In the Balkans…
Even the most casual visitor is greeted with a sweet and a drink on arrival. It’s a centuries-old tradition.
At Golden Festival…
We have our own traditions. One is to communally prepare and serve a tasting of the cuisines from the Mediterranean and Balkans.
Be prepared for long lines!
- If you or your kids require an earlier snack or a sit-down hot meal, support our local Astoria neighbors by patronizing the many restaurants and eateries in walking distance of the hall.
- If you leave the Hall for a meal or coffee, your wristband will allow you to return to the festival afterwards.
Friday
Meze Buffet
Gold Room (2nd Floor); tables for seating in Grand Ballroom
- 8:30pm – 11:00pm: Complimentary Meze Tasting
- 10:30pm: Sweets & Confections
Cash Bar
Cornicello Room, “Charshi-Bar” (2nd Floor)
- Local craft beers, craft n.a. beers
- Balkan & Greek wines; sljivovica (plum brandy), raki and ouzo
- Fruit juices, Balkan soft drinks & seltzers
Cash Coffee & Tea Bar
Cornicello Room, “Charshiya Market” (2nd Floor)
- Traditional djezve coffee, samovar tea + pastries
- Provided by The Balkan Grind
Please note!
- Free water fillers are available on every floor.
- Single-use water bottles will not be sold at the bars.
- Please save cups by bringing your own water bottles and containers, or by labeling your cups
- Please recycle cans in the containers provided.
- Bars and coffee stands accept cash, electronic payments and cards
Saturday
Meze Buffet
Regency Room (1st floor); tables for seating in all performance venues
- 8:30pm – 1:00am: Complimentary Meze Tasting
- 10:30pm: Sweets & Confections
Cash Bar
Cornicello Room, “Charshi-Bar” (2nd Floor)
Sapphire Room, “Krčma” (2nd Floor)
Imperial Room (1st Floor)
- Local craft beers and craft n.a. beers
- Balkan & Greek wines
- Sljivovica (plum brandy), raki and ouzo
- Fruit juices, Balkan soft drinks & seltzers
Cash Coffee & Tea Bar
Venetian Room, “Kafana” (2nd Floor)
Sapphire Room, “Krčma” (2nd Floor)
- Traditional djezve coffee, samovar tea + pastries
- Provided by The Balkan Grind
NOTE: Our insurance and rental contract prohibit bringing outside alcoholic beverages to Astoria World Manor. Thank you for your cooperation.
Everything, from imported bonbons at the door to our meze tasting buffet, is provided by local caterers (representing over a dozen ethnic communities in NJ and NYC), sourced from Europe and the Near East, or prepared and cooked by our volunteer Golden Fest Kitchen Staff.
We regret that traditional cuisines contain many allergens. If you have any questions about ingredients, ask a host or server to contact the Golden Fest Staff kitchen manager on duty.
If you are interested in ingredients, vendors or sources of the foods we serve, please contact the Golden Fest Kitchen Manager (ask any of the servers to direct you).
About Balkan Cuisine
The foods of the Balkan Peninsula and surrounding islands, like its music, are regionally varied. Native plants and the outdoor lifestyles of shepherds and migratory peoples are the basis of this cuisine. Salting, pickling, smoking and culturing milk were developed to preserve these products for the winter and travel, and form the most characteristic flavor profiles of Balkan cuisine.
Other elements were adopted from afar — rice and spices from Asia via the Silk Route; coffee from E. Africa and meze traditions from the Arab world. Tomatoes, potatoes, cornmeal, chocolate and chili peppers arrived from the Western Hemisphere. Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Italian urban cuisine, and Mediterranean maritime culture, also contribute flavors and cooking techniques.
We encourage you to feast first!
If you are looking for a more substantial, sit-down meal before the festival or a place to gather with friends, Astoria has numerous options. We recommend making reservations, especially near the festival venue.
Read on for some of our local favorites!
Featured Restaurants
Djerdan – New York’s famous Bosnian burek café, now in its second generation specializing in savory Balkan pies, grilled beef cevapi, and Sarajevo-style café desserts. An immigrant success story, this family-owned business now ships their pies nationwide.
Eli’s Cafe & Creperie – Cozy coffee shop on 31st St. specializing in crepes–known as petulla in Albanian, and palacinke elsewhere in the Balkans–plus bureks, croissants and wonderful coffee drinks. Open at 7 am – 6 pm on weekends, for your after-party breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up or pre-festival snack.
Mimoza Restaurant & Lounge – Experience the flavors of Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine at Mimoza, from savory dishes to delightful desserts. Join us every weekend for live music and an authentic atmosphere that will transport you straight to the heart of the Balkans. From Šopska salata to sarma, steaks and crepes, see the menu here.
Omonia – Omonia Café in Astoria has been open since 1977, when John Arvanitis immigrated from Greece to NYC at just 19 years old. People travel worldwide to buy Omonia’s famous pastries and savor the homemade sweets and desserts that are so hard to find in our commercial age.
Right down the block:
Anassa Taverna – The flagship of three New York estiatoria of that name, with classic Greek taverna meze, raw bar, fresh seafood and prime meats, and bar. Family-style brunch starts at 11:30 am Sunday.
Basil Brick Oven – White tablecloth Italian pizzeria, Roman and Neapolitan style pies and pasta from the “other side” of the Adriatic.
BZ Grill – Casual grill, popular with locals, with Greek and Cypriot meat specialties, sandwiches, salads and a veggie option or two. A few tables; good option for carry-out.
10-20 minute walk from
Astoria World Manor:
Artion Bakery – Artion’s philosophy is to offer everyone beautifully crafted delicious desserts and pastries made with the highest level of care meant to satisfy your taste buds on every level. A gorgeous display of fresh, delicious and wholesome desserts rooted in Mediterranean cuisine.
Bohemian Hall – Founded in 1910, it is New York’s oldest surviving beer garden. Established as a fraternal hall for early 20th century Czech and Slovak immigrants, it still serves up Central European comfort food and Czech brews, American pub grub, and live music.
Truva Café & Grill – Notably, Truva serves up a full Anatolian tea breakfast, with all the trimmings (from 10:00 am), regional egg dishes, a variety of homemade breads, and samovar tea. The rest of the day, the menu features Mediterranean meze and entrees. Options for vegetarians and vegans. Patio dining.
Greek eateries galore!
From souvlaki trucks to zaharoplastia (pastry shops with the all-important Greek coffee) to rustic fish tavernas, to white-tablecloth estiatoria, to late-night Greek-American diners. Hellenic eateries are too numerous and widespread to mention, so we’ll let you do your own research!
Diverse Arabic cuisine!
Including Egyptian, Palestinian, Syrian, Yemeni and Moroccan options and clustered in the neighborhood around Steinway St, between Astoria Blvd. and 30th Ave. Some serve up late night hookah and entertainment. Again, research and explore!
Ευχαριστώ! Faleminderit! Hvala! Teşekkürler! Фала! شكرًا! Хвала! ¡Gracias!
Golden Festival is grateful to our friends at the following businesses. They’ve helped us to stock the meze tables and bars and provided discounts and publicity in the community. We couldn’t do it without them!
Alb-USA, Bronx
Big Dawg Party Rental, Brooklyn
Brian’s/Eternatea, Paterson
Brothers Produce of NJ, Paterson
Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices, Queens, NY
Cedar’s Foods, East Rutherford, NJ
Djerdan Burek, Astoria/Brooklyn/South Hackensack
Fifth Hammer Brewing Co., Long Island City
Food Bazaar, Long Island City
The Greek Store, Kenilworth, NJ
Breezy Hill + Stone Ridge Orchards
Kontos, Paterson
Mediterranean Foods, Astoria
Mighty Oak Roasters, Astoria
Nouri’s, Paterson
Stellar Importing Co., Whitestone NY
Taşkın Bakery, Paterson
The Balkan Grind, Brooklyn
Wines of Illyria, CT