Tocqueville has been open in Union Square since 2000 as a special-occasion spot, but the French and new American fare that sources from the nearby greenmarket remains top-notch. There’s a reason nearly every table has an order of the uni carbonara on it — because it’s untouchable, with the restaurant selling up to 40 a night. A plush dining room with white tablecloths makes it a more refined option in the area: Note that a jacket and tie is recommended, though not required, for dinner.

Choose from several omakase options, a kaiseki-style tasting menu, or a la carte dining at this upscale, traditional sushi restaurant. The style is devoid of fussy sauces or preparations, with the focus squarely on the extremely fresh fish. A tight edit of hot entrees, plus cold or hot soba noodles, are also available, though its straightforward, well-executed approach to sushi is the star attraction. Pro tip: Go at lunch for an excellent business meeting option.

Babka hogs the spotlight at this Israeli bakery, but there’s lots more to explore beyond those rightfully famous chocolate-streaked loaves. The cafe in the back is stocked with vegetarian- and pescatarian-friendly salads, sandwiches, and soups, including the sabich (eggplant and hard-boiled eggs stuffed into a pita), two varieties of cauliflower salads (doused in tahini or roasted), and shakshuka. Stock up on gruyere-spackled cheese straws, olive breadsticks, and heavily-seeded loaves for snacking on the go.

The Japanese udon chain’s first international outpost, housed in the original Union Square Cafe location, features a wide array of its flagship noodles. They’re available in two different thicknesses, with the thinner version comparable to bucatini in width. Preparations span the gamut — from rich, creamier bowls, like spicy tan tan ground pork swirling in a mildly hot sesame broth or a truffle cream crab- and mushroom-filled version, to more austere, broth-based choices, with skimpy but tasty wisps of Wagyu beef or tempura toppings. Opt for the larger size at no extra charge on any of the udon offerings, and to really satiate when famished, lunch sets tack on a small rice bowl or sushi roll for a couple bucks more.

Head to Ennju for casual, counter-service Japanese fare, including affordable and surprisingly fresh, no-frills sushi ready to grab and made to order. The rest of the place is filled out with a small but often quirky daily spread of cold salads and sides, and decent and filling udon, soba, and donburi bowls. Regulars line up at (and often before) 9 p.m. daily to pillage the remaining sushi selection, when all pre-made rolls are half off.

The perpetually popular Jean-Georges Vongerichten spot is bedecked in lots of white-on-white, antique-y touches, and wood slab tables. The menu emphasizes seasonal vegetables, which are deftly utilized in pretty salads, as well as seafood served roasted, poached, and raw. Though it’s known for light fare, ABC also has a few particularly decadent dishes, like a cheeseburger and various pizzas. Cocktails are equally impressive and many are produce-packed. Reserve far in advance and get an order of the crab toast with lemon aioli.

Sidle up to the mahogany bar for a solo beer or pile into a cozy, high-backed booth with a crew at this venerable watering hole that dates back to 1892. Besides unfussy drinks, Old Town is also beloved for its straightforward burger. There’s a full roster of standard-issue bar fare — which arrives from the upstairs kitchen via dumbwaiter for patrons sitting on the ground floor — like nachos, mozzarella sticks, and chicken fingers, plus basic sandwiches and sandwiches. Drinks in this historic space are the main draw, though.

The fancy cocktails (with prices to match) at Dear Irving — from the Raines Law Room team — are tasty, but they’re overshadowed by the opulent surroundings: Each of the four rooms comprising the second-floor space of the time travel-themed spot faithfully channels a particular historical era, including a mod ’60s setup and a crystal-curtained, Art Deco-nodding ’20s section. Despite the lavish decor, the layout feels very intimate, with plenty of date-worthy nooks for uninterrupted conversation — quite literally, as servers are summoned by discreet buzzers. There’s a second, larger location in Mooooidtown.