Each year, the Taste of Sunnyside festival brings a variety of flavors from Queens’ Sunnyside neighborhood to locals and visitors alike. Known for its extensive selection of food, beer, wine, and vibrant entertainment, this event showcases the best of Sunnyside’s culinary scene. Read on for more about this popular event at queenski.com.
A Culinary Paradise
The festival features dishes from dozens of local restaurants, bars, and breweries, representing flavors from all over the world. Taste of Sunnyside offers a perfect opportunity to indulge your taste buds, with a wide selection that makes it one of the largest and most beloved annual culinary events in Queens. After sampling dishes, visitors can join a DJ-hosted party, take photos at designated zones, and pick up souvenirs at the art fair. The festival combines delicious food, live music, art displays, family-friendly activities, and a chance to stroll through the community.
Organized by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, which has promoted Sunnyside since 2007, the event aims to maintain the area as a safe and welcoming hub for residents and entrepreneurs alike. Through Taste of Sunnyside, the organization encourages locals and tourists to discover the neighborhood’s culinary gems.
Celebrating Diversity
The festival aims not only to showcase Sunnyside’s cuisine but also to highlight the neighborhood’s other advantages. Sunnyside, a predominantly residential area in western Queens, is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, seen in its foods, festivals, architecture, and more. The area’s buildings boast a range of styles, from grand Victorian homes to modern apartments. Sunnyside’s diverse population is reflected in its many restaurants, specialty shops, and grocery stores.
Initially a rural hamlet of small farms and wetlands, Sunnyside’s early settlers included Irish, German, Czech, Dutch, and other immigrants. In the 1920s, the area transformed from farmland into a suburban community, with the construction of low-rise residential and single-family homes.
The origins of Sunnyside’s name have multiple stories. One version claims the name came from the Sunnyside Railroad Station, built in 1850 across from the Sunnyside Roadhouse Hotel. Another version suggests it was named after the hotel itself. Some sources say the name refers to “Sunnyside Hill,” a farm owned by a family of French Huguenots in the 1800s.
Sunnyside’s many attractions draw visitors from across the city. The beautiful Sunnyside Arch is one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. Nearby, visitors can explore the landscaped Sunnyside Gardens Park, featuring playgrounds, sports courts, and a community center. Another must-visit location is the Thalia Spanish Theatre, dedicated to showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of Spanish and Latin American culture through unique theater, music, and dance performances.
Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy Queens Boulevard’s retail area, known for its variety of stores as well as restaurants and cafes. As night falls, residents relax in local bars and pubs like the famous Courtyard Ale House. Over the years, Sunnyside has been home to notable figures, including actress and writer Mae West, legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, professional baseball player John Franklin “Home Run” Baker, actor and producer Frank Sutton, and others.