Charcoal Grilled Whole Fish in an Astoria Backyard Garden

Telly's Taverna has held its corner of Astoria for decades, and the room still feels like a neighborhood kitchen. Whole fish arrive from the charcoal grill, skin blistered and smoke clinging to the flesh, and the octopus comes charred at the edges. Out back, a garden fills with regulars and long tables set for sharing. The kitchen leans traditional, with home style soups and a Meat for Two platter built for two big appetites. Burgundy awnings and a hand painted model fishing boat mark the storefront on 23rd Avenue. Reviewers land it at 4.5 across more than 1,300 visits, a steady vote from people who return for the same plates. Prices stay reasonable for the portions, and the staff move quickly on a full night. Arrive early on a warm evening and claim a garden table before the crowd fills in.