The Alcove
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3.5 stars. It's been years since I last came here, back when they had a near perfect 5 stars with 1K reviews. In my opinion, I feel that the quality has gone down but it's still a solid brunch spot in Sunnyside. To start, my friends and I decided to split the mimosa flight featuring four flavors: passion fruit, guava, pineapple, and regular. It was very light and not strong at all. For the mains, we split two orders of the Alcove Burger and Skirt Steak Lollipops. The burger was a little dry but luckily I had the chimichurri sauce to use as dip. The bun was also not toasted which a little disappointing. The steak lollipops were solid appetizers and came in 4. We decided to add 2 more so we can split it evenly, however, it was definitely not worth the $4.25 price for every extra skewer. The food tasted way better in the past than today, but I'm willing to give this place another shot and try out their other menu items.
Great place for brunch or lunch. On weekends it starts getting crowded around noon time so something to keep in mind if you're looking for peak brunch time. They have a good amount of options on their menu and their burgers are pretty popular. I ordered the eggs Benedict with prosciutto and it was very tasty. Their fries on the side are also good, not too salty and not too soft or hard. The servers are very nice and patient and helpful if you're looking for some recommendations or have questions about the menu. The decor inside is cute and makes the place feel home-y and cozy.
Amazing and welcoming restaurant. Spent a Sunday with my friends to celebrate our secret santa. Place was great. Food was great. Drinks were great.
The guys here go above and beyond for their customers. Drinks are on point ! Food is delicious! Great neighborhood spot . I meet with friends here all the time and everyone enjoys the ambiance, service and food.
Brunch at The Alcove is always a good choice! The service and food is what we come back for all the time. We love getting the steak lollipops with chimichurri sauce for the table to share, the Alcove burger (cooked medium) and the fries with chimichurri sauce. Their margarita flights is a must as well when you can't decide what to get cause all the flavors sound so good! My favorite is the guava flavor. They have variety of local beers on tap for the beer lovers as well!
My favorite spot in Queens. Best burger and hot dog is amazing. I have to stop myself from ordering 2. Everyone is friendly, treat you like family. It's cozy and fun.
My friends and I came in on a Saturday night and we were seated right away. It's small inside which is okay it just gets a bit loud. Our server was very attentive. My friends are regulars so they recommended what to order. I had the steak lollipops and the chimichurri fries. Both were delicious and came out quickly. Would definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu.
There was a moment in time when The Alcove was one of the hottest establishments in the borough, let alone the rest of NYC. They turned a sleepy spot (#1) into one of the most traffic'd areas of the neighborhood while achieving a legion of fans in a very short time. Their motto was simple: provide tasty food with craft beers and shower people with excellent service. The sea of 5 star reviews was non-stop because service is truly everything. What was impressive is how they were able to utilize the space. The layout is tight, but they've still made it manageable for folks despite the cramped group seating. It's a tight squeeze for most folks, so i'd recommend keeping the group action to a minimum. During the pandemic they created extensive outdoor seating and that contributed mightily to their overall vibe. The food is constantly changing but their tapas based menu has felt like bar food that pairs well with their craft beers. It's not particularly fancy in any way, but it's always been good. They range from Mexican options such as quesadillas, nachos, and tacos to salads, sandwiches,and burgers. I was always partial to the latter, but folks were always about their wings, cuban sandwiches, and whatever bunch specials they have. Prices were not particularly forgiving when they opened nearly a decade ago and with foodflation, they're certainly not much more forgiving now. The famous Alcove burger is $21 but most everything is going to be less than $20 each. I would recommend coming with a few friends if possible in ordering several things to eat together. The bread and butter of their operation is still amazing customer service. They've been efficient, courteous, professional, and they're so good that they even remember people's names even after just a handful of visits. The owners have always been gracious people and it's because of how they treat their customers is what has brought me back over the years. ___________ (#1) Formally Cafe Marlene: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-marlene-sunnyside My photos: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-alcove-sunnyside?userid=ysCBsXWPB-LAiewVS3jZfQ
Cool vibe, very local. Decent happy hour. Food was just okay. Fries were tasty but the tacos were overcooked and lacked flavor. Hotdog was very disappointing. Wings were mediocre. Great service.
Let me start by saying. Staff here know what quality customer service is. From the bartender to the waitress to the kitchen. Love and respect for the customer from when u walk in till your last bite. Followed by some delicious cozy food. What more could you ask for. I kept it simple this time around n just got a glizzy to start, with some wings and cheeseburger for the main. You can taste how fresh the food is. Id recommend getting the hotdog (glizzy) its the perfect app to start with. Unfortunately i didnt get to have any alcoholic drinks but i assume they were good because every seat at the bar was taken. Im coming back for drinks real soon
Excellent food, excellent service, and great selection of adult beverages! A very convenient way of reserving a table at this rather small place, where you can call 20 minutes before you arrive, and the kind staff will hold a table for you for about 10 minutes. Exactly what we did for a table of four for a Sunday late brunch. The place is tiny and while it has outdoor seating, it's probably best for the same in summer. They have good cocktails and a good selection of beers on tap. We ordered coffees ($3), Grilled Cheese ($17) which lacked taste, Burrito Wrap ($17) which we ordered with Chimichurri truffle fries (extra $4) - which were absolutely delicious, a very tasty Portobello Burger ($15) which also felt light on the stomach, and Tacos (3 for $15) which were good. Service was good and food arrived within 20 minutes. Noise level was on the average side, and our server Joseph ensured that everything went smooth during our stay here for about an hour or so. Overall, a good experience, and we will certainly drop by again during summer!
2 months ago
Delicious food eith so many varieties of choices. The staffs here are very friendly and totally made you feel comfortable and relax to enjoy a nice meal with your friends or family. The seating area are also nice with good atmosphere. All the food there are so delicious that it's unstoppable that I just want to have more! read more
3 months ago
3.5 stars. It's been years since I last came here, back when they had a near perfect 5 stars with 1K reviews. In my opinion, I feel that the quality has gone down but it's still a solid brunch spot in Sunnyside. To start, my friends and I decided to split the mimosa flight featuring four flavors: passion fruit, guava, pineapple, and regular. It was very light and not strong at all. For the mains, we split two orders of the Alcove Burger and Skirt Steak Lollipops. The burger was a little dry but luckily I had the chimichurri sauce to use as dip. The bun was also not toasted which a little disappointing. The steak lollipops were solid appetizers and came in 4. We decided to add 2 more so we can split it evenly, however, it was definitely not worth the $4.25 price for every extra skewer. The food tasted way better in the past than today, but I'm willing to give this place another shot and try out their other menu items. read more
13 days ago
7 months ago
Great place for brunch or lunch. On weekends it starts getting crowded around noon time so something to keep in mind if you're looking for peak brunch time. They have a good amount of options on their menu and their burgers are pretty popular. I ordered the eggs Benedict with prosciutto and it was very tasty. Their fries on the side are also good, not too salty and not too soft or hard. The servers are very nice and patient and helpful if you're looking for some recommendations or have questions about the menu. The decor inside is cute and makes the place feel home-y and cozy. read more
10 months ago
Amazing and welcoming restaurant. Spent a Sunday with my friends to celebrate our secret santa. Place was great. Food was great. Drinks were great. read more
Brunch at The Alcove is always a good choice! The service and food is what we come back for all the time. We love getting the steak lollipops with chimichurri sauce for the table to share, the Alcove burger (cooked medium) and the fries with chimichurri sauce. Their margarita flights is a must as well when you can't decide what to get cause all the flavors sound so good! My favorite is the guava flavor. They have variety of local beers on tap for the beer lovers as well! read more
1 year ago
My friends and I came in on a Saturday night and we were seated right away. It's small inside which is okay it just gets a bit loud. Our server was very attentive. My friends are regulars so they recommended what to order. I had the steak lollipops and the chimichurri fries. Both were delicious and came out quickly. Would definitely be back to work my way through the rest of the menu. read more
5 months ago
There was a moment in time when The Alcove was one of the hottest establishments in the borough, let alone the rest of NYC. They turned a sleepy spot (#1) into one of the most traffic'd areas of the neighborhood while achieving a legion of fans in a very short time. Their motto was simple: provide tasty food with craft beers and shower people with excellent service. The sea of 5 star reviews was non-stop because service is truly everything. What was impressive is how they were able to utilize the space. The layout is tight, but they've still made it manageable for folks despite the cramped group seating. It's a tight squeeze for most folks, so i'd recommend keeping the group action to a minimum. During the pandemic they created extensive outdoor seating and that contributed mightily to their overall vibe. The food is constantly changing but their tapas based menu has felt like bar food that pairs well with their craft beers. It's not particularly fancy in any way, but it's always been good. They range from Mexican options such as quesadillas, nachos, and tacos to salads, sandwiches,and burgers. I was always partial to the latter, but folks were always about their wings, cuban sandwiches, and whatever bunch specials they have. Prices were not particularly forgiving when they opened nearly a decade ago and with foodflation, they're certainly not much more forgiving now. The famous Alcove burger is $21 but most everything is going to be less than $20 each. I would recommend coming with a few friends if possible in ordering several things to eat together. The bread and butter of their operation is still amazing customer service. They've been efficient, courteous, professional, and they're so good that they even remember people's names even after just a handful of visits. The owners have always been gracious people and it's because of how they treat their customers is what has brought me back over the years. ___________ (#1) Formally Cafe Marlene: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-marlene-sunnyside My photos: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-alcove-sunnyside?userid=ysCBsXWPB-LAiewVS3jZfQ read more
2 months ago
6 months ago
1 year ago
Cool vibe, very local. Decent happy hour. Food was just okay. Fries were tasty but the tacos were overcooked and lacked flavor. Hotdog was very disappointing. Wings were mediocre. Great service. read more
Let me start by saying. Staff here know what quality customer service is. From the bartender to the waitress to the kitchen. Love and respect for the customer from when u walk in till your last bite. Followed by some delicious cozy food. What more could you ask for. I kept it simple this time around n just got a glizzy to start, with some wings and cheeseburger for the main. You can taste how fresh the food is. Id recommend getting the hotdog (glizzy) its the perfect app to start with. Unfortunately i didnt get to have any alcoholic drinks but i assume they were good because every seat at the bar was taken. Im coming back for drinks real soon read more
Excellent food, excellent service, and great selection of adult beverages! A very convenient way of reserving a table at this rather small place, where you can call 20 minutes before you arrive, and the kind staff will hold a table for you for about 10 minutes. Exactly what we did for a table of four for a Sunday late brunch. The place is tiny and while it has outdoor seating, it's probably best for the same in summer. They have good cocktails and a good selection of beers on tap. We ordered coffees ($3), Grilled Cheese ($17) which lacked taste, Burrito Wrap ($17) which we ordered with Chimichurri truffle fries (extra $4) - which were absolutely delicious, a very tasty Portobello Burger ($15) which also felt light on the stomach, and Tacos (3 for $15) which were good. Service was good and food arrived within 20 minutes. Noise level was on the average side, and our server Joseph ensured that everything went smooth during our stay here for about an hour or so. Overall, a good experience, and we will certainly drop by again during summer! read more
2 years ago
Was looking for a place open early enough for drinks/apps on a Friday. From the outside, this place may not seem like much. However, based on Yelp rating I wanted to give it a shot. Unfortunately the establishment is hidden on the street behind the street/outdoor seating. The parking is your typical Queens/Woodside/Sunnyside street parking (metered and non-metered). The place is not that big, but once you step inside the ambiance is great. I was immediately greeted and welcomed with open arms by Jonathan and sat at the bar. He was amazing from minute one until I walked out the door with his friendliness, attentiveness, made drink and food suggestions, and asked me if wanted another drink or something else before I had to even think of hunting him down like you have to do in most places. He made great drinks, and the food was super delicious. The skirt steak lollipops were super tasty and fresh. I highly recommend the chimmichurri truffle fries! They tasted great, especially with Mojito! I think I found a new spot and will definitely be back. read more
From the outside looking in, it appears as a "if you're not known don't come in" type of establishment. It's not! Don't let that fool you. The interior setup is rustic for lack of a better word. Definitely gives the place its vibe. Noise level is that of a constant chatter with some music in the background. I believe Gill hosted us and he was very helpful. We had two spicy margaritas and I enjoyed mine. My daughter's wasn't as hot as she had liked it or thought it would and Gill had no problem adjusting it for her. We ordered the guac and I'm not a fan of it. However, this one tasted good. I had the plantains and meat and mushroom ensemble. It's an appetizer and it was great. Blended well with each other. My daughter had the steak tacos and she loved it. Overall the price is what you make it. I enjoyed myself, my daughter got a new place to call home and I'll be back to visit Alcove. read more
3 years ago
Love Alcove! This is such a great spot for food (and drinks)! I love everything I've tried here: burgers, salad, the Cuban, tacos, the burrito, the mojito flight, coffee, churros, etc. I love the vibes here too. This is a cozy spot with indoor and outdoor seating. It's quaint, but you can always find a spot here! This place is owned and run by three brothers who are very friendly and helpful. They have a second nearby restaurant too. I can't wait to stop back in here for more food. Over the years, I've brought family and friends here for the weekly dinner, birthdays and gatherings. This is a perfect spot for events or a quiet dinner. Enjoy! read more
Yes! If you're questioning it the answer is YES! Give it a try! We had been here before but for some reason didn't recall the food being as good and savory as it was! Everyone loved their meals and appetizers! We tried their nachos with guacamole, chicken wings and a variety of delicious burgers (YES get the BURGER! Anyone is a GREAT choice!). The owner or manager was friendly and gave our table a round of free shots at the end, unexpected and much appreciated! Great memorable service! It was pretty early on a Saturday so the ambience was chill and pretty quiet, I don't remember if there was even any music... The food was so good that we barely got any pics! By the time we realized, everything was gone! read more
I've been here before years ago for brunch, so I wanted to check it out again for dinner time. This place was crowded for a Thursday night. When people left, others came by and filled the tables and chairs. My friend raved about the parmesan truffle wings, so I had to check it out. It wasn't as great as I expected it to be, which was built up in my head. I ordered the burger too with fries, and that was good, but nothing to rave about. All in all, I would rather have ordered more shareable foods for myself. read more
The Alcove has been on my list for ages, so finally gave it a go. Arriving I was surprised at how small the space is. Luckily we arrived at a good time and was seated right away. The staff is one of the friendliest I've encountered in a long time. There were only 2-3 guys working and they were all just lovely. We enjoyed the brunch menu. The Brunch burger is served with sliced avocado, a truffled fried egg, grilled pineapple,lettuce and tomato. I got it with no pineapple, overall it was a good burger, the meat itself was juicy and beefy, but was screaming for some salt and pepper. We also got the Cheese steak carne asada, sauteed onions, mozzarella and chipotle mayo. It was so good, the bread was excellent as was the chipotle mayo and it just added to what wonderful carne asada..just yum! The fries served with each sandwich were crispy and satisfying. They also had a nice beer selection. read more
7 months ago
Small but fun mexican fusion place. Mexican food and some more unusual twists. The alcove fries have Gruyère and truffle on them and they're fantastic. The pulled pork is pretty good for a Mexican place (not comparable to real bbq). I had originally ordered the tacos but I asked for no cilantro and that wasn't an option unfortunately so I had to rush order something else. Service was excellent. Bartender gave my friend an extra shot of booze to try to with a hot apple cider (one friend got spiked, one got virgin). The pumpkin margarita was excellent. Reasonably priced for Queens. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
Good ambiance , great service the owner very kind and attentive, being a neighbor this place is great super recommend read more
I can't rave enough about this place. Been coming here since 2018!! Never had a bad meal, I've tried everything on this menu and have not been disappointed. The best part about this place isn't the amazing food, not even the calm ambiance, or the amazing mixed drinks and flights. It's the people. Since the first time I came here the Alcove family have treated me like family. From the owners, to the servers, it's just a great vibe. Need a great meal? Go to alcove. Had a bad day? Go to alcove. The perfect gastropub for every occasion for all your friends. Fall in love, eat at alcove much love to Jon, Spence, and the whole alcove team read more
2 years ago
Upon walking in you just know that this place is all around good vibes. I loved that there were families and celebrations happening in a space like this. My girlfriends and I definitely enjoyed our time here. The food, service and selection of drinks were on point. We definitely will be back. read more
2 years ago
Amazing food, drinks, indoor/ outdoor seating, and vibes. It's hard to find fresh margaritas and tasty fish tacos in the City and this spot always hits. Service is attentive and personable. Definitely want to try their brunch! read more
I had some out-of-town friends visiting recently, and we decided to meet in Sunnyside, as this neighborhood happened to be equally distant from all of us. I was in charge of picking a place, and I know nothing about Sunnyside. After a quick search I picked The Alcove, as it also happened to be open on a Monday. I didn't know what to expect... and what a fantastic place! I'm clearly late in acknowledging how great The Alcove is given its perfect 5-star rating, but this place is seriously awesome. This is a welcoming, cozy[1] neighborhood space that offers tasty bites at affordable prices, wonderful drinks, and an above-average beer selection that included two beers on tap from Finback Brewery[2], one of my favorite breweries. Perfect place to meet up with friends, for an unpretentious date, or to just unwind and relax. If I lived in Sunnyside I would seriously consider taking residency here. ----------------------- [1] Space inside is limited. [2] https://www.finbackbrewery.com/home.html and https://www.yelp.com/biz/finback-brewery-ridgewood read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Stopped by for brunch with few friends on Sunday. We sat outside because we brought our dogs. It was a little cold that day but glad we were able to get a table really soon. We ordered a few things: nachos, alcove burgers, steak lollipop, Cuban sandwich and smoke salmon eggs Benedict. We enjoyed our food and especially the nachos, a must try. Eggs Benedict was just okay but fries made up for it, the fries with truffle was amazing. Serving size is also pretty big, everyone left with a full belly. Definitely will be back to try other things if I'm around the area. read more
You see the crazy high ratings and you're wondering is it real and worth it? My answer: depends what time you go. If you enjoy the chaotic cozy pub scene where locals are yelling, drinking and having a great time- come on a Friday night. Otherwise definitely go during a non-peak time (aka no waiting list) My first time here was an hour wait that we almost abandoned but got called in 20 mins after. The seating here is TIGHT. I felt like I was sharing my table with the couple next to us. Which again some others might love with enough drinks, but for me- not my thang. I heard the couple next to me better than my friend right across from me, so we were shouting for most of the night to compete with the tables around us. It's one of those situations where you're scared to move or your elbow might knock over the other table's drinks. But despite it being super packed, and the waiters shimmying around like hamsters to each table- they're all super nice and attentive amongst what seems like chaos. Food itself was great and came out at a reasonable time despite the restaurant being SLAMMED. Skirt steak lollipops stole the show and the Cuban sandwich was well worth the seating situation. The crowd died down after 9pm- probably filtering to the actual pub around the corner; but it definitely more enjoyable then. read more
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More info about The Alcove
41-11 49th St
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Woodside
Directions
(347) 813-4159
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Ask the Community - The Alcove
What's the parking like at around 6pm? Want to bring a 92 year old woman with us
Street parking is hit or miss in that area that time. Worst case if possible to drop her off and take up to 10 minutes to circle around and find parking within a 2-block walk you should be fine.
Do they take reservations?
Routinely no. When coming with 1-2 others I've always been seated right away! I'd try calling or messaging in advanced if you have a large party.
Do you have gluten free options?
Yes. Corn tacos, veggie options, and more. I'd definitely inform your server upon sitting down.
Do you have happy hour, if so what is the menu?
I believe they have a weekday happy hour with a few dollars off margaritas, mojitos, caipirinhas, and certain beers.
I'm throwing a birthday brunch for a friend who is hard of hearing. Is Sunday brunch here very loud? Are there areas of the restaurant that are quieter than others?
Hey!!! So our space is EXTREMELY small inside so yes when we get busy it can be a bit loud. We do have outdoor space (unheated) that may work better for you and your guest. Just a heads up we don't do large groups, and it's first come first serve…
I want to come for a visit on a Saturday. Do I need to make a reservation for a party of 4?
They do have a line so it's probably best to make a reservation if they accept them. It's a great dining experience worth the effort
Are you open during COVID19?
Not currently. Plan on reopening middle od next month. Stay safe!!!
Do you have gift certificates?
Hey Robin, happy holidays! Yes we do have gift certificates. We open at noon Wed--Friday. Sat & Sunday 11am.. Onday 5pm and every Tuesday closed. Hope this helps! All the…
Is brunch only served on Saturdays and Sundays?
Hey Samantha! Yes brunch is only served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am til 2:55pm.
Does this place allow dogs?
They do not allow dogs even though there is outdoor seating.
When is happy hour? Every day or M-F?
Hey! Thanks for reaching out! Our happy hour is Mon, wed, thurs, friday We are closed on tuesdays…
Why wouldn't this place be good for kids? My kids are 4 and 3
It is very small and can get very loud. Also the food isn't necessarily kid-centric. Don't get me wrong--I love this place, and my group really enjoys their food/drink options...I just don't think it's a place for little ones, and it's not meant to…
Why is the place so good cause all reviews are mostly 5?
This is an answer based solely on my experience there. This place is so good because the service is superb, the food comes out hot, and the meals are delicious. I went for brunch so I can't speak on the entire menu but my French toast was topped…
Any info about the menu? Is it vegetarian friendly?
There are several photos of the latest menu from this year that you can check out. The staff is also super nice so they may be able to accommodate any special requests.
How does this place have 5 stars?
Because the service is quite possibly the best in NYC. The guys who run this place are incredibly kind and extremely good hosts. Food is awesome. Drinks are great. Unrivalled in terms of a place with just a great, positive vibe.
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143 reviews that are not currently recommended
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