Union Square Restaurants
There is no shortage of appealing dining options at any price range (including picnic provisions from the wonderful greenmarket, open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) around this central hub.
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10 Recommendations
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1. ABC Kitchen
$$$ | Flatiron District |Much more than a shopping break, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant is a love letter to greenmarket cuisine. Underneath the exposed concrete beams, a chic crowd devours fresh, flavorful appetizers like the roast carrot and avocado salad or pretzel-dusted calamari, and winning entrées that include pizzas, pastas, and hearty mains. The restaurant is committed to all the right causes—environmentalism, sustainability, supporting local farmers—all of which are announced in a near manifesto-length list on the back of the menu; thankfully, ABC Kitchen pulls it off without seeming patronizing or preachy.
35 E. 18th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-475–5829Known For
- Vegetable-forward dishes
- Organic ingredients
- Sophisticated setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
2. Craft
$$$$ | Flatiron District |At the flagship of Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio's nationwide, mini empire of excellent restaurants, the top-notch seasonal fare is exceptionally prepared with little fuss and served in a cozy-yet-minimalist space with exposed brick details, wood floors, and bare light bulbs. Expect a menu that hits a variety of high notes, from exuberantly fresh hamachi or braised octopus to start, stylish salads, hearty but not overpowering pastas, and perfectly cooked mains.
43 E. 19th St., New York, New York, 10003-1304, USA212-780–0880Known For
- Dazzling tasting menu
- Excellent service
- Sophisticated but welcoming
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential -
3. Gotham Bar & Grill
$$$$ | Union Square |Every bit as thrilling as when it opened in 1984, this culinary landmark continues to focus on a foundation of simple, clean flavors to create transcendent preparations: no rack of lamb is more tender, no seafood salad sweeter, and desserts are also memorable. Take a stroll through the Union Square Greenmarket before or after lunch to see the chef's inspirations.
12 E. 12th St., New York, New York, 10003-4428, USA212-620–4020Known For
- Invented the concept of "architectural cuisine"
- Classy space with high ceilings
- Pricey, special-occasion restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat. -
4. Breads Bakery
$ | Union Square |Drop in for the famously decadent babka (a yeast bread with layers of chocolate or cinnamon), rugelach (flaky, crescent-shape cookies), or any of the other baked goods, but stay for a coffee and a light meal. The front counter is for breads, cakes, and cookies; the back counter turns out sandwiches, quiches, and salads.
18 E. 16th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-633–2253Known For
- The famous babka
- Everything baked on-site
- Open 'til 8 pm
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5. Gotham Restaurant
$$$$ | Union Square |After reopening in November 2021 with new owners for the first time since 1984, Gotham redesigned its interiors, updated its name, and swapped out its predecessor's architectural plating in favor of updated New American cuisine. Longtime pastry chef Ron Paprocki is now at the helm as executive chef. Classics, like the flaky pâté en croûte (meat pâté in a pastry cover) with chestnut and wild mushrooms and perfectly seared Long Island duck. The desserts remain exquisite.
12 E. 12th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-380–8660Known For
- Classy space with high ceilings
- Jazz on Saturday night
- Pricey, special-occasion restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends, Recommended -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Ole & Steen
$ | Union Square |The array of delectable baked goods at this counter-serve spot imported from Denmark are what lure most customers, but locals know this is also a great place for lunch as well as a go-to for fresh bread. If you like cinnamon, you must try the cinnamon pastries.
873 Broadway, New York, New York, 10003, USA929-209–1020Known For
- Sleek space
- The cardamon-infused breakfast pastry
- Fancy cakes
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7. Ribalta
$$ | Union Square |Neapolitan-style thin-crust pizza with a slightly doughy-chewy crust is the focus at this boisterous Italian spot, where the servers are used to feeding crowds and yet don't make customers feel rushed. And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, the pastas and the meatballs are also highly recommended.
48 E. 12th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-777--7781Known For
- Reasonably priced
- Family-friendly
- Usually soccer on the TV
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8. Rosa Mexicano
$$$ | Union Square |Although the spacious, colorfully lighted interior might tip you off that authenticity is best sought elsewhere, if you're looking for flavorful Mex--style fare, step right up, hombre. Start with an order of guacamole (made tableside), moving on to the pork belly and scallop tacos, soul-comforting chicken tortilla pie, or crispy pork shank—all of which taste even better with one of the delicious margaritas. The daily happy hour at the bar is a great deal, but it gets crowded fast. There are other locations, too, including at Lincoln Center and Midtown East.
9 E. 18th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-533–3350Known For
- Popular happy hour
- Potent margaritas
- Excellent guacamole
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9. Strip House
$$$$ | Union Square |There are several top-line restaurants in Manhattan to get an excellent steak, and the Strip House is one of them; the added bonus here is the bordello-esque ambience, complete with velvet banquettes and sexy photos on the walls. The intimate Strip House "Speakeasy" downstairs is more casual.
13 E. 12th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-328--0000Known For
- Ambience to spare
- Sides like goose fat potatoes and truffled spinach
- Melt-in-your-mouth steak
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
10. Tocqueville
$$$$ | Union Square |Hidden just steps from busy Union Square, this refined, serene dining oasis of excellent Gallic American fare is a secret even to many New Yorkers, despite receiving accolades since it opened back in 2000. Begin with the signature starter, an unctuous angel-hair sea-urchin carbonara, before moving on to dishes like saffron-and-fennel-spiked grilled octopus or smoked duck breast paired with baby bok choy and Asian pear.
1 E. 15th St., New York, New York, 10003, USA212-647–1515Known For
- Prix-fixe menus, including a pre-theater option
- Classy surroundings
- Jacket and tie recommended but not required
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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