Best Burgers Restaurants in East Village (10003)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Paul's Da Burger Joint
A no-nonsense burger landmark with proven consistency at scale.
Notable Picks
8.6
An old-school East Village institution built around hefty, customizable burgers that still taste like New York in the best way. The patties are thick, beef-forward, and consistently praised across thousands of reviews, making this a destination for classicists. It’s not trying to be trendy—just reliably great.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger (single or double), BBQ Bacon Burger, Curly Fries
What makes it special: A no-nonsense burger landmark with proven consistency at scale.
8.3
A bright, Aussie-leaning café that quietly turns out a legit burger alongside its brunch staples. The Bronte Burger hits a juicy, well-seasoned patty with a balanced, slightly upscale build, making it a reliable sit-down option in the East Village mix. Strong multi-platform volume keeps confidence high for repeatable quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bronte Burger, Truffle Fries with Aioli, Ricotta Hotcakes
What makes it special: Brunch café polish with a burger that’s better than it needs to be.
Worthy Picks
#3
Smashy Club
7.9
A Hungarian-born smashburger counter near Union Square with shockingly low prices and a clean, classic build. Thin patties, crisp sear, and a direct ketchup-mustard-pickle hit make it easy to love. A true budget-friendly stop that still respects the fundamentals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Cheeseburger, Single Cheeseburger, Fries
What makes it special: Serious smashburgers at almost throwback prices.
A small smashburger shop near NYU that keeps things tight: crisp edges, melty American cheese, and a buttery house sauce. It’s more of a walk-up, late-day fix than a sit-down affair, but the execution is dialed in. Great for an easy, reliable smash in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double House Cheeseburger, Single House Cheeseburger, Truffle Fries
What makes it special: Focused smashburgers with a clean, buttery finish.
7.7
A compact counter-service spot focused on freshly ground burgers with quick turnaround. The St. Mark’s Burger delivers a straightforward, satisfying bite in a neighborhood full of options, especially for grab-and-go. Think dependable comfort over culinary fireworks.
Must-Try Dishes:
St. Mark's Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Seasoned Fries
What makes it special: Fresh-ground burgers in fast, no-frills East Village form.
#6
8-Bit Bites
7.7
Halal smash-style burgers with a gamer twist and long hours, making it a solid neighborhood utility pick. The patties skew crisp-edged and well-seasoned, with indulgent sauce builds that hit the comfort note. Not a hype machine—just a dependable, fun bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smashburger, Double Impossible Smashburger, Big Mick Style Fries
What makes it special: Halal smashburgers with playful, over-the-top builds.
7.6
A new-school, West-Coast-leaning burger counter from the Electric Burrito team, open late with a playful pickle-queso edge. The HighLife Burger is tidy, saucy, and designed for after-hours cravings. Still young, but already a useful late-night anchor in 10003.
Must-Try Dishes:
HighLife Burger, Double Cheeseburger, Queso Fries
What makes it special: Late-night burgers with signature dill-pickle queso flair.