Ultimate NYC Burger Guide
- briancantstopeatin
- Jul 16, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 9, 2024
One of my favorite foods is a burger, so my first ultimate guide had to be a NYC burger guide. There are so many incredible and unique burgers in the city, so whether you prefer a smashburger, a thick-cut burger, or you're looking for a burger with a little international flair, I've got you covered.
My Favorite Burgers
This might be the best thick cut burger in the city. It has a charred, crispy exterior and yet the inside basically melts in your mouth. It’s perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper and the meat really shines through with simple toppings of cheese on top and a raw onion on the bottom that protects the bottom bun. Red Hook is a great area of Brooklyn so It's worth a visit for a burger and a beer before exploring the area.
One of the most affordable burgers In the city and, luckily, they have locations all over the place. I love a smashburger and I also love a good sauce so this burger was made for me. The burgers are smashed to perfection with crispy edges, the bun is soft and the grilled onions and house sauce Is the cherry on top. A great burger and for less than $10.
This is probably the most infamous burger in NYC and for good reason. It's also one of the hardest reservations to get but if you’re lucky enough to get one, you must order the 10 oz double wagyu cheeseburger. If you add the insanely thick cut bacon on top, which you should, this burger will run you about $45-$50! I highly recommend getting it as an appetizer and splitting it with friends because it is RICH. The French Dip is also a must order!
This is one of the newest smash burgers on the block, and there are many new ones! My go-to order is the double smash burger topped with american cheese, pickles, jalapeños, special sauce, ketchup and mustard. The patties are smashed to perfection so you get those crispy edges with the grilled onions, so much flavor In every bite.
This French Bistro has an absolutely fantastic burger. It’s a thick patty that is coated au poivre-style, in a dense layer of peppercorns and kosher salt topped with Saint-André cheese, on a fresh roll and served alongside delicious, duck fat french fries. Now the trick here is that they only serve 12 burgers per night at dinner time so you have to get there as soon as they open. If you’d rather not race against the clock and risk not getting one of the 12 burgers, I suggest going at lunch time and there is no limit!
I love so many things on the menu at Rolo’s but the burger can’t be missed. It’s a double cheeseburger with lots of grilled onions, dijonnaise, and a pickled long hot on a fresh bun. Great neighborhood spot in Ridgewood, Queens that is worth a visit!
Swoony's is the perfect date night spot and honestly everything on the menu was fantastic. The burger is a double-patty topped with American cheese, Thousand Island dressing, pickles and it’s served on a fresh, soft Portuguese roll. Chef Sal even described it himself as an elevated Big Mac but that is no discredit to this delicious burger.
This is a fine dining restaurant at the top of a high rise with some of the best views of NYC. You wouldn’t expect a burger on the menu but they have one of the most delicious burgers you will find and it’s only served at the bar area which is first come first serve or anytime during lunch service.
Top Smash Burgers
Amazing smashburger with really thin crispy edges and let’s just say, they do not skimp on the seasoning! It has a casual diner vibe so perfect place to grab a burger, fries and a milkshake.
Great restaurant in Greenpoint serving classic dishes that all give a sense of nostalgia. Their double smasher burger is always a must order here and it’s served on a perfectly toasted seeded bun. They don’t take reservations so I suggest going early on a nice day, putting your name on the waitlist and wandering around McCarren Park while you wait.
The burger legend George Motz is behind this spot and he’s making his Oklahoma fried onion smash burger. People line up down the block to sit at the counter and see the smashing in action but if you don’t want to wait, my pro tip is to skip the line and enjoy the delicious burger in the back dine-in area.
This place went viral for their McGriddy breakfast sandwich but they also have a killer burger. Brisket & short-rib beef double smashed with onion, American cheese, pickle, and oh boy sauce on a martins roll.
If you love pretzel buns and waffle fries, this is the spot for you! They’re serving a stacked double smashburger with EMMY sauce, caramelized onion, American cheese, & pickle on a delicious, fresh pretzel bun.
Smashed
This is where to come if you want a wide variety of smashburger options! Their burgers range from vegan, blue cheese, chili, BBQ, mushroom, truffle - the list goes on!
Top Thick Patty Burgers
Minetta Tavern
If you’re lucky enough to get a reservation at Minetta Tavern, the Black Label burger cannot be missed! The prime cut of dry-aged ribeye is not served with cheese, only caramelized onions and the option to add tomato, lettuce and pickles. It’s served on a toasted brioche bun Balthazar Bakery and will run you about $40!
The newest thick cut burger on the block and it reminds me a lot of the Red Hook Tavern burger. A simple thick cut burger, perfectly seasoned with onions on a toasted sesame bun. It’s indulgent but light enough that you can continue drinking beers at this east village bar afterwards.
I came here way too often when I was in my early 20s and wanted a filling meal on a budget! This no frill diner in East Village is serving a thick, juicy burger with melted cheese on both sides of the bun, not the burger. Last time I went a couple years ago, my meal was ~$10.
A classic NYC steakhouse so of course they have a killer, thick cut burger. It’s served on a raw onion to protect the bottom bun, it’s simple bit but packed with flavor.
Virginia’s
This thick cut burger comes with cheddar cheese, onion marmalade and marrow aioli. You have the option to add thick cut bacon or a runny egg and the burger is served with crispy shoestring fries. Pro tip, don’t skip the banana pudding dessert
A classic, Irish pub in Woodside, Queens that has some of the best burgers in the city. They have 18 different burger options so it’s safe to say there is probably a burger for anyone here.
International Burgers
This is a fast casual Pakistani restaurant in Williamsburg and their thick cut burger with mint chutney is special. It basically melts in your mouth when you take a bite and has the perfect amount of heat.
This Dominican spot in Chinatown can’t be missed, the burger specifically. It’s a smashburger (single or double) with american cheese, pickles, chimi sauce and a thick slice of fried queso blanco - so good!
This Korean spot has one of the most famous burgers in NYC. They have quite a few burgers on the menu, but the stand out is their “Legendary Cheeseburger” which is a double smashburger with kimchi special sauce, roasted kimchi, american cheese, pickles and onion.
Little Prince
This french bistro is serving a french onion soup burger. It’s served on an English muffin with Emmental cheese and some caramelized onions.
This is a British restaurant in Greenwich Village and their burger is a little bit harder to get your hands on. They only serve 12 burgers per night and it’s an off menu item. It comes with a thick prime rib patty, raw onion, this delicious welsh rarebit cheese and it’s served on a fresh pretzel bun.
Taqueria Ramirez is serving some of the best tacos in NYC. You won’t find their burger at their location in Greenpoint, instead you’ll find it at the dive bar The Mallard Drake nearby. It’s an al pastor burger with two patties seasoned with adobo (pork and beef blend), melted sharp cheddar cheese, a slice of grilled pineapple and habanero aioli.
Miznon
A fast casual spot most commonly found in Chelsea Market serving dishes focused around their fresh pita bread. They have a “Folded Cheese Burger in a Pita” which is a pita stuffed with an ultra-smashed patty, cheddar cheese, garlic aioli, sour cream, tomato, and pickles
This casual Thai spot in Brooklyn is serving a delicious thai-style burger for lunch. It’s a pork and beef blend smashburger that’s seasoned with soy sauce and oyster sauce and topped with lemongrass and bird’s eye chile giardiniera, American cheese, and a spicy/sweet special sauce. The rest of the items on the menu are also delicious!
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