If you’re thinking about a trip to Rockaway Beach, you’re probably already seeking sun and sand. But there are so many great spots to eat, too. Here’s a guide to help you plan your day at the beach, meal by meal.
Breakfast
The biscuit, bacon, egg and cheese sandwich at Rockaway Beach Bakery is breakfast perfection and the pastries are all baked fresh daily. Their cold brew is the a great way to kickstart your day before catching some waves. It’s a three-minute walk from the Beach 90th Street subway station.
A freshly made bacon, egg and cheese in a biscuit at Rockaway Beach Bakery, at 87-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
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Rockaway Roasters, located on Rockaway Beach Boulevard around Beach 92nd Street, has plenty of options for juicing and healthy breakfasts — think acai bowls and energy balls. If you just want to grab a bagel and head straight to the beach, hit up Board Walk Bagel at Beach 108th Street.
Pastry chef Tracy Obolsky holds a slice of croissant loaf at Rockaway Beach Bakery.
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Burgers
Nothing beats a burger at the beach, and Rippers has been slinging the best since 2011. The burger joint located at Beach 86th Street right on the boardwalk is known for its hardbody: a double cheese grass-fed beef patty with special sauce, shredded lettuce and pickles. They’re also known for their beach juice: a frozen cocktail of rosé, schnapps, passion fruit, pineapple and orange. They’ve also got hot dogs (make it a chili cheese dog), fries, soft serve and good vibes all around.
The hip hamburger joint, Rippers, at 8601 Shore Front Parkway, is beloved by many for its hamburgers and fries.
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If you’re by Beach 116th Street, head over to the Meat Up Grill for one of its signature smash burgers. Can’t make it over to 116th? The Meat Up Grill is hosting pop-ups up at Connolly’s Bar at Beach 95th Street, Friday through Sunday nights all summer long. (More on Connolly’s soon.)
For Caribbean comfort eats, head to Goody’s BBQ Chicken and Ribs at 7018 Amstel Blvd.
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Barbecue
Goody’s BBQ Chicken and Ribs on Amstel Boulevard by Beach 70th Street has been open since 1989 and serves all the favorites: ribs, jerk chicken, fried chicken, curry goat and oxtail. They’ve also got great macaroni and cheese, collard greens, rice and roti. You’d be hard-pressed to find better fried chicken, and the macaroni and cheese is perfectly cheesy and creamy.
You can pick up Goody’s barbecue before you leave the beach so you don’t have to cook when you get home.
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Over on Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 68th Street is Batesy’s BBQ and Bar, which is known for its wings. You can even grab a cocktail and beach box to go, which includes ¼ pound chicken, ¼ pound brisket, ¼ pound pulled pork, three ribs, a sausage and three sides.
Tacos
What’s a better vibe than sitting in a backyard while surrounded by cool art and eating great food? Tacoway Beach has the best fish tacos in town. It’s located at Rockaway Beach Surf Club, at Beach 87th Street, right by an A train stop.
Fish tacos, nachos, and fresh pineapple mint from Tacoway Beach.
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The tacos are crispy, light and fresh and come topped with slaw, radish and guacamole. Be sure to grab some extra guacamole and chips, plus elote and a pineapple mint drink to replenish your fluids. Another option: Grab a burrito from Super Burrito at Beach 69th Street.
Arepas
Beloved Venezuelan spot Caracas, located at 106-01 Shore Front Parkway, has got your arepas needs covered.
A slice of pepperoni pizza from Crustino’s Pizza.
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Pizza
Although figuring out what to order from a menu loaded with homemade mozzarella sticks, rice balls, garlic knots and baked wings may be tough, you really can’t go wrong with a pie or a slice at Crustinos Pizza at 171 Beach 116th St., which opened in March.
It boasts some of the best slices that you can get by the beach — crisp and cheesy, with a variety of fun toppings like barbecue chicken, sausage, broccoli rabe and perfectly cupped pepperoni.
“In pizza we crust” is the motto at chef Michael Fiore’s Crustinos Pizza.
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For wood-fired pizza and fresh seafood, head to Whit’s End at Beach 97th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard. Check out their Instagram page for their ever-changing menu.
If it’s coal brick-oven pizza and old-school vibes that you seek, head to Rocco’s of Roc Beach by Beach 115th Street, on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. In addition to pizza, Rocco’s has calzones, baked clams, pastas, sandwiches and meatballs as well as veal, lamb and pork chops, steaks and chicken parm.
Beach goers enjoy the summer weather along the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach.
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Greek
If Greek food is more your thing, stop by Kimo’s on Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 92nd Street and build your own pita sandwich. Choose from a variety of proteins, toppings and dressings for your ultimate oceanside sandwich. Don’t forget a lemonade and a side of stuffed grape leaves.
A fresh plate of manti (boiled dumplings) at the Uzbek restaurant, Uma’s.
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Uzbek
It’s worth popping into family-owned Uma’s on Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 92nd Street and checking out its traditional Uzbek menu. Grab some pelmeni (handmade boiled dumplings filled with beef and topped with herbs and yogurt) to take down to the beach, or sit back at a table and order some manti (handmade steamed dumplings), the Uma salad (fried eggplant, roasted bell peppers, herbs, and cheese), or a bowl of borscht (beet, beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrot soup).
For a refreshing beverage
For frozen cocktails, head over to Beach 95th Street to Connolly’s Bar, which has been open since 1962. Connolly’s has both frozen piña coladas and strawberry lemonades. If you’re feeling spicy, ask for an extra shot on top.
Frozen drinks from Connolly’s Bar at 155 Beach 95th Street.
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Another option: Head down Rockaway Beach Boulevard toward Beach 67th Street and grab some tiki-inspired cocktails (think mai tais, frozen margaritas, and more), plus poke bowls, dumplings and sliders at Rockaway Tiki Bar.
Connolly’s Bar at 155 Beach 95th Street is famous for their legendary frozen piña coladas.
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If beer is more your thing, swing by Tap That at Rockaway Beach Boulevard and Beach 111th Street and pour a beer at your own pace. Prefer wine? Try Sayra’s Wine Bar at Rockaway Beach Boulevard by Beach 91st Street for a wide selection of wine and frosé.
For the sunset
There’s no better way to end a day at Rockaway Beach than popping over to the other side of the peninsula for more drinks, snacks and sunset views. The Wharf, located at Beach 116th Street near the subway station, has got you covered for a BLT, fried seafood basket or a lobster or shrimp roll.
Rockaway Beach Bakery, the brainchild of pastry chef Tracy Obolsky, is beloved for its desserts and fresh iced coffee.
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Bungalow Bar over at Beach 92nd Street is serving up live music with frozen cocktails, salads, raw oysters and clams, sandwiches and steaks. Next door at Thai Rock, you’ll find chicken satay, curry puffs, mango salad, crab fried rice and live local music nightly.
On the way there or back
If you’ve got a car, grab a sandwich at Brother’s on Cross Bay Boulevard. Uncle Louie G’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream is the spot to snag Italian ices after a hot day in the sun. Or curl up at a table at Lenny’s Clam Bar for baked clams, fried calamari, or linguine and clams. New Park Pizza has some of the best pizza in town — be sure to ask for it well done and bring cash.
For more information about how to get there, check out our guide to the perfect day at Rockaway Beach.