NYC: Best Burgers
It seems like every month, a new burger shop opens in New York City. It can be difficult to sift through the dozens (hundreds?) of options for a greasy smash-style burger, or a thicker, steakhouse-style burger. Below you’ll find a list of the ones I believe are worth going out of your way for!
Red Hook Tavern (329 Van Brunt St)
If you like a thicker-style burger, you will love Red Hook Tavern’s Dry Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger. It’s well-seasoned, juicy, and flavorful, with simple toppings (American cheese and white onion) that allow for the meat to remain the star of the show. They’re open for dinner seven days a week, and for lunch Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I recommend making a reservation first.
Lord’s (506 LaGuardia Pl)
Lord’s is an English bistro in Greenwich Village serving some of the most unique, high-quality dishes around. In Spring 2023, they introduced their “Welsh Rarebit Burger” served with onion on a pretzel bun. They only make twelve per evening, so in most cases you’ll need to have a 5:30pm reservation to get your hands on one. It’s thick, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This was one of the top 5 dishes I ate in 2023, and is worth going out of your way for.
The Golden Swan’s “The Wallace Room” (314 W 11th St.)
On the menu in The Wallace Room on the first floor of the West Village restaurant the Golden Swan, you’ll find “The Brixton Burger.” The burger itself is made from a blend of chuck, brisket, and short rib, and is topped with gruyere cheese, garlic aioli, and balsamic glazed onions. It pairs well with the soft brioche bun it’s served on, and is one of the most memorable burgers I’ve had in NYC. They only make a limited quantity per evening, so try to make an early reservation.
The Portrait Bar (1 W 28th St.)
The Portrait Bar is an intimate, beautifully decorated, lounge-y cocktail bar with a small food menu located inside of the new Fifth Avenue Hotel. Their dry-aged burger with cheddar and special sauce is sublime. I recommend ordering “medium” for a true “medium-rare.”
Peter Luger (178 Broadway)
Peter Luger has a lunch-only half-pound burger that is in my opinion, the best item on the menu here. It has a well seasoned and seared crust, with a juicy and flavorful center, and the onions and cheese are nice additions. The burger is served daily until 3:45pm, and should not be skipped.
See my full review here.
Gramercy Tavern (42 E 20th St.)
Gramercy Tavern is home to an excellent, thicker-style burger topped with cheddar and bacon served on a homemade whole wheat sesame bun. It’s available daily for lunch and dinner on The Tavern’s á la carte menu.
Corner Bistro (331 West 4th Street)
If you prefer a thicker-style burger, you will appreciate Corner Bistro. Their legendary burgers are juicy and flavorful, and are affordably priced beginning at $10.75 for a plain Hamburger. My go-to here is the Bistro Burger, which is topped with American cheese.
Jack and Charlie’s (118 Greenwich Ave)
I was really impressed by the quality of the Bacon Cheeseburger at Jack and Charlie’s. It reminded me of one of my favorite burgers in the city, from 4 Charles Prime Rib, but with a thicker patty, which I appreciate. It’s an 8 oz prime beef burger topped with tomato, gem lettuce, aged cheddar, red onion, tomato, and thick-cut bacon. The burger was perfectly cooked and flavorful, and I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about it.
Gotham Burger Social Club (131 Essex St.)
I don’t typically seek out smash-style burgers, so when I do, you know it’s good. Gotham Burger Social Club started out as a pop-up, and recently opened their first brick-and-mortar shop on the Lower East Side. Their burgers are smashed and griddled to perfection with a generous amount of onions, and are served on a toasty roll, with or without toppings.
4 Charles Prime Rib (4 Charles St)
4 Charles Prime Rib is home to what is arguably the most iconic burger in NYC. It’s a griddled and pressed 10oz Double Wagyu Cheeseburger that comes topped with American cheese, pickles, and marie rose sauce. I highly recommend adding the additional farm egg and bacon toppings for the full experience. I don’t typically prefer a thinner patty, but this burger is just about as good as it gets for me.
Virginia’s (200 E 3rd Street)
Virginia’s is a neighborhood restaurant in the East Village that’s best known for their burgers, and for good reason. Virginia’s Burger is thick and well seasoned, and is topped with cabot cheddar, onion marmalade, and marrow aioli, with the optional addition of bacon and egg. It’s available on both their brunch and dinner menu.
The Polo Bar (1 E 55th St.)
As you know by now, I love a thicker-style burger, and The Polo Bar’s is no exception. Every evening, “The Polo Bar Burger,” topped with tomato, lettuce, onions, pickles, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon is available, and there is often a burger special as well. The burger pictured above is a Truffle Burger Special, and I highly recommend it if it’s available. If not, the classic burger is great too! You can’t eat here without a reservation, and to make one, you have to call one month ahead of the date you’d like to dine on at 10:00am.
7th Street Burger (multiple locations)
If you like a smash-style burger, you’ll love what they’re serving at 7th Street Burger. I recommend the “Double Cheeseburger” which comes topped with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and house sauce on a grilled bun.
Raf’s (290 Elizabeth St.)
I really enjoyed this lunch-only burger from Nolita’s French and Italian inspired restaurant Raf’s. It’s a thicker-style dry-aged beef burger topped with gruyère cheese, tarragon aioli, and capers served on a sesame roll. The aioli and capers were nice, but if I had this again, I’d probably ask for them on the side.