Main Street in Farmingdale has become a food mecca on Long Island, and rightfully so. The Culinary Quarter is home to several great restaurants and bars. However, Farmingdale and its neighboring communities offer several other great eateries and bars for those nights where you’re looking for a change of pace.
 
Check out these great spots that are off Main Street: 

• Absolutely Mario, Inc. (address: 10 Allen Boulevard, Farmingdale)
  • Absolutely Mario offers some of the most delicious Italian fare in the area. The restaurant offers an array of pastas, veal, chicken and seafood entrees, as well as lamb, filet mignon or lobster tails in a cozy, intimate setting where you will feel like you’re dining in Italy. If you still have room after dinner, indulge in Italian favorites like a homemade Napoleon, tiramisu, cannoli, chocolate tartufo, Italian cheesecake, or something else. Owner Mario Garcia’s answer to any customer query is “absolutely.” Well, you will “absolutely” have a great meal at this restaurant!​

• It’s About Time Cocktail Lounge (address: 706 S. Main Street, Farmingdale)
  • The family-owned bar and lounge offers a pool table, darts, golf, pinball and Pac-Man. The owners’ goal is to create a fun and relaxing environment for people to enjoy. Indulge in a craft beer, and for those who want food, too, try a personal pizza pie or soft pretzel.

• Nunzi's (address: 125 Secatogue Avenue, Farmingdale)
  • Nunzi’s, just off the main drag, advertises itself as an upscale, modern Italian restaurant and lounge. From the jump, Nunzi’s offers unconventional appetizers, such as a lobster roll or cheesesteak. Long is the list of wines, as it takes up more space than the food, cocktails and spirits menus combined. Once you have your drink of choice, order from a menu featuring salad, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and meat or seafood entrees.

• Palmer’s American Grille (address: 123 Fulton Street, Farmingdale)
  • Palmer’s offers the quintessential American fare off Main Street. The grille boasts complex menus for both lunch and dinner. The daytime offerings include paninis, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches. Come dinner time, menu options include pasta, seafood, steaks and chops, and chicken. Palmer’s offers a four-item gluten-free menu featuring salmon, pasta bolognese, short ribs and shrimp penne. For those with room left after dinner, check out the restaurant’s desserts: Chef John’s Tiramisu, apple crisp, creme brulee, cheesecake, molten lava cake, tartufo, and more.

• T.O.A. Asian Fusion (address: 122 Secatogue Avenue, Farmingdale)
  • T.O.A., an acronym for Taste of Asia, offers just that: a combination of the culinary essence of Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. The menu starts with an expansive list of appetizers: dim sum, bamboo sticks, soups, salads, sushi and more. Sushi entrees make up a few more sections of the menu. Then, T.O.A. offers wok sauteed and grilled entrees, teriyaki, beef, chicken, vegetables, noodles, fried rice, and poke bowls. If you’re looking to try Asian cuisine, T.O.A. has you covered.

• Sal’s Place (address: 1495 Hicksville Road, North Massapequa)
  • Sal’s Place is a bar, cocktail lounge, pub and grille rolled into one, aiming to offer people a “casual dining experience.” The eatery features a long list of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, entrees and pasta, so there’s something for everyone. Sal’s also offers a kids menu, and kids 10 and under eat free Monday through Thursday with the purchase of an adult meal. Patrons can also enjoy a drink while they watch one of the televisions by the bar.

• Verona Ristorante (address: 1255 Melville Road, Farmingdale)
  • A cozy, fancy Italian restaurant, Verona has long lunch and dinner menus, desserts, fine wines and gluten-free meals. Pizzettes, paninis and wraps comprise the lunch menu. The dinner menu is available all day and offers appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, entrees, steaks and chops, and vegetarian options. Pair the meal with one of Verona’s extensive wine offerings. Have a slice of pie, cake or cheesecake for dessert, or try the tartufo or creme brulee.

• Embassy Diner (address: 4280 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage)
  • If you’re looking for delicious diner fare, look no further than Embassy Diner, just a short jaunt down Hempstead Turnpike. The family behind the diner has been in the restaurant business for more than 50 years. The diner offers loads of options on a long menu many traditional diners are associated with. From eggs and omelets to pancakes, waffles and French toast, Embassy has breakfast covered. For lunch or dinner, consider a burger, sandwich, panini, quesadilla, wrap, appetizer, salad, Greek or Italian specialty, seafood, or entree. There are several options in each category, and the diner also offers a large dessert selection.

• The Main Event (address: 1815 Broadhollow Road, Suite #6, Farmingdale)
  • The Main Event carries appetizers, steaks, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, and other hearty entrees. Enjoy a good meal and cheer your favorite teams on, as the bar offers more than 80 TVs with sporting events. “Now you will never have to choose between great food and the big games,” The Main Event wrote on its website. The restaurant boasts two bars, an outdoor patio, and a private room.

• taim mediterranean kitchen (address: 1024 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale)
  • If you’re looking to try some Mediterranean fare, taim is a must. The eatery is 100% custom, allowing patrons to build their dream pitas or bowls from scratch. Choose from steak, falafel, chicken, meatball, cauliflower shawarma, eggplant or impossible kebab, then add toppings, and finish it with a sauce of your choosing.