Union Square, Flatiron and Gramercy
NYC Neighborhood Guides

Union Square, the Flatiron District and part of Greenwich Village all have a mix of residence and business tenants. Additionally, colleges such as NYU, The New School and FIT dominate the area, making it very fun and lively. It is one of the best dining areas in Manhattan, with something for every palate and budget. Gramercy is a very wealthy and residential area, with deliberately little commerce.

Things to Do

Flatiron Building (175 5th Ave, 22nd/23rd) - beautiful building and icon that has appeared in countless movie and television productions and on more postcards than perhaps any other modern building.

Flatiron District (175 5th Ave, 22nd/23rd) - Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership offers free walking tours every Sunday, 11am. Meet at the SW corner of Madison Square Park, 23rd/Bway.

Madison Square Park (23rd to 26th St, 5th Ave and Madison) - some believe this was where baseball was born. Check out the reflecting pool, fountain, playground, and use the free outdoor Wi-Fi. Grab a snack at Shake Shack, frozen custard, shakes, Shack burgers, Chicago hot dogs, 'shroom burgers, and more.

Union Square Park (14th to 17th St, Park Ave S )– right in the middle of the City, with the famous Greenmarket (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat), lots of history and statues, a new expanded 15,000-square-foot playground opened 2009, free Wi-Fi outdoors, and surrounded by hundreds of shops and restaurants. Free tours every Sat at 2pm, meet in front of Lincoln Statue along 16th Street transverse.

Recommended Restaurants

Top Ten NYC Restaurants, all three delicious “high end” American food, expensive and worth every penny.

Union Square Café (21 E 16th, USW, 5th Ave)
Gotham Bar and Grill (12 E 12th St, University and 5th Ave)
Gramercy Tavern (42 E 20th, Park Ave/ Bway)

Casa Mono (125 E 17th St, Irving Place) - Tapas, a Mario Batali favorite, small intimate restaurant, reservations highly recommended, wine bar, Bar Jambon next door.

Pete’s Tavern (129 E 18th, Irving Place) – opened in 1864, classic NYC Tavern with history, burgers and beer. Featured in dozens of TV Shows and Movies and where O. Henry wrote the Gift of The Magi .

Coffee Shop (29 Union Square W, 16th St) – Cuban/Brazilian, neighborhood favorite, great outdoor patio, excellent brunch. Kid Friendly.

Maoz Vegetarian (38 U Sq E, 16th/17th)– easy, cheap falafel, great for grab and go lunch, especially to sit in Union Sq. Park

Basta Pasta (37 W 17th, 5th/6th Aves) - one of the most "hidden" restaurants and interesting menus. Italian/Japanese combination made and presented by sushi chefs.

Additional Restaurants - Punch and Wined Up (hip wine bar), Boqueria (tapas), Haru Sushi, Mesa Grill - southwestern, Bobby Flay, Craftbar, A Voce (romantic Italian), BLT Fish

Shake Shack (Madison & 23rd St) –in the park, great burgers, fries and shakes

230 Fifth (230 5th Ave, 27th St) - huge restaurant and nightclub on a rooftop with palm trees, cozy seating, heat lamps and 360 views of NYC at night.

More Union Square Restaurants