Queens — The Whole World in One Borough

Queens is the most diverse urban area on earth — over 138 languages are spoken here, and each neighborhood is its own cultural world. For foodies, Queens is paradise: Here you can eat the most authentic and affordable international food in New York — far from Manhattan's tourist prices.

Astoria

Once New York's Greek neighborhood (and still: the best Greek restaurants outside of Greece!), today increasingly Egyptian, Bosnian, Brazilian, and hipster. Taverna Kyclades (Greek, always a line) and Steinway Street (Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine) are culinary highlights. The Museum of the Moving Image (film and television, $15) is surprisingly good.

Jackson Heights

The most multicultural square kilometer on earth: Indians, Bangladeshis, Nepalese, Colombians, Mexicans, Filipinos — all live and eat here in close quarters. 74th Street (Little India) has Indian restaurants, sari shops, and a Hindi soundtrack. Roosevelt Avenue below: taquerias, arepas, Colombian bakeries. A taco costs $2, a thali (Indian meal) $8. Jackson Heights is the best food experience in New York — cheaper, more authentic, and more exciting than anything in Manhattan.

Flushing

New York's largest Chinatown (bigger than the one in Manhattan!) — and also a Korean neighborhood. The Flushing Food Court (New World Mall, basement) is a maze of Chinese food stalls: dumplings, Peking duck, Xi'an noodles, bubble tea — all for $5–10. On weekends: the Flushing Meadows Corona Park with the Unisphere (the giant globe monument from the 1964 World's Fair) and the Queens Museum.

Long Island City (LIC)

The up-and-coming neighborhood on the East River — right across from Midtown Manhattan. The Gantry Plaza State Park offers the best skyline view of Manhattan (even better than from Brooklyn!). The MoMA PS1 (contemporary art, $10, in summer: Warm Up DJ sessions in the courtyard) and the Noguchi Museum (sculptures, $10) are insider tips.