Astoria, with its vibrant culinary scene, offers a surprising bounty for cured meat enthusiasts. Beyond the usual suspects, you'll find hidden gems and established favorites offering a diverse range of sausages, hams, salamis, and more. This guide highlights ten of the best spots to indulge your cured meat cravings in Astoria, NYC. We'll explore what makes each place unique, focusing on the quality of their cured meats, the overall dining experience, and what makes them stand out in Astoria's competitive food landscape.
Top Spots for Cured Meat Delights in Astoria
This list isn't ranked, as each establishment offers a unique and delicious cured meat experience. The "best" cured meat is subjective and depends on individual preferences!
1. Taverna Kyclades: Authentic Greek Flavors
Taverna Kyclades isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. Their cured meats, sourced from Greece, are a highlight. Expect exceptional quality, highlighting traditional Greek curing methods. Their loukaniko (Greek sausage) is particularly noteworthy, boasting a robust flavor profile. The atmosphere is lively, transporting you to a taverna in the Greek Islands. Pair your cured meats with their extensive wine list for a complete culinary journey.
- Specialty: Loukaniko (Greek sausage)
- Atmosphere: Lively, authentic Greek taverna
- Price Range: $
2. Arepazo: Venezuelan Delights with a Cured Meat Twist
While primarily known for arepas, Arepazo cleverly incorporates cured meats into their offerings. Their pernil (slow-roasted pork shoulder) is often cured and offers a unique twist on the classic dish. The thinly sliced Pernil pairs wonderfully with their various arepas and sauces. This is a great option for those looking for a less traditional cured meat experience, fused into a beloved Venezuelan cuisine.
- Specialty: Pernil (slow-roasted, cured pork shoulder)
- Atmosphere: Casual, vibrant Venezuelan eatery
- Price Range: $
3. Casa Del Mar: Spanish Tapas and Iberian Delights
Casa Del Mar brings the vibrant flavors of Spain to Astoria. Their selection of cured meats, particularly their jamón ibérico, is exceptional. The jamón ibérico, from Iberian pigs, is known for its exquisite marbling and intense flavor. This is a great spot for a tapas experience, sampling various cured meats alongside other Spanish delicacies.
- Specialty: Jamón Ibérico
- Atmosphere: Romantic, sophisticated Spanish tapas bar
- Price Range: $$
4. The Bohemian Beer Garden: A Casual Cured Meat Haven
This beer garden provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a variety of cured meats. While not their primary focus, their selection is surprisingly diverse and high quality. They often feature local and artisanal cured meats, making it a great place to discover new flavors. Pair your meats with one of their many craft beers for a truly enjoyable experience.
- Specialty: Rotating selection of artisanal cured meats
- Atmosphere: Relaxed, casual beer garden
- Price Range: $
5. Modell's Delicatessen: A Classic NYC Deli Experience
Modell's is a classic New York City deli, serving up all the cured meat favorites you'd expect. Their pastrami on rye is legendary, and their selection of other cured meats is equally impressive. This is a perfect spot for a hearty, traditional deli experience with ample portions of top quality cured meats.
- Specialty: Pastrami on rye
- Atmosphere: Classic NYC deli
- Price Range: $
6. Il Bambino: Italian Charm and Cured Meat Perfection
Il Bambino is an Italian restaurant offering a range of cured meats alongside their pasta dishes and other Italian specialties. Their prosciutto and salami are standouts, exhibiting exquisite flavor and texture. This is a great place for a more refined cured meat experience within a full Italian meal setting.
- Specialty: Prosciutto, Salami
- Atmosphere: Charming Italian restaurant
- Price Range: $$
7. Manducatis: Elevated Italian Cuisine
Manducatis represents a step up in the Astoria Italian scene, showcasing beautifully prepared dishes. Their cured meats are often incorporated into appetizers and antipasto platters, using higher quality ingredients. This is a great spot for a sophisticated evening out, featuring finely curated cured meats.
- Specialty: Artisanal cured meats in antipasto platters
- Atmosphere: Upscale Italian restaurant
- Price Range: $$
8. Defonte's: Astoria's Neighborhood Butcher
Defonte's is a local butcher shop offering a wide array of freshly cured meats. This is a great place to find unique and high-quality options you might not find elsewhere. It’s the ideal place to stock up on ingredients to prepare your own cured meat feast at home!
- Specialty: Wide selection of freshly cured meats
- Atmosphere: Local butcher shop
- Price Range: Varies
9. Falafel Heaven: Unexpected Cured Meat Delights
While known for its falafel, Falafel Heaven occasionally includes cured meats in some of its specialty wraps or platters. The combination of falafel and cured meat is unusual but provides a satisfying textural and flavor contrast. It's a great option for those wanting a different kind of cured meat experience.
- Specialty: Cured meats in unique wraps and platters
- Atmosphere: Casual, fast-casual
- Price Range: $
10. A Taste of Greece: Family-Run, Authentic Flavors
A Taste of Greece provides a classic, family-run Greek restaurant experience. This is a great location for affordable and delicious cured meats, as the focus is on simple but high-quality dishes using traditional preparation methods.
- Specialty: Greek cured sausages and cold cuts
- Atmosphere: Homey, family-run Greek eatery
- Price Range: $
This list offers a variety of options to satisfy any cured meat craving in Astoria. Remember to check websites or call ahead for hours, menus, and availability, especially for more specialized items. Enjoy your culinary adventure!
