Cozy Sunnyside spot serving hearty Paraguayan comfort food with standout empanadas and corn breads; value is good, service can lag at peak times, and occasional live harp adds charm but can be loud.
I Love Paraguay delivers exceptional traditional Paraguayan cuisine—empanadas, chipa guazu, and tres leches earn consistent praise—supported by knowledgeable staff and fair pricing with generous portions. However, service attention drops noticeably during peak hours, and the compact dining room becomes crowded and loud, preventing the higher consistency needed for grade A territory. A solid neighborhood gem for regional specialties.
A compact Sunnyside dining room hums with cozy neighborhood charm and waves of regional pride. Service is often warm—"our server made the menu feel easy"—but when it is packed and the live harp begins, the room can tip from lively to too loud for chat. In the kitchen, the focus is on classic comfort dishes: flaky empanadas, tender corn breads like chipa guazu and sopa paraguaya, and hearty soups such as vori vori. The culinary approach leans traditional and ingredient-driven: comforting flavors, generous platters, and desserts like tres leches and passion fruit mousse that win raves. Families will find plenty kids can actually eat—cheese or spinach empanadas, fried yuca, and mild corn breads. Portions are friendly, prices fair, and the vibe relaxed. If you bring little ones on music nights, aim for earlier hours before the volume ramps up.
Area vibe: Lively Queens neighborhood with a local, multicultural crowd and casual eateries; draws diners from nearby neighborhoods and NJ on weekends.
Safety: Generally safe, busy avenue with steady foot traffic; occasional crowding during peak dining times.
What's nearby: Mixed commercial strip near residences; easy access to bars, bakeries, and grocery shops; close to Queens Boulevard transit.
Flaky empanadas, cheesy chipa guazu, and tres leches are the must-tries here.
It’s a casual, compact spot where live harp nights can get loud and extra card fees have been reported.
Cozy and full of regional pride, but the live harp can push the volume well past casual chat levels.