“I’d like a cheeseburger, please, a large fries, and a Cosmopolitan,” said the iconic Carrie Bradshaw. As a tried and true New Yorker herself, Ms. Bradshaw knows what's up, as sometimes life just calls for an excellent burger.
See Also: The 16 Best Bagels In NYC
Inspired by the queen of New York herself, we’ve sought out the most mouthwatering burgers in all of Manhattan. Keep reading to see what we found.
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113 MacDougal St. / 212.475.3850 / Website
When we think of the best burgers in NYC, our mind immediately goes to the Black Label burger at Minetta Tavern. Some will argue that the Minetta burger is better than the Black Label burger, but they are simply wrong. The patty is made of a selection of prime dry-aged beef cuts and topped with a heaping serving of melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions. And can we take a moment of silence for the french fries? They are everything we are looking for in a fry and more— greasy, crunchy, salty, and oh-so-amazing.
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52 Gansevoort St. / 212.929.4844 / Website
Described as a “theatrical evocation of Paris,” Pastis immediately transports you to the streets of France. Everything at this beloved bistro is fabulous, and their burger is no exception. The meat is cooked to absolute perfection, and the cheese melts onto the burger like molten lava. And can we talk about the meat-to-bun ratio? Chef’s kiss. Other menu standouts include the escargot, steak sandwich and steak frites.
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Multiple locations / Website
If you’re looking for that “can’t get you out of my head,” type of burger, look no further than 7th Street Burger. Taking fast food to the next level, this no-frills joint serves impeccable burgers until 3 a.m. on weekends. An absolute power move after a night out, the burgers at 7th Street will keep you craving more after just one bite. All burgers are served with grilled onions, American cheese, pickles, and the most addictive house sauce.
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1 E 55th St. / 212.207.8562 / Website
Notorious for being one of the toughest tables in town, the Polo Bar lives up to its name and then some. Designed by the great Ralph Lauren, the fashionable eatery is as decadent as the food itself. Everything on the menu is worth your money (and the panic to snag a seat here!), but the Polo Burger stands out among the rest. Made with tomato, lettuce, onions, pickles, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, this dish is truly a culinary masterpiece.
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131 Essex St. / Website
While popping up during the pandemic, this Lower East Side favorite gained a huge following, leading to them opening a permanent restaurant on Essex. Built on nostalgia, Gotham Burger Social Club keeps it simple a smash burger served with grilled onions, melted American cheese, housemade pickles, jalapeños, club sauce, ketchup and mustard. The burgers are served as a single, double and triple (we highly recommend the triple). Vegetarians, never fear; there's also an Impossible Beef version. Don't walk, run!
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51 MacDougal St. / Website
Speaking of nostalgia, it doesn't get more nostalgic than Hamburger America, the Soho diner serving up classics such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheeses, chocolate milk, and, you guessed it, burgers. Burger royalty George Motz opened this 15-stool counter late last year, and it quickly became a staple in the NYC burger scene. Made with fresh ground chuck from Schweid & Sons, these smash burgers come one of two ways: as a fried onion burger with American cheese, or as the classic smash with mustard, diced onion, dill pickle and cheese. You could always opt for the monthly special, but we recommend keeping it classic at this burger joint.
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200 E. 3rd St. / 646.952.0032 / Website
When this beloved East Village spot closed back in 2021, we may or may not have shed a tear over the loss of their burger. Luckily, since 2022, Virginia's has been back and better than ever (along with their burger). Crafted with Cabot cheddar, onion marmalade and marrow aioli, this burger always hits the spot. We highly recommend adding an organic egg and bacon for the full experience. The thick patty is always cooked to perfection and is balanced by the toasted brioche bun that is both pillowy and soft yet strong enough to support the burger. Come hungry, because this one is not for the faint of heart.
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42 E 20th St. / 212.477.0777 / Website
Danny Meyer’s famed Flatiron haunt is a two-for-one deal: you can indulge in the fabulous pre-fixe menu in the dining room or hang out at the more casual but equally as delicious tavern. If you choose the latter, you absolutely must order the burger. Not many things actually live up to the hype in this world, but Gramercy Tavern’s burger is an exception. Served with duck fat potato chips and smoked onion aioli, this dish is a gift sent from the heavens above.
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507 E. 6th St. / 646.692.3867 / Website
Many restaurants in the city make truffle burgers, but Nowon’s smoked truffle burger belongs in a totally different category. This double-stack smash burger comes with black truffle paté, kimchi sauce, smoked mozzarella and onion. We absolutely hate when places are stingy with truffles, and this Korean eatery is the exact opposite. In fact, they are quite generous. The truffle is perfectly pungent, yet manages not to be too overwhelming. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add the bacon. Yum.
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9 Great Jones St. / 212.421.5575 / Website
You’re probably surprised to see an old-school piano lounge is on this list, and quite frankly, we were too. But trust us when we say the Nines serves one of the best burgers in Manhattan. Shhh. It will be our little secret. Made out of dry-aged beef and topped with burgundy onions, black garlic, dijon and Comté cheese, the burger N˚9 is a bite you will never forget. An impeccable burger with a side of live music? Sign us up!
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Multiple locations / Website
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve seen the famous Emmy burger a million and one times on Instagram. Although it's plastered all over your social media feed, this burger is not the slightest bit overrated. In fact, pictures don’t do this dish enough justice. Prepared with dry-aged grass-feed beef, Emmy sauce, caramelized onions and Grafton cheddar, all served on a pretzel bun; the Emmy is bursting with traditional and eclectic flavors. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it comes with pickles and fries. A+!
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4 Charles St #3004 / 212.561.5992 / Website
The double Wagyu cheeseburger from 4 Charles needs no introduction. Belonging in the same category as Carbone’s spicy rigatoni, and Don Angie’s pinwheel lasagna, this burger truly belongs in New York’s food hall of fame. The Wagyu patty is topped with American cheese, pickles, and dijonnaise, taking the flavors of the meat from great to mindblowing. And you obviously can’t order this dish without adding the fried farm egg and thick-cut bacon.
Pro Tip: If you can’t get a table at 4 Charles, head on over to its sister restaurants, Au Cheval and Monkey Bar. The burgers are nearly identical.
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1291 3rd Ave. / 212.744.0585 / Website
JG Melon is a true New York City institution, and it sure has the lines to prove it. And while everything at this storied spot is worth the wait, most people are braving the cold for one thing: to get their hands on a famous JG Melon cheeseburger. Representing quintessential New York City, this cheeseburger is just as iconic as a slice of Joe’s or a pastrami sandwich from Katz’s. Is it the most exciting item on this list? No. But it’s the sheer simplicity that makes it all the more special.
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180 Prince St. / 212.966.3518 / Website
Many come here for the highly sought-after steak frites, but did you know this French bistro is also home to one of the best burgers in the city? But before you get too excited, you must know there’s a catch. I mean, we’re in New York City. When is there not? Raoul’s only serves 12 burgers a night, off-the-menu, of course. If you snag a seat at the bar around 5 p.m., you should be lucky enough to snag this very coveted dish. If not, well, you may as well indulge in some frites.
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329 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn / Website
Inspired by vintage establishments, Red Hook Tavern celebrates old-school NYC, while still managing to be relevant today. If you’re coming here and not ordering the dry-aged Red Hook Tavern burger, you’re seriously doing something wrong. Topped with American cheese and white onion, this burger is truly the best of the best. And while it’s what’s on the inside that counts, the scrumptious roll is arguably our favorite part of this meal. It’s fluffy, yet sturdy, and nothing short of amazing.
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101 E 19th St. / 212.243.4020 / Website
If you want one of the best burgers in NYC (who doesn’t?!), you must take your lunch break at Union Square Cafe. The 19th Street burger is only served during lunchtime, and yes, while it’s a bit of a hassle, the food totally makes up for it. Made with cheddar, heritage bacon and herb aioli, along with a side of rosemary shoestring fries, this burger explodes with flavor on your tongue. Yum. We’re salivating just thinking about it.
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234 W. 4th St. / Website
If you miss the Bar Sardine burger just as much as we do, you’re in for a treat! The West Village eatery Fairfax has the famed burger on its menu. *Gasps!* And yes, it’s as good as we remember. The burger is smothered in BBQ mayo (FYI we would swim in this sauce), cheddar, red onion and crispy potatoes. The crispy potatoes add a crunch we didn’t know we needed. These potatoes are a need, not a want.
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116 E 60th St. / 212.772.0404 / Website
Think gorgeous chandeliers, luxurious velvet booths and awe-inspiring burgers, and you've got TBar. The opulent steakhouse features a “burger bar,” where guests can choose from a classic prime-aged Angus burger (pickle, lettuce, tomato) or a turkey burger (cheese, spinach, caramelized onions). Both are great, but we’re more drawn to the former. Besides, we are New Yorkers, after all.
Photography by: BOY_ANUPONG / Getty Images
