Ayala is a seafood spot in Union Square serving some excellent twists on classic dishes.

Serious quality sushi, provided you're willing to pay. Akiko's Restaurant will even serve you up a baby barracuda.

Sababa is fast casual that doesn’t suck, near Union Square.

Fifth Arrow in Union Square is a bar and bowling alley with pizza that you’ll actually want to eat.

Walking into Iron Horse Cocktails for a drink is a good escape from the shopping and crowds close by in Union Square.

Tacorea is a small spot near Union Square that makes Korean-Mexican food.

Stop into Rooster & Rice in Union Square for simple and good chicken if you work nearby.

The Golden Gate Tap Room is a sports bar in Union Square with multiple levels of TVs, tons of beers on tap, and snacks like potato skins.

For an outdoor drinking hang around Union Square that doesn’t suck, go to Dirty Habit.

Press Club, off Market Street, is a dark, upscale spot for drinks and snacks.

Hops & Hominy, near Union Square, has strong Southern food, like shrimp and grits, cornbread, fried chicken, and black-eyed pea fritters.

If you need a work power lunch near Union Square, go to Bluestem.

Popsons, near Union Square, does excellent burgers (unsurprisingly, since it’s from the people behind Causwells).

Pakwan is a simple, inexpensive Pakistani-Indian option very close to Union Square, and it always comes through for us.

A good spot for Pakistani-Indian food near Union Square.

Rye is a great bar to grab a drink in when you need to escape Union Square.