12 New York Burgers Locals Claim Are Best Enjoyed On Labor Day
Labor Day in New York isn’t just about the long weekend. It’s the perfect excuse to sink your teeth into a truly great burger.
From juicy patties and melty cheese to inventive toppings that make each bite unforgettable, locals know which spots deliver flavor worth celebrating.
These burgers capture the spirit of the city, combining quality ingredients with iconic taste. Enjoying one on Labor Day makes the holiday feel even more delicious and memorable.
1. JG Melon’s Classic Upper East Side Burger
Tucked away on a quiet corner of the Upper East Side, this no-frills joint has been flipping perfect burgers since 1972. The patty comes on a toasted bun with melty American cheese and thick-cut pickles on the side.
Locals swear the juicy, medium-rare perfection tastes even better on Labor Day when the neighborhood clears out.
The cottage fries are mandatory – crispy, ridged potatoes that perfectly complement the simplicity of their legendary burger.
2. Minetta Tavern’s Black Label Burger Worth Every Penny
Money is no object when it comes to this Greenwich Village masterpiece. The Black Label Burger uses a special blend of prime dry-aged beef cuts, creating a flavor bomb that borders on spiritual experience.
Caramelized onions add sweetness while the perfectly toasted brioche bun soaks up all those precious juices.
Native New Yorkers make reservations weeks ahead for Labor Day weekend, knowing the restaurant will be blissfully free of tourists.
3. Emily’s Pizza-Inspired Emmy Burger That Changed The Game
Started as a pizza joint, Emily shocked burger enthusiasts when their Emmy Burger became an overnight sensation. The secret weapon? A pretzel bun that cradles the dry-aged LaFrieda beef patty like it was made for it.
Grafton cheddar melts perfectly over the meat while their Emmy sauce (a kicked-up Korean gochujang mayo) adds tang and heat.
Between the Clinton Hill original and West Village location, locals prefer hitting the Brooklyn spot on Labor Day when Manhattan crowds thin out.
4. Raoul’s Secret Off-Menu Burger Limited to 12 Per Night
Savvy New Yorkers know about this SoHo legend’s off-menu treasure. Only available at the bar and limited to 12 per night, scoring one feels like winning the lottery.
The burger arrives topped with triple-cream Saint-André cheese and a stack of watercress. What truly sets it apart is the au poivre sauce typically reserved for steak.
Labor Day weekend offers a rare opportunity – the regulars have fled to the Hamptons, slightly improving your odds of snagging one of these elusive beauties.
5. Corner Bistro’s Late-Night Burger Institution
When the clock strikes midnight and hunger hits, Corner Bistro becomes burger salvation. This West Village institution serves up hefty 8-ounce patties on paper plates with zero pretension and all the flavor.
The Bistro Burger comes with American cheese, crispy bacon, and raw onion on a sesame seed bun.
Labor Day means shorter lines at this cash-only joint, where generations of New Yorkers have ended their nights with greasy fingers and satisfied smiles.
6. Donovan’s Pub Burger That Put Woodside On The Map
Queens locals guarded this secret for decades before food critics discovered what might be the borough’s perfect burger.
Donovan’s half-pound patties come hand-formed and broiled to juicy perfection in this Irish pub that feels frozen in time. The classic version arrives with lettuce, tomato, and raw onion on a standard sesame bun.
Labor Day at Donovan’s means watching baseball on the old TVs while neighborhood regulars debate whether the burgers were better in the 80s (they weren’t – they’ve always been this good).
7. Paul’s Da Burger Joint’s Monstrous East Village Creations
Walking into Paul’s feels like stepping into a 1950s time capsule. Checkered floors, red booths, and burgers so tall you’ll dislocate your jaw trying to bite one.
Their specialty is creative monstrosities like the Eastsider topped with ham, mushrooms, and two types of cheese. Regulars know to ask for extra napkins before attempting to tackle these beasts.
Labor Day weekend at Paul’s means snagging a coveted window seat to people-watch on St. Marks while devouring a burger that could easily feed two.
8. Red Hook Tavern’s Patient Perfection Worth The Wait
Owner Billy Durney spent years obsessing over every detail of this burger before opening Red Hook Tavern.
The result? A dry-aged patty cooked in cast iron, topped with nothing but American cheese and served on a sesame-seeded bun with a side of sour pickles. The minimal approach lets the exceptional beef shine.
Labor Day is the perfect time to make the trek to this Brooklyn neighborhood, as the typically two-hour wait drops to a more reasonable 30 minutes when city crowds thin out.
9. 7th Street Burger’s Smashed Sensation Taking Over Manhattan
Sometimes simplicity wins the day. 7th Street Burger proves this with their smashed patties that develop a crave-worthy crust while staying juicy inside.
Double patties come with American cheese, grilled onions, and special sauce on a potato roll. What started as a tiny East Village spot has expanded due to rabid demand.
Labor Day brings shorter lines at all their locations, making it the perfect time to grab one of these affordable flavor bombs without the usual 20-minute wait.
10. The Happiest Hour’s California-Inspired Double Stack
Bringing West Coast vibes to the Village, The Happiest Hour’s Happiest Burger is an unabashed In-N-Out homage that might be better than the original.
Two thin patties come stacked with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, confit onions, and special sauce. The tropical cocktail bar setting makes burger consumption feel like a mini vacation.
Labor Day at The Happiest Hour means scoring a seat at the usually packed bar without fighting through the regular crowds of after-work revelers.
11. Whitmans’ Juicy Lucy That Oozes Cheese From The Inside
Cheese lovers, rejoice! Whitmans specializes in the Minneapolis-born Juicy Lucy – a burger with molten cheese sealed inside the patty instead of on top.
One bite releases a volcanic flow of pimento cheese that will have you reaching for extra napkins. The East Village spot keeps it simple with a speared pickle on top and special sauce.
Labor Day is prime time to snag a seat at their tiny restaurant or enjoy one in nearby Tompkins Square Park while summer temperatures still permit outdoor dining.
12. Shake Shack’s Madison Square Park Original Experience
Yes, it’s a chain now, but true New Yorkers know the Madison Square Park original hits different. Maybe it’s the open air, the park views, or just nostalgia, but ShackBurgers taste better at their birthplace.
The classic combo of smashed patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce on a Martin’s potato roll created a global empire.
Labor Day means the tourist lines shrink dramatically, making it the perfect time to reclaim this NYC-born institution and enjoy it the way locals remember.