Riesterer’s Bakery
Riesterer's Bakery is the oldest family-owned bakery on the entire Long Island. That's 94 years of delicious tradition. With its steady location on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead, Karl Riesterer Jr. has followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps to run the bakery since 1931. Since that day their philosophy has remained the same: serve the community. This is shown first and foremost by their decision to go Kosher and under the Vaad of Queens almost a decade ago for the ever growing Jewish Community in West Hempstead.
The ambiance of the store is warm and inviting. Walking in you immediately catch an aroma of fresh baked breads and pastries. With a large interior filled to the brim with holiday and special occasion based goods, you are sure to find something that fits your needs. They staff also remains available for special requests, set on making sure that everyone leaves satisfied.
Looking for cookies based on your favorite football team? They've got it. Having a Taylor Swift listening party and want to match the theme? The Taylor Swift cookies have it covered. And the season specials don't stop there. Thanksgiving Pareve pies and other baked goods, Chanukah doughnuts, and more are available during their season.
Riesterer's immediately sets itself apart from many bakeries by offering Gluten-free, Sugar-free, and Nut-free pastry items for those with allergies or sensitivities. With their wide array of baked items and pastries, from bagels to chocolates, cakes to cookies, even fresh baked Challah, Riesterer's stays with its philosphy and serves to any and all customers.
Riesterer's isn't just a bakery though. With sandwiches and daily soups made fresh on premise, they also invite you to come in for lunch, with seating available inside and outside. It's the community, the tradition, the service and the quality which will enable them to hopefully be around well past the century mark.
Shiraz
Shiraz brings a distinct expression of Persian dining to Great Neck, built around tradition, craft, and a deep appreciation for time-honored flavors. Since opening its doors, the restaurant has become a neighborhood staple, known for dishes that celebrate heritage while appealing to contemporary palates.
The name reflects the essence of its cuisine. It's warm, aromatic, and rooted in centuries of culinary culture. What drives Shiraz is a commitment to honest cooking: fragrant herbs chopped daily, meats seasoned with precision, and grilling methods that highlight simplicity and technique. The result is food that feels rich with history, vibrant in its execution.
Set along Middle Neck Road, the restaurant occupies a central place in the area’s kosher dining landscape. Its location makes it a natural stop for locals seeking comfort food with depth, as well as for visitors exploring the diverse eateries that define Great Neck’s culinary scene. Shiraz often becomes part of the rhythm of a day—whether it’s a casual lunch, a family gathering, or an unplanned dinner that turns into a lasting favorite.
Inside, the ambiance brings refinement and approachability. Soft lighting, upscale décor, and an intimate layout create a setting that encourages both relaxed meals and more festive occasions. It’s a space where the atmosphere enhances the food rather than competes with it, allowing diners to settle in and enjoy the unfolding experience.
The menu is the heart of the restaurant. Popular selections include expertly charred kebabs—koobideh, barg, and chicken seasoned with saffron—alongside slow-cooked stews, herb-forward appetizers, and rice that’s light, aromatic, and crowned with crisp tahdig. Each dish showcases the kitchen’s focus on flavor, consistency, and thoughtful preparation. Portions are generous, a reflection of the hospitality that defines Persian dining.
What truly sets Shiraz apart is its dedication to guests. The staff’s attentiveness, the steady quality of the cooking, and the restaurant’s welcoming spirit create an experience that feels personal. Combine that with their weekly Shabbos Takeout specials, and you have a restaurant that is always putting customers first. With other takeout, catering, and seasonal offerings, Shiraz remains a dependable presence, continually serving the community while honoring the culinary traditions that inspire it.
Sunflower Cafe (Long Island)
For over two decades, Sunflower Café has been a go-to spot in the Five Towns for those seeking a relaxed dairy, dining experience. Located on Central Avenue in Lawrence, the café owned by local real estate mogul, Elana Magreli, offers everything from classic breakfast dishes to pasta, sushi, and vibrant salads.
The wide array of dishes on the menu ensures that you always have an option, with dishes designed to be both satisfying and thoughtfully prepared. Breakfast options include the popular “Sunflower Breakfast,” which features two eggs served with garden vegetables, fresh orange juice, and a choice of coffee or tea. For something more indulgent, the “Fettuccine Alfredo” provides a rich and creamy take on a pasta classic. Those looking for a lighter option often gravitate toward the “Dreamy Haloumi Salad,” which combines fresh greens with grilled haloumi cheese and flavorful toppings.
Sunflower’s sushi bar is another highlight, offering a selection of rolls that complement the rest of the menu. Customers frequently praise the freshness of the fish and the balance of textures in each roll. Whether opting for a specialty roll or a simple avocado and cucumber combination, the sushi menu provides additional variety for diners.
For the pizza lovers, Sunflower also features some options. There is the "Sunflower Pizza", which is their take on the American classic, and even the unique "Malawach Pizza", a Malawach with tomato sauce and cheese.
Reviews consistently focus on the café’s commitment to quality, customers often mentioning that dishes are generous without feeling overwhelming. The salads, in particular, receive frequent praise for their fresh ingredients and well-balanced dressings. Service is described as friendly and efficient, creating a welcoming environment whether dining in or ordering takeout.
Sunflower Café operates Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with Friday hours adjusted to close three hours before Shabbat. On Saturday nights, the café reopens an hour and a half after Shabbat and remains open until 10:00 PM. Free local delivery is available between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM, making it easy for nearby customers to enjoy their favorite dishes at home.
Traditions: Lawrence
Traditions has been satisfying stomachs and souls for over 20 years. For some, it brings to mind memories of a warm conversation over dinner with Grandma and Grandpa (who appreciatively bit into their flavor-filled sandwiches while they watched you enjoy your chicken marsala) or a homey sheva brachos with extended family. Several years ago, Scott Fagan picked up the tradition and improved on what was already good, or shall we say, he kept the “Traditions” alive.
You know it’s good, by all the regulars who come. They enjoy the friendly environment, and clean, excellent service. Fagan wants every customer to be treated as if it is their first time in the restaurant – every time. In this comfortable dining room, you can start with pickles and coleslaw, which arrive immediately after you’re seated. Then you can dig into a Big Mouth burger, a heaping meal of two all-beef patties topped with grilled pastrami and homemade barbecue sauce, served with your choice of French fries. The pastrami burger and the PLT are gratifying, too. Ask for the tenderloin steak topped with fried onion, or the delicious stuffed cabbage.
If you’re looking for the perfect match to the main dishes, a side of mashed potatoes is a good option. And the red potato salad is addictive. If you still have room when you’re done, you can order hot soufflé topped with parve vanilla ice cream. Or fill your heart with their homemade apple strudel. On a street with different kinds of eateries to choose from, Traditions has what it takes to deliver that all-important deli fix. This classic deli will bring out old family traditions or create new ones.
The restaurant also has a large party room on the side for large events and affairs. So make sure the next time to you go out to eat to Traditions, that you ask Scott about his party room.
Uncle Mochi
Since its spring 2024 debut in Cedarhurst’s Five Towns, Uncle Mochi has offered a clean, contemporary spin on Asian-inspired café culture. Located at 500 Central Avenue, the café blends mochi treats, bubble tea, and light eats. Everything is nut-free, mostly gluten-free, and Cholov Yisroel.
At the bar, tapioca bubbles are made in-house daily for a lineup of brown sugar milk teas, frappes, and refreshers. These drinks strike a satisfying balance of creamy, chewy, and sweet. Popular picks include the Brown Sugar Bubble Tea and a vibrant Raspberry Lemonade Refresher.
Uncle Mochi leans into mochi creativity with its signature mochi bubble waffles and waffle fries, all gluten-free. Golden and crisp on the outside with a chewy interior, they’re available plain or topped with options like caramel drizzle, chocolate syrup, and toasted marshmallow. These aren’t just photogenic sweets—they’re a textural experience you can’t get from standard batter.
The “Mochi’s Kitchen” menu adds balance, with avocado-topped mochi waffles, egg-and-cheese waffle sandwiches, and loaded baked potatoes served hot and melty. It’s casual food with a playful twist that pairs well with the sweeter offerings.
The space itself is clean and bright. Counter service is efficient, the seating is comfortable, and there’s free Wi-Fi for anyone planning to linger with a laptop. The vibe is fast-casual with just enough polish to make it feel fresh.
Customer reviews consistently highlight the quality of the drinks and the thoughtful allergen labeling. The freshness of the boba pearls, the consistency of the waffle texture, and the friendly service all earn repeat mentions. It’s become a regular stop for students, parents, and anyone craving something different from the usual kosher café lineup.
Uncle Mochi doesn’t try to do everything. It focuses on a small set of creative, well-executed items—and delivers them with consistency. For those looking for something a little outside the norm, but still familiar and accessible, it’s a welcome addition to the Five Towns food scene.
Upper Crust: Cedarhurst
Upper Crust, a popular vegetarian bistro & brick oven pizza restaurant, first opened its doors in the Cedarhurst neighborhood in March 2012 and has since opened another location on Main Street in Queens.
Nestled in the middle of Central Avenue in 5 towns, and on Main Street in Flushing, Upper Crust is a perfect lunch & dinner spot for any occasion. From business meetings to Sheva Brachos, graduation celebrations to birthdays, Upper Crust is a unique spot for all occasions.
Their modern decor featuring classy booths to regular seating options with paintings and mirrored walls, will enhance the fine dining experience. Upper Crust's pizza offers many different selections to choose from. The "Melanzana" made with eggplant Milanese, fire-roasted tomato, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil is suitable for just about anyone, and there's the "Santa Fe" which is made with spicy marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepper jack, taco crumble, ricotta, and jalapeno peppers, an option that will knock your socks off.
The ingredients are always fresh, and up to date, including meatless pepperoni, and vegan chicken, while there's always plenty of personal attention for your every order- so you will feel that your order has been designed just for you.
But pizza isn't the main staple at the restaurant. Upper Crust's menu has an array of all fine dishes from the Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Bowl to the Cheddar Mushroom Vegan Burger. Tease your palate with Mac and Cheese Bites, already a favorite appetizer, or some unique salad dishes including a freshly cut Roasted Beet and Crispy Cauliflower.
The pasta dishes smell divine, and your diet can't go wrong with Caprese Pasta, with whole wheat linguine, blackened vegan chicken, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato, fresh basil, and shaved parmesan. With an affordable dining opportunity, Upper Crust takes fast food to a whole new level.
Wing Wan
Situated in West Hempstead, WING WAN has been serving a menu that blends traditional Asian flavors for 3 decades. Amy and Sam, the owners, make for a strong power couple, with the two of them dividing and conquering front of house and back of house operations, respectively.
The neighborhood restaurant features a broad range of options, from dumplings to stir-fried beef, chicken dishes. Popular items include classic favorites such as General Tso’s Chicken, Lo Mein, and Teriyaki Salmon. The restaurant’s sushi offerings provide additional variety, with customers noting the freshness and well-balanced flavors of the rolls.
If you are picky, they have plenty of options to suit your needs. And for the Gluten Free folks, they also offer dishes to fit those needs.
One aspect that distinguishes Wing Wan and has kept it open for this long is its Sunday buffet, which presents a rotating selection of dishes at a fixed price. Some visitors have remarked that the buffet is well-stocked with 16 different dishes, making it a convenient choice for families and groups. Others appreciate the ability to try a wider range of menu items in a single visit without buying multiple dishes.
Customer feedback frequently mentions the consistency of the food and the portion sizes. Many patrons describe the flavors as authentic; the service is generally well-reviewed as well, with guests highlighting the efficiency of the staff, especially during busier hours. While every dining experience is unique, the overall impression suggests that Wing Wan meets the expectations of its regular visitors.
The restaurant provides dine-in, takeout, and catering options, accommodating different needs. Shabbos takeout options are also offered, with a few different chicken choices, some noodle or potato kugel options, salads, rice, and even cold cut options to round out.