⚡ Quick Answer

The best smash burgers in New York is Burger Joint in Midtown. Hidden behind a curtain in the Le Méridien hotel.

Last updated: 2026-03-18
🍔 Burgers 🍦 Ice Cream
1

Burger Joint

Midtown ★★★★½ 4.8 $$

Hidden behind a curtain in the Le Méridien hotel. Cash only, no-frills, perfect burger. NYC's worst-kept secret.

2

J.G. Melon

Upper East Side ★★★★½ 4.7 $$

Old-money UES institution. The cottage fries and a burger at the bar is a New York rite of passage.

3

Corner Bistro

West Village ★★★★½ 4.6 $

The Bistro Burger at midnight after three beers is a religious experience. Been serving since 1961.

4

Peter Luger

Williamsburg ★★★★½ 4.7 $$$

Yes, the steakhouse. The lunch burger is made from their dry-aged trimmings and costs a fraction of dinner.

5

Emmy Squared

Williamsburg ★★★★½ 4.6 $$

Detroit-style pizza place with a burger that overshadows the pizza. The Le Big Matt is a double smash masterpiece.

🔒

See all 10 smash burgers spots in New York

Free weekly picks. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

6

Au Cheval NYC

TriBeCa ★★★★½ 4.5 $$$

Chicago import that lives up to the hype. The single is a double, the double is absurd. Egg on top, always.

7

Shake Shack (Madison Sq)

Flatiron ★★★★ 4.3 $$

The original location in Madison Square Park. Tourist trap? Maybe. Still a damn good ShackBurger.

8

Donovan's Pub

Woodside, Queens ★★★★½ 4.5 $$

Queens institution since 1966. No menu — just tell them how you want your burger cooked. Served on a plate, nothing else.

9

Superiority Burger

East Village ★★★★½ 4.4 $

Veggie burger that converts carnivores. Brooks Headley (former Del Posto pastry chef) makes vegetables taste like sin.

10

7th Street Burger

East Village ★★★★ 4.3 $

Smash burger upstart that's earned its spot. Crispy edges, American cheese, special sauce. No gimmicks needed.

People Also Ask

Burger Joint in Midtown is our top-ranked smash burgers spot in New York. Hidden behind a curtain in the Le Méridien hotel. It consistently earns the #1 spot based on quality, consistency, and local reputation.
If you're near Central Park, Burger Joint is one of the most accessible top-rated options in New York. J.G. Melon is also worth the short trip — both are featured in our top 3.
Burger Joint draws the longest queues and gets the most consistent praise from locals and visitors alike. Our rankings factor in editorial scores, community upvotes, and real-world reputation.
Yes — several spots on our list offer great value. Check the price range listed on each card. Our editorial team specifically looks for quality-to-price ratio, not just prestige.
Some spots on our list stay open late, especially on weekends. Check individual restaurant pages for hours. We update our listings when opening hours change significantly.
Our rankings combine editorial scores from local food experts, community upvotes from verified visitors, and ongoing quality checks. We re-evaluate the list when new spots emerge or existing ones slip in quality.

📷 Get New York food picks in your inbox

New spots, list changes, and local smash burgers intel — free, straight to your inbox.

Know a spot we missed?

Nominate your favourite smash burgers spot and let the community vote it up.

🔥 Community Nominations

No nominations yet. Be the first!