Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Union Square

Price
Cuisine
Regions
Areas
Top Rated
Dining Options
Seating Options
Award-winning
Accessibility

80 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Bad Roman restaurant
1. Bad Roman
4.5
Awesome(2216)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Upper West Side
Booked 178 times today
A new lively, modern Italian restaurant from Quality Branded.
A photo of TAO Uptown restaurant
2. TAO Uptown
4.4
Awesome(14508)
Price: Expensive
• Pan-Asian • Midtown East
Booked 123 times today
A 16-foot Buddha, which floats above a reflecting pool filled with Japanese carp, presides over the scene at Tao. A favorite destination for celebrities and athletes, this Pan Asian restaurant specializes in authentic Hong Kong Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines. Tao has three levels of dining including the prized "Skybox" which offers views of this former movie theater unparalleled in New York. In addition to its 300 seats, Tao includes a sushi bar, lounge and two bars at which to enjoy the food and the show. Appetizers range from $8 - $18; Entrees: $16 -$39. Offering $31.50 Prix Fixe Lunch Menu year round.
A photo of The Smith - East Village restaurant
3. The Smith - East Village
4.7
Exceptional(4553)
Price: Moderate
• American • East Village
Booked 38 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(10536)
Price: Expensive
• American • Midtown West
Booked 105 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(5260)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • DUMBO
Booked 99 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 Central Park Boathouse restaurant
6. Central Park Boathouse
4.6
Exceptional(941)
Price: Very Expensive
• Continental • Upper East Side
Booked 30 times today
Dine with us in the beautifully updated restaurant that reimagines the Boathouse's iconic history and charm. Reviving old traditions and making new ones – we’ve got something for everybody.Monday - FridayLUNCH: 12pm -5pmSaturday & SundayBRUNCH: 11am - 5pmIn addition, our outdoor Express Cafe, is open daily from 8am to 5pm. *For parties of 10 or more: please contact us at info@centralparkboathouse.com **Please Note** Our restaurant is located inside of Central Park, which means all guests must arrive on foot, there is no parking at our property. The closest entrance and cross streets are 72nd street and 5th Ave.
A photo of The Crosby Bar restaurant
7. The Crosby Bar
4.5
Awesome(926)
Price: Expensive
• American • SoHo
Booked 23 times today
The Crosby Bar & Terrace is located on a quiet, cobblestoned street inside Soho’s Crosby Street Hotel. We offer modern American cuisine in a spacious room with high ceilings, long pewter bar, gray oak floors and tall warehouse-style windows which look out to the trees at the hotel’s entrance and the garden on Lafayette. It has an altogether leafy, breezy feel with lots of light throughout the day.
A photo of RH Guesthouse, The Dining Room restaurant
8. RH Guesthouse, The Dining Room
4.8
Exceptional(880)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Meatpacking District
Booked 58 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
9. Joe Allen
4.8
Exceptional(4706)
Price: Expensive
• American • Theater District
Booked 14 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
10. Novitá - New York City, Manhattan
4.7
Exceptional(3141)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Gramercy Park
Booked 9 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you

Explore OpenTable

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Open for Business Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo