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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Union Square

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76 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Bad Roman restaurant
1. Bad Roman
4.5
Awesome(2267)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Upper West Side
Booked 274 times today
A new lively, modern Italian restaurant from Quality Branded.
A photo of Becco restaurant
2. Becco
4.5
Awesome(28612)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Theater District
Booked 163 times today
Lidia Bastianich & her son Joe's Theater District mainstay. Best known for the $29.95 pasta tasting menu & the great selections on the $35 Italian wine list. Loved by locals & out of towners alike, Becco has been serving consistently delicious regional Italian cuisine since 1993. Located on the famed Restaurant Row in NYC's Theatre District, Becco is open for lunch & dinner seven days a week. Enjoy signature dishes, like the Osso Bucco, as well as the bounty of fresh seasonal preparations. The Reserve Wine list has many of Italy's best known producers, as well as some more eclectic wine makers. A knowledgeable staffer will be on hand to help you make a great choice. With 18 years on restaurant row, great food & great service help make Becco the right choice time & time again.
A photo of The Smith - East Village restaurant
3. The Smith - East Village
4.7
Exceptional(4559)
Price: Moderate
• American • East Village
Booked 85 times today
The Smith is a casual American brasserie with four upbeat locations in New York City: The Smith East Village, The Smith Midtown, The Smith Lincoln Square, and The Smith NoMad, as well as locations in DC and Chicago. We care about every meal and every moment. The menu features bistro classics, seasonal fare, and craft cocktails. Walk in the door and you’re in for a great time. Whether it’s date night, drinks on the town, a big birthday bash, a working lunch, a boozy brunch, or an I-don’t-want-to-cook-tonight night, we’ve got you covered.
A photo of Quality Meats restaurant
4. Quality Meats
4.7
Exceptional(10581)
Price: Expensive
• American • Midtown West
Booked 130 times today
Quality Meats is the best steakhouse in New York City. Located in Midtown Manhattan near Central Park, MOMA, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Times Square, Quality Meats features modern interpretations of familiar dishes and flavor combinations, resulting in unique tastes, innovative presentations, and a distinctive Quality Meats style. The warm, industrial décor by award-winning designers AvroKO draws on cues from traditional New York City family-owned butcher shops, in the use of warm wood, stainless steel, and white marble.
A photo of Cecconi's Dumbo restaurant
5. Cecconi's Dumbo
4.6
Exceptional(5281)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • DUMBO
Booked 183 times today
In support of the regulations issued by the city of New York, Cecconi’s Dumbo is now open for outdoor seating until 11pm. Cecconi’s Dumbo is a modern day classic Italian restaurant near Brooklyn Bridge park, specializing in hand-made pasta, wood-fired pizza and other Italian staples. Originating in Venice and with outposts in London and West Hollywood, Cecconi’s has become a critically acclaimed dining destination featuring simply prepared Venetian inspired food. With waterfront views of the Manhattan Skyline, join us in our main dining room, bar or patio dinner and weekend brunch seven days a week. Cecconi’s offers an elegant and relaxed dining experience for all guests.
A photo of RH Guesthouse, The Dining Room restaurant
6. RH Guesthouse, The Dining Room
4.8
Exceptional(896)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Meatpacking District
Booked 77 times today
A grand yet intimately scaled space, The Dining Room at The Guesthouse offers a live-fire dining experience in a setting defined by floor-to-ceiling travertine, a monolithic hearth, and embedded Molteni rotisseries. The menu features fresh ingredients from select sources, simply and elegantly prepared, along with a selection of Champagnes and wines from around the world.For group dining inquiries, please email: GHNYDR@rh.com
A photo of Joe Allen restaurant
7. Joe Allen
4.8
Exceptional(4713)
Price: Expensive
• American • Theater District
Booked 48 times today
Please note; we only take reservations up to one week in advance.With Broadway's staggered start times, things get tricky, so if you're desired time is unavailable online, please give us a call, as we hold a certain number of tables for phone reservations only. For parties of six or more, please call the restaurant directly.Since 1965, Joe Allen has been a quintessential New York restaurant serving a classic American menu in the heart of the Theater District. Just two blocks from Times Square, it has been a favorite of Broadway performers, locals, and tourists for almost 50 years.We begin taking reservations seven days in advance starting at midnight online and at 11 a.m. over the phone. Because of staggered theatre times we can only guarantee reservations made online for one-and-a-half hours for parties of two, and two hours for parties of three or more.For reservations after theatre, please check your show's running time at http://joeallenrestaurant.com/show_info
A photo of Novitá - New York City, Manhattan restaurant
8. Novitá - New York City, Manhattan
4.7
Exceptional(3147)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Gramercy Park
Booked 40 times today
Novita is a vibrant 60-seat trattoria serving a seasonally inspired, modern Italian menu. Chef owner Marco Fregonese’s innovative take on classical, regional cooking begins with the finest, artisan ingredients and freshest, seasonal products. His distinctive light and flavorful dishes are pure and satisfying and perfectly complemented by a select list of wines from superb Italian specialty and boutique growers. Novita is located a few steps down from a quiet tree lined street in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. The setting is warm and elegant and the mood quintessentially Italian. In pleasant weather, sidewalk, alfresco dining is offered further adding to Novita’s year round appeal.
A photo of Petite Boucherie restaurant
9. Petite Boucherie
4.7
Exceptional(1353)
Price: Expensive
• French • West Village
Booked 39 times today
Located at the historic intersection of Christopher and Gay Streets, PETITE BOUCHERIE brings a touch of France to the cultured and eclectic neighborhood of West Village. An intimate window-laden, corner restaurant serves French classics pared with curated wine offerings, and it is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. Petite Boucherie is inspired by the elegance of Parisian Belle Époque, and with a hand-crafted menu of timeless​ dishes, the intimate bistro serves as a community hub for engaging conversation.​We look forward to welcoming you! (you can find the hours of operation on this page)**Please note that kitchen hours may differ
A photo of The Champagne Bar at The Plaza restaurant
10. The Champagne Bar at The Plaza
4.3
Awesome(84)
Price: Expensive
• American • Midtown West
Overlooking Fifth Avenue and the Pulitzer Fountain, The Champagne Bar at The Plaza, is reminiscent of the Champagne Porch that was in the same location when the hotel opened its doors in 1907. The most exclusive of The Plaza’s dining venues, which has welcomed legendary figures, celebrities, athletes and government officials, The Champagne Bar has become a favorite destination of today’s social set. The Champagne Bar specializes in delicious food featuring fresh ingredients and masterful preparation by The Plaza's culinary team. Known for its finest champagne, caviar and wine, whether you’re ordering a multi-course meal or grabbing a specialty cocktail at the bar, The Champagne Bar's lively, casual yet upscale atmosphere makes it perfect for dining with friends, family, clients and business associates.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jephine
    New York City •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    One of the most memorable meals I’ve had in nyc in awhile - every dish we ordered was exceptional. Special shoutout to the waygu ribeye, Branzino and banana split. Tasteful ambience and warm service. A place to bring those you care about for a lovely evening. Will be back!
    More info
    RH Guesthouse, The Dining RoomPrice: Very Expensive• American• Meatpacking District
    •
    4.8
  • NadineVIP
    New York City •31 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We had a great birthday celebration dinner at Bad Roman. Our waiter Humberto was very attentive and efficient. Nice ambience, great food, great wines and cocktails. We ordered a variety of appetizers including the eggplant pull-a -parm , the meatballs, ribs. Very generous portions and delicious. The eggplant I thought was amazing, which came with a nice dipping sauce. We had the Il Divorzio Half and Half and the Short Rib Pappardelle which were generous,portions and tasty. We could not finish it all and took the rest home. We will definitely be back!
    More info
    Bad RomanPrice: Expensive• Italian• Upper West Side
    •
    4.5
  • Ira
    Philadelphia County •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Becco is an Italian restaurant near the theatre district. While narrow at the entrance, it extends room after room to the back. Service was prompt and sensitive to theatre show times. Tables are very close together, but since everyone is there to eat and enjoy, it only presents a problem to the claustrophobic. Appetizers were generous and very well presented. The special - lasagne Bolognese - was well put together, flavorful and rich. Even the bread and olives, put out early were top notch. The wine list is broad, but the pours for individual servings were generous. Unless you plan to finish a whole bottle, one glass should be ample. We didn't get desserts, but the dessert menu was tantalizing. Next time. Service was first rate. If you plan on going, I would advise reservations in advance, which we did. Wait times when we got there were over an hour, and on an early Thursday evening. This is good classic Italian cooking, well-presented and customer focused.
    More info
    BeccoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Theater District
    •
    4.5
  • Héctor
    Caribbean •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    An excellent service and a perfect quality of foods. Definitely recommend it and I’m sure I coming back.
    More info
    Quality MeatsPrice: Expensive• American• Midtown West
    •
    4.7
  • RogerVIP
    New York City •59 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We had a delightful time, and my steak was awesome. Whoever cooked last night did a great job!
    More info
    The Smith - East VillagePrice: Moderate• American• East Village
    •
    4.7

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