I have been coming to Dera Restaurant in Jackson Heights for many years. It is one of the most well-known South Asian restaurants in the neighborhood, serving Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi food. It has been around for a long time and is a familiar name in the community.
Over the years, I do feel the overall quality has declined compared to how it used to be. The service is decent but not as attentive or warm as it once was. It is not bad, but it does not feel as consistent as before.
The last time I visited, I ordered goat paya only. The paya itself was good, but what truly stood out was the naan. That naan honestly reminded me of how amazing this place used to be. It was perfectly made. The size was just right. There was no extra flour on it. The texture was soft with a slight crisp on the edges. The sesame seeds were evenly placed and added great flavor. It was fresh, well cooked, and very satisfying. Easily one of the best naans I have had in a while.
They offer plenty of variety overall, including curries, grilled items, rice dishes, and sweets displayed at the counter. Vegetarian options are available, though it is not ideal for strict vegetarians. If you ask the staff, they will guide you on what can be ordered without meat.
Parking remains one of the biggest challenges. There is no dedicated lot anymore. Street parking in that area is extremely difficult, and most options are paid. It can take time and patience to find a spot.
Overall, it is still an okay place with some strong dishes and good variety. It just does not feel like the same restaurant it once was, though that naan was definitely a highlight.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Farid Ahmad
Average food place
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Rupa Anan
I only like their plain naan. Yesterday night i ate goat Curry /korma and butter chicken today morning i am getting my stomach upset and diarrhea.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
CS Motorgroup
My go-to spot in New York for all my desi cravings. Nothin beats the quality and tase at Dera.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Asad Rahmatullah
No frills icon in Jackson Heights, Queens. Pulled up here on a whim and it did not disappoint.
We ordered the aloo baingan (potato + eggplant), beef nihari, chicken tikka (not pictured) and plain naan. All dishes were cooked to perfection and spice level was very tolerable, didn’t light your mouth on fire. Complimentary raita (yogurt) and salad were a nice touch.
For dessert we tried their falooda (ice cream + noodles + basil seeds + rose syrup). Ice cream portion was good, the rest was not. Would not get again. Chai was also pretty mediocre. Skip dessert and tea and focus on the food.
Overall: 7/10
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
zo maq
Great place for some Indian/Pakistani food. The staff was very hardworking & attentive. Our waitress explained the menu to us & what was or wasn't available at the time of our visit.
Nice & clean atmosphere. The restaurant is pretty big & open so you're not squished to the table next to you. We got a variety of dishes & they were all delicious.
We had samosa chaat, shami kabab, bhindi masala, chicken malai boti, chicken seekh kabab, chicken tikka masala, plain naan & muli paratha. Everything was hot & tasty. We also had their milk chai which was also pretty good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
༺ ÑÛRÛŁ Aɱιɳ ༻
The lamb chop was very old, extremely crispy, and dry, so it was not good. We were disappointed with that dish. However, everything else was good, and the rest of the food and service were fine. Overall, we were not happy with the lamb chop, but everything else was okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ehtisham Javed
I do there everytime i go to queens and never get disappoint All thanks to management and the guy on register with curly hair
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samia Chaudhry
Food was ok Not like a real Pakistani food. I didn’t like sadda naan after that I ordered sesame naan.I expected really lahori naan
I visited this place 2years ago and from them i want to visit again. Finally i visited this place in 2026. Not only me, me and my friends visited this place. I gave lot of hype for them about this place. But literally they didn’t reach any expectations. I was very disappointed with their food and literally its not the same like before. Many of friends also said the same about food. I was very disappointed 😔
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Bikash Budha
Worst ever food I tried it
Hamza Jahangir
Phenomenal Pakistani taste and their quite affordable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Berk K
This is the worst manangement. The waitress you have, they are both only disrespectful and also they look like they are tired and they don’t want to give service to the customer. The bathrooms are dirty and the dining rooms are so dirty. You should have someone to clean. You are going to loose customers with this waitress you have.
I have been coming to Dera Restaurant in Jackson Heights for many years. It is one of the most well-known South Asian restaurants in the neighborhood, serving Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi food. It has been around for a long time and is a familiar name in the community.
Over the years, I do feel the overall quality has declined compared to how it used to be. The service is decent but not as attentive or warm as it once was. It is not bad, but it does not feel as consistent as before.
The last time I visited, I ordered goat paya only. The paya itself was good, but what truly stood out was the naan. That naan honestly reminded me of how amazing this place used to be. It was perfectly made. The size was just right. There was no extra flour on it. The texture was soft with a slight crisp on the edges. The sesame seeds were evenly placed and added great flavor. It was fresh, well cooked, and very satisfying. Easily one of the best naans I have had in a while.
They offer plenty of variety overall, including curries, grilled items, rice dishes, and sweets displayed at the counter. Vegetarian options are available, though it is not ideal for strict vegetarians. If you ask the staff, they will guide you on what can be ordered without meat.
Parking remains one of the biggest challenges. There is no dedicated lot anymore. Street parking in that area is extremely difficult, and most options are paid. It can take time and patience to find a spot.
Overall, it is still an okay place with some strong dishes and good variety. It just does not feel like the same restaurant it once was, though that naan was definitely a highlight.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 3
Average food place
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
I only like their plain naan. Yesterday night i ate goat Curry /korma and butter chicken today morning i am getting my stomach upset and diarrhea.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
My go-to spot in New York for all my desi cravings. Nothin beats the quality and tase at Dera.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No frills icon in Jackson Heights, Queens. Pulled up here on a whim and it did not disappoint.
We ordered the aloo baingan (potato + eggplant), beef nihari, chicken tikka (not pictured) and plain naan. All dishes were cooked to perfection and spice level was very tolerable, didn’t light your mouth on fire. Complimentary raita (yogurt) and salad were a nice touch.
For dessert we tried their falooda (ice cream + noodles + basil seeds + rose syrup). Ice cream portion was good, the rest was not. Would not get again. Chai was also pretty mediocre. Skip dessert and tea and focus on the food.
Overall: 7/10
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great place for some Indian/Pakistani food. The staff was very hardworking & attentive. Our waitress explained the menu to us & what was or wasn't available at the time of our visit.
Nice & clean atmosphere. The restaurant is pretty big & open so you're not squished to the table next to you. We got a variety of dishes & they were all delicious.
We had samosa chaat, shami kabab, bhindi masala, chicken malai boti, chicken seekh kabab, chicken tikka masala, plain naan & muli paratha. Everything was hot & tasty. We also had their milk chai which was also pretty good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lamb chop was very old, extremely crispy, and dry, so it was not good. We were disappointed with that dish. However, everything else was good, and the rest of the food and service were fine. Overall, we were not happy with the lamb chop, but everything else was okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
I do there everytime i go to queens and never get disappoint All thanks to management and the guy on register with curly hair
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was ok
Not like a real Pakistani food.
I didn’t like sadda naan after that I ordered sesame naan.I expected really lahori naan
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
They do not clean the place. Some food had mold
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I visited this place 2years ago and from them i want to visit again.
Finally i visited this place in 2026. Not only me, me and my friends visited this place. I gave lot of hype for them about this place. But literally they didn’t reach any expectations. I was very disappointed with their food and literally its not the same like before.
Many of friends also said the same about food.
I was very disappointed 😔
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Worst ever food I tried it
Phenomenal Pakistani taste and their quite affordable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the worst manangement. The waitress you have, they are both only disrespectful and also they look like they are tired and they don’t want to give service to the customer. The bathrooms are dirty and the dining rooms are so dirty. You should have someone to clean. You are going to loose customers with this waitress you have.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It's too good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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