New York City Union Square, Flatiron District, And Murray Hill

Restaurants are the highlights of these neighborhoods: the old commingles with the brand new, the affordable with the ultra-chic, and a diverse array of cuisines are represented in a cultural no-man's-land. Many of the heftier, better-quality restaurants are predictably expensive, but the cafes and sandwich shops offer good-sized meals in more inviting settings. Curry Hill, a large group of South Asian restaurants and grocery shops, lies along the upper 20's and lower 30's around Lexington and Third Avenues.

Eisenberg Sandwich Shop, 174 5th Ave. (near W. 22nd St.) This legendary (and legendarily cramped) sandwich shop has been dishing out the goods since 1929. The sheer range of options is huge: from reuben to grilled cheese to tuna and on to countless others, familiar and otherwise. Small breakfast options and burgers help round out the selection. Lines are long, but not even the massive crowds have taken away the family feel of this neighborhood favorite. Sandwiches $3.50-9. Burgers $6.50-9.50. Open M-Th 6:30am-8pm, Sa 8am-6pm, Su 8am-4pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
Cafe Prague, 2 W. 19th St. (near 5th Ave.) Everybody's favorite Eastern European city is the theme of this new, high-ceilings Flatiron eatery. Affordable entrees like creamed spinach and beef-stuffed peppers are complemented by breads, slushies, and smoothies. And there are plenty of sandwiches along the deli bar. If that doesn't suit you, try the cheap, all-day Czech breakfast. Breakfast $3.25-8. Lunch $8.50-9.50. Sandwiches $5-8. Pastries $3-6. Open M-W 7am-8pm, Th-F 7am-9pm, Sa 8am-9pm, Su 9am-9pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
Shake Shack, 11 Madison Ave. (www.shakeshack.com), It's just outgrown its toddler years, but the Shake Shack has already become one of the most famous food stops in a wide radius. There may not be anything unusual in the selection itself—standards like burgers, dogs, hand-spun shakes, and sundaes—but the quality is enough to constantly draw long lines stretching out toward the Madison Square Park entrance. Rotating frozen custards (a different flavor each day) is just another reason to keep coming back and waiting in line. There's plenty of outdoor seating next door, but even that fills up. Luckily, you have plenty of park space at your hands. Burgers and dogs $4-9. Shakes $5.25-7. Beer and wine $5-6.50. Open daily 11am-9pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
Spoon, 17 W. 20th St. (www.spoonnyc.com), There's a turn-of-the-century feel to this isolated Flatiron cafe. Old-school lights illuminate finely etched walls and ceilings, and the space extends all the way to the back (you'll find some seating there). But the clientele and staff are mostly youthful, attracted by sandwiches, salads, and other deli standards. Their prix-fixe brunch menu draws rave reviews. Of course, you can always settle for a simple item from the espresso bar. Sandwiches $7.50-9. Salads $9-10. Open M-F 7:30am-5:30pm, Sa-Su 10am-4pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
Cafe Medina, 9 E. 17th St. (www.cafemedina.com), They've got quite the entrance: come in and you're immediately faced with K jugs of delicious juice and a counter full of salad ingredients. Go on a bit further and you'll hit some of the most acclaimed soups in New York. With flavors like chicken coconut, salmon clam chowder, and chilled avocado (and that's just for starters), Medina has been pulling in soup fanatics for years. Juices, smoothies, and yogurts might go down well with them, too. Soups $4-6. Salads $7-10.50. Sandwiches $7-8.50. Pastries $1.75-2.50. Open M-W 7am-8pm, Th 7am-7pm, F-Sa 8am-5pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Has air conditioning.
Pongal, 110 Lexington Ave. (near 27th St.) (www.pongalnyc.com), Finally, an Indian kosher vegetarian restaurant for the rest of us. Approved subji (veggie) and utthappan (a kind of pizza with the ingredients baked right into the “crust”) dishes are the perfect lead-in to the dessert items: Indian ice creams and cheese balls in syrup. All for affordable prices and in a thin but sumptuously decorated space. It's a crowded market in Curry Hill, but Pongal impresses with unique dishes and friendly atmosphere. Entrees $7-12. Open M-Th noon-10:30pm, F-Sa noon-11:30pm, Su noon-10:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.