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There is really no energy quite like that of Union Square in NYC. From local artists selling and working on pieces; to the so fresh, the so clean, the so local, the so vast Union Square Park Farmers Market; to the seasonal holiday market where you can something for all of your family and friends; to the ability to throw down on a grudge match with a chess player any day, it’s a wonderful world in and of itself. A variety of convenient trains can bring you to its hub, where you can relax in the park for a bit before you visit one of the many top-rated restaurants or bars on the streets surrounding the area. If you’re ever wondering what might be going on in the general Union Square area, check out the Union Square Partnership website. There you can find a lot of postings about the things going on in the area. 

Since its development in the mid-1800s, the Union Square area has remained a lively cultural mecca and national historic landmark. On any given day you are as likely to see peaceful political protesters, as you are new food trucks, dance crews or street musicians. With all the beautifully beatnik vibes of it’s adjacent neighborhood of Greenwich Village, Union Square offers a bit more convenience and variety of places to go. It is home to the iconic Strand Bookstore, the metronome and countdown clock, and the kitschy and niche stores such as Forbidden Planet or the year round Halloween Adventure. 

Some of the best things Union Square has to offer, however, come in the form of food and drink. There is no shortage of bars or restaurants, but sometimes it helps to have a guide to cut through saturated market. Here is the countdown to the best places to eat and drink in Union Square. 

Top Ten Bars or Restaurants Near 14th Street Union Square

10. Pete’s Tavern

129 E. 18^th St

NY, NY 10003

This spot is older than old as it has been around since the 1860s. It’s an Irving Place staple, which you should go to for drinks more than food, but can’t go wrong either way. Chances are if you ask a New Yorker where Pete’s Tavern is, they will be able to tell you, if they simply don’t ignore you and keep walking.

9. Breads Bakery

18 E 16^th St.

NY, NY 10003

This Israeli bakery has everything one would hope for such as a banging babka, but also goes deeper on the bench with deeply-seeded loaves, crusty baguettes and an olive breadstick or seven. You can pop in for some bread on the go or stay for a delicious sandwich or salad.  There may be nothing better than walking through their doors and taking a deep breath in. It’s honestly worth going in there just to do so, but once you do it’s almost guaranteed you’ll become an immediate and loyal customer.

8. Laut

15 E. 17^th St.

NY, NY 10003

It’s pretty easy to find Thai fare in New York City, but a bit harder to find the delicious and well executed Malaysian and Singaporean selections offered up at this low-key establishment. The chili crab or the laksa are just a few of the must haves, especially if you are in the mood for some spicy coconut goodness.

7. Barn Joo

35 Union Square W

NY, NY 10003

With one of the most amazing happy hours in Union Square, as well as delicious small bites and proper Korean BBQ, it’s not hard to see why this has become a hot spot. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump from the subway, and well worth the trip. Though it may hard to pass the seating and offerings of happy hour, do try to get upstairs for the BBQ.

6. Ippudo NY

65 4^th Ave

NY, NY 10003

Located on the ever-allusive 4^th Ave, Ippudo serves up some of the best ramen and pork buns in the city. Hands down. From the greeting to watching the cooks operate in the open layout kitchen, the dynamism of this place is unmatched. No reservations, no take-away, no delivery, no problem. It’s worth the wait, but try to come hungry.

5. Strip House

13 E. 12^th St

NY, NY 10003

Strip House has everything you could want from a classic New York steakhouse: waiters in white coats, celebrity photos covering the red walls, and of course, some very quality cuts. Strip House may kill your budget and your diet, but it is a happy, almost noble death.

4. Tim Ho Wan

85 4^th Ave

NY, NY 10003

This chain from Hong Kong is another 4^th Avenue jaunt. It offers up affordable dim sum of pretty high quality and decent variety. Often there is a wait (especially on weekends), but they usually squeeze you in pretty quickly. It may not have the trollies and banquette seating of traditional dim sum, but after a few bites you’ll recognize it as the real deal. 

3. Dear Irving

55 Irving Place

NY, NY 10003

This establishment harkens a vibe even F. Scott Fitzgerald would toast. It has seasonal concoctions alongside time honored cocktails for you to sip on amongst the cascading ambiance of bead work. Though it walk the line between pretention and approachability, it does let you push a button for service at your table, which always makes you feel a bit regal. 

2. Holiday Cocktail Lounge

75 Saint Mark Pl

NY, NY 10003

To the untrained eye, this would be any other dive bar on Saint Marks or near Union Square, but upon closer inspection anyone who tries one of their many delicious cocktails or bar bites realizes this team knows exactly what they are doing. They serve a sneaky brunch that will absolutely blow you away with either the fried chicken or sausage and gravy pizza, but the nights are also well spent there sipping on one of the inventive cocktails. Always, this cannot be emphasized enough, always trust a place where bartenders and chefs hang out on their down time. You won’t be disappointed.

1. The Winslow

243 E. 14^th St

NY, NY 10003

This gin bar and eatery is surely a shiny diamond among the rough.  It’s slightly obscured amongst the sirens and sports bars on 14^th Street, but if you find it you’ll be back many a time over. You should be able to find it as it’s conveniently located steps away from all the trains of Union Square making it a great spot to meet up with friends. The Winslow boasts over 40 different styles and brands of gin, but it doesn’t stop there. They have a bit of everything—from a well-crafted beer and wine selection to a pretty deep bench of bourbons, ryes and scotch, even if you’re not into gin The Winslow is known to have one of the best brunches near Union Square. With a seasonal cocktail list created by Beverage Director and GM Cait Moorhead, and a seasonal menu designed by Executive Chef Nathan Pauley (if you love your taste buds, try his specialty “Duck Wings”), this team never fails to disappoint—whether it be their boozy brunch, food and cocktail pairings, or just coming in because you want a tasty drink and meal, it’s by far one of the best finds in the Union Square area.  It is quite rare in this city so nice they named it twice to find a spot that serves up refined yet affordable dishes and drinks, all wrapped up in a friendly and welcoming environment. 

A coveted evening in NYC is to dine out in this culinary capital of the world. There are many options–some well known, some intentionally kept secret. Where can one go to get one of the best food and cocktail pairings in NYC? The answer may surprise you. 

Cocktail and Food Pairing at The Winslow

Traditionally, wines accompany food pairings or tasting menus. At The Winslow Executive Chef Nathan Pauley and Beverage Director and General Manager Cait Moorhead are attempting to elevate this to the next level. Incorporating flavors from one another’s inventions, the duo creates a memorable, delicious and unique experience. 

Cuisine at The Winslow is created by Executive Chef Nathan Pauley and incorporates traditional favorites from across the pond as well as a range of house-made savory local delights. You can come in and devour the classics or try any one of his inventive takes. Pauley insists on buying local whenever he can and has a list of trusted farms and producers he uses. Having the Union Square Farmer’s Market just blocks away doesn’t hurt either. Chef Pauley hails from Savannah, GA.  He graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a degree in geography and anthropology and moved to NYC shortly after for an unpaid internship where he took on a job cooking at a bar and grill for income and decided to pursue a career in restaurants and hospitality. He has worked with many reputable chefs over the past 7 years, and in 10 establishments ranging from casual to Michelin starred venues. (most notably working with Noma cofounder Mads Refslund at ACME and earning Michelin Stars at Piora and Gunter Seeger NY.) When he’s not at work, he enjoys bubble baths, long walks on the beach and playing with his cat, Jane.

The Winslow is known for delicious food and a great gin selection, but it is also home to a marvelous cocktail program designed by Moorhead. Moorhead states,  “The goal is to integrate seasonal flavors as well as add a twist to highlight the unique and flavorsome spirits used, not to cover them up. Too often bars add nothing but sugar, or mixers to mask the flavor of liquor, but there’s little point to that if you’re using the good stuff.” After graduating from Central Michigan University cum laude with a degree in Integrated Public Relations (useless) and a minor in Political Science (worse) she moved to NYC with dreams of living life in the style of a 90s sitcom. This of course led to a natural migration into the service industry. Bartending for more years than is attractive to mention at nightclubs and sports bars, she has been at The Winslow since their opening in 2013 where she was head bartender and Beverage Director until becoming the GM in 2016. She has designed award winning cocktails for Tales of the Cocktail and has also had drinks published in “The Black Book of Gin Cocktails.” When she’s not herding cats and answering emails she is in constant pursuit of well patterned pants and finely worded run on sentences. 

Cocktail Tasting Dinner NYC

Moorhead and Pauley often work on special pairing events during the summer months, which consist of three courses paired with three specialty cocktails. It’s one of the best experiences in East Village or Gramercy so you definitely don’t want to miss the next one.

They’ve had themes running the gamut from food and cocktail pairings based on street fair flavors (for example, Moorhead paired her cocktail of Tom Kat Barr Hill, Blackberry & Grilled Sweet Corn Purée, Honey, Epazote, Grapefruit Bitters with Pauley’s dish of Turkey Porchetta of Turkey Breast and Cornbread Farce, Turkey Sausage, Wrapped in Pork Belly, Blackberry Vinaigrette ) to going decade by decade and putting their twist and improvements on classic dishes and cocktails from that era. (For example, Moorhead paired her cocktail of fat-washed Woodford Reserve Bourbon, homemade Apricot liqueur, and Punt ‘e’ Mas with Pauley’s dish of oyster, baked ham vichyssoise, green goddess emulsion, tarragon)

This year’s theme will be “Dinner and a Movie”. Each night will boast 3 courses designed by Pauley and paired cocktails created by Moorhead. The schedule is listed below:

• Sunday, July 28, 2019:  Comedy Tasting Menu
  • 1^ST Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Romantic Comedy The Princess Bride
  • 2^nd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Buddy Cop Comedy Lethal Weapon
  • 3^rd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Coming-of-age Comedy The Goonies
• Sunday, August 25^th, 2019: Action Tasting Menu
  • 1^st Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Gangster Action/Drama Goodfellas
  • 2^nd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Super Hero/Comic Action film Dark Knight
  • 3^rd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by grizzled action film Road House
• Sunday, September 29^th, 2019: Thriller Tasting Menu
  • 1^st Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Murder Mystery Thriller Seven
  • 2^nd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Sci Fi Thriller Inception
  • 3^rd Course and paired Cocktail inspired by Horror/Thriller Silence of the Lambs