Best Trendy Restaurants in Union Square
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Los Tacos No. 1 (Union Square)
High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.
Essential Picks
A Mexico City–style taqueria that runs on speed and precision, turning out deeply seasoned adobada, carne asada, and pollo tacos on supple tortillas. The line moves fast, and the salsa bar lets you dial in heat and acidity to your taste. It’s the area’s most reliable stop for classic street tacos with big, repeatable flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada taco with pineapple, Carne asada taco, Chicken taco with salsa verde
What Makes it Special: High-volume taqueria delivering street-style tacos with rare consistency.
Notable Picks
#2
Casa Mono
8.8
The neighborhood’s Michelin-star tapas benchmark, drawing on Costa Brava traditions with a New York sense of energy and precision. Dishes feel both rustic and exacting—seafood, offal, and vegetables treated with confidence—served in a tight, buzzy room that rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni with lobster sofrito, Pig ear salad, Seasonal fideuà or paella-style rice
What Makes it Special: Michelin-star Spanish raciones with serious technique.
#3
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.
8.6
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
A high-energy French brasserie that leans into steakhouse indulgence with big bistro classics and a polished raw bar. The room feels like a Parisian grand café dropped into Union Square, making it equally good for long lunches or celebratory dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak frites, French onion soup, Mussels marinières
What Makes it Special: A classic all-day French brasserie with steakhouse firepower and massive local validation.
8.4
Chelsea’s late-night pho specialist with a long-simmered broth that leans rich and beefy, especially in the short-rib “Dragon Pho.” The menu stays focused on comfort classics, executed with a confident home-style hand and reliable portion heft.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dragon Pho Beef Short Ribs, Dac Biet Combination Pho with Beef Ball, Bun Bo Hue
What Makes it Special: Short-rib pho with a deeper, marrowy broth profile.
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
A lively, modern Korean tavern pairing crowd-pleasing classics with a polished bar program. The upstairs BBQ room and downstairs small plates make it easy to tailor the night from quick bites to full feast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Stone bowl bibimbap, Spicy pork ssam, Braised octopus with gochujang
What Makes it Special: A two-level Korean tavern with optional tabletop BBQ.