A guide to the Queens Night Market in New York City

New York has endless great restaurant options, and while all the praise tends to go to Manhattan eateries, Queens is a long-underrated mecca of delicious international cuisine. And if you can’t go on a world tour to taste different foods, there’s one event that allows for it; no passport required. A little off the usual New York City tourist trek, the Queens Night Market is an absolute must-do if you are in New York City during the summer. Lean on this guide to plan your time at the market.

What’s so special about the Queens Night Market?

The Queens Night Market is a weekly market that happens only in summer. It's a beloved annual tradition in Queens and easily one of the most underrated summer events in NYC. What makes it so unique is that it features cuisine from all over the world, including Trinidadian baked shark, Brazilian steak sandwiches, Tibetan dumplings, and even Transylvanian ice cream.

How did it start?

In 2015, lawyer John Wang was fed up and burnt out from his job, and launched the market with very little startup cash or corporate backing. This was just a local group aiming to give small restaurants a chance to reach a wider audience and celebrate the borough’s cultural diversity. Wang set it all up at the former site of the New York World’s Fair, behind the New York Hall of Science. Today, the market welcomes around 20,000 visitors each weekend with 90 countries represented through various vendors – a feat that can only be done somewhere as ethnically diverse as Queens! The focus is to make the market accessible for everyone, so there is a price cap on dishes (more about that below), and it has helped launch hundreds of new restaurants, introducing them to a wide audience.

How do I get there?

The easiest way to get to the festival is to take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point station (the same stop you would go for the US Open) by the Arthur Ashe stadium then walk through Flushing Meadows Corona Park for about 15 minutes before arriving. You can also take the LIRR to the Mets-Willets station or to 111th St station and walk four blocks toward the New York Hall of Science where you will see the market. There is limited parking, so arrive early if you're driving.

When does the market take place?

The Queens Market happens every Saturday from 4pm to 12am, April 12 through October 25. There is a break between August 16 and September 13 to accommodate the US Open tournament, but the market resumes after the games are over.

Is there a fee to get in?

No, it’s free admission to enter.

How much money should I bring? Do they accept credit cards?

Market vendors are required to cap prices at 6 US dollars or less ($6). Usually, stalls have breakdowns of US$4, US$5 and US$6 for different food and drink options. Some stalls have QR codes to accept Venmo, Zelle and Cashapp payments, but most only take cash, so your best bet is to bring some. I budgeted US$40 to spend while I was there, and I tried a lot of tasty options. There is also an ATM on the premises.

Do they serve alcohol? Can I sit down anywhere with my food?

Yes, there is a bar on site serving beer and wine for guests over 21. There are also picnic tables where you can sit together to eat, or you can bring a blanket or some lawn chairs to set up your own picnic on the grass.

What should I know as a first timer?

Try to get there before 8pm. If you want more time without long lines and to find a parking spot, aim for a 6pm arrival. An adjacent independent parking lot that charges US$15 per vehicle, but the subway and a few blocks walk is usually the best option.

Pro tip: If you are traveling with a group, have everyone get into different food stall lines to cut down on time waiting. Splitting up optimizes your time, and you get more food choices.

Is it only food?

No, you can also browse through local vendors selling different kinds of artisanal goods and art. There are also performances that happen hourly. Here are some of our favorite non-food vendors:

Throggs Nectar: A local honey vendor that also makes and sells bee products from soap to lip balm to salve.

Sabrina’s Henna: Commemorate your evening with a beautiful henna piece on your hand.

Joyeria Angelica Maria: This vendor sells precious stones for your home as well as unique handmade jewelry.

The best food stalls to visit

There are an overwhelming number of stalls, and all deserve a taste, but if you want our recommendations:

Alexis Caribbean Kitchen: The Guyanese pepperpot was honestly one of the best dishes I tried on my first night there.

Hong Kong Street Food: You will not be disappointed with the roasted pork rice noodles at this extremely popular stall.

Emeye Ethiopian Cuisine: Patrons love the sega wat with beef stew, cabbage and injera.

Buffalo Jump: Don't miss the chance to try the Native American fry bread. Choose between a sweet dish topped with strawberries or honey or something more savory like bison chili.

Brazilicious: The lines were consistently long for this stall, and once you try their steak sandwiches, you will quickly see why.

Tibetan Nomad Momo: Another very popular stall with long lines, but where else can you go to try traditional Tibetan food? The dumplings were the star of the show.