The 17 best burgers in NYC right now

Why we love it: A little exclusivity never hurt nobody. Which is a bit of Crane Club's whole deal as the dramatic dining hall from TAO Group Hospitality also functions as one of Chelsea's members only club. But the burger deal is for all, if you can catch it. You see, chef Melissa Rodriguez only cooks 12 burgers a night, but you won't find it on the menu. Come to the bar between the tight window of 5:30-6pm and ask for the Crane Club Burger. Those who seek will be rewarded with a dry-aged patty, oozing in white cheddar cheese, so thick and perfectly pink in the inside, its juices bleed into the bun with every bite. 

Time Out tip: Order one of the condiments, we loved the buttery Sauce Choron, to finish off the fries. 

Address: 85 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 5–10pm​; Thu–Sat 5–11pm

Why we love it: Co-owner of Café Deux Carrie Denoyer once told me she wasn't the biggest burger person. But then I wondered, how did her Westchester eatery, Café Deux, earn the title of Best Wagyu Burger in Westchester by Westchester Magazine? For Denoyer, it is all about the ingredients. Stripping away the saucy this, and the topping that, Denoyer and her sister started with a good basis for their burger. And that base is Wagyu. Around it, they built The Classic, a two Wagyu patty built burger, cooked with the right amount of pink in the middle, married with cheddar cheese that melts over it all and a thick aioli that is nice and heavy on the garlic at its base. Lettuce? Tomato? It is simply not needed here. 

Time Out tip: You can get a small version if little ones are in tow, as The Classic Jr only comes with one patty. 

Address: 384 Broome St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon 7:30am–3pm; Tue 7:30am–5pm; Wed, Thu 7:30am–9pm; Fri 7:30am-10pm; Sat 9am–10pm; Sun 9am–8:30pm

Why we love it: 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.  

Time Out tip: If you need a lil something sweet after all that meaty goodness, get a slice of pie (key lime, chocolate cream or pumpkin) to go. 

Address: 155 W Houston St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm;  Sun 11am 10pm

Why we love it: Recently named as "one of the best gas station restaurants across America," Smacking Burger serves primo patties in the same place you get petrol, housed inside the last gas station to exist in lower Manhattan. A smash burger is the name of the game here, and The Big Smack does it up right with two griddled patties, with onions pressed right into the beef on the steaming hot grill. Its combination of melty American cheese and a generous squirt of their tangy Smack sauce can leave your hands sauced up and greasy, so just remember some napkins on the way out.

Time Out tip: There is a small corner outside with benches and standing tables. But Jackson Square, well, it is shaped more like a triangle, is right across the street if you'd rather not eat where people pump their gas. 

Address: 51-63 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri, Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–11 PM 

When 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. 

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.

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.

Why we love it: It would kind of be sacrilegeous if chef Jae Lee didn't bring his double-stacked smash burger to Bushwick, now wouldn't it? But breathe easy, the kimchi heavy creation made famous in the East Village made its way across the bridge. All poised on a sesame studded milk bun, the legendary burger is features kimchi two ways—one, griddled and caramelized, the other blended down into a bright orange aioli that brings even more ferment-y goodness to it all. 

Time Out tip: Need a side? Skip the Garlic Honey Butter Tots and go for the Chopped Cheese Rice Cakes. Yes, it will be double the carbs, but it will also be double the beef and cheese as well with that solid QQ texture.

Address: 507 E 6th St, Brooklyn, 10009

Opening hours: Tue—Thu 5–11pm; Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat 2pm–midnight; Sun 2–11pm 

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. 

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.

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.

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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