Best Burgers in New York City
Maybe this should be "Best Budget Burger in Manhattan" or "Best Non-Gourmet Burger in Manhattan" instead, so here are some disclaimers:
- This list does not include Kobe beef burgers or steakhouse burgers or burgers from other boroughs.
- It's a list of places you can generally get a burger, fries, and drink for $10 or less in Manhattan, which by NYC standards is a bargain meal.
- The list biases mostly to areas between midtown and the East & West Village.
- The list is intentionally short (just 5), but there are some honorable mentions and other mini-lists at the bottom. And at 5, you can go to one place each day of the workweek and see for yourself.
What makes a good burger is not the accoutrements. You can take the same smoked bacon or cheddar or sauteed whatever on almost any burger and make it taste the same. What matters is the taste of the beef. A proper test of a burger is to eat it plain with maybe some ketchup, but that's it. Only then can you truly test the quality of the burger.
#1. Burger Joint (Inside Le Parker Meridien Hotel)
Why? First, the burgers are juicy without being greasy, even at medium-well or well-done. They presumably accomplish this by using just the right fat content in their ground beef. Too fat means a greasy mess. Too little means a bland burger. They hit the sweet spot. Second, they cook to order. If you want medium, you get medium. Third, consistency is key. They've got it down to a science. When all you make are burgers and basically one style, you can perfect your product. They've done that here and consistently churn out great quality to the lunchtime masses.
Tips: Speaking of lunchtime masses, if you go, go before 11:45 or after 1:15 and you won't have to wait in a long line. Go anytime in between and you'll likely wait 20 minutes to place your order. Seating is at the minimum! Maybe 20-25 people can sit down at any given time, so table squatting is highly discouraged and frowned upon here due to the tight space and long lines. While it's first come, first served, play by the unspoken rules of not hoarding a seat until you get your food. NY'ers won't hold back on letting you know their feelings if you violate this custom. And despite being inside a swank hotel, this place is as pedestrian as you get. You can actually take a look at this restaurant and their burger at restaurantpics.com.
Whines: Prices. Burgers were $4+ at one point, but not any more, so the value equation definitely changed. Not enough seating. Long lines. Crowded, crowded, crowded. This is the price you pay for quality.
(Not to be confused with the "The Burger Joint" on 3rd Ave. in Gramercy.)
Where: 118 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-708-7414
#2. Blue 9 Burger
Why? There are 2 types of burger aficionados. Those who have had In N' Out, and those who have not. Blue 9 Burger can help out both types in NYC. For those who have, this is the closest thing & best substitute for it in NYC, hands down. If you've been craving In N' Out after relocating from California, stop reading and go. It's in the East Village at 92 3rd Ave (at 12th St.). Take the 4/5/6 or L to Union Square or 14th & 3rd and walk/jog/run south. The burgers and fries are fresh, never frozen, just like In N' Out. It's not as good and slightly more expensive, but it's 80% of the way there, and given the option of a $350 flight to CA, your taste buds and wallet can come to a compromise. They don't have all the off-the-menu options, but you can ask for a burger how you want it with grilled onions, no onions, etc.
For those who haven't had In N' Out, but have heard the legends, follow said advice and go, but be warned, it's a different burger than Burger Joint or the countless burger chains that serve up 1/2 lb patties that impress with size over substance. Blue 9 is about fresh fast food in smaller doses, so go for the double & fries if you've got an appetite.
Tips: Because it's right in the heart of NYU dormitory land, this place can get quite busy at lunch time, but they are open for dinner & beyond. They do deliver, but if you're more than a few streets away, burgers arrive cold, so don't go this route. They have some good fries, but if you're going to choose between two burgers or a burger and fries, get two burgers.
Whines: It's not exactly like In N' Out. Small with limited seating. When it gets crowded, service seems to slow down. Again, the price you pay for quality.
Where: 92 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-979-0053
#3. Corner Bistro
Why? It's the venerable veteran of Best Burger in NYC lists, and it's consistently good. It's simple and straightforward, and in every sense, a classic burger. It's not oversized or overdressed. But if you walked in off the street for a beer and happened to order a burger, it'll blow your socks off. It's at #3 though because after going to Burger Joint or Blue 9 (decidely a different style), it doesn't quite rise to the occasion. But it is cheap, quick, and good.
Tips: It's hard to find this place when you're looking for it. In other words, you can easily pass by it not realizing what it is or that you are even near it. This place gets busy, so go at lunch early or early happy hour. Oh, and despite the name, this is no bistro. It's a rather dark hole in the wall bar that just happens to have bistro in its name.
Whines: Busy during happy hours. It hasn't changed despite some new kids on the block, but sometimes change isn't always good.
Where: 331 W. Fourth St., New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-245-5000
#4. Shake Shack
Why? Of all the places on the list, this has by far the best decor and scenery - Madison Park and exclusively al fresco dining. So what if there are never enough tables by 11:45 on a sunny day? Grab a patch of grass or a bench in the park (where many scenes in Spider-Man 2 were shot) and enjoy your burger & shake. But as for the burger, it's a juicy, classic burger. It's everything you want and expect in a burger, and nothing you don't want.
Tips: Get there early or late for lunch or be prepared to queue up for a long wait. The place is named Shake Shack, so get a shake and grab a spoon. Have a beer, too, but don't wander out of the specified dining area unless you want to risk a fine. Can also see this place at restaurantpics.com.
Whines: Busy, busy, busy, busy, busy, busy. A little extra pricey for the atmosphere and location than it should be.
Where: Madison Park, 23rd & Madison Ave., New York, NY
Phone: 212-889-6600
#5 Paul's Place
Why? It's a good burger. The beef is juicy, not as juicy as Burger Joint, but definitely tasty. It's the least memorable of the 5 on the list, but it's a bigger burger than any others on the list at a good value. So if size is your thing, but you don't want to sacrifice taste, look to Paul's. You won't be disappointed.
Tips: If you're looking for a burger joint with lots of different accoutrements on your burger resulting in 20+ different burgers, this is your place, unless you're in the Upper East or out in Queens. Then you hit Jackson Hole (see honorable mentions).
Whines: Too many permutations of a burger for traditionalists, but one can always get a straight up cheeseburger.
Where: 131 2nd Ave & St. Marks Place
Phone: 212-529-3033
Honorable mentions:
Blue Smoke - The burger is over $10, otherwise it would be on the list at #3. It's a darn tasty burger and worth the price. It's lean yet juicy and cooked to perfection. Get the mac & cheese side. Make reservations for dinner & lunch if it's a Friday. 116 E 27th St & Park Ave, 212-447-7733.
Serendipity 3 - If you can get in, get the burger with crumbled bleu cheese. Then get a good heart surgeon. Suggestion is split the burger to save room for dessert, which you'll likely split, too. Portions are hugenormous & gimongous. Make reservations for dinner if you can & they'll accept them. Sometimes they don't. Tourist trap. 225 E 60th St & 2nd Ave. 212-838-3531.
Cedar Tavern - For a bar, it's got a good burger. Two floors to this place makes for more tables than most bars. 82 University Pl, 212-741-9754
Jackson Hole - . They dress them up in all sorts of garnishes, but the beef itself is actually good. Chain, 232 E 64th St, 517 Columbus Ave, 521 3rd Ave, 1611 2nd Ave, 1270 Madison Ave
Peter Luger's - Been there, but haven't had the burger. The steak is truly the best. Why get the burger unless you go here all the time? 178 Broadway (Driggs Ave.) (Brooklyn!), 718-387-7400
Better Burger - Chain, 178 8th Ave & 19th St, 561 Third Ave & 37th St., 1614 Second Ave & 84th St.
J.G. Melon - 1291 Third Ave. (74th St.), 212-744-0585
Island Burgers and Shakes - 766 9th Ave (50th & 51st), 212-307-7934
Most Underrated
Molly's on 23rd Street - old time Irish pub, hardwood floors with sawdust on them, roaring fireplace in the winter, perfect cheddar cheesebuger and onion rings. Grab a pint with it and it's heaven on earth.
Veselka in the East Village. Maybe one of the best bacon cheeseburgers in the city.
Don't Believe the Hype:
The Burger Joint at 3rd Ave & 21st - Tiny burgers, not memorable, dingy atmosphere.
NY Burger Co. - Dry, bland, bland, bland, bland. How is it possible to remove taste from beef? The best thing here? The sauce bar.
Rare - Pricey, good, but not great. A bit dry and big for the sake of being big. It's a snootier burger than those on the Best of list, so you'll find more suits here than casual diners. It's in the lobby of the Shelburne Hotel. 303 Lexington Ave. (37th St.), 212-481-1999
Burger Heaven - At best, average. It's more like Burger Purgatory or wherever atheists go, not that there's anything wrong with that.