Union Square is one of the most highly trafficked areas in New York, which means we frequently field questions about where to eat in the area.
While you could always fill yourself up at one of those permanently parked falafel trucks, there happen to be some better options that don’t require walking too far. Just promise us you won’t go to the TGI Fridays.
Strip House
Dark, fun, not located in midtown, and not full of guys in brown suits, Strip House is one of very few steakhouses where you can eat meat, (goose fat) potatoes, and (black truffle) creamed spinach while still feeling cool.
13 E. 12th St.
Hu Kitchen
Hu Kitchen’s proposition is gluten-free, soy-free, paleo food that isn’t taste-free. And for the most part, they succeed. Jury’s still out on whether bread made out of coconut is actually enjoyable, but the proteins can make for a quality (if pricey) dinner. At least all those people who just left Hilaria Baldwin’s yoga class seem to think so.
78 5th Ave.
ABC Cocina
People love an upscale Mexican restaurant, and ABC Cocina is a great version of that. We actually prefer it to ABC Kitchen these days, making it our #1 favorite restaurant located in a carpet store.
38 E. 19th St.
Coffee Shop
Coffee Shop may not be the most exciting restaurant around, but this classic spot has some key things going for it: it’s open 23 hours a day, it’s located right on Union Square, and the food is actually pretty decent. Get a steak sandwich or sesame chicken salad.
29 Union Square W.
Han Dynasty
There are two ways you could make your tongue numb in the Union Square vicinity: 1) Get it pierced on St. Marks, or 2) Eat some Szechuan food at Han Dynasty. We endorse the latter – these are the best dan dan noodles and spicy wontons around.
90 3rd Ave.
Taboonette
The younger, smaller, but actually cooler sibling to Hell’s Kitchen’s Taboon, Tabonette is our MVP pick for lunch on the western side of Union Square. The menu is made up mostly of Middle Eastern pita sandwiches that you can fill with quality ingredients like salmon and pulled pork. You’ll be mad you can’t have this for lunch every day.
30 E. 13th St.
Glaze Teriyaki
If you find yourself on the eastern side of Union Square, and unable to cross through the park due to either lack of time or inablity to deal with the Hare Krishna people, grab lunch or takeout dinner at Glaze. Get a bowl of teriyaki chicken, steak, or salmon over rice. Or without rice, if you’re #PALEO. Just get the rice.
139 4th Ave.
15 East
15 East is one of the best places to have incredible omakase-style sushi in NYC, provided you’re OK with eating dollar slices for dinner for the rest of the month. Or, go at lunch, when there’s a three-course $32 prix fixe special, as well a mini version of the sushi omakase for $35.
15 E. 15th St.
Casa Mono
An NYC classic, Casa Mono pretty much never gets old and works in any scenario, provided you enjoy wine and excellent small plates of seafood and meat. If you don’t, there’s a TGI Fridays around the corner.
52 Irving Pl.
Breads Bakery
You may know Breads for having the city’s best chocolate babka and mini chocolate rugelach – congratulations on impressing everyone at Rosh Hashanah. But the non-dessert stuff is very good too. Head to the back of the bakery, where you can get sandwiches and Israeli-style salads.
18 E. 16th St.
Craftbar
Craftbar doesn’t get all the attention it did a decade ago, but unlike most things that people freaked out about in 2003, Craftbar is actually still bringing it. It’s still one of our favorite places to eat very good food in the area.
900 Broadway
SEE ALSO: The best steakhouses in all 50 states
DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's Lifestyle page on Facebook!
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: How to cook a restaurant-style burger in your own kitchen