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A bowl filled with all sorts of colorful ingredients.
A dish from Pranakhon.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

10 Union Square Restaurants to Visit Right Now

Where to eat in one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city

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A dish from Pranakhon.
| Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Union Square became one of New York City’s most important public spaces when it opened in 1839, and has been thronged at all hours ever since. It’s named, not for the Union Army of the Civil War, or for the labor unions that assembled there in the early 20th century, but for the fact that it stands at the union of two thoroughfares, Broadway and Bowery (now Fourth Avenue).

The modern New Yorker is frequently found at Union Square, whether passing through its labyrinthine subway station — which accommodates seven lines and 35 million passengers annually, shopping at the Greenmarket or at one of the big box stores that ring its periphery, or simply meeting friends for a meal or to hang among its branching landscaped paths.

Your chances for dining are endless, and here is a collection of our favorite nearby places. For the purposes of this map, the Union Square neighborhood extends from 10th to 20th streets, and from Fifth Avenue to Irving Place.

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Union Square Cafe

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Danny Meyer’s flagship restaurant delivers dishes done well, tailored service, and a classic New York continental room. Look for starters like tuna crudo or panzanella; a long list of pastas including a corn and truffle agnolotti; and sizeable mains like butter poached lobster or country pork chop. You know what you’re getting here and it will be good.

A vast, two-level dining rom.
The dining room at Union Square Cafe.
Union Square Cafe

ABC Kitchen

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The Jean-Georges Vongerichten spot is bedecked in lots of white-on-white, with antique touches, as befits its location in this department store.The menu emphasizes seasonal vegetables, which are 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 more substantive choices, like a cheeseburgers and pizzas. Lunch, dinner, and brunch menus available.

Eggs with yellow sauce on ham and toast.
Eggs benedict, on ABC Kitchen’s brunch menu.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Old Town Bar

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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, and other 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. The Buffalo chicken wings are some of the best in town.

A plate or red wings with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Old Town’s fabled chicken wings, with all the trimmings.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Rainbow Falafel

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The narrow stall founded in 1992 by Mohammad Jamal occupies the ornate former entrance of a 19th century building. It serves the basics of Middle Eastern cooking, including falafel, hummus, pickled vegetable, notably great babaganoush, kebabs, grape leaves, etc., in pita sandwiches and on platters. Don’t miss the shawafel. No seating, so head over to Union Square to eat.

Chopped chicken, falafel, and salad visible in a round aluminum container.
Behold the shawafel platter squirted with tahini.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie

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The Japanese udon chain’s first international outpost features a wide array of its flagship noodles. They’re available in two different thicknesses. Preparations span the gamut — from rich, creamier bowls, like spicy tan tan ground pork swirling in a mildly hot sesame broth, 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, and to really satiate, lunch sets tack on a small rice bowl or sushi roll for a couple bucks more.

TsuruTonTan Eater Video

Javelina

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Javelina is what wild boar are called in Texas, and if you see one running toward you, you’d better run, too. A baby javelina sits above the bar at this quintessential Tex Mex honkytonk, and you’d best begin your meal with one version of queso, the tortilla-chip’s best friend. From there, try to the cheesy enchiladas de Tejas or a pair of brisket tacos.

Javelina’s Bob Armstrong Dip is a Cheesy Homage to The Texas Original
The Bob Armstrong queso at Javelina.
Nick Solares/Eater NY

Breads Bakery

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Chocolate 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 pescetarian-friendly salads, sandwiches, and soups, including the sabich (eggplant and hard-boiled eggs), two varieties of cauliflower salads, and shakshuka. Stock up on Gruyere-spackled cheese straws, olive breadsticks, and seeded loaves for snacking on the go.

An overhead photo of two loaves of chocolate babka beside a cutting knife
The celebrated babka
Breads Bakery

Flats Fix

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Hit up this low key spot in a former garage for solid tacos, comprising a relatively cheap dinner for the hood for people avoiding ubiquitous fast-casual chains. Choose from traditional fillings like carnitas, pulled smoked chicken, and seared fish, or opt for pastrami or brisket. Burritos, tortas, salads, a tequila-heavy cocktail list, and a range of Mexican beers are also on the menu at this space run by San Diego native Joel Oberlander.

A single taco folded over pastrami.
Pastrami taco at Flats Fix.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Casa Mono

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Trailing a very nice stand-up jamon bar on its eastern flank — the perfect thing for a freshen-up glass of sherry and some serrano — Casa Mono is the city’s best tapas bar, though it is really a full service restaurant, open at lunch. Try a plate of fried fideo with littlenecks and chorizo, bacalao croquettes, perfectly poached asparagus, or sweetbreads with Marcona almonds.

Very skinny brown noodles on top with small shellfish shells sticking out around the edges underneath.
Fideos as Casa Mono.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Pranakhon

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Pranakon may be located on University Place, but step inside and be immediately transported to Bangkok. There’s a window for buying Thai lottery tickets, movie stills, and other items — in short you find yourself dining in an open-air market. Lots of regional dishes to choose from, along with the street food of the capital, plus all-in lunch specials.

A bowl filled with all sorts of colorful ingredients.
A rice dish from southern Thailand.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Union Square Cafe

Danny Meyer’s flagship restaurant delivers dishes done well, tailored service, and a classic New York continental room. Look for starters like tuna crudo or panzanella; a long list of pastas including a corn and truffle agnolotti; and sizeable mains like butter poached lobster or country pork chop. You know what you’re getting here and it will be good.

A vast, two-level dining rom.
The dining room at Union Square Cafe.
Union Square Cafe

ABC Kitchen

The Jean-Georges Vongerichten spot is bedecked in lots of white-on-white, with antique touches, as befits its location in this department store.The menu emphasizes seasonal vegetables, which are 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 more substantive choices, like a cheeseburgers and pizzas. Lunch, dinner, and brunch menus available.

Eggs with yellow sauce on ham and toast.
Eggs benedict, on ABC Kitchen’s brunch menu.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Old Town Bar

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, and other 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. The Buffalo chicken wings are some of the best in town.

A plate or red wings with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Old Town’s fabled chicken wings, with all the trimmings.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Rainbow Falafel

The narrow stall founded in 1992 by Mohammad Jamal occupies the ornate former entrance of a 19th century building. It serves the basics of Middle Eastern cooking, including falafel, hummus, pickled vegetable, notably great babaganoush, kebabs, grape leaves, etc., in pita sandwiches and on platters. Don’t miss the shawafel. No seating, so head over to Union Square to eat.

Chopped chicken, falafel, and salad visible in a round aluminum container.
Behold the shawafel platter squirted with tahini.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie

The Japanese udon chain’s first international outpost features a wide array of its flagship noodles. They’re available in two different thicknesses. Preparations span the gamut — from rich, creamier bowls, like spicy tan tan ground pork swirling in a mildly hot sesame broth, 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, and to really satiate, lunch sets tack on a small rice bowl or sushi roll for a couple bucks more.

TsuruTonTan Eater Video

Javelina

Javelina is what wild boar are called in Texas, and if you see one running toward you, you’d better run, too. A baby javelina sits above the bar at this quintessential Tex Mex honkytonk, and you’d best begin your meal with one version of queso, the tortilla-chip’s best friend. From there, try to the cheesy enchiladas de Tejas or a pair of brisket tacos.

Javelina’s Bob Armstrong Dip is a Cheesy Homage to The Texas Original
The Bob Armstrong queso at Javelina.
Nick Solares/Eater NY

Breads Bakery

Chocolate 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 pescetarian-friendly salads, sandwiches, and soups, including the sabich (eggplant and hard-boiled eggs), two varieties of cauliflower salads, and shakshuka. Stock up on Gruyere-spackled cheese straws, olive breadsticks, and seeded loaves for snacking on the go.

An overhead photo of two loaves of chocolate babka beside a cutting knife
The celebrated babka
Breads Bakery

Flats Fix

Hit up this low key spot in a former garage for solid tacos, comprising a relatively cheap dinner for the hood for people avoiding ubiquitous fast-casual chains. Choose from traditional fillings like carnitas, pulled smoked chicken, and seared fish, or opt for pastrami or brisket. Burritos, tortas, salads, a tequila-heavy cocktail list, and a range of Mexican beers are also on the menu at this space run by San Diego native Joel Oberlander.

A single taco folded over pastrami.
Pastrami taco at Flats Fix.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Casa Mono

Trailing a very nice stand-up jamon bar on its eastern flank — the perfect thing for a freshen-up glass of sherry and some serrano — Casa Mono is the city’s best tapas bar, though it is really a full service restaurant, open at lunch. Try a plate of fried fideo with littlenecks and chorizo, bacalao croquettes, perfectly poached asparagus, or sweetbreads with Marcona almonds.

Very skinny brown noodles on top with small shellfish shells sticking out around the edges underneath.
Fideos as Casa Mono.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

Pranakhon

Pranakon may be located on University Place, but step inside and be immediately transported to Bangkok. There’s a window for buying Thai lottery tickets, movie stills, and other items — in short you find yourself dining in an open-air market. Lots of regional dishes to choose from, along with the street food of the capital, plus all-in lunch specials.

A bowl filled with all sorts of colorful ingredients.
A rice dish from southern Thailand.
Robert Sietsema/Eater NY

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