What’s Actually Worth Your Money at the Union Square Holiday Market

Six items from the Union Square Holiday Market that will leave you with holiday cheer, on a budget.

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Crepes and cocoa and curly fries, oh my! 

The Union Square Holiday Market is a beloved tradition among New Yorkers and tourists alike. Located in Union Square Park, the holiday market gathers over 185 vendors to bring holiday cheer to New York City. 

The Union Square Christmas Market offers a variety of different booths with endless options for street food, local art, and unique gifts may be overwhelming at first, but with this short-list, holiday market goers weighed in on their thoughts on where to shop this holiday season.  

The Truffiest - Cheesy Truffle Fries ($14)

The Truffiest offers a variety of different snacks featuring, you guessed it, truffles. With everything from chicken nuggets to mozzarella sticks, there is something for everyone. The cheesy truffle fries feature fresh curly fries with crumbled cheese and mouth-watering truffle sauce. “They are lovely,” said Grace Anne, a holiday marketgoer. “They are absolutely delicious.” 

United Chocolate Works - Nutella Crepe ($11)

The United Chocolate Works crepe and hot chocolate bar draws sweet and savory lovers. Offering customizable crepes and cocoa, this booth is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The fan-favorite Nutella crepe features a warm chocolate hazelnut filling and is topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. “I went for sweets because I am in the mood for chocolate,” Caia Cupolo, a New York University student, said. “But if you’re wanting some lettuce and ham on [the crepes], you got it.” 

Rubyzaar Baked - S'mores Hot Chocolate ($10)

The viral s’mores hot chocolate makes its anticipated return to the Union Square Holiday Market after being a smashing success last year. The hot chocolate features a toasted marshmallow topping that is toasted right in front of you, contributing to its charm. It is also topped with a graham cracker to complete the smores experience. “It’s so decadent,” said Jen, who declined to give her last name due to privacy concerns. “It’s fun, it’s instagramable, and it tastes good.” 

Chocolate on Tap - Chocolate Covered Strawberries ($14)

After going absolutely viral online in November, there is no surprise that the Chocolate on Tap booth is highly sought after this holiday season. Offering cups of fresh cut juicy strawberries smothered in silky melted chocolate were almost as appealing to the eye as it is the stomach. While the treat is simple but pricey, it truly does live up to the online hype. “I mean could you do this at home, probably,” Alyssa Dicker, a patron of Chocolate on Tap, said. “But it's more fun here.”

Crispy Chick - Chicken and Waffles ($14)

Although not nearly as viral online, Crispy Chick draws a diverse crowd with its unique fried chicken-on-stick concept. The booth features a myriad of different flavor combinations from sweet to savory to spicy. The concept combines a classic street market food with a bold twist offering nostalgia and excitement. The chicken and waffles stick features an alternating combination of Belgian waffles and freshly fried chicken served with a side of maple syrup. “It's delicious,” Liz Baslow, a first-time customer of Crispy Chick, said. “It’s crunchy, it's sweet, it’s juicy.” 

No Chewing Allowed - Hot Chocolate $8

There is nothing like a classic hot chocolate to get New Yorkers into the holiday spirit. No Chewing Allowed is a beloved hot chocolate stand with a line to prove it. Serving dainty cups of smooth, creamy, and most importantly, chocolatey goodness, No Chewing Allowed’s unique method of placing a truffle to melt inside of the cup makes their hot chocolate to die for. “It tastes like when you make hot chocolate at home,” Leanne, a holiday market visitor who declined to give her last name due to privacy concerns, said. “There’s nothing like a cup of cocoa!”