Best Union Square Restaurants for Shoppers

With the holidays fast approaching, many will flock to Union Square, San Francisco's shopping mecca. And when hunger strikes, it's best to escape the masses to recharge and eat as the locals do. Here are 10 favorite Union Square restaurants, curated to please weary shoppers and their taste buds.

Bouche

This intimate French restaurant packs a big punch when it comes to flavor. Enter at street level into the wine bar, which focuses on "esoteric French wines from small appellations." Upstairs, cozy seating sets the mood for a romantic prix-fixe dinner. There’s also a heated parklet for those who prefer to dine outdoors.

Burma Love

Since the original Burma Superstar opened in the Richmond district in 1992 to never-ending throngs of hungry diners, it has expanded into a veritable Burmese culinary empire with its own line of food products, a cookbook, and spin-off restaurants that include Burma Love. The more contemporary iteration is open for lunch and dinner, and it’s where you can still get your fix of the fabled tea leaf salad mixed table-side, but also slow-cooked curries and Chinese-influenced garlic noodles, both with your choice of protein. The full bar serves creative cocktails such as the Japanese whiskey-mango lassi blended Eye of the Tiger and the tamarind spin on a margarita, the Burmarita. If you’re driving home, the Burmese milk tea or fresh juice from a whole young coconut will provide you a festive beverage without the buzz.

Cafe de la Presse

This French bistro is the perfect spot to pop into for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just drinks. Take advantage of nice weather and sip a Kir Royale on the patio while people watching across from the Dragon’s Gate entrance to Chinatown.

Dirty Habit

Tucked away on the fifth floor of the Viceroy Hotel, this swank spot with a provocative name sports a stylish dining room along with a heated patio complete with sleek fire pits. Nurse a classic or craft cocktail, made with the bar’s expansive collection of top-shelf spirits. Shared plates with Asian influences dominate the menu, with pillowy Japanese milk bread to slather with Indonesian kaya jam, lumpia that goes luxe with lobster, and a massive bone-in rib eye for two with hand-cut Kennebec fries.

Kin Khao

The only Thai restaurant in the United States with a Michelin star just happens to be an easy stroll from Union Square. While it pays to plan ahead by booking a reservation, you’ll be glad to know that this casual, dinner-only restaurant in the Parc 55 hotel does set aside a few bar and dining room seats for walk-ins. It was founded by Thailand native Pim Techamuanvivit, who also owns the acclaimed Nari in San Francisco and Michelin-starred Nahm in Bangkok. Think highly seasonal Thai dishes laced with bold, pungent, and spicy flavors that will make the mouth water.

The Rotunda

When shopping is your goal, what could be more convenient than a restaurant in a store? The light-filled fourth-floor Rotunda inside of Neiman Marcus overlooks Union Square with floor-to-ceiling windows and provides the perfect ladies-who-lunch setting for enjoying a proper afternoon tea or indulging in one of the signature popovers alongside a classic crab & shrimp Louie.

One65

This six-story, multi-concept culinary destination one block from Union Square is the ultimate choose-your-own adventure. James Beard Award-winning Chef-Partner Claude Le Tohic has created four different French dining experiences under one roof. The third-floor One65 Bistro & Grill is temporarily closed, but there’s plenty else to tempt. Need the jolt of an espresso with a flaky pain au chocolat? Find that, along with macarons and chocolates, on the first-floor patisserie. Craving a breather after shopping all day? Head to the fourth-floor Elements Bar & Lounge to enjoy a cocktail inspired by the elements of air, fire, water, and earth while tucking into Wagyu meatballs or oysters on the half shell. Have an occasion to celebrate? Look no further than the plush fifth-floor O’ by Claude Le Tohic that offers five- and nine-course tasting menus.

Uncle Vito's

The famous Brown Twins of Nob Hill, who loved a night on the town in their matching finery, dined at Uncle Vito’s regularly, and with good reason. Arguably serving some of the best pizza in the area, the restaurant also offers a full menu of Italian pastas, salads, and sandwiches.