Best Instagram Worthy Restaurants in Union Square
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
abc kitchen
Produce-led American dishes in a stylish, market-to-table format.
Notable Picks
#1
abc kitchen
8.8
Jean-Georges’ Flatiron favorite does vegetable-forward American cooking with a glossy, design-store setting. Plates revolve around peak produce, smart technique, and shareable rhythms, making the meal feel both high-end and approachable. The room’s energy keeps it buzzy without drifting into scene-y.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted Carrot with avocado & citrus, Pretzel-dusted Calamari, Ricotta Ravioli with herbs & tomato
What Makes it Special: Produce-led American dishes in a stylish, market-to-table format.
8.7
A long-running Union Square institution known for tableside guacamole and a deep tequila roster, with a polished, high-energy dining room. Happy hour brings strong margarita value without sacrificing the kitchen’s crowd-pleasing classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Table-side Guacamole, Tacos de Carne Asada, Pomegranate Margarita
What Makes it Special: Iconic tableside guac plus a proven, high-volume margarita program.
#3
Taboonette
8.3
A bright, counter-service offshoot of Taboon focused on taboon-oven pitas, shawarma, and sabich. The menu balances comfort and freshness—creamy hummus, crisp salads, and smoky meats show up with steady praise. Strong cross-platform review volume supports its reliability.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb shawarma pita, Sabich with eggplant, Cauliflower pita
What Makes it Special: Taboon-oven Israeli street fare with excellent throughput.
#4
Oceans
8.2
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Girls Night Out Approved
Business Lunch Power Players
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A sleek Park Avenue South seafood room that blends raw-bar glamour with Japanese-leaning precision. The menu is wide but well-focused on bright, fresh preparations and comforting, sake-glazed mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro tartare with caviar, Alaskan black cod with sake glaze, Seasonal ceviche
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized seafood with a standout raw bar and sushi counter.
#5
abcV
8.1
A serene plant-forward dining room where vegetable cooking gets fine-dining attention without feeling heavy. Great for a calm, health-minded business lunch that still feels special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Gluten-Free Almond Pancake, Mushroom & Tofu ‘Un-Fried Rice’
What Makes it Special: Jean-Georges’ vegetable-centric spot that makes greens feel luxurious.
#6
Kanyakumari
8.1
A polished Union Square destination focused on coastal South Indian flavors with a modern dining-room glow. Expect seafood-forward plates, bright curry-leaf and coconut notes, and a menu that plays beyond the usual NYC Indian canon.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mussels koliwada, Vada pav, Fish curry with appam
What Makes it Special: Coastal South Indian cooking in a refined, seafood-leaning format.
#7
Vallata
8.1
Tom Colicchio’s neighborhood trattoria near Union Square emphasizes polished classics and hand-made pastas. It’s a smaller, calmer room than many Gramercy peers, best for a focused pasta-and-wine dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paccheri with Fennel Sausage & Broccoli Rabe, Veal & Ricotta Meatballs, Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
What Makes it Special: Celebrity-chef trattoria with a tight, pasta-forward menu.