Il Bambino

This Astoria café has kept its menu remarkably consistent for over a decade. Beyond the sandwiches, the kitchen serves up comforting sides like tomato soup accompanied by pesto bread and starters like popcorn chicken. The portions are generous—the panini are large enough to share—built on thin bread with a light crunch. Inside, the modern, brick-walled space offers a relaxed vibe to enjoy a cappuccino, order a brunch panini outside of standard hours, or grab dirty chips to go.