Pâtisserie Fouet is a Japanese-French bakery in Union Square.

Breads Bakery in Union Square makes the best chocolate babka in the city, along with some great cookies, crusty French bread, and sandwiches.

Stretch Pizza is Chef Wylie Dufresne’s 2021 pop-up series at Bread’s Bakery in Union Square. You want to be on the waitlist.

Han Dynasty is a Szechuan restaurant on 3rd Avenue in the East Village you can rely on like a friend who helps you move.

Caffè Panna is an Italian ice cream spot in Gramercy that makes some of the best dessert in the city.

Headless Horseman has a good beer selection and popular Happy Hour right by Union Square.

Barn Joo is a clubby, two-floor Korean spot located right on Union Square.

If you’re looking for Thai food around Union Square, go to Thai Villa.

Shuko, an unmarked Japanese spot near Union Square, is our favorite omakase experience in NYC.

This is the first Manhattan location of Devocion. Like the two Brooklyn locations, it’s a bright space that works well for casual meetings.

Kyma is a big, upsacle Greek restaurant near Union Square. The seafood is reliably good (but a little overpriced), and it’s easy to get a reservation.

Gupshup is a two-floor Indian spot in Gramercy.

Bocce USQ is an outdoor Italian restaurant in Union Square Park, and it’s perfect for an after-work spritz when you’d rather be in Rome.

Taco Electrico is a flashy Mexican restaurant in a basement near Union Square.

The Belfry is a bar near Union Square that specializes in picklebacks.

Scampi is a seafood-focused Italian restaurant in Flatiron with a great space and less-great food.