Burgers
Two camps. For the higher-end burger-with-great-vibes: Minetta Tavern (the Black Label is the original of this genre), 4 Charles Prime Rib, Red Hook Tavern, and Rolo's in Ridgewood. Rolo's does many things great, and the burger is one of them.
For smash burgers: 7th Street Burger, Hamburger America, and Gotham Burger Social Club.
Minetta Tavern
Minetta is the original of the modern New York burger-with-great-vibes genre. The Black Label is a dry-aged blend that Keith McNally's team developed and never quite replicated elsewhere. The room is dark wood and white tablecloth. The bar still feels like 1930s Village. Reservations are hard. Walk in at the bar.
Must order: The Black Label burger, Roast bone marrow, A martini at the bar before dinner
4 Charles Prime Rib
Steakhouse by Brendan Sodikoff, owner of Au Cheval, with contemporary offerings and vintage appeal.
Red Hook Tavern
Red Hook neighborhood restaurant from the Gage & Tollner team, known for its dry-aged burger and American tavern fare.
Rolo’s
Rolo's is the Ridgewood all-day spot that does many things very well. Coffee and pastries in the morning. Sandwiches and a great burger at lunch. Dinner is more ambitious: pasta, fish, vegetables. Howard Kalachnikoff and the team are running it at a level you do not expect from an all-day spot. The burger is the headline. The pastries are the underrated part.
Must order: The burger, Whatever the pasta of the day is, A pastry on the way out
7th Street Burger East Village
Straightforward fast-food restaurant offering generous burgers with French fries.
Hamburger America
West Houston burger spot from the author of the burger guidebook, serving classic American-style patties.
Gotham Burger Social Club
Lower East Side burger joint serving creative, indulgent smash burgers and loaded fries.
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