Everything we love about the neighborhood Nova Cafe calls home — its history, how to get here, and where to go after your coffee.
Astoria sits in the northwest corner of Queens, one of New York City's five boroughs since consolidation in 1898. The neighborhood takes its name from John Jacob Astor, an early investor who helped fund its incorporation as a village back in 1839 — though Astor himself reportedly never set foot here.
By the late 1800s, Steinway & Sons had built its piano factory and a self-contained company village in the neighborhood's north end — Steinway Street still carries the name today. In 1920, Kaufman Astoria Studios opened as one of the country's first major film studios, and Astoria briefly became the movie capital of America before the industry moved west.
Waves of immigration shaped the Astoria we know now: a huge Greek community settled here starting in the mid-1900s, and their restaurants, bakeries and churches are still part of the neighborhood's backbone. Today Astoria is known as one of the most diverse corners of New York City, home to long-standing Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern, Balkan, Latin American and Brazilian communities, all within a few square miles.
Nova Cafe opened its doors on 30th Ave to be part of that everyday mix — a spot for a coffee before the train, a smoothie after the park, or just a place to sit for a while.
Nova Cafe is a short walk from the N and W subway lines at Astoria Blvd and 30th Ave, with the Astoria-Ditmars Blvd terminal a few stops further. The NYC Ferry's Astoria route runs along the East River from Hallets Cove, and LaGuardia Airport is about ten minutes away by car.
The largest park in Queens, with sweeping views of the RFK and Hell Gate bridges, an Olympic-size outdoor pool, and miles of East River waterfront.
A waterfront outdoor museum built by local volunteers on a former landfill — now one of the city's best spots for public art and sunset views.
One of the country's oldest film studios, in continuous use since 1920. Home to Sesame Street and countless film and TV productions, plus the Museum of the Moving Image next door.
New York's oldest continuously operating beer garden, open since 1910 — a living piece of Astoria's Czech and Slovak heritage.
Named for the Steinway & Sons piano factory that anchored this part of Astoria since the 1870s — now a lively strip of shops, bakeries and restaurants.
The waterfront esplanade where Astoria began — quiet river views a short walk from the subway, especially golden at sunset.