The Buffs
About This Spot
Nestled in the heart of Astoria, The Buffs feels like a quietly cherished secret that locals want to keep close. Pushing open the door, you step into a compact, warmly lit space where the soft hum of conversation mingles with the subtle aromas of coconut milk and fragrant herbs. It’s the kind of spot where the pace slows just enough to savor the moment, surrounded by intimate tables and an atmosphere that’s at once inviting and homely.
This small, family-run Thai restaurant excels in creating an authentic experience without the fuss. The space feels relaxed and unassuming, almost like being invited into a neighbor’s kitchen – a welcome respite from the city’s rush. The friendliness of the staff adds to this sense of comfort, quietly attentive yet never intrusive, enhancing the feeling that you’re more than just a customer, but a guest.
As the dishes arrive, it’s clear the menu is crafted with care and respect for tradition, offering familiar favorites alongside thoughtful touches that speak to genuine passion. Whether it’s the vibrant kick of drunken noodles or the gentle sweetness of mango sticky rice, each plate invites you to lean in and savor the layers of flavor. The balance of spices, textures, and ingredients feels both deliberate and lovingly intuitive, as if each meal is a small story about home.
For those who appreciate moments that combine good food with subtle human connection, The Buffs quietly insists on being noticed — a refuge where the complexity of Thai cuisine meets the simple joy of eating well, shared in a space that feels just right.
What’s Available Here
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Identifies as Asian-owned
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Identifies as women-owned
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No-contact delivery
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Delivery
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Great tea selection
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Healthy options
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Vegan options
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Vegetarian options
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Locals
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Free of charge street parking
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Paid street parking
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 12:30 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 12:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
Sherry Zhang 30 Dec 2025
OMG what a true gem of a restaurant!! The interior is so lovely and cozy, and the food is DELICIOUS. Definitely recommend the Khao Soi! The waitress is so kind and friendly and I really enjoyed talking to her. Absolutely loved my time here and will definitely be coming back!
Gabi Daby 28 Dec 2025
We found the restaurant on Google search. It was 100 meters from our hotel and the 4.5 rating made us go there. The restaurant is very small and authentic, reminiscent of Thailand and every dish we ordered was a blust. We ordered Tom Kha soup which was amazing, Chicken Curry Puff which was soft and delicious, fried rice with chicken and pineapple and an amazing red curry dish. The place has relaxing and quiet music playing and the owner is amazing and inviting. The best Thai restaurant I've eaten at in a while.
Sirk Johannsen 26 Dec 2025
Super cute, family run, small business. Very friendly staff. Great food with many vegan options. We stayed only 4 days in queens but had to go here twice. Support this business!!!
Joshua Soto 21 Dec 2025
A small cost hole in the wall restaurant. With only 5 small tables but the food taste really homie. Food came fast good portions and good price. Spice level is set it’s a place you must try. You can tell the food is made with love. Fast efficient and tasty.
Natasha “North” Chen 09 Nov 2025
The food was soooo good!!! We had the drunken noodles and the massaman curry—both smelled and tasted so good! Highly highly recommend if you’re passing by or staying at the hotels nearby
Victoria Sunderman 04 Oct 2025
Had such a good time here. The food was so good and had a lot of variety Thai food and not just the basic fare, which we loved. There were also multiple vegetarian options, which is great for me! Both tofu and gluten are available for most dishes, as well as just vegetable, and if you're vegan, they clearly mark which dishes are fully vegan. The waitress we had was so sweet and attentive and asked us if we had visited Thailand before because of what we ordered and we chatted about it, it was such a lovely experience. The restaurant is decorated so cute, with flowers everywhere and pretty consistent flower theming, and our desserts came in the cutest dishes. I live in Manhattan, but I would absolutely make the trip to come here again!
Red 26 Sep 2025
Working in NYC for the week and stayed in Queens near this little spot. Got dinner twice while in town. Both times just stopped in and ordered. It's in a bit of a rough neighborhood, never felt unsafe but you do need to ring a doorbell to get in. Don't let that persuade you from not going though. First time I got Drunken noodles and the duck wrap. Noodles were delicious and the duck wrap was a little dry but the hoisin sauce was good that they provided. Second time more drunken noodles and the chicken wings. Even after walking back to the hotel the wings were piping hot and delicious! Definitely will stop back if I'm ever in the area.