The 17 best burgers in NYC right now

George Motz’s new burger joint was an instant—sorry—smash. At just $7.25, his smash burgers are piled with onions and gooey American cheese to create the next big thing between buns. Motz is considered a hamburger expert, or “hamburgerologist,” and he traveled the globe to discover his ideal version. He found it in Oklahoma, where they specialize in the fried-onion burgers that he’s serving up to delighted New Yorkers. Belly up to the griddle, crack a cold High Life and join the crowds being transported to the Sooner State via MacDougal Street.  

Gertrude’s manages to pull off feeling both familiar and spectacular—much like the celeb we spotted beside us in a booth the last time we dined there. Even non-stars can enjoy the spot’s crispy patty on a buttered challah roll at this scene-y spot, where they pile it high with onions, Swiss cheese and a healthy serving of special sauce. The burger’s served with thin and crispy fries, which are always served pale, although you can swap them for a side of latkes for another $6.

TWhen this tavern first opened their doors in 2019, they had the best new burger in New York City. The quarter fat, dry-aged NY strip and chuck patty is griddled to medium rare, and sandwiched between raw white onion, American cheese and an Italian-style bun of secret origin. The accompanying few wedge fries are merely the notion of a side, but the burger is so good you might not mind a paucity of pommes. 

At $38, Minetta Tavern's Black Label burger is only $9 less than its steak frites, which might make some visitors ask, "Hey, what's the big idea over here?" The burger, a mélange of prime, dry-aged beef cuts, is one of the city’s very best—we’ll leave it to you to decide whether it’s worth the price tag.

One of New York City's best bars also serves terrific food, and the L.I. burger's right up there. A dry-aged beef patty duo is joined by pickles, cheese, fancy sauce and—get this—fries. Want to take it over the top? Add a bottle of champagne for just $100. 

After years of limited availability, the burger au poivre has finally made a permanent appearance at brunch. It's topped with Saint-André cheese and cornichons and plated with a pile of pommes frites. The restaurant famously formerly only made a dozen a day, and only served them at the bar, so the burger’s spot on Raoul’s brunch menu is kind of a big deal.

Hospitality superstar Julie Reiner (Clover Club, Leyenda) took over the space that operated under the same name at this Soho address for many happily-received decades. Milady’s 2.0 bears little resemblance to the original, but it’s a great spot in its own right. Sip a terrific martini with a double burger, stacked with smashed patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese and party sauce. 

Dim and divey, Brooklyn Ice House’s menu could have easily been an afterthought, but its burger, topped with American cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato, is bar food at is best. Pair one with a High Life and snag a spot in the backyard when the weather's nice for an ideal afternoon of day drinking. 

Add “in the mood for a burger” to the myriad occasions—date night, cozy Sunday dinner, happy hour—that Gus’s is great for. This version is built around a dry-aged beef and lardo blend, and joined by caramelized and raw, shaved onions, aged cheddar and cornichons.

Also one of NYC's best steakhouses, some say Luger's best item is its burger. Like many things, it might just depend on the day, but it's always assembled with more than half a pound of beef. Add American cheese, at least, and consider the bacon for one indulgent dish.

On the fast-foodier end of the spectrum, Blue Collar Burger’s flat top cheeseburgers perfect the form. A brisket blend is smashed and crowned with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onions and special sauce on a potato bun. It’s also available as a double, with or without American cheese.

A pop-up made permanent, Nowon opened to immediate favor in 2019. Come for the dry-aged steak burger that started it all—it’s topped with roasted kimchi, kimchi mayo, American cheese, onions and a pickle—and stay for the bathroom mirror photos. 

When consumer whims/real estate ghouls/the winds of change close a restaurant’s doors, they, sometimes, somewhat, open a window. Such is the case at Fairfax, which serves a burger that first rose to popularity at the now shuttered Bar Sardine. Its smoked cheddar, BBQ mayo and shoestring fries spilling out of the bun make for a tasty combination.

Most of Two8Two's burgers are pleasantly messy, cloaked in cheddar cheese here, piled high with grilled onions there and stacked with double portions of meat from nearby Paisanos Butcher Shop. The titular item is no exception, topping one of those cheese-covered patties with a heap of roasted poblano peppers beneath a soft bun. The result is rich and satisfying, with no need for accompaniment—although we highly recommend the onion rings.

Only available on the daytime menu, this juicy blend of short rib, brisket and chuck is cooked to a perfect medium-rare and covered in cheddar and bacon. With a balance of smoke and tang, it’s a strong candidate for your next power lunch.

This Irish pub has been a fixture since 1966, and its classic cheeseburger is the perfect pair for a pint. It's simply topped with lettuce and tomato for a straightforward mingling of flavors. 

A pizza place by reputation, Emily's almost as known for its Emmy burger. Its dry-aged beef is poised on a pretzel bun, with caramelized onions, cheddar and a signature sauce.

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