NYCGuide
The 8 Best New Burgers In NYC
Eight burgers you’ll be hearing about a whole lot moving forward.
NYC has its fair share of establishment burgers, but we’re always on the lookout for new ones that might someday join the hall of fame. The burgers on this list are like all the new friends you have to make because all your old ones won't go out with you anymore. (You heard something about babies being born, but you weren't really paying attention.) From a cheeseburger topped with thick-cut pastrami to a mung bean burger with Vegemite aioli, these are our eight new favorites.
THE SPOTS
We always hope that restaurant reboots are as good as the one the Court Street Grocers team has pulled off in the old Eisenberg’s space in Flatiron. S&P still has everything you want in an old-school Jewish deli, including juicy, thick-cut pastrami. In a genius move, that pastrami is stacked on top of a beef patty inside the Dinkelburger, which also comes with muenster, pickles, and a mustard-based sauce. We sincerely regret not eating pastrami-topped burgers during all the previous years of our lives. What a waste.
What’s better than eating one of the best new burgers in the city? Eating that burger with a spectacular view. Manhatta is on the 60th floor of a FiDi skyscraper, and it can be tough to get a table here. However, the bar area is walk-in only and happens to be the only part of the restaurant where you can order the burger. It comes with sharp American cheese, caramelized sweet koji onions, and some mayo with bits of shiitake. That sounds like a lot of distractions, but make no mistake, none of the accessories take away from the prominent flavor of the dry-aged beef.
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With so many smashburger places opening, you think we’d be tired of them by now. We’re not. The burger at this counter-service spot in Chinatown comes with two thin pressed patties with gooey American cheese and grilled onions between a soft and squishy bun. It’s easily one of the best smashburgers in the city, and it’s bigger and less expensive than what you find at similar burger joints. On the side, get some extra crispy fries, which we prefer over their tots.
The burger at Monkey Bar seems to be identical to the famous one at sister restaurant Au Cheval. Served on a fluffy brioche bun, it features two thin medium-rare patties glued together with melted American cheese. There's no lettuce, tomato, or onion, but a big dollop of special sauce helps keep things interesting, and the pickles are sliced impressively thin. Get a seat in the casual tavern area up front, and pair your burger with an ice-cold martini.
Red Hook's Good Fork Pub skips the plant-based faux meats that have taken over the veggie burger universe, and instead uses a fried green mung bean patty. Even if you’re not vegetarian, this burger is worth getting. The patty is well-seasoned with a crispy crust, and it's topped with caramelized onions, American cheese, and slightly smoky Vegemite aioli.
At first glance, Corner Bar's burger seem pretty basic. But take a bite, and you’ll see that there’s more going on. The ingredients are simple: raw onion, lettuce, and a single slice of melted New York Cheddar piled atop a medium-rare patty. A brioche bun and a thin layer of smoked onion remoulade add depth and richness. Get a side of fries, then add the accompanying ketchup and aioli to your burger if you’re a condiment fiend. Note that this burger is only available at lunch.
Ashes Burnitt makes over-the-top, halal hawker burgers. They’ve got everything from a satay chicken burger to a pulled beef rendang burger, both of which should be on your burger bucket list. But don’t overlook the Ashes signature “SG Style” burger, which gets some oomph from crispy shallots, pickled green chiles, and a creamy, sweet and spicy signature sauce. It’s a heavy burger, and it would make the perfect drunk food if Ashes were open late. Alas, they’re only open until 8pm.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded meal in Tribeca, head to one of these spots. But if you just want a burger, come to Smyth Tavern. This place is from the team behind Lure Fishbar, and the two restaurant’s burgers are nearly identical. That’s a good thing, because the Bash Burger at Lure is one of the best in the city. The version at Smyth has the same bacon onion jam, American cheese, and two thick onion rings that sit on top of a soft sesame seed bun. It sounds a little strange to call a burger “beefy,” but that’s the first word that comes to mind after you take your first bite.
This spot in Fort Greene from the Peaches team serves American comfort food that you’d find at a nice cafeteria on the top floor of an office building that caters to executives. Most of the dishes are just OK, but the burger is a highlight. It’s $18 and comes with a thick, be-careful-or-it’ll-drip-on-your-shirt patty made with a ribeye and short rib blend. The meat is seasoned with just the right amount of salt, and the bun is lightly grilled. As an added bonus, you’ll never have to wait for a table at this place.
