Where to eat along the 7 train in Queens before and after the US Open
July 27, 2026
Shane O’Brien
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Most fans traveling to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in late August and early September will take the 7 train – or “The International Express” – which traverses numerous ethnic enclaves offering some of the best food New York has to offer.
From momos in Jackson Heights to Latin American comfort food in Elmhurst, there is something for all fans traveling along the 7 line to and from the iconic annual tennis event.
Here are some selections from each Queens neighborhood that the 7 train passes through.
Long Island City: Soothr LIC, 25-20 43rd Ave.
Soothr was one of the most anticipated new openings in Long Island City in 2025, and with good reason.
The hugely popular Thai restaurant officially opened last September, marking an expansion from Soothr’s original Michelin-recognized East Village Thai noodle location in Manhattan.
With signature dishes like roast duck in a savory sauce and shrimp-filled rice noodles, Soothr provides Thai flavors in an upscale space inspired by Hong Kong in the 1960s.
The restaurant offers three different themes, including a space portraying Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown, a space recreating dramatic look of Hong Kong’s nightlife and the SATO room, a speakeasy boasting a tea lounge by day and sleek tapas bar by night. Soothr also offers the emperor’s room, reserved for private events, inspired by imperial China.
Sunnyside: Sotto Le Stelle, 44-07 Queens Blvd.
Sotto Le Stelle has been a neighborhood favorite in Sunnyside for years, offering traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas and pastas.
Owners Valerio Marchi, Gina Mastrovito and Manuel Gregorio, who also own nearby SoleLuna and the Arcobaleno gelato shop, have created an authentic and delicious dining experience in the heart of Sunnyside.
The wood-fired pizzas are a standout, but Sotto Le Stelle also offers a mouthwatering selection of Italian appetizers and entrees.
The adjacent Arcabaleno provides much of the restaurant’s dessert, with the key lime gelato a particular standout.
Woodside: Donovan’s, 57-24 Roosevelt Ave.
Donovan’s has been a neighborhood Irish staple in Woodside since it opened its doors in 1966, recreating the atmosphere of a traditional Irish bar across the Atlantic Ocean.
Donovan’s is renowned for its pint of Guinness, but its burgers have also gained renown and acclaim across the city.
The sherpherd’s pie is also a tasty option for US Open fans traveling to or from Flushing Meadows.
Jackson Heights: Om Wok, 78-14 Roosevelt Ave.
There are so many outstanding momo offerings in Jackson Heights that it feels wrong to only mention one, but Om Wok stands out because of its delicious and juicy fillings.
The Tibetan restaurant is famous for its momos, but it offers so much more, including a diverse range of dishes from the Himalayas, China, India and Thailand.
Mariscos El Submarino, 88-05 Roosevelt Ave.
Jackson Heights has such a myriad of culinary offerings that it was impossible to list just one, especially when Mariscos El Submarino exists.
The restaurant offers an array of Mexican seafood, from ceviche dishes to fish tacos and aguachile, a typical Mexican dish made with raw shrimp and marinated in a spicy and tangy “chile water.”
Mariscos El Submarino, which regularly ranks among the best restaurants in the city, is a must-visit for anyone making a stop in Jackson Heights.
Elmhurst: El Guachito, 94-60 Corona Ave.
Although it is a moderate walk from the 7 train, El Gauchito is a must in Elmhurst.
The Argentinian grill and butcher shop has lined Corona Avenue for 48 years, offering home-style meals and Argentinian grilled steaks.
Corona: Park Side Restaurant, 107-01, Corona Ave.
One of the most popular restaurants in Corona, Park Side is an old-school Italian-American joint offering classic red sauce plates and generous portion sizes.
The iconic establishment is just a 15-minute walk from the National Tennis Center and the US Open, making it an ideal place to stop before catching some night matches on Arthur Ashe.
It also located just steps away from neighborhood institution Benfaremo – the Lemon Ice King of Corona, one of the most enduring and iconic locations in the neighborhood.
Flushing: Shanghai You Garden, 135-33 40th Rd.
Fans traveling to the US Open will have to bypass the National Tennis Center on the 7 train if they are to go to Flushing, but the neighborhood has so much good food that it would feel wrong to omit it.
In a similar vein, it is frankly impossible to put forward just one Flushing restaurant for fans to try, but Shanghai You Garden does offer a delicious selection of soup dumplings and dim sum.
But US Open fans can’t go wrong by simply getting off the 7 train at Flushing – Main Street and exploring the many wonderful restaurants the area has to offer. In fact, the same can be said for most neighborhoods that the train passes through.
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Author: Shane O’Brien
Eric is a 4th-generation native New Yorker and a professional historian, author and educator.