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The Best Burgers in New York City, Ranked

When in doubt, put an egg on it

ny burgers hero

You’ve already waited in line for two hours at Di Fara Pizza, tackled the grilled cheese beast at Pullman Kitchen and slurped first-rate avocado margaritas at Javelina.

Now it’s time for our next mission: We’re on a hunt to find the best burgers in all of New York City. Bring ketchup.

17. The Bison Burger At Bareburger

The burgers at this city staple are fully customizable. We’ll take ours with jalapeño jack cheese, tomato, lettuce and horseradish-dill mayonnaise on a brioche bun. It’s alllll about the bun.

Locations throughout New York City; 212-510-8610 or bareburger.com


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The Ainsworth

16. The Mac And Cheese Burger From The Ainsworth

Honestly, this burger probably isn’t the classiest choice on the list, but we can’t say no to anything smothered in cheese. Might want to get some napkins.

122 W. 26th St. (at Seventh Ave.); 212-741-0645 or ainsworthnyc.com

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Facebook / Superiority Burger

15. Burger At Superiority Burger

OK, this one is technically vegetarian, but judging by the lines wrapping around the block to try a taste, it definitely deserves a slot.

430 E. Ninth St. (at Ave. A); 212-256-1192 or superiorityburger.com

14. Bacon, Egg And Cheese Burger At Whitman's

Yep, it’s finally socially acceptable to eat a burger for breakfast. Go nuts.

406 E. Ninth St. (at First Ave.); 212-228-8011 or whitmansnyc.com

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Emily

13. Emmy Burger From Emily

Chef Emily is known in NYC for her pizza, but one taste of this dry-aged beef, cheddar and pretzel bun and you’ll be waving off slices left and right. 

Locations in Clinton Hill and Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-844-9588 or pizzalovesemily.com

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Black Tap

12. All-american Burger From Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

There’s nothing better than a classic burger with melty American cheese and special sauce. Oh, except a burger with a giant churro milkshake.

Locations in Soho and the Meatpacking District; 212-675-7236 or blacktapnyc.com

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Ruby's

11. Sebastian's Steakhouse Burger From Brindle Room

This dry-aged burger is so delicious, Guy Fieri and his backward sunglasses took a road trip to NYC just to get one.

277 E. Tenth St. (at Ave. A); 212-529-9702 or brindleroom.com

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Ruby's

10. Bronte Burger From Ruby's

Keep it simple with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, sweet chili, mayo and cheese, then switch things up with toasted ciabatta bread instead of a bun. Ooo, living on the wild side.

219 Mulberry St. (at Spring St.); 212-925-5755 or rubyscafe.com

9. Bistro Burger From Corner Bistro

No frills, here--just a damn good burger piled high with bacon, lettuce, tomato and American cheese.

Locations in the West Village and Long Island City; 212-242-9502 or cornerbistrony.com

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Shake Shack

8. Shackburger From Shake Shack

Hey, we knew this guy before he was famous. Eat your heart out, In-N-Out.

Multiple locations in New York City; 646-545-4600 or shakeshack.com

7. Bacon Cheeseburger From J.g. Melon

Grab a stool at this divey bar and order your no-frills burger with a side of cottage fries. You’ll thank us later.

1291 Third Ave. (at 74th St.); 212-744-0585 or jgmelonnyc.com

6. Bacon Cheeseburger At The Commodore

Free-range Angus beef, melted cheese, raw onion, lettuce, tomatoes and pickle chips? Oh, if you insist.

366 Metropolitan Ave. (at Havemeyer St.), Brooklyn; 718-218-7632

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Facebook / Upland

5. The Cheeseburger From Upland

Hey, if Justin Smillie’s famous burger is good enough for President Obama, it’s good enough for us.

345 Park Ave. S. (at 26th St.); 212-686-1006 or uplandnyc.com

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Peter Luger Steak House

4. Hamburger From Peter Luger Steak House

OK, the first time you visit this legendary steakhouse, don’t order the burger. But the second time, go for it.

178 Broadway (at Driggs Ave.), Brooklyn; 718-387-7400 or peterluger.com

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Saxon + Parole

3. Dry-aged Angus Burger At Saxon + Parole

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again--everything tastes better with an egg on it. Dry-aged Angus beef is no exception.

316 Bowery (at Bleecker St.); 212-254-0350 or saxonandparole.com

2. The Black Label Burger From Minetta Tavern

This top-secret recipe features a combo of New York strip, brisket and skirt steak--it’s bathed in clarified butter and topped with caramelized onions, then sandwiched inside a brioche bun. You won’t even miss the cheese. Trust us.

113 Macdougal St. (at Carmine St.); 212-475-3850 or minettatavernny.com

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The Spotted Pig

1. Chargrilled Burger At The Spotted Pig

We’re not trying to start any rumors, but this half-pound burger topped with Roquefort cheese may or may not have ended Taylor Swift’s feud with Kanye. So yeah, it’s good.

314 W. 11th St. (at Greenwich St.); 212-620-0393 or thespottedpig.com



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Freelance Editor

From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.