Is there anything better than a good burger? We don’t think so and it seems that the rest of the world agrees. Featuring the classic combination of bread, meat and a variety of tasty toppings, burgers have become a staple of western cuisine, with restaurants around the world now offering at least one burger on their menu. And with so many burgers to choose from, it can be difficult to limit down your choices.
Currently, some of the best burgers in the world can be found across the United States, with various diners and bars sporting their own signature pattie. But did you know that some of the most diverse and unique burgers in the world can be found in Brooklyn? Made with fresh and distinctive ingredients, Brooklyn burgers encompass a wide variety of cultures, with each one embracing a different worldly cuisine.
So if you are planning a trip to Brooklyn in the near future, you may be wondering which delicious burgers you should try. Well, we found it hard narrowing down our favourites, which is why we have compiled together a list of the best burgers in Brooklyn. So if you want to know more about what this amazing borough has to offer, then just take a look at our top choices and see which burgers tickle your fancy.
The Emmy Burger
For the first entry on our list, we have decided to take a more traditional approach, although calling this particular burger traditional is definitely an overstatement. Located on Clinton Hill, this juicy cheeseburger is the product of Emily, a dining establishment known for its modern decor and welcoming atmosphere.
Featuring a range of fresh and luscious ingredients, this dry-aged pattie is drizzled with melted cheddar cheese and Emily’s signature sauce, before being topped with onions and served inside a pretzel bun with a side of fries.
Describing this burger is like trying to describe the most beautiful work of art that you have ever seen, as it can only be defined by the emotions you experienced when taking the first bite, which can range from love and joy to fear and amazement.
Maison Yaki Burger
Based in Prospect Heights, this French-Japanese fusion restaurant is known for its unique selection of dishes, which include notable pairings such as shiso escargot and katsu buffalo wings. However, if there is one thing this restaurant excels at it’s making delicious gourmet burgers that are bursting with flavour and texture.
Featuring a pattie made from wagyu beef, this burger is topped with a variety of quirky ingredients such as melted raclette, cabbage slaw, shitake mushrooms and even a black hollandaise sauce. Perfect for burger enthusiasts who prefer to live on the wild side, this burger is a true testament to culinary fusions and offers a distinctive taste that you will never forget.
When it comes to burgers, this bad boy is essentially the equivalent of a supermodel and should be treated with the respect that it deserves.
Classic Cheeseburger
Drawing inspiration from the saloons and bars of West Virginia, Cozy Royale offers a somewhat limited menu, which ranges from tasty classics to gourmet creations. However, it is their delicious cheeseburger that often takes the crown, with the simple meal elevating this American classic to new and culinary heights.
Considered a compact burger, this sandwich combines a lot of ingredients into a single bun, from a thick medium-rare pattie to caramelized onions, pickles and homemade mayonnaise. Served with or without fries, this burger is also drizzled with melted cheese for some extra flavour, delivering a burger unlike any other in the city.
Luger Burger
Known as one of the most famous steakhouses in New York, Peter Luger offers a lunch-only burger that is made from the same prime beef as its legendary steaks. Although the restaurant itself was first established back in the 19th century, the Luger burger has only existed since the 1990s but has remained a popular choice ever since.
When ordering this particular burger, you will notice that it comes with zero toppings, which is a bold choice when compared to the other entries on our list. However, the quality of the meat speaks for itself and is beautifully paired with a classic sesame seed bun and a side of chunky fries.
The Jani Burger
This Bushwick-based Pakistani restaurant can currently be found on Knickerbocker Avenue, where it is renowned for its delicious range of meat-based dishes. However, if there is one item on the menu that stands out for its quality it’s the Jani burger, which is known for its gourmet ingredients and spice bomb nature.
Accompanied by a slice of grilled tomato and a decent helping of mint chutney, this burger is made using an array of herbs and spices, delivering a pattie that packs a powerful punch. Ideal for burger enthusiasts who also enjoy a little heat, this pattie is one of a kind and remains unrivalled in its originality.
Meat Hook Cheeseburger
Based in Gowanus, this artisan brewery is famed for its delicious craft beers, even though they also offer some tasty food on the side. Made using grass-fed beef from the Meat Hook butcher shop, this simple yet effective burger features a plump and juicy pattie that has been topped with classic ingredients such as American cheese, onions, pickle slices and a sweet brioche bun.
Add to this a decent helping of special sauce and you have a burger that is brilliant in its simplicity, as the reduced toppings help to showcase the full flavour of the premium meat. If you want to experience everything that this brewery has to offer, then we also recommend pairing your burger with one of their homemade brews, as this promises to take you on a culinary adventure that you will remember for years to come.
Le Burger
Distinguished by its bright pink exterior, this restaurant offers a wide selection of delicious meals, with each one being prepared in the establishment’s now-iconic wood-burning oven. A popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike, this garish diner allows you to sit under the open sky with a bottle of beer and one of the best burgers in the city.
Featuring a juicy pattie bursting with a rich and smoky flavour, this burger is then layered with comte cheese, caramelized onions and green relish, before finally being served inside a fluffy bun with a side of fries. Although this burger may not break the rules, it does promise to make your taste buds sing, especially when paired with whole grain mustard and a helping of cornichons.
Red Hook Tavern Burger
This New York-inspired venue can currently be found on Van Brunt Street, where it offers its own variation of the Luger burger that we previously mentioned. Made by combining a dry-aged beef pattie with American cheese and white onion, this burger is not a hefty meal and can be readily enjoyed with or without a side of fries.
Thanks to the excessive amounts of melted cheese, the Red Hook Tavern burger doesn’t even need condiments to be enjoyed, as the simple recipe offers a classic yet effective execution that transforms this burger into a gourmet experience unlike anything else you have ever tasted.
However, we do recommend pairing the burger with a side of sliced pickles, as this will definitely yield the best results. Delicious!
The Hot Mess
Although our next entry makes its home in Harlem, it is still a spectacular burger joint that should be visited by foodies from around the world. Known for its selection of burgers, shakes and fries, this establishment takes classic American cuisine and elevates it to new heights, creating some of the best fast food in the whole of New York City.
Featuring a crispy ground beef pattie, the Hot Mess is then topped with American cheese, pickles and a cherry-pepper bacon relish before being served in a bun alongside a large helping of tasty fries. Not only does this burger joint make some of the best burgers available, but it also hires staff from the local community and donates hundreds of dollars to local charities and organizations.
Banh Mi Burger
One of the best things about Brooklyn, and by extension New York, is the diversity of its people, which results in various cultures coming together to create new and delicious dishes, such as the Banh Mi burger by Saigon Social. Made from a combination of American and Vietnamese flavours, this burger takes a quality pattie and layers it with pickled carrot, jalapeno slices, daikon, cilantro and pate.
Although the burger is bursting with intense and refreshing flavours, this does not overshadow the taste of the meat, which features a notable blend of short rib and dry-aged beef. However, if this burger does not tickle your taste buds, the restaurant is also known for its fried chicken sandwiches, which are some of the best in the whole city.
Psychedelic Swiss
Known for its wide selection of delicious burgers, Juanchi’s makes all of its buns and patties from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients that they can find. This means that every dish on the menu has been handcrafted, delivering a unique culinary experience where the food promises to always retain its flavour and authenticity.
Although Juanchi’s has many burgers to choose from, there is nothing more distinctive than the Psychedelic Swiss, which features a gourmet beef pattie topped with Swiss cheese, grilled mushrooms and a decent helping of the restaurant’s signature tarragon garlic sauce. Served with or without fries, this restaurant has some of the best burgers in the city and promises to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Classic Allswell Burger
Found in one of Brooklyn’s local bars, the Classic Allswell burger is made using only sustainably sourced ingredients, delivering a fresh and imaginative dish that is simply bursting with flavour. Not only does this bar offer some delicious burgers, but it also pairs them with a range of beers, promising a fun and welcoming experience that you will never forget.
Combining a class beef pattie with melted cheddar, red onion, lettuce and pickles, this traditional yet tasty burger is served alongside fries or salad and is only one of four burgers that the bar has to offer. So if this classic pattie doesn’t excite you, then we promise there will always be something else to choose from.
Make Your Own
If you have been searching for a laidback joint where you can relax with a burger and a beer, then look no further than Brooklyn Burgers and Beer. Not only does this particular restaurant offer a wide selection of delicious craft beers, but its menu also boasts some of the best burgers in the borough. Whether you want to make your own burger or choose one of the restaurant’s various creations, this burger joint has something for everyone and is a great place for both friends and family.
Currently, the bar offers numerous toppings and options to make your own burger, from beef patties and chicken thighs to several varieties of cheese and over fifteen different condiments. So if you want to try something new, this place is the best place to get started.
Various Burgers
Have we saved the best for last? We sure think so, and we hope all you burger enthusiasts out there agree! When it comes to burger joints that offer delicious burgers with unique toppings, there’s no better place than Upside Craft Burger, which may offer some of the most diverse ingredients in the whole of Brooklyn.
Because this restaurant offers such a distinctive range of burgers, we couldn’t choose just one and so we recommend trying as many burgers here as you can! We promise you won’t be disappointed with what you find.
Also, if you are looking for the best pizza in Brooklyn. New York is well known for many things- the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Chrysler Building – but it also has some of the best pizzerias in the United States, and even the world!
