16 Burger Joints That Define New York’s Food Scene

New York City’s burger scene is as diverse and exciting as the city itself.
From old-school taverns slinging no-frills classics to upscale eateries offering gourmet creations, the Big Apple’s burger landscape has something for every palate and budget.
Join me as we explore the essential burger joints that have shaped New York’s culinary identity and continue to satisfy the city’s most discerning burger enthusiasts.
1. Corner Bistro – West Village’s Timeless Treasure

My first NYC burger experience happened at Corner Bistro, and I still dream about it years later. This legendary West Village tavern serves up massive, juicy burgers for around $10 – practically a miracle in Manhattan’s pricey food scene.
The unpretentious atmosphere keeps locals coming back decade after decade. Dimly lit with wooden booths and a classic bar, it feels like stepping into a New York time capsule. The Bistro Burger – topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, and served on a paper plate – embodies everything great about New York’s burger tradition. No fancy aiolis or artisanal buns here, just perfectly executed simplicity that’s kept burger lovers happy since 1961.
2. JG Melon – Upper East Side’s Burger Royalty

Bobby Flay called them “the best hamburgers in the world” – not exactly a small compliment! Tucked away on the Upper East Side, JG Melon’s cottage-fry potatoes and perfectly charred burgers have been drawing crowds since 1972. Last summer, I squeezed into their tiny space after an hour-long wait (totally worth it) and discovered what the fuss was about.
Their simple quarter-pound patties have a distinctive crust that gives way to a juicy interior that’s absolutely mouthwatering. The watermelon decor adds quirky charm to this cash-only establishment. While tourists come for the reputation, it’s the consistent quality that keeps New Yorkers returning to this neighborhood institution where the burgers are served with nothing more than cheese, onion, and pickle.
3. Minetta Tavern – Home Of The Legendary Black Label Burger

Holy cow! The first time I bit into Minetta Tavern’s $36 Black Label Burger, I nearly fell off my chair. This Greenwich Village icon serves what might be the most talked-about luxury burger in the city – and for good reason! Created from a blend of dry-aged ribeye, skirt steak, and brisket, this burger doesn’t even need cheese to shine.
Instead, it comes topped with caramelized onions that take three hours to prepare, creating an intensely sweet complement to the funky, mineral-rich beef. The restaurant itself exudes old-school New York charm with its black-and-white photos, red leather booths, and vintage lighting. Getting a reservation can be tougher than finding parking in Manhattan, but this splurge-worthy burger experience belongs on every meat lover’s bucket list.
4. Shake Shack – NYC’s Homegrown Burger Empire

From humble beginnings as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park to global burger domination – what a journey! I remember standing in that infamous hour-long line back in 2008, wondering if any burger could justify such a wait. Spoiler alert: it absolutely did. Shake Shack revolutionized fast food by using 100% Angus beef that’s never frozen, creating a smashed patty with crispy edges and a juicy center.
Their signature ShackSauce adds just the right tangy kick. While now an international chain, the original Madison Square Park location remains special with its outdoor setting and city views. The concrete shakes and crinkle-cut fries complete a meal that showed the world that fast food could be made with quality ingredients and still remain affordable for everyday New Yorkers.
5. Red Hook Tavern – Brooklyn’s New Classic

“You need to try this burger!” my Brooklyn friend insisted for months. When I finally made it to Red Hook Tavern, I understood her persistence. Owner Billy Durney spent years perfecting this masterpiece – a dry-aged NY strip steak patty topped with nothing but American cheese. The burger arrives solo on a plate – no fries, no garnish – forcing you to focus entirely on its perfection.
Cooked medium-rare with a gorgeous sear, it achieves that elusive balance between high-end steakhouse quality and nostalgic diner simplicity. The tavern’s brick walls and wooden bar create a cozy atmosphere that feels both timeless and thoroughly Brooklyn. While relatively new compared to other spots on this list, Red Hook Tavern has quickly earned its reputation as one of the city’s essential burger destinations that Time Out New York regularly praises.
6. The Long Island Bar – Art Deco Gem With Culinary Cred

Walking into The Long Island Bar feels like stepping onto a movie set – neon signs, retro booths, and a curved Formica bar that’s pure vintage eye candy. But the real star of this restored 1950s diner isn’t just the Instagram-worthy decor. Their Burger au Poivre blew my mind on a random Tuesday night last fall. The dry-aged patty comes with a peppercorn crust and is topped with their mysterious “fancy sauce” – a combination so good I tried (and failed) to recreate it at home for weeks.
What makes this Atlantic Avenue spot special is how it honors Brooklyn’s history while creating new traditions. The cocktails are expertly crafted, making this the perfect place to enjoy a Manhattan with your burger. Despite its growing popularity, it somehow maintains that neighborhood joint feeling where regulars and first-timers all feel equally welcome.
7. Raoul’s – The Exclusive Brunch Burger

“Only 12 available each night” reads the menu at Raoul’s, instantly transforming their au poivre burger into the forbidden fruit of New York’s burger scene. This SoHo French bistro has been serving Parisian vibes since the 1970s, but their burger has become the stuff of urban legend. After trying for weeks, I finally scored one during Sunday brunch.
The experience was worth the persistence – a perfectly cooked patty covered in peppercorns and topped with triple-cream Saint-André cheese, watercress, and cornichons on a challah bun. The burger comes with a side of au poivre sauce for dipping that’s so good you’ll want to drink it. While Raoul’s excels at traditional French cuisine, this limited-availability burger has become their most coveted item, proving that even the French know that Americans might be onto something with this whole burger obsession.
8. Peter Luger – The Lunchtime Secret

“We’re going to Peter Luger for burgers?” my confused out-of-town guest asked. Yes, this temple of dry-aged steaks serves an incredible half-pound burger that might be Brooklyn’s best-kept secret – available only before 3:45 PM at the bar or dining room. Made from the same prime beef trimmings as their legendary porterhouse, this burger delivers steakhouse quality at a fraction of the dinner price. I always add a thick slice of their sizzling bacon as a topping, creating a combination that’s almost unfairly delicious.
The no-frills presentation – served on a basic bun with raw onion and no fries unless ordered separately – keeps the focus squarely on the exceptional meat quality. While tourists flock to this Williamsburg institution for evening steak dinners, savvy locals know that lunchtime is prime burger time at this cash-only establishment that’s been perfecting beef since 1887.
9. 7th Street Burger – Smash Burger Perfection

Sometimes the best things come in small packages! 7th Street Burger’s tiny East Village storefront might be easy to miss, but the line of people waiting outside certainly isn’t. I stumbled upon this gem while sheltering from rain and ended up having one of my favorite NYC food experiences. Their smash burgers are textbook perfect – thin patties pressed directly on the griddle for maximum crust development, topped with melty American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and their addictive house sauce.
The soft potato bun somehow holds everything together despite being absolutely soaked in meaty juices. What’s remarkable is the price point – under $10 for a double cheeseburger in Manhattan feels like a mathematical error. No seating and minimal menu options (basically just burgers and fries) means they focus entirely on doing one thing exceptionally well. Their expanding locations prove New Yorkers recognize burger brilliance when they taste it.
10. Hamburger America – A Burger Historian’s Dream

Who knew a burger history lesson could taste so good? George Motz – literally the author of “Hamburger America” and widely considered America’s foremost hamburger expert – opened this TriBeCa spot as a living museum of regional burger styles. On my visit, I tried the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger, where thinly sliced onions are pressed directly into the patty while cooking. The result was a caramelized flavor bomb that changed my understanding of what a burger could be.
The menu features historically accurate recreations from across America – Mississippi slugburgers, Connecticut steamed cheeseburgers, and New Jersey sliders among them. Motz often works the griddle himself, happy to explain the origin story behind whatever regional specialty you order. For burger enthusiasts, this place isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a pilgrimage site where beef patty traditions are preserved with scholarly dedication and genuine passion.
11. Superiority Burger – Vegetarian Revolution

“No way that’s not meat!” My carnivore brother’s reaction to Superiority Burger’s namesake sandwich says everything about why this East Village spot has changed the plant-based game. Former punk rock drummer and James Beard award-winning chef Brooks Headley created a vegetarian burger so satisfying that meat-eaters regularly line up for it. The patty – a complex mixture of quinoa, carrots, and other vegetables – has a texture and umami depth that transcends typical veggie burgers.
Topped with muenster cheese (or vegan alternatives), iceberg lettuce, tomato and dill pickle, it delivers that classic burger experience without the beef. Recently moved to a larger space after years in a tiny storefront, the expanded menu now includes more vegetarian creations, but the burger remains the star. The punk rock ethos carries through in both the restaurant’s attitude and the handwritten menu that changes based on seasonal ingredients and creative whims.
12. Black Tap – Instagram’s Favorite Burger Experience

Remember when those insane milkshakes broke the internet? That was Black Tap, and while their CrazyShakes get all the social media attention, their award-winning burgers deserve equal billing. The first time I visited their SoHo location, I couldn’t decide whether to photograph or devour my meal – a true modern dining dilemma! Their All-American Burger won People’s Choice at the NYC Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash, proving they’re more than just a pretty face.
The prime beef patty comes perfectly medium with special sauce, American cheese, and lettuce on a potato roll – simple but executed flawlessly. What makes Black Tap special is their themed specialty burgers like the Mexico City with jack cheese and pickled jalapeños or the Pizza Burger with marinara and mozzarella. Pair any burger with one of those over-the-top shakes topped with entire slices of cake, and you’ve got the most photogenic meal in Manhattan.
13. Gramercy Tavern – Fine Dining’s Burger Masterpiece

Sometimes I put on nice clothes just to eat a burger – but only when it’s Gramercy Tavern’s tavern-style masterpiece. Hidden on the bar menu of this Michelin-starred restaurant, this burger feels like a delicious secret shared among NYC food insiders. The patty features a proprietary blend of beef served on a house-made sesame seed bun with a slice of cheddar and special sauce.
What elevates it to fine-dining status are the accompaniments – house-made pickles with the perfect crunch and duck fat-fried potatoes that make regular fries seem pointless. The elegant tavern room setting with its wood beams and seasonal flower arrangements makes burger-eating feel sophisticated. At around $28, it’s certainly not cheap, but considering the quality and the fact that you’re dining at one of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, it might be the best burger value in the upscale dining category.
14. Emily – The Pizza Place That Conquered Burgers

Plot twist: one of Brooklyn’s best burgers comes from a pizza restaurant! When I first heard friends raving about Emily’s burger, I was skeptical – until that first glorious bite of their “Emmy Burger” changed everything I thought I knew about burger perfection. This Clinton Hill sensation starts with dry-aged Pat LaFrieda beef that’s covered in melted Grafton cheddar, caramelized onions, and their secret “Emmy sauce” on a pretzel bun.
The combination creates what they call a “filthy” burger – messy in the best possible way. The restaurant’s cozy, date-night atmosphere with brick walls and warm lighting makes it perfect for sharing a pizza and a burger with someone special. Emily has since expanded to Manhattan, but burger purists make the pilgrimage to the Brooklyn original. Pro tip: they make limited quantities each night, so arrive early or prepare for potential heartbreak.
15. Rolo’s – Queens’ Burger Phenomenon

“You’re going all the way to Ridgewood for a burger?” my Manhattan friends asked incredulously. After one bite of Rolo’s smoked cheeseburger, I wanted to move to Queens just to be closer to it! This neighborhood spot has created an almost mythical burger reputation among serious food enthusiasts. The magic happens in their wood-fired hearth where they smoke the patties before finishing them on the griddle, creating a unique flavor profile that’s impossible to find elsewhere.
Their house-made American cheese and special sauce complete this masterpiece. The restaurant itself feels like a modern take on a classic American diner, with comfortable booths and an open kitchen where you can watch the burger magic happen. While they excel at wood-fired cooking of all kinds, their burger consistently ranks at the top of critics’ lists, making this Queens destination worth every minute of the subway journey.
16. P.J. Clarke’s – Where History Meets Hamburger

Sinatra called it “The Cadillac of burgers” – and who am I to argue with Ol’ Blue Eyes? P.J. Clarke’s has been serving their famous burger since 1884 in a red brick building that has stubbornly stood its ground while skyscrapers rose around it. My grandfather first took me here as a kid, ordering their signature burger topped with American cheese, raw onion, and a crisp slice of bacon. Decades later, it tastes exactly the same – a perfect example of why classics become classics.
The restaurant maintains its old-school New York charm with checkered floors, dark wood, and photos of celebrity patrons covering the walls. While newer burger joints come and go with changing food trends, P.J. Clarke’s remains timelessly delicious. Their Cadillac burger has fueled generations of New Yorkers through late nights and power lunches, earning its place in the city’s culinary heritage.