Top 10 Restaurants In Union Square NYC

Union Square, an epicenter for the Lower Manhattan gentry, is the perfect stopping point on an extended meander through the city streets or a wonderful destination in itself. Restaurants are prime places for trying new cuisine while partaking in some people watching. When the Farmer’s Market is not up, here are the 10 best places to eat around the culinary paradise of Union Square.

1. Republic

Restaurant, Asian, Fusion

Best for large groups, in order to occupy the large communal tables and sample each other’s food, Republic is a restaurant for adventurous palates. Though the menu celebrates the simplicity and harmony of flavor in Asian fusion cuisine, the variety on the menu itself makes it difficult to decide what to go with on any given night. Selections range from the traditional pad Thai to the more adventurous grilled Japanese eggplant. Whatever you choose, be sure your friends choose something different.

2. Dos Toros

Restaurant, Mexican

Dos Toros’ menu offers just about anything a good taqueria should: simple ingredients on a burrito, taco, or quesadilla with quick service and a decidedly West Coast interior. The company has expanded throughout New York while maintaining vibrant West Coast flavor and a commitment to sustainability. Try the guacamole; it is some of the best in the city.

3. ABC Kitchen

Restaurant, American

‘American,’ ‘Chic,’ and ‘Fried Chicken’, three words that find their home in one restaurant. ABC Kitchen offers that special breed of American comfort food with the glamorous twist of culinary school presentation. If you are looking to expand your food horizons, look no further than the organic fried chicken with wild spinach plus basil and butter hot sauce. Truly, comfort never felt so sophisticated.

4. Taboonette

Cafe, Restaurant, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean

New Yorkers are always on the move and pita pockets seem like the ideal eat-while-you-walk solution. Taboonette, however, serves up pitas that deserve undivided attention. Falafel and shwarma are your best bets if you’re looking for a filling meal. The Mediterranean-inspired breakfast pitas, American pitas, and other dishes will make you reconsider your morning bagel for these powerhouse pita pockets that are affordable and flavorful.

5. The Coffee Shop

Cafe, Brazilian, American

Visit The Coffee Shop for more than traditional New York coffee. Come and go as often as you please, as this establishment is open 23 hours a day. Converse with fellow travelers over some Brazilian-American cuisine; meatloaf, chowder, shrimp cocktails, Brazilian pork are all on the menu. All you have to do is look for the red neon sign.

6. Souen

Restaurant, American, Healthy

The Japanese cuisine served at Souen is good for you because each plate is prepared without the use of preservatives, GMOs, or any of the ingredients that generally belong in a Petri dish and not on your dinner plate. For lunch, the afternoon special is serves a generous amount of fish for under $15. Your body will thank you as much as your budget will.

7. Joe Coffee

Cafe, American

Joe Coffee was founded in 2003 and has expanded steadily throughout Manhattan. Thankfully, Joe graces Union Square with strong, fruity coffee and expert craftsmanship. This is the ideal spot to sip a strong cup of coffee on your way to work, or get a latte to help tackle those weekend errands. Single-origin coffees rotate regularly, so you may want to start trying out the word ‘connoisseur’ the next time you order. After one visit, you will quickly relish the title and make this coffee shop a must-visit whenever you’re in the area.

8. Dorado Tacos

Restaurant, Mexican

Serving up a series of Mexican street food favorites, Dorado Tacos offers quesadillas with an array of ingredients such as chorizo, chicken, and portobello mushrooms. If you prefer no cheese, try a savory fried fish taco. These tacos are cut price on Wednesdays after 3:00 PM.

9. Num Pang

Restaurant, Market, Vegetarian, Japanese

If you are seeking conventional Cambodian food, check out Num Pang. This small restaurant is the newest location of a chain that spreads all the way from the Chelsea Market to the Flatiron District. The denizens of Union Square are treated to the best of New York, this time in the form of sandwiches full of vibrant and exotic flavors. Salmon is great for the fish lovers, portobello for vegetarians, and the classic pork for everyone else.

10. Westville

Restaurant, Healthy, American

The menu specials at Westville, like NYC itself, are always changing. This is a good thing because the food is so great it would be a shame to waste such good cooking on a fixed menu. The Union Square location offers anything from char-broiled burgers to watercress salads. This is one of those restaurants that New Yorkers love to love, simply because the food is delicious.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.