Sunshine Restaurant

- 255-09 Hillside Ave., Queens, NY 11004

Sunshine Restaurant, centrally located on Hillside Avenue in Queens, NY, has established itself as a leading destination for authentic Afghan, Indian, and Pakistani—collectively known as Desi—cuisine. This establishment is particularly celebrated within the local New York community for serving high-quality Zabiha Halal food, making it a trusted and preferred choice for South Asian flavors. The restaurant operates on a commitment to rich, traditional recipes, offering a vibrant and diverse menu that appeals to both devout meat-eaters and those seeking robust vegetarian options.

The culinary philosophy at Sunshine Restaurant is rooted in decades of experience, specializing in the complex spices and slow-cooked preparations characteristic of the region. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance promises a journey through Afghan and Desi culinary traditions. The menu is expansive, featuring signature Tandoori Specials, rich Main Entrees, various Rice dishes like Biryani and Pulao, and an impressive selection of freshly baked Naan and Paratha breads. Patrons consistently praise the commitment to authentic taste, often describing it as the "Best place for Pakistani/Desi Cuisine in Queens NY."

While the atmosphere is sometimes described as lively or "mad loud" by some customers, the overall environment is characterized by its "great" exterior and interior, creating a clean, modern, and inviting setting for a casual meal. Sunshine Restaurant is suitable for a variety of occasions, from solo dining for a quick bite to being "perfect for groups and kids." It operates as a full-service restaurant offering a complete dining experience from Breakfast through Dinner, with specialized weekend brunch and late-night takeout options catering to the dynamic schedules of New Yorkers.

A notable highlight is the restaurant's dedication to Zabiha Halal practices, which ensures the food is prepared according to strict Islamic dietary guidelines. This dedication to quality and authenticity extends to popular, traditional dishes like Paya and Nihari, which are often sought after as "Lahori signature breakfast" items, alongside the crowd-favorite BBQ Platter and variety of Naans.

Sunshine Restaurant is conveniently situated at a highly accessible location in Eastern Queens, serving the Floral Park and surrounding neighborhoods of Long Island and Queens County.

• Address: 255-09 Hillside Ave., Queens, NY 11004, USA

The restaurant’s location on Hillside Avenue positions it along a major thoroughfare, making it simple to reach by car or public transportation from across Queens and Nassau County. For local users, the proximity to the Queens/Nassau border makes it a culinary hub for a wide community.

The establishment prioritizes accessibility and customer convenience with numerous features:

• Accessibility: The venue is well-equipped to accommodate all guests, offering a Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, a Wheelchair-accessible car park, and a Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
• Parking: Customers can typically find Free of charge street parking, though the area is known for having Paid street parking and, at times, finding a space can be challenging.
• Ambiance: The internal design is noted for its "great" exterior and interior, providing a welcoming and clean environment for families and groups.

Sunshine Restaurant offers a comprehensive suite of dining and catering services, catering to individual diners and large-scale events throughout the New York region.

• Cuisine Specialization: Authentic Afghan, Indian, and Pakistani (Desi) cuisine, specializing in Zabiha Halal food.
• Dining Options: Provides a full range of dining experiences:
  • Dine-in: Available for Breakfast (Weekend), Lunch, and Dinner.
  • Takeout and Delivery: Convenient options for at-home dining, including No-contact delivery.
  • Late Takeout Special: Available late on Friday and Saturday nights (e.g., 11 PM until 2 AM).
  • Outdoor Seating: Offers an option for al-fresco dining when weather permits.
• Menu Categories: Features an extensive selection including:
  • Tandoori Specials (e.g., Chicken Seekh Kebab, Lamb Chops)
  • Main Entrees (e.g., Goat Curry, Nihari, Butter Chicken)
  • Rice Specialties (e.g., Chicken Biryani, Goat Pulao)
  • Nawabi Nashta (Traditional Breakfast items like Halwa Puri, Paya, Nihari)
  • Tawa Specialties and Kadahi Specialties
  • Vegetarian Entrees (e.g., Palak Paneer, Lahori Chana)
  • Bread Special (Variety of fresh Naans, Rotis, and Kulchas)
• Special Features: Includes Offerings such as Comfort food and Quick bite options, and caters to various dietary needs with numerous vegetarian selections.
• Event and Catering Services: Extensive catering is available for various events, including Wedding Events, Corporate Events, Birthday Parties, Kitty Parties, and Holiday Parties, underscoring its ability to handle large orders and group needs.
• Payment Options: Accepts multiple forms of payment, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Sunshine Restaurant stands out in the competitive Queens food scene due to its unique combination of quality, authenticity, and service:

• Authentic Zabiha Halal Cuisine: Dedicated to providing high-quality Zabiha Halal food, ensuring authenticity and compliance for the local community. It is a top choice for Pakistani/Desi cuisine.
• Diverse and Comprehensive Menu: The menu beautifully blends Afghan, Indian, and Pakistani flavors, offering everything from classic BBQ Platter to specialized Lahori signature dishes like Paya and Nihari.
• Fresh Tandoor and BBQ: Highly praised for its Tandoori Specials and BBQ items, which are made with fresh ingredients and cooked in a traditional clay oven, delivering smoky, rich flavors.
• Weekend Breakfast Tradition: The inclusion of traditional South Asian breakfast options, such as Halwa Puri and Goat Paya, provides a unique and desirable weekend dining experience for the local community.
• Dedicated Catering Service: Beyond the restaurant dining, its catering arm is noted for handling large-scale events, from corporate gatherings to weddings, highlighting its capacity and reliability for group orders.
• Appreciated Atmosphere and Design: Despite potential noise during peak hours, the venue's "great" interior and clean setting contribute to a positive overall dining environment.
• Customer Service Acclaim: While overall service is rated as "just ok" by some, individual staff members have been specifically highlighted for being "very friendly" and providing great service, especially during complex pickup and catering orders.

For New Yorkers looking to connect with Sunshine Restaurant for reservations, takeout, delivery, or catering inquiries, the following details are provided:

• Address: 255-09 Hillside Ave., Queens, NY 11004, USA
• Phone: (718) 343-2300
• Mobile Phone: +1 718-343-2300

The dual phone numbers ensure accessibility, and the restaurant is highly active on various online ordering and delivery platforms, making it easy to place an order from anywhere in its service radius across Queens and Long Island.

Sunshine Restaurant is an excellent choice for New York users seeking a reliable source of authentic, high-quality Zabiha Halal Afghan, Indian, and Pakistani food in the Queens area. It stands out primarily because it is widely regarded as the "Best place for Pakistani/Desi Cuisine" locally, offering a depth of flavor and authenticity that is hard to find.

What makes it truly worth choosing is the restaurant's dual focus: excelling at the basics while also providing specialized, traditional dishes. Customers can enjoy crowd-pleasers like the BBQ Platter and Biryani, or delve into authentic Pakistani breakfast favorites like Nihari and Paya, which are not commonly found. While one review noted that the Paya and Nihari were "pretty salty," indicating a need for caution on specific dishes, the overall sentiment regarding the rest of the food being "good" or "perfect" solidifies its reputation.

The combination of a clean, well-decorated space, excellent accessibility features, and a full range of services—from daily dining to full event catering—makes Sunshine Restaurant a reliable and celebrated culinary cornerstone in the Floral Park area. If you are in Queens and craving rich, complex, and genuinely authentic Desi flavors, Sunshine Restaurant offers a flavorful and rewarding experience.

Sunshine Restaurant

255-09 Hillside Ave., Queens, NY 11004, USA