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Broadway (N, W)
Mon-Sun. 12:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
When it comes to quality and service performance and consistency is key. Want a place that's open 24/7 that feels like home and less like a diner? Bel-Aire is in it's own realm as far as diners go. The Greek food you already know rocks because it's Astoria. The gyros are awesome, and the cake is too.
I got the most awesome happy birthday sung to me when it was 12:30am Monday morning and technically my 21st bday, and I was thrilled and shocked that they sung to me.
Bottom line: Locals know Bel-Aire for service and first name basis. They deliver for free 50. They have been featured in the news for accolades and service. They go above and beyond. The breakfast is great. May I suggest the homefries, and some belgian waffles? They also have the greatest egg creams this side of the 59th streeet bridge.
What else can you expect in a diner?!?!?! I have gone here my whole life and they never cease to please my stomach, and wallet. As a local I salute you Bel-Aire. You make me proud!
Great prices, food was good.
I hopped off the subway to explore the neighborhood for a piece I was writing for class and was starving and conveniently saw this place.
I really liked that they had tacky, old woman curtains. It made it feel so much like a diner, like you were in the right place for breakfast food. I had french toast and sausage. The french toast was delicious and the sausage was great - links that were still connected! Been a while since I've seen that.
The staff was not friendly. The waitress said the appropriate waitress things but she was borderline rude. She didn't smile and seemed annoyed to be having to wait on me. The person who rang me up was similarly cold. The manager came in and the waitress perked up to him, but still said little to me. She didn't even ask how my food was.
That being said, I'd still go here again. After all, as long as the food is cheap, fast, and delicious, not much else can be all that bad.
I've been here twice, and have yet to make a review. How forgetful of me.
First time at the Bel Aire Diner was for brunch. A juice, 2 eggs, sausage, home style potatoes and some corn muffins, 5+tip. Good deal. Nothing special as far as food goes, but value wins out here.
My second trip was for a brunch, my lovely date got the french toast, which she just loved, I got the beef burger deluxe. I love burgers. I love fries. I love brunch. I love not being able to finish my meal because I'm so full. Yes It's summer time, so my belly shrinks a little, but not enough for me to leave more than half a plate of fries and a quarter of a burger. The burger was yummy, nothing exceptional, but again, I'm giving 4 stars based on $ per belly full.
I've eaten here many times before but never reviewed it till now. However, most of my experiences have been in the 3-4 star level, this one happens to be a three.
I asked my cohorts to order me a buffalo burger cooked medium and a Manhattan clam chowder while I used the bathroom. Upon returning and finishing the soup (so-so) I began to think that the burger that was ordered was not buffalo at all, but a substandard regular burger. Since I can't get clarification about which one was in fact ordered I'm maintaining my three stars for this establishment, since I finished the burger and didn't think much of it...or the soup.
The two times that I've been to this diner have been great. The food is good, the service is fast, and there's plenty of room for large groups. Parking is limited there, particularly in the afternoon hours when the parking lot behind the diner is full of shoppers.
I've only came here once, and that was for breakfast, which I only had a fruit bowl, which rather came in a small champagne-glass-looking-cup. It was real small and so not worth the price, which was around $6.50 (or maybe a little less?). Yeah, it wasn't a real breakfast, more like a little snack. Their breakfast rolls and pancakes look really good though. The staff was super friendly and attentive, which I give much credit. Perhaps, I shall have a real meal the next time I come here again? It is a really nice diner, though.
I am in love with this diner. 24 hours a day.... they have amazing breakfast food! The omelet is big enough for two people.... and it is made the way amazing diner food should be. I've never had to wait for a table and the people that work there are always super accomodating.
not only is this the best diner in the world, but it is also the best Trattoria (fish restaurant) in the world !!!! they always have at least 10 different fish dishes at any given time !!!! bel aire u rock !!!! butchlust@nyc.rr.com
This diner has that great diner feel and smell your looking for in your neighborhood diner. I just went for breakfast and they were super accomodating, the food was standard and they had skim milk for the choco milk which is always a plus in my book. Not to metion the "bread (muffin) basket" that graced our table pre ordering.... how classy!
Oh and the pies looked plentiful and delish! Great Diner Standby for sure
Consistent, Fast, Cheap, Delicious Food.
What more can I say, with their great service, this is what all other diners should be modeled after.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bel Aire Diner !
3 reasons:
1. They are open 24 hours. Which means after a long night of partying i can go there and stuff my face.
2. They deliver 24 hours a day. Which means after a long night of partying i can call and have them deliver!
3. They have a huge menu and i like variety.
I love this place! This is the place where you can get an incredible selection of food, and you know no matter what you order, it will be a good meal. You really feel that you get your moneys' worth here, hell, you even feel that you learn a little Greek as you sit down and await some additional stuffed grape leaves and extra anchovies in your Greek salad portion of the Chicken Souvlaki with extra tzatsiki sauce.
What more could you ask for? I even here the owner's son is kinda cute in that pudgy, hairy little Greek man way.
The options! I was so overwhelmed by the choices! The food was underwhelming but I ordered potato pancakes and fruit compote. Fruit salad. In New York. Nuff said. The potato pancakes were almost like fried mashed potatoes and I couldn't stomach all of them. I'd go with something more diner like if there is a next time. The mints at the counter, however, could warrant 3 stars on a rating. Butter mints with jelly filling. Yum!
see, you would never think this, but Bel Aire has AMAZINGLY GOOD chicken nachos. You would never ever except this from a Greek owned diner in LIC/Astoria, but it is really good. Came in here earlier this year with my gf and some friends. We got the chicken nachos just for the fuck of it, cause we were hungover and starving and it turned out being the best thing we got. I think they use some type of pita chips or something, all I know is they are better than corn chips or whatever other type chip they use. Due to this first time experience, my gf fiends for chicken nachos like its crack lol.
Aside from the chicken nachos, the service is really friendly, the parking lot has tons of parking and its usually never packed, at least when I go. I say this cause I just don't get why you go to Neptune's at the same time on a late night, during the weekend and it's packed, the food sucks and the service is even worse.
It's all about Bel Aire now...and CHICKEN NACHOS oh yeah with extra everything on it! ;)
Accepts credit cards -- check
Unlimited menu with everything you could imagine -- check
nice, courteous staff -- check
great food -- check
delivery -- check
I LOVE BEL AIR DINER! The food is very good -- the bacon cheeseburger being my favorite, they deliver and accept credit cards and most important they get your orders right and are very friendly.
Thanks goodness for Bel Air!
The Cadillac of Diners, my friends.
You have to love the entrance-it's a ramp, which is specifically important because it means old people are here, which is important. Old people like good food that's simple. When was the last time you went out to eat with your grandma and she didn't send SOMETHING back? Old people are picky-they've been around the food block
365 days times 70 yrs=25,550 meals! x 3 meals a day=76,650 meals!
G-ma knows what's up!
The menu at Bel Air Diner is no different than any other diner menu. Diner menus are like the Bible-you just can't mess with it and you can't mess it up. The nightly specials always look the same to me, and they always look delicious.
I can get away with eating the free chick peas and beets starters they put on the table plus a bowl of matzoh ball soup + crackers and be full. Hubs McGee got a steak, that included enough food for "John and Kate plus Eight"-we're talking soup, salad, entree, and dessert.
The best part of this diner is the desserts-they are all made on site. During our first visit, I was plastered to the dessert case like a stuffed garfield with suction cups on a car window. I didn't sample one that night, but last night we had some German Chocolate Cake, which was INSANELY good-it was fresh, flavorful, sugary without being too too sweet, delicious and humongous-be prepared to share! YUM! I am never leaving my zip code for cake again.
The true test of a good meal is when I am arching my back like a cat while rubbing my Buddha belly to try to get the food baby to move down the birth canal. As any true fatty knows, this is done so you can breathe without risking a button popping off your pants, bouncing off the wall, and landing in the old lady's consomme three booths away.
If you leave the Bel Air Diner without doing the belly rub, you did something VERY wrong. My belly is very, very happy every time.
stopped here for breakfast on 2009.07.19
coffee pleasantly good (not swill), refills kept coming. canadian bacon and egg sandwich on a roll hit the spot.
Decent diner but make sure the waitress writes down your order. I often got the wrong ingredients on my omelet!!!! Overall a good diner.
It's open only from Mon-Sun. 12:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. So, it's not 24/7, I think.
Never tried, but I think I should try very soon based on great reviews.
The Bel Air Diner is about 2 blocks from my place. It's open 24/7! When you're hungry, and/or drunk, at 3am, there is no safer bet than the Bel Air. With that said, and even though they give you portions worthy of NFL linemen, the food at the Bel Air is so-so. At some other lesser dining towns, it might even be considered good. However, compared with what Astoria has to offer, the Bel Air isn't in the top 10 of my list when I'm looking for food.
One of the problems, IMO, is that their menu is the size of a phone book. How could they possibly make every single item quickly and deliciously when there're hundreds of items on the menu? They can't. If the Bel Air pare down their menu and just get back to the basics, they're definitely capable of making better food.
Bottom line: if you're hungry and must have your belly filled with decent food at 3am, go to Bel Air. But if you have other choices, you wouldn't miss out much if you consider one of them.
P.S. the atmosphere is terrific here. It's classic Americana diner, but served a little more upscale.
This place is okay
Been here many times, before and after the major face lift (renovations). It does look 100 times better than before.
I'm not sure what they put in the food but it's greasy and everytime my friends and I eat there....we have to go home aftewards. MAJOR stomach upset....maybe they get their grease from White Castle (across the parking lot).
Food there...its good when you have it but afterwards...oh boy! Not good :0(
Service: pleasant and fast
Price: inexpensive (typical diner $)
Overall...its a good place but not for my stomach.
It's still WAY better than Neptunes on Astoria Blvd.
However, it doesn't beat Michael's on Broadway (next to Uncle George's).
3 stars for a decent diner.
What I like about the diner is that their open 24 hours and deliver. Their menu is huge but I am a little hesitant on ordering outside the norm diner food. (breakfast, sandwiches, burgers) Breakfast is good and priced reasonably. Dinner is also priced reasonably but just ok, nothing great. According to my friend they have great turkey burgers though.(will take her word for it as im not a turkey burger eating type of guy)
What I dont like is the service. To be fair I am very picky about the service and expect a lot but maybe this is not fair for a diner. The last time I went it took them over 10 mins for someone to come to my table and the place was empty! I had asked for more coffee and it took them another 10 mins because the guy forgot. (had to ask again)
All in all a decent place to get a meal and because I live a near it I will go back there but would not go out of my way to go there.
Bel Air Diner is a great place for late night eats - especially when you don't feel like making the trek from Astoria to Georgia Diner. The food and service are always spectacular. The prices are on-par with other places in the area also.
I highly recommend the burger with chili on top and all the breakfast items. Fantastic!
I actually had one incident where some guys at a neighboring table wouldn't leave my friend and I alone, and the manager escorted them to the car and made sure they were gone, and then escorted us to our car to make sure we were safe. Now that's service!
Great service, the food is your regular american fare. A little greasy artery clogging food, but they have a huge selection and the desert always looks tasty.
Clean bathrooms.
Kid friendly.
Affordable.
Get the waffle fries.
This is a great diner. They have got the best fires in Queens. And even their sweet potato fries are good too. When I go there I usually get one of their specialty sandwiches, mostly the riverview. Its grilled chicken with bacon and melted cheddar cheese. Sure its like cholesterol in a bun, but its damn delicious.
It's open 24 hours. They deliver free 24 hours a day. Their menu is like 100 pages long. What more could you want !?
I love Bel Air! Best diner in the nabe...just edging out Michael's.(Sorry, guys...you've been slipping recently.) The food is almost always on point and I don't think we've ever had any problems with an order. The menu is the usual diner fare, but there's so much to choose from...even the Greek dishes are good. (Try the moussaka!) I also love that they will deliver all the way up to 35th Street.
The menu just keeps going and going... The food is good. Nothing too fancy, your basic diner quality stuff. It feels like a neighborhood institution and the staff are very nice. I feel like I will be visiting this place often.
Bel Air is right by the boyfriend's house, so we swing by every once in a while. The food has always been good, there's no question about that. However today, (the reasons there are only 3 stars)we went for brunch and were charge 3.50 each for orange juice. I feel like there should never be and instance in which a regular cup of orange juice should be 3.50, like it better be infused with gold or something. And the waiter dropped our check off assuming we didn't want any coffee, dessert, etc. This could have been an accident and the next time we go, if their service is better and I steer clear of the orange juice, I will add a star or two.
Good, solid diner.
They deliver -- far, but apparently by bike, so it may not be really hot.
They are nice and have a good attitude.
They have a parking lot.
A bit pricey -- moreso than other local comparable places. Quality is better for the most part too.
Like the burgers, paninis, and salads!
Great spot to order from or go eat in, open 24/7. This is probably the best diner in Astoria with a huge menu. Not everything is great on the menu, but most things I have ordered are. The staff is very friendly service is pretty good. Deliveries can sometimes be a bit goofy, but it happens.
Great diner, good food and good service.
The Bel Air Diner is a staple of Astoria. If it is a traditional Diner that you want, then the Bel Air is your best bet in Astoria. It's better than the Neptune Diner in every way.
The folks at Bel Air recently wrapped up some extensive renovations of the place that kept the outside windows boarded up in various places of the diner for over a year. The result is that the place looks great. Everything looks fresh and new but it managed to stay true to the old diner feel.
I've never been disappointed with any of the food I've had there. While the food is not exotic, and you probably won't be amazed, it is still the best food for reasonable prices that you can find in a diner in Astoria.
I'm so happy that I live close to the Bel Air Diner. Its a great diner with no surprises and huge portions. I stick to the basics when it comes to diner food (breakfast, chicken fingers, sandwiches, grilled cheese, burgers) so I couldn't vouch for every item on the menu being delicious, but I haven't been disappointed yet. Best part of all... there's a parking lot!!
Queens has several great diners, and Bel Air is one of the best. It looks like a titty bar on the outside, delightfully tacky lights all over. Good, solid, basic diner foods.....good burgers, breakfasts, etc. Best ice cream soda I've ever had as well. They have those little mini jukeboxes, which makes this place go from 4 stars to 5. Open all night. Good stuff!
I have been going here since I was a ... lets just say a long time. This place is awesome. The owners are wonderful people, the waiters know me. Its like Cheers but a diner! lol Anyways, they have great breakfasts with bottomless coffee. Love those litte muffins in the mornings! Their burgers are tasty and their fries are the best! Please, please try their Cream of Turkey soup. You WILL love it. I just got back to NY and the renovations to the diner are beautiful. I go back everytime I go home. Love it!! Where can you find a 24 hour diner in So Cal with great food!!??
The way I rate diners is very simple. The first time I go I order a Monte Cristo and let that dish decide for me. This is french toast topped with turkey, ham and swiss. If you cannot make this correct then I wouldn't try anything else. Well theirs was terrible. The french toast was crumbly and dry. The turkey was flavorless and dry. And the ham was hard and dry. Maybe they overcooked it but there are so many diners in the area that I would not take the chance again. I forgot what my wife had but she did not like her meal as well. I have not been there since the renovations, so it may be different now but i will not go back.
You can't miss this place. It's got bright, blinking neon lights going on, that are especially helpful when I'm on the Q19a bus getting ready to request my stop. Anyway, you get both excellent greasy diner food and excellent greek food at this joint. A good place if you're dining alone too--they have small booths and a counter with great service. The place gets especially packed on weekends, and forget Mother's day. All in all, yummy goodness.
This is one of my favorite diners in nyc. It makes me yearn for the diners of the suburbs where I spent most of my youth, getting fat. ANYWAY. Belaire is affordable and reliable and they make a mean grilled cheese. They have muffins at breakfast, free mini muffins which are so cuuuute. I wouldn't say make a special trip for Belaire but if you're craving diner food after the beer garden, take the N for two stops and stop in at Belaire!
24-hour diner... supposedly voted best some year by some magazine. The bottom line is this place has great food, cheap prices, and amazing breakfast specials ($4 and you'll eat like a king for breakfast.)
Neighborhood: Long Island City
Category: Diners
Neighborhood: Long Island City
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Long Island City
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Long Island City
Category: Bakeries
Neighborhood: Long Island City
Category: Burgers
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