La Playa Introduce
For New Yorkers craving the vibrant, rich, and comforting flavors of the Caribbean, **La Playa** stands as a long-established pillar of authentic Dominican and Latin American cuisine in the Far Rockaway section of Queens. La Playa, which translates to "The Beach," has been a local fixture since 1993, serving up hearty, home-style cooking that has garnered a loyal following in the Rockaway community. Its classification as a Dominican and Latin American restaurant is evident in its extensive menu, which features beloved classics and family staples.
The core of the experience at La Playa revolves around deeply flavorful **comfort food** served in a traditional, casual setting. The menu is a tour through the best of Dominican cuisine, spotlighting savory main dishes, robust daily platters, and an impressive selection of **Mofongo**—the quintessential dish of mashed plantains. Dishes like **Roast Pork (Pernil)**, **Stew Chicken**, and various beef and seafood options are prepared to satisfy substantial appetites, offering generous portions and great value.
While one negative customer perspective mentioned issues with food dryness and quality, the overwhelming majority of long-term and current patrons describe the food as "delicious" and praise staples like the pernil, pork chop, baked chicken, and stew chicken. Customers consistently highlight the cleanliness of the place, the courteous staff, and the excellent price point. La Playa is highly popular for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**, catering to families, groups, and those dining solo who desire a quick, flavorful, and authentic meal.
La Playa is perfectly situated to serve the Far Rockaway community at **87-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY 11693, USA**. This prime location on Rockaway Beach Boulevard places it in a high-traffic, easily identifiable area, making it a convenient stop for locals and those visiting the nearby oceanfront.
The location is straightforward to access whether you are arriving by car or public transit in the Queens area. As a staple local business, it is designed for maximum convenience and reliability. It operates as a dependable source for hot meals throughout the week. While the atmosphere is intentionally **Casual**, catering to a relaxed neighborhood feel, its position on the Boulevard ensures a constant flow of customers seeking authentic and readily available Latin American fare.
The restaurant is particularly accommodating to the New York lifestyle, offering multiple ways to enjoy its menu. While there are **Dine-in** facilities for a sit-down meal, La Playa also provides comprehensive **Delivery** and **Takeout** services. This flexibility makes it an ideal option for families looking for an easy dinner solution or solo diners needing a quick, satisfying lunch. The venue is also designated as **Family-friendly** and is **Good for kids**, often attracting **Groups** due to its large portions and combo options.
La Playa focuses on providing traditional, hearty Latin American meals with practical service options to suit the fast-paced nature of New York life:
- **Full Dining Service:** Available for **Brunch**, **Lunch**, **Dinner**, and **Dessert**—covering all major meal periods with casual, in-house service.
- **Flexible Ordering:** Offers **Delivery** and **Takeout**, allowing customers to enjoy the comfort food staples conveniently at home or on the go.
- **Specialty Combos:** Features excellent **Family combo** options, such as the Pork Chop Combo or Pepper Steak Combo (each including a soda), designed to feed 3-4 people efficiently and affordably.
- **Quick Meal Options:** The menu is structured around dishes perfect for a **Quick bite** or **Small plates**, including a variety of freshly made **Empanadas** (Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Cheese) and several types of satisfying sandwiches.
- **Authentic Beverages:** Serving a selection of popular **Natural Juices**, including Iced Tea, Lemonade, Passion Fruit Juice, Tamarind Juice, Pineapple Juice, and the beloved Dominican specialty, **Morir Soñando Juice**.
- **Payment Versatility:** Accepts modern forms of payment, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**, ensuring smooth transactions for all patrons.
- **Focus on Comfort:** The entire menu is classified under **Comfort food**, delivering the traditional, satisfying flavors that Dominican and Latin American cuisine is known for.
La Playa’s reputation in the Far Rockaway neighborhood is built on its delicious food and reliable service, with these key highlights setting it apart:
- **Signature Dominican Dishes:** The restaurant is a destination for staples like the various **Mofongo** options (Shrimp, Fried Pork/Chicharron, Chicken, Pernil/Pork), which are particularly noteworthy and highly recommended by customers.
- **Beloved Daily Platter Selections:** Popular and well-reviewed daily plates include **Roast Pork (Pernil)**, **Beef Stew**, and **Stew Chicken**, providing hot, hearty, and dependable meals.
- **Homemade Empanadas:** The wide selection of affordable Empanadas, particularly the **Beef and Cheese Empanada** and **Chicken and Cheese Empanada**, are praised for being perfectly executed and a great quick bite.
- **Natural Juice Selection:** The variety of refreshing **Natural Juices**—a cornerstone of Latin American dining—offers a perfect pairing for the savory meals.
- **Family-Focused Value:** The family combos offer exceptional value and convenience, making La Playa a top choice for feeding groups and families in the Queens area economically.
- **Long-Standing Community Presence:** Having been in business since 1993, the restaurant offers a sense of stability and authenticity that resonates with long-time residents and proves its commitment to the neighborhood.
- **Friendly and Clean Environment:** Despite the casual atmosphere, customers frequently point out that the place is "clean" and the service staff are "courteous," which enhances the overall dining experience.
To place an order for delivery or takeout, or to inquire about the daily platters, La Playa maintains clear and accessible contact information for the New York area:
- **Address:** 87-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY 11693, USA
- **Phone:** (718) 318-8435
Given its popularity for takeout and delivery, New Yorkers are advised to use the phone number provided to inquire about current wait times or to place large family orders, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. The central location on Rockaway Beach Boulevard ensures ease of finding the premises for walk-in orders or dine-in service.
Choosing La Playa is choosing a genuine, no-frills taste of the Dominican Republic right in Far Rockaway, New York. For any local craving satisfying, authentic comfort food, this is the destination. It is worth choosing La Playa specifically for the quality and traditional preparation of its signature dishes. The **Mofongo** selection is a highlight that stands out among general Latin American offerings in the city; trying the **Shrimp Mofongo** or the **Fried Pork/Chicharron Mofongo** is an essential experience for food lovers.
Beyond the specialties, La Playa provides incredible, consistent value. Dishes like the **Stew Chicken** and **Roast Pork** are hailed as "delicious" and "home-cooked," offering a comforting meal at a great price point. The restaurant’s status as a family-friendly spot that accepts reservations and offers seamless takeout/delivery services makes it a reliable and convenient solution for weeknight dinners or a robust lunch break. When you want food that is flavorful, filling, and delivered with courteous service in a casual setting, La Playa on Rockaway Beach Boulevard is the authentic Dominican choice in Queens.
La Playa Food & drink
Family combo
- Pork Chop Combo With Soda $40.00
4 pc Pork chops, lg rice, md beans, sm green salad, sm plantains, 2 lit soda
- Pepper Stake Combo With Soda $40.00
Lg pepper steak, lg rice, md beans, sm green salad, sm plantains, 2 lit soda
daily platters
- Beef Stew $13.00
Beef Stew, rice, beans and plantains
- Roast Pork $12.00
Roast pork, rice, beans and plantains
- Stew Chicken $12.00
stew chicken, rice, beans and plantains
- Fried Pork/Chicharron $14.50
Fried pork, rice, beans and plantains
Meat Selections
- Beef Steak With Onions $18.00
- Pepper Steak With Onions $18.00
- Grilled Steak $18.00
- Grilled Pork Chops $18.00
- Fried Pork Chops $18.00
2 pieces.
Chicken
- Chicken Breast In Garlic Sauce $18.00
- Fried Chicken Chunks $18.00
- Boneless Chicken Chunks $18.00
- Pepper Chicken $18.00
Empanadas
- Beef Empanada $1.80
- Beef And Cheese Empanada $2.25
- Chicken Empanada $1.80
- Chicken And Cheese Empanada $2.25
- Cheese Empanada $1.80
- Shrimp Empanada $2.25
Mofongo
- Shrimp Mofongo $19.85
Mashed green plantains with shrimp in creole sauce
- Fried Pork/Chicharron Mofongo $14.50
Fried pork mashed together with green plantains with side of sauce and salad
- Chicken Mofongo $14.50
Chicken mashed together with green plantains with side of sauce and salad
- Pernil/Pork Mofongo $14.50
Pork mashed together with green plantains with side of sauce and salad
Seafood
- Tilapia In Garlic Sauce $18.00
- Fried Tilapia $18.00
- Tilapia In Creole Sauce $18.00
- Fried Shrimp $19.85
- Shrimp In Garlic Sauce $19.85
- Shrimp In Creole Sauce $19.85
Sandwiches
- Cuban Sandwich $11.00
Pork, ham & swiss, mayo, pickles toasted
- Chicken Sandwich $11.00
Mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion
- Fish Sandwich $11.00
Mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion
- Steak Sandwich $11.00
Mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion
- Roast Pork Sandwich $8.00
roast pork and mayo
Natural Juices
- Iced Tea $2.40
- Lemonade $2.40
- Passion Fruit Juice $3.50
- Tamarind Juice $3.50
- Pineapple Juice $3.50
- Morir Sonando Juice $5.00
Creamy orange.
Salad
- Avocado Salad $5.00
- Potato Salad $3.60
- Macaroni Salad $3.60
- Pico De Gallo $3.60
- Coleslaw $3.60
- Green Salad $6.00
Lettuce, tomatoe, cucumber and onion
Dessert
- Flan $5.00
- Tres Leches $5.00
Sides
- Tostones $5.00
Fried green plantains
- Sweet Plantains $5.00
La Playa Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
La Playa Photos










La Playa Location
La Playa
87-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY 11693, USA
La Playa Reviews
priceempanadasoxtailspanish foodribsplatechicken stewplasticcuban sandwichgoat
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1You can taste the dirtiness from the pots in the food- it’s like a life and dead situation when I’m out of options . Their food make me nauseous and sick every time. They re used old food and create new dishes to sell 👎👎👎👎 This place is trash and the food is always dry.
September 14 · Kingjah_cityy deleonI enjoy the food at La Playa. I have been here many time and each time the food has been delicious. I have tried the pernil, porkchop, baked chicken, stew chicken, chicken soup, and have not been disappointed. The place is clean, the people are courteous and the price is great.
April 17 · Beverly AlexandreThis place used to be excellent, now that is under new management is horrible, you order one thing and they give you something else, without even telling you that they don’t have what you order, if you order a whole chicken you don’t get the entire chicken but 5 legs and two thighs. That’s not a whole chicken, and if you call to let them know about your order, they always tell you to remind them next time but they do t do shit about it, and now I know why they have lost their customers, horrible service.
March 24 · Lorgia Rodriguez-RiveroGreat spot, solid basic food, no frills, fast service. One of the few places you can eat decently without getting a ton of plastic (they serve food on plates with metal utensils). And they don't raise their prices every few months like Claudette's, Super Burrito, the bagel place on 96th, everywhere on the boardwalk, etc.
December 06 · M.E.S. RBBBOMBB!! If you don’t know what MOFONGO is order it here!!! The best staff. The best smiles. And the BEST food!!!!
November 26 · Jason Brown
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