Astoria’s Mediterranean Mix: From Moroccan Tagines to Greek Sweet Bread
- Ata Erdal Yazgan
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Astoria has always been a crossroads – not just for subway lines, but for cultures. Here, Greek tavernas sit next to Egyptian falafel stands, Balkan grills, and Middle Eastern spice shops. You can walk down 30th Avenue and hear a dozen languages before finishing your coffee. I knew that there would be many hidden gems, and I had wanted to explore the area for a while. So, on a Sunday, I hopped on the F train to the Astoria-Ditmars Blvd station to get lunch and walk around.
I visited two spots in particular: Little Morocco Restaurant and Artion Bakery. From the earthy depth of North Africa to the sunlit sweetness of Greece, both spots capture the Mediterranean’s far ends. Each restaurant is small, family-run, and deeply personal — the kind of places that remind you why eating in Astoria still feels like traveling without leaving New York.
Little Morocco Restaurant: A Journey Through Spice
24-39 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103
Tucked away just off Steinway Street, Little Morocco Restaurant doesn’t rely on extravagance. Its storefront is modest, with simple decor — a few traditional lamps, patterned tiles, and warm lighting that turns golden at dusk. But step inside, and the atmosphere is unmistakably Moroccan: the hum of conversation in Arabic and French, the scent of saffron and cumin rising from the kitchen. I instantly knew I was at the right place.
You order at the counter, and all the food is visible through the glass, adding to my indecisiveness. There are the lamb, chicken, beef, kofta, and shrimp tagine options, all served with rice. There is also the option of merguez sausage, in addition to freshly made soups and classics such as shawarma and salads. Notably, they offer couscous only on Fridays. I was hoping to try that as I came in, but the lamb tagine I had instead banished all traces of disappointment. The lamb shank falls apart at the touch of a fork, and the vegetables almost melt in your mouth; it’s clear that they spent a lot of time together in the clay pot as the flavors were intertwined. The amount of spices is perfect – you can really taste the cinnamon and ginger. The rice is on the softer side, though not mushy, and the saffron lends it a slightly yellow color and its unique aroma.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating. I went around 1:30 p.m., and it was packed. Nevertheless, service was quick. Though ordering is done at the counter, the food is still brought out to your table. If you aren’t in the mood for dining in, takeout and delivery are also options. The prices are fair considering the amount of food I bought and the taste. It was between $15 and $19 for the tagines, depending on the option chosen. I will definitely be back soon on a Friday to try the couscous.
Artion Bakery: Greek Sweetness, Freshly Baked
23-18 31st St, Astoria, NY 11105
Now that I was done with lunch, I craved some dessert before heading back, and I wanted to try something out of the ordinary. I knew from prior research that there was an abundance of Greek bakeries in the area. I clicked “dessert” and randomly scrolled around on Google Maps, a method I find to be a great way to discover new eateries. Seeing Artion Bakery a short walk away, I recognized it as a top-rated spot. As I headed there, I realized that I had entered a Greek neighborhood. Everything was written in Greek, and even the buildings reminded me of a Greek town. If I’d been dropped there without context, I never would’ve guessed I was still in the U.S.. Of course, this applied to the food as well: tavernas at every corner, grocery stores, and seafood markets. I decided to pop into a store on the way and found some mastic water I had tried before, which probably didn’t exist in many places outside of the country.
Once I arrived, I was shocked by how large the bakery was. The bakery’s name, “Artion,” derived from the Greek word for “creation,” says everything about its spirit. The variety of items is impressive. Every counter gleams with trays of syrup-soaked baklava, crumbly melomakarona cookies, powdered kourabiedes, and much more. I decided to go with the bougatsa, a pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, filled with custard made from semolina in the middle. It is baked, then topped with some powdered sugar. Fresh out of the oven, it’s warm, crispy, and the right amount of sweet – just like the ones in Greece.
As I sat down to eat, I observed a mix of locals streaming in to pick up pastries to eat at home and people sitting down to have some coffee, switching between English and Greek as they chatted. The interior is also quite nice, blending modern elements and Greek culture. It is easy to see why it’s so popular in the neighborhood. Excitedly, two new locations have just opened. One in Tribeca under the name Artion Cafe, with similar options in a smaller spot, and one in Midtown Manhattan, with some classic French bakery items also added to the menu. The products are all prepared in the Astoria location and then baked freshly at the spot, ensuring that crispy texture. So, you don’t have to travel all the way to Astoria to taste it, a convenience that only makes me more excited to keep exploring their menu.
One Neighborhood, Infinite Stories
What ties these two places together — and, by extension, much of Astoria — is the sense of continuity. Both Little Morocco and Artion Bakery are family-run, rooted in tradition yet shaped by their Queens surroundings. They serve food that’s familiar to those who grew up with it, and exciting to those discovering it for the first time. While keeping this authentic feel, it still offers a huge variety. You can start your afternoon with Moroccan mint tea and end it with a slice of tsoureki and somehow, you’re still in the same place. If you haven’t been before, it should be the next item on your list, and if you’ve already been there, this is your sign that you should also go back anyway.