will provide two shuttles and an ADA-compliant bus to transport participants along the route. Check-in locations will be at Lowery Plaza at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard, and at 46th Street and Queens Boulevard, where organizers will provide recommended tasting routes.
For those eager to get a head start, a special launch party will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, at QBK Sports on 39th Street, offering a sneak peek of what to expect at the main event.
Photo courtesy of Sunnyside Shines.
Participating Restaurants
The following businesses will be featured in this year’s Taste of Sunnyside, offering a wide array of flavors:
Arcobaleno Gelateria NYC (Italian)
Arriba Latin Fusion & Bar
Bajeko Sekuwa (Nepalese)
Bar 43 (Home of the Atomic Wings)
Baruir Coffee Shop (Roasting coffee since 1966)
Belo Bar & Grill (Brazilian Fusion)
BK Dim Sum (Chinese)
Blended Smoothies
Bliss 46 Bistro (French)
Bolivian Llama Party (Bolivian)
Brookside Market
Cardamom Indian Cuisine
Chakra Café
Chiddy’s Cheesesteak
Chihuahua Restaurant & Cantina (Mexican)
Chipichape Bakery (Colombian)
Costa y Mar (Ecuadorian and Peruvian)
Courtyard Ale House
Curley’s Bagels
Danubius (Romanian)
de Mole Mexican Restaurant (Mexican)
Elio’s Ice Cream
Floribella (Italian-Ecuadorian)
Empire Shop
Kaprichos (Colombian)
Kasbah Café (Algerian)
Kora Bakery (Filipino)
La Adelita (Mexican)
Laksa Shop (Malaysian)
La Pollera de Mario (Colombian)
La Vienesa Bakery (Colombian baked goods since 1968)
Limeña Pisco Bar (Peruvian)
The Lowery Bar and Kitchen
Mad for Chicken (Korean Fusion)
Maison de Gateaux (French Bakery)
Marabella Pizza (Italian)
Masa Madre Bakery (Mexican & international artisanal bakery)
McGuinness’s Saloon (Irish Pub)
Melting Cups
Moa Coffee
Möge Tee
Mr. Burrito Loco (Mexican)
Newa Chhe (Nepalese)
Ricas Pupusas y Mas (El Salvadorian & Mexican)
Rincon Melania (Ecuadorian)
Riko Peruvian
Rogue Bar
Sanger Hall
Seoul Bystro (Korean)
Shah’s (Halal)
SingleCut Brewery
Spicy Nepal (Nepalese)
Soleluna (Italian)
Sotto le Stelle (Italian)
Souk el Shater (Lebanese)
Sweet Avenue
Tacos el Guero (Mexican)
Tangra (Indian-Chinese)
Takesushi (Japanese)
Tito Rad’s (Filipino)
Turkish Grill (Turkish)
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