Ask a room full of New Yorkers where to get the best burger in Manhattan and you’ll start a friendly argument that lasts all night. Everyone has a favorite: the cash-only tavern their dad took them to, the hidden hotel counter, the new smash-burger spot with a line around the block.
We asked locals and longtime visitors where they actually sit down to eat a great burger, then verified every recommendation. Every spot here is dine-in, not just takeout. We’ve noted the ones with a classic diner vibe and the ones with milkshakes worth the trip.
The guide is organized geographically, from the Financial District up to Harlem, so you can find a great burger near wherever you are.
Address: 85 West Street, Financial District (at the Marriott Downtown) Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
A cheerful, diner-style burger bar with gingham tablecloths, sports on the TVs, and an all-day menu that starts at breakfast. The avocado-topped burger and cheese fries are crowd favorites, and the spiked milkshakes make it a fun stop after a day at the 9/11 Memorial. A second location is at 16 West 51st Street near Rockefeller Center.
Address: 33 Cortlandt Alley, Tribeca (just off Walker Street)
The Chicago import that turned a cobblestone alley into one of the hardest reservations downtown. The dim room, leather booths, and zinc bar feel like a speakeasy. The stacked cheeseburger, with a fried egg and thick-cut bacon as optional add-ons, is the whole reason people come. Book about a week ahead, or expect a long wait.
Address: 105 Hudson Street, Tribeca
A glamorous, dinner-only room (opens at 5 p.m.) built around premium beef, with live music and serious cocktails. This is a splurge, so come for a special-occasion night out rather than a quick bite.
Address: 386 Canal Street, Tribeca/Chinatown border
A small, late-night counter spot open until 3 a.m. on weekends. Grab a seat facing the street, order the Jack Black Burger with curly fries, and watch Canal Street go by. It’s casual and quick, with no table service and no restroom.
Address: 51 MacDougal Street, SoHo (entrance on West Houston Street) Highlights: Diner vibe
Burger historian George Motz’s love letter to the American luncheonette, with a long counter, spinning stools, and checkered floors. Order the Oklahoma-style fried onion smash burger and pair it with an egg cream or thick chocolate milk. There are no reservations, so expect a short wait at peak hours. It’s worth it.
Address: 180 Prince Street, SoHo
A 1970s French bistro with old-school New York energy and a cult-favorite burger au poivre, best snagged at the bar. Reservations are essential for dinner. Come early, sit at the bar, and order the burger with a martini.
Address: 529 Broome Street, SoHo Highlights: Milkshakes
The original home of the viral CrazyShake, an over-the-top milkshake piled with cake, candy, and whipped cream. The burgers hold their own too. Try the Wagyu Steakhouse. The space is small, so reserve ahead. A larger location sits on West 35th Street (see Midtown South).
Address: 131 Essex Street, Lower East Side
A lively smash-burger joint with crispy-edged doubles and triples, loaded tots, onion rings, and fried pickles, plus beer and local cider. It’s counter service with seating and no reservations.
Address: 113 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village
One of the most famous burgers in New York is served in one of the Village’s most atmospheric rooms: vintage murals, close-packed tables, and a 1930s tavern feel. The Black Label Burger, made with dry-aged beef and caramelized onions, is a bucket-list order. It’s pricey and popular, so reserve well ahead.
Address: 303 Sixth Avenue, West Village
A friendly neighborhood burger bar serving handcrafted Black Angus burgers. The caramelized onion burger and the namesake Fat Ronnie are the go-to orders. It’s counter service with seating, and lobster rolls are on the menu if someone in your group wants a change.
Address: 35 Downing Street, West Village
Famous for Detroit-style pizza, but burger lovers come for the Emmy Burger, a double-stacked burger with a devoted following. Pair it with waffle fries. There’s a cozy downstairs dining room, and reservations are accepted.
Address: 29 Cornelia Street, West Village
A stylish cocktail bar with creative bar food and a romantic, upscale feel. It opens at 4 p.m., reservations are recommended, and it’s best for a drinks-first evening.
Address: 331 West 4th Street, West Village (at Jane Street)
A West Village classic since 1961 and still gloriously unchanged. The no-frills burgers come on paper plates, the beer is cold, and the bar stays open until 2 a.m. (4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). It’s cash only and doesn’t take reservations, and that’s part of the charm.
Address: 11 Carmine Street, West Village
The Miami smash-burger chain’s West Village outpost. See the NoMad entry below.
Address: 119 Avenue A, East Village Highlights: Diner vibe · Vegetarian
An all-vegetarian restaurant in a historic diner space, and one of the most acclaimed veggie burgers in the city. The signature burger is small, so add a side or two. It’s tiny and always packed, so be ready to wait.
Address: 132 First Avenue, East Village
A lively neighborhood bar with a cheeseburger that regulars rank among the city’s best. It comes with fries and pickles. It opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, and the kitchen runs late.
Address: 131 Second Avenue, East Village Highlights: Diner vibe
A kitschy, retro East Village institution serving half-pound burgers in more than a dozen styles: Texas, blue cheese, mushroom, El Paso, and more. It’s affordable and family-friendly, with no reservations. It’s open until nearly midnight on weekends.
Address: 141 Second Avenue, East Village
The late-night favorite on this stretch, open until 3 a.m. most nights and 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. See the NoMad entry below.
Address: 167 Third Avenue, Gramercy (at East 16th Street) Highlights: Diner vibe
A true old-school diner with a long Formica counter, quick service, and a bacon cheeseburger deluxe with crisp fries and onion rings. It’s simple, satisfying, and fairly priced, and it opens at 7 a.m.
Address: Madison Square Park, Flatiron Highlights: Milkshakes · Outdoor seating only
The original Shake Shack, which opened as a park kiosk in 2004. There’s no indoor dining, but the outdoor tables under the trees are a classic New York experience in good weather, and part of every purchase supports the park. It’s still the favorite of the chains for many locals.
Address: 1145 Broadway, NoMad Highlights: Milkshakes
The Miami-born smash-burger chain’s first New York location. The menu is short: three burgers, fries, and three shakes. Order the Skinny Louie Cheeseburger with grilled onions, double American cheese, pickles, and house Louie Sauce. It’s counter service, and Manhattan locations now include the West Village, East Village, Upper East Side, and the Penn District.
Address: 521 Third Avenue, Murray Hill (at East 35th Street) Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
A retro burger diner known for oversized patties, more than 15 topping combinations, curly fries, onion rings, and spiked milkshakes. Tabletop jukeboxes complete the vibe. The Upper East Side location is at 232 East 64th Street.
Address: 430 Third Avenue, Murray Hill Highlights: Milkshakes
An eco-minded chain with organic beef, game burgers like bison and elk, and plenty of vegan options, so it’s a good choice for a mixed group. The shakes are a highlight. Other Manhattan locations: 366 West 46th Street (Hell’s Kitchen) and 2233 Broadway (Upper West Side).
Address: 488 Third Avenue, Kips Bay
This one is for the steak lovers in your group. Medium Rare serves a single prix-fixe steak frites meal with bread, salad, and a second helping of steak, rather than burgers.
Address: 45 West 35th Street, Midtown South (next to the Kixby Hotel) Highlights: Milkshakes
The bigger, family-friendly sibling of the SoHo original, with a standalone shake bar for the famous CrazyShakes. It’s a handy refuel stop after shopping at Herald Square.
Address: 245 West 38th Street, Garment District
A cozy wood-and-brick burger bar with hefty specialty burgers and craft beer. The signature Black Iron Burger comes with horseradish cheddar and caramelized onions. The Patty Melt is also excellent. A second location is at 250 West 54th Street in the Theater District.
Address: Multiple Midtown locations
The national chain’s smashed-to-order burgers and shakes. It’s reliable and quick if you’re nearby.
Address: 1515 Broadway (at West 45th Street) and 1626 Broadway (at West 49th Street), Times Square Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
The Brooklyn icon’s Times Square outposts serve generous burgers in a retro, red-booth setting. Save room for the famous cheesecake. It’s open late (until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), which is ideal after a show.
Address: 1674 Broadway, Theater District Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
A Broadway-themed diner where the waitstaff break into show tunes every quarter hour. Expect over-the-top burgers, crazy milkshakes, and all-day breakfast, open until 4 a.m. most nights. It’s pure fun for families and theater fans.
Address: 1500 Broadway, Times Square
The beloved Filipino fast-food chain, best known for Chickenjoy fried chicken and sweet-style spaghetti. It’s counter service with seating, open until 1 a.m., and a fun cultural detour.
Address: 121 West 45th Street, Times Square (also 14 East 47th Street)
A multi-level Irish pub with a rooftop at the 45th Street location, pub classics, and a proper pint of Guinness. It’s a relaxed sit-down alternative to the chain restaurants around Times Square.
Address: 241 West 42nd Street, Times Square
A huge, loud, budget-friendly crowd-pleaser known for ribs and giant frozen cocktails. Other Manhattan locations: Chelsea (261 Eighth Avenue, home of the Henny Burger), Upper East Side (1265 Third Avenue), and Washington Heights (3956 Broadway).
Address: 630 Ninth Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen (at West 44th Street) Highlights: Milkshakes
A local favorite for pre-theater burgers. The Original 5 Napkin Burger is as messy as the name promises, the Truffle Burger is a strong runner-up, and the boozy shakes are a treat. Reservations are accepted. The Upper West Side location is at 2315 Broadway.
Address: 642 Ninth Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen (between West 45th and 46th Streets) Highlights: Diner vibe
A tiny 1950s-style burger counter with excellent smash burgers, patty melts, and sidewinder fries, plus swirl Bundt cakes for dessert. The staff is warm and the prices are fair, and it’s open until 3 a.m. on weekends. Seating is limited to the counter.
Address: 16 West 51st Street, Midtown
A two-story burger bar a block from Rockefeller Center, with Disco Fries, onion rings, and the signature Bill’s Burger. It accepts reservations and is a good pick for groups and game days.
Address: 119 West 56th Street, Midtown (inside the hotel lobby) Highlights: Milkshakes
One of Manhattan’s best-loved hidden spots. Look for the red velvet curtain in the hotel lobby, which used to be Le Parker Meridien, and follow the neon burger sign. Behind it is a graffiti-covered, no-frills counter serving classic burgers and a great chocolate milkshake. Lines form at lunch.
Address: 212 West 57th Street, Midtown (near Carnegie Hall) Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
A polished, nostalgic diner with cloth napkins, a cheeseburger deluxe, and thick milkshakes. Reservations are accepted, which is rare for a diner and useful before a concert.
Address: 205 West 57th Street, Midtown (across from Carnegie Hall) Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
Big portions, an all-day brunch, and a Corner Burger with truffle-Parmesan fries. The Brownie Extravaganza milkshake is a dessert in itself. It’s open until midnight (1 a.m. on weekends) and has plenty of vegetarian options.
Address: 44 West 63rd Street, Upper West Side (across from Lincoln Center)
A retro-casual saloon with views of Lincoln Center and the Bartender’s Burger. It gets busy around 6 p.m. with the pre-show crowd, so book ahead. The original P.J. Clarke’s, a Midtown landmark, is at 915 Third Avenue at East 55th Street.
Address: 2315 Broadway, Upper West Side (at West 84th Street) Highlights: Milkshakes
The same menu as the Hell’s Kitchen location, with a cozier neighborhood feel and solid veggie burger options.
Address: 2233 Broadway, Upper West Side
See the Murray Hill entry above.
Address: 1291 Third Avenue, Upper East Side (at East 74th Street)
A beloved Upper East Side tavern since 1972, with watermelon-themed decor, a small no-nonsense burger on a plate, and crispy cottage fries on the side. It’s cash only with no reservations, so expect a wait. It’s open late every night.
Address: 232 East 64th Street, Upper East Side Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
Address: 100 West 124th Street, Harlem (at Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Boulevard) Highlights: Diner vibe · Milkshakes
A retro burger-and-shake joint since 2013, built to evoke the 1940s diner that once stood on this corner. Order the Hot Mess or the Harlem Classic with curly fries and a red velvet milkshake, then browse the Wall of Fame, covered with celebrity autographs. It’s a short walk from Central Park North.
These aren’t in Manhattan, but locals mention them so often that they belong on any serious burger list.
Contenders include the Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern, the cheeseburger at J.G. Melon, the stacked burger at Au Cheval, and the hidden Burger Joint behind the curtain in the Thompson Central Park hotel.
Try Harlem Shake, Carnegie Diner & Cafe, Brooklyn Diner, Junior’s, Diner 24 Broadway, or Jackson Hole. All are sit-down spots with retro diner atmosphere and serious shakes.
J.G. Melon and Corner Bistro are cash only. Bring cash for Burger Joint too, and check before you go. Peter Luger in Brooklyn takes cash, debit, or mobile payment but not standard credit cards.
For Au Cheval, Minetta Tavern, Raoul’s, and Red Hook Tavern, yes. Most casual burger spots, including J.G. Melon, Corner Bistro, Hamburger America, Burger Joint, and Paul’s Da Burger Joint, are walk-in only.
Superiority Burger in the East Village is entirely vegetarian. Bareburger and 5 Napkin Burger also have strong veggie and vegan options.
Yes, especially in good weather. The Madison Square Park kiosk is where the chain started in 2004. Seating is outdoors only. However, I am not a line person so if there is a long line, I am out of there.
Junior’s, Diner 24 Broadway, 5 Napkin Burger on Ninth Avenue, Lovely’s Old Fashioned, and Black Iron Burger on West 54th Street are all a short walk from the theaters.
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