Whole Foods Market Cafe

At the southern edge of Union Square Park and in between NoHo and Flatiron districts is one of New York's most extraordinary self-serve cafés. While prepared foods take up most of the first floor of this Whole Foods Market, a massive salad bar along with sushi, soups, pizza, sandwiches, a breakfast bar, and Indian and Mexican specialties compete for your attention. Up on the second floor, you'll find a coffee bar and juice bar along with a smaller selection of bottled juice and soda and other prepared foods. The biggest attraction is the floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Union Square Park, which is particularly tranquil in the early-morning hours. Although you'll expect a crowd around dinner time, it usually doesn't take more than five minutes to get to a cashier. The selection is phenomenal and if you don't mind sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers you'll be rewarded with a fine view from above of one of New York's most vibrant areas.