Best Burgers
FINNEGANS WAKE 1361 First Ave.
212-737-3664
This longtime Upper East Side Irish pub has a warm, friendly atmosphere and a traditional menu with a wide array of daily specials. The owners boast of having the “best hamburger in New York City,” and the “best pint of Guinness in the neighborhood.” You could argue that a Guinness is a Guinness, but they undoubtedly have one of the very best burgers around. They also feature bangers and mash, Shepherd’s Pie, gigantic sandwiches and a special fresh fish of the day. Finnegans is a great place to sit at the bar and cheer on your favorite soccer team.
J.G. MELON 480 Amsterdam Ave.
646-895-9388
Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers and turkey burgers are on the menu at this renowned but cash-only restaurant, which also has locations in Greenwich Village and on the Upper East Side. It can be quite busy at lunch or dinner, and you may have to wait to get a seat, but it’s well worth it. If you’re not in the mood for a burger, they have a broiled fish daily special and a large and pan roasted salmon. Their desserts come from Magnolia Bakery and include vanilla bean cheesecake, chocolate cake and banana pudding. Nice mix of locals and tourists.
MAXWELL’S 59 Reade St.
212-917-261-6917
A longtime New York staple, Maxwell’s Bar and Restaurant in Tribeca can feel a bit cramped, but there’s an outdoor seating area when the weather cooperates, and the staff is quick and friendly. Their eclectic new menu has a variety of burgers, including a build-your-own Angus burger where you can add everything from cheese, mushrooms and onions to a fried egg or avocado. Popular with the lunch, dinner or after-work crowd, they also serve up a whiskey-flamed pork chop and feature a bar menu of finger food and every kind of cocktail imaginable.