3 Best Restaurants in The Rockaways, New York City

This small, mostly outdoor eatery feels more like a beach destination oasis than a New York City dining spot. For the perfect post-beach pit stop, order some Mexican-style street tacos (try the fried fish) and a cold cerveza, and bask in the chill surfer vibes as the sun goes down.

The northern side of the peninsula doesn't get nearly enough love, but Thai Rock is here to change that. The menu is pretty solid but standard, with your usual noodle dishes, spring rolls, and satays, but no matter: you're here for the cocktails at sunset, with views of Jamaica Bay and the Cross Bay Bridge, as well as the frequent live music (check the website for dates).

If you need evidence that Rockaway is becoming hip, look no further than this sceney spot serving a mix of Russian and Central Asian specialties. There are juicy pelmeni (meat) and manti (spicy lamb) dumplings, lagman noodles, and savory filled pastries known as bichaki, plus the expected very good borscht. Pressed tin ceilings, exposed-brick walls, and menus written on blackboards give the place a decidedly Brooklyn vibe.