Family-run gem where you pick fresh Mediterranean seafood like branzino and scallops, cooked your way with vibrant Egyptian flavors and killer mint lemonade.
"Right now Abuqir and Astoria Seafood aren’t offering outdoor seating. But if you want to point at a fish and tell someone exactly how you want it cooked, know that this Egyptian restaurant on Ditmars Boulevard is open and ready for you. Go inside to pick out your fish, and then head back to your outdoor table and order from their non-seafood menu. We’d suggest getting the dip appetizer sample, some grilled octopus, and then making a pita sandwich with the tahina, eggplant salad, and thinly-sliced tentacles." - hannah albertine
"Egyptian seafood spot Hamido indulges diners who love to ogle arrays of fresh seafood hauls, from branzino to jumbo shrimp, and thrill in not only picking out the plumpest fish but also the seasoning and preparation. Are customers in the mood for grilled, fried, simply baked with olive oil, garlic and lemon or prepared in the traditional Sengari style (oven-baked with the zing of spiced tomatoes and onions)? Add sides like tahini, beet salad, and moussaka and a refreshing mint lemonade. Take advantage of the $16.99 lunch specials from 12 to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday." - Caroline Shin, Paul Schrodt, Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
"We’re big believers in Fish as a social activity, especially in Astoria. If you want to point at a fish and advise someone on exactly how you want it cooked, know that this Egyptian restaurant on Ditmars Boulevard is open and ready for you. Go inside to pick out your fish, and then head back to your outdoor table and order from their non-seafood menu. We’d suggest getting the dip appetizer sample, some grilled octopus, and then making a pita sandwich with the tahina, eggplant salad, and thinly-sliced tentacles." - Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren
"If you want to cook some high-quality fish at home, know that this Egyptian restaurant in Astoria sells fresh seafood by the pound. They have outdoor dining as well as prepared food for takeout and delivery, but you can also stop by their spot on Ditmars Boulevard and point to whatever type of raw fish you like. The octopus is particularly great with just a little lemon juice and olive oil in a pan." - Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren, Bryan Kim, Matt Tervooren
"Hamido is where you should be going for fresh, made-to-order seafood and delicious pita on Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria. This Egyptian restaurant isn’t the only fish market where you can pick out your fish and tell the staff exactly how you want it cooked (we also love Abuqir and Astoria Seafood), but it’s the only one that’s currently open with outdoor seating. Here’s how it works: you go inside to pick out your fish by the pound, and then head back to your outdoor table and order from their non-seafood menu. We’d suggest getting the dip appetizer sample, some grilled octopus cooked in lemon and olive oil, and then building a DIY pita sandwich with the tahina, eggplant salad, and thinly sliced tentacles. You can stop by Hamido for outdoor dining or takeout starting at noon every day. They have a bunch of wooden tables with umbrellas set up so the sun won’t make you look a little bit like the fried squid on your table. photo credit: Alex Staniloff" - Hannah Albertine
