Abuqir

"While Astoria Seafood may be more known as the Queens pick-your-own-seafood spot, there’s something to be said about Abuqir. The Egyptian restaurant is less touristy and a smaller footprint, but the format is the same: Saddle up to the counter, select the catch, and tell the team how you want it cooked. In addition to whole fish, there are seafood pastas, and sides like eggplant with tomatoes and Greek salad. Take note this is no frills, but the seafood is worth it." - Robert Sietsema

"While Astoria Seafood may be more known as the Queens pick-your-own-seafood spot, we are loyal to Abuqir. The Egyptian restaurant is less touristy and has a smaller footprint, but the format is the same: Saddle up to the counter, select the catch, and tell the team how you want it cooked. It’s hard to find a more blissful meal." - Eater Staff

"There's no menu at Abuqir, and that's a big reason why we love it. This casual Egyptian spot in Astoria's Little Egypt—with just a few small tables and the no-frills atmosphere of a market (apart from that smiley shark on one wall)—is a must-visit for any seafood lover in New York City. Approach the counter and point out whichever branzino, calamari, red snapper, or other ocean-sourced goodie you like the look of, and the staff will gladly prepare it however you want. Be sure to order a whole fish “Egyptian-style," blackened and crusted in spices, and some of the juiciest grilled shrimp you've ever had in your life—but don't sleep on the smoky baba ghanoush or fluffy pita, either. " - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja

"This little Egyptian seafood market and restaurant in Astoria has a counter in the back where you point at exactly what you want to eat. The daily selection usually includes a few types of whole fish as well as baby octopus, squid, and a few kinds of shrimp. Specify how you’d like them cooked (baked, fried, grilled, etc.) and wait patiently for some of the best food you’ve eaten off of plastic plates. Abuqir doesn’t have much ambience—the decor consists of a dolphin poster and furniture that looks sourced from Office Depot—but that doesn’t really matter. It’s a seafood lover’s seafood place, and if you just thought, “Hey, that sounds like me,” you should start planning a trip here immediately." - bryan kim, neha talreja, hannah albertine, molly fitzpatrick

"Think of Abuqir as a smaller, less-hectic, Egyptian version of Astoria Seafood. It’s another place where you go to a display and pick out your fish, and, like Astoria Seafood, there isn’t much going on in terms of decor. The chef here will also cook your food however you want, although you should probably just go with their recommendations. A few things you should absolutely get are a whole blackened fish, some fried shrimp, and the baba ganoush. Other than that, go wild. This place is pretty affordable, they serve some of the best seafood you’ll find in the city, and it’s absolutely worth a trip." - bryan kim, neha talreja, sonal shah