The Ultimate Guide to Burgers (and Fries) in New York

You can’t write a New York City burger guide without including Red Hook Tavern. This is a burger worth making a trip for, which, unless you live in the neighborhood, will probably include a ferry, subway, and/or walk. The bun is buttery and griddled, the burger is over an inch thick and perfectly pink, and the toppings are minimal: just good ol’ American cheese and raw white onion. Recently, the Tavern switched from their enormous steak fries to a rarely seen cottage variety (not pictured here), a move that we think only made this meal that much better. Pro tip? Skip the bacon; in our opinion, this perfection doesn’t need it.

In the former Café Loup space is a new and equally scene-y bistro from a front-of-house legend, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina. There’s a lot on the menu to be interested in, but so far, the burger takes our top spot. It’s juicy, thick, and topped with pickled tomato to keep things creative. We’ll take ours with a martini, extra dirty, extra olives, please. P.S. Here’s how to get in.

Some of you are probably screaming at your screens right now. Not Keens? Not 4 Charles? But we stand by our assertion that Peter Luger has the best of the old-New-York steakhouse burgers. It’s a burger that launched a thousand others; numerous chefs on this list cite it as inspiration. Get potatoes, tomatoes and onions, and creamed spinach on the side.

Even if you can get past the crowds of tourists and local hopefuls to a table inside EO, the food menu may not be the first thing on your mind. You’re probably here for the acclaimed cocktail list, which yes, is acclaimed for a reason (go for the Strangers Punch with Rémy Martin 1738, clarified milk, and Tibetan tiger tea), but the burger here is a sleeper hit. Brioche bun, melty cheese, crisp fries … you get the idea.

Another veteran of the New York burger scene, JG Melon has been serving up some of the city’s best since 1972. They’ve got a simple, if not wide, selection filled with classic hamburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, and even a turkey burger. While you’re here, get a cup of chili to start. Hot tip? JG Melon is cash only, so prepare accordingly.

Walk-ins only.

If you were to look in Merriam-Webster under the entry “New York bistro,” there would most certainly be a picture of Raoul’s staring back at you. It’s a classic for many reasons, one of which has to be the burger au poivre, once served in limited quantity (they make only 12 per night) but is now a bit more widely available, with a pepper-crust, triple-cream brie, and dressed watercress alongside a healthy heap of fries. Pro tip: At night, you can order one of the burgers by grabbing a walk-in seat for the bar; on weekends, you can order the burger for brunch at the bar or at any of the tables. P.S. Here’s info on how to get in, too.

On many a solo Friday night, you can find this writer (and this chef) posted up at the bar here, book in hand, martini in other, and burger always on the way. Long Island Bar has perfected the classic smashburger (go ahead, get the two patties), and their fries are of the well-done variety, both literally and in how we feel about them. Don’t mess with perfection. Bonus? Our ears on the ground tell us a veggie burger may be in the works here.

Walk-ins only.

Sam Yoo’s Asian-inspired diner food is always worth a trip. We think the burger here is worthy of the same hype that the honey-butter pancakes and the katsu club get, with its crispy edges and mushroom gochujang sauce. Plus, the fries are your typical diner level of excellent. Don’t sleep on the Thai tea tres leches cake if it’s on the menu, too.

Greenpoint’s restaurant du jour is known for their excellent comfort food, the fact that you can draw on the tables, and the extremely limited chance you’ll be able to get one of said tables without an hour-long wait. That being said, the burger here is worth whatever the host quotes you and more, with a sesame seed bun, plenty of fries, and a double patty; they’ve got both beef and veggie. Come with a group and start with the mozzarella sticks and chips and dip, and end with their nostalgic sundae.

Walk-ins only.

If you, like everyone else in this city, find yourself missing the Bar Sardine burger, you’re in luck. They serve it now at Fairfax in all its original glory: super-thin pressed buns, fried matchstick potatoes, barbecue mayo, cheddar, and red onion. While you’re here, grab a Black Squirrel Old Fashioned to wash it down as you marvel at the endurance of all good things.

Superiority Burger is dead, long live Superiority Burger. We were as happy as anyone when the spot announced its return, now on Avenue A. It’s right there in the name: This spot is serving up superior burgers. Everything on the menu here is vegetarian, including their “monster” sized eponymous burger with Muenster cheese, iceberg lettuce, and roasted tomato.

Walk-ins only.

We trust the folks behind The Meat Hook with a lot of things, meat probably taking the No. 1 spot. The real prize here is the dry-aged burger, with raclette cheese, arugula, and bacon jam, but they only serve ten each night. Even if you couldn’t get your hands on one, the more traditional (and less-exclusive) cheeseburger is still miles above your average.

Ridgewood’s cool-kid hangout has a lot about it that we love. There’s the old-school feel, the fact that it forces our friends to come to Queens, and of course, the double cheeseburger. Here, it’s done with grilled onions, pickled long hots, and dijonnaise. Because nothing good comes for free, it’s also served in a limited quantity, so get there early.

Gus’s serves up enviable cuts of steak, pork chops, and classic sides, but we’re here for that burger. Come for happy hour and enjoy your bounty at the bar with a $5 beer and an order of leeks à la wedge.

Danny Meyer’s magnum opus, in our opinion. It’s perfect for evoking the power lunch of yore, one that’s best done while ordering the 19th Street burger with cheddar, heritage bacon, and rosemary-spiced French fries, and talking serious business.

The banh mi burger at Saigon Social is in its own category. The blend of oxtail, dry-aged ribeye, and short rib, plus that savory Maggi gravy and pâté aioli are worth committing several low-level crimes for. When the weather is warm and their front windows are open, there are few places we’d rather be.

Keep things classy (and simple) with the cheeseburger at Loring Place. It’s made here with cheese, pepper aioli, and bacon, served in their sleek and comfortable dining room on West 8th. Candlelight, greenery, and exposed brick abound. They’ve also got a lovely veggie burger on the menu (brunch only, sadly), that comes served with avocado in their housemade pita.