This area has become home to many of the city’s top restaurants, as well as bars, clubs, art galleries, and off-Broadway theater.
The city’s top chefs shop at The Union Square Green Market, one of the premier farmer’s markets in the country.

Note: Because moderate or inexpensive dining options are limited in these neighborhoods, most of the establishments below are on the more expensive side.

Aleo ($$-$$$) Italian, Mediterranean
7 W. 20th St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
212-691-8136
Subway: F,V to 23rd St.-Sixth Ave.
Open Mon-Fri noon-11pm, Sat 3:30pm-midnight, Sun 4:30-10pm.
www.aleorestaurant.com
Reasonable prices, very good food and service (interesting Middle Eastern and Italian) and an elegant atmosphere make this a neighborhood favorite. In summer, there is a very pretty outdoor dining garden.

Blue Water Grill ($$ - $$$) American, Seafood
31 Union Square West (@16th St.)
212-675-9500
Subway: 4,5,6,L,N,Q,R,W to 14th St.-Union Sq
Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-4pm, Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 10:30am-4pm and 5pm-11pm.
www.brguestrestaurants.com
Excellent seafood, beautiful décor, lively bar scene, outdoor dining. Live jazz downstairs.

Gramercy Tavern ($$ - $$$$) American
42 E. 20th St. (betw. B’way and Park Ave. So.)
212-477-0777
Subway: N,R,W to 23rd. St., 6 to 23rd St.
Main Dining Room serves Lunch and dinner Mon-Fri, Dinner only on Sat-Sun.
Tavern is open Sun-Thu Noon-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-midnight.
www.gramercytavern.com
Creative Chef/owner Tom Colicchio presides over one of New York’s top dining destinations. Prix-fixe menus only in Main Dining Room (reservations required); the more casual Tavern Room has an a la carte menu and does not accept reservations.

Republic ($) Creative Asian, Noodles and more.
37 Union Sq. West (betw. 16th and 17th Sts.)
212-627-7172
Subway: 4,5,6,L,N,Q,R,W to 14th St.-Union Sq.
Open Sun-Wed 11:30am-10:30pm, Thu-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm.
www.thinknoodles.com
A great inexpensive choice in this pricey area, offering something creatively Asian for everyone. Hip, chic, minimalist setting, communal seating. Outdoor dining, lively bar. Young, popular singles scene — but you can still go even if you’re not young, popular, or single!

Tocqueville ($$$ - $$$$) American, French.
15 E. 15th St. (betw. 5th Ave. and Union Sq. W.)
212-647-1515
Subway: 4,5,6,L,N,Q,R,W to 14th St.-Union Sq. Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner, Sun dinner only.
www.tocquevillerestaurant.com
Charming, elegant, refined. Two former caterers now have their own classy little place. Consistently positive reviews. Definitely on my list of places to try.

Todd English’s Olives NY ($$ - $$$$) Mediterranean
201 Park Ave. So. (@ 17th St.)
212-353-8345
Subway: 4,5,6,L,N,R,Q,W to Union Sq.
Open Mon-Fri for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Sat-Sun for brunch and dinner.
www.toddenglish.com
Great food, wine, olives, martinis, cool location, fun, major celeb-spotting, good for brunch. Can be cramped and busy (it’s in the lobby of the Union Square W Hotel). Check out their Green Market Tasting Menu.

Union Square Café ($$$) American
21 E. 16th St. (betw. 5th Ave and Union Sq. W) 212-243-4020
Subway: 4,5,6,L,N,R to 14th St.-Union Sq.
Open daily for lunch and dinner.
www.unionsquarecafe.com
Since 1985, Union Square Café has been popular for upscale New American cuisine with unpretentious service. Can be hard to get reservations – so start calling up to 28 days in advance or try booking online at www.opentable.com. Try lunch in the bar.

Veritas ($$$$) American, Seafood.
43 E. 20th St. (betw. B’way and Park Ave. So.)
212-353-3700
Subway: N,R to 23rd St., 6 ro 23rd. St.
Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10;15pm, Sun 5pm-9pm.
www.veritas-nyc.com
Prix-fixe menu only ($72), elegant cuisine, skilled, unpretentious service, extraordinary wine cellar; consistently positive reviews. If you’re looking for a splurge dinner – this could be the place. I haven’t been yet, so let me know.

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