Smash Burger Restaurants in New York: Where to Get the Best Crispy-Edged Burgers in NYC
New York went all-in on smash burgers over the last few years. Lines down the block, new counters in every borough, and endless debates over who does it best. If you're looking for the best smash burger restaurants in New York, here's what actually makes a great one, where to find it, and why Harlem Shake® was smashing burgers on 124th Street long before it was cool.
Quick Answer: Where to Get a Smash Burger in NYC
Harlem Shake® (Harlem and Park Slope): Pat LaFrieda smash burgers, organic milkshakes and old-school diner vibes, smashing on 124th Street since 2013.
7th Street Burger (multiple locations): The East Village counter that kicked off the city's smash burger boom in 2021.
Hamburger America (SoHo): Burger historian George Motz's classic lunch counter, known for its fried onion burger.
Gotham Burger Social Club (Lower East Side): A pop-up turned storefront, also famous for fried onion smash burgers.
What Makes a Smash Burger Different?
A smash burger starts as a ball of ground beef pressed hard onto a very hot griddle. Flattening it maximizes contact with the heat, which creates a deep brown, lacy, crispy crust through the Maillard reaction, the same browning that makes a steak taste like a steak.
A regular burger is shaped into a thick patty first and cooked more slowly, so it's juicier inside but has less crust. A smash burger trades thickness for flavor and texture. That's why most smash burgers are doubles: two thin patties give you twice the crust.
Smashing alone doesn't make a burger great, though. You need:
Good beef with enough fat to stay juicy when the patty is thin
A ripping-hot griddle and a hard, fast press
Melty American cheese that fuses into the crust
A soft, toasted potato roll that holds together without overpowering the beef
Simple toppings that let the beef stay the star
Why Harlem Shake® Belongs at the Top of Your NYC Smash Burger List
Smashing on 124th Street Since 2013
Harlem Shake® opened on the corner of 124th and Lenox in 2013, years before the smash burger boom swept the city. Since then, our burgers have shown up on Eater's and The Infatuation's lists of NYC's best smash burgers, Grub Street's best patty melts, and Fodor's top things to see and eat in Harlem.
A Custom Pat LaFrieda Blend
Every beef burger starts with a proprietary Pat LaFrieda blend of chuck, rib and brisket. Chuck brings beefy flavor, rib adds richness, and brisket brings the fat that keeps a thin patty juicy. We smash it on the griddle until it's crisp at the edges, and our burgers are cooked juicy and well done.
A Room That Feels Like Old New York
Both restaurants are built around old-school diner design and neighborhood history. In Harlem, you'll find the Wall of Fame of signed photos and the Harlemcam, Harlem's only 24/7 public live cam. In Park Slope, we restored an 1800s dry goods store that became a diner in the 1940s, complete with a tin ceiling and a vintage jukebox. Learn more in our story.
What to Order at Harlem Shake®
The Harlem Classic
Two smashed Pat LaFrieda patties, American cheese, homemade pickles, onions and special sauce on a buttered, toasted Martin's potato roll. If it's your first visit, start here.
The Hot Mess
The Classic plus our Hot Mess relish (pickled cherry pepper and bacon) and smoky chipotle mayo. A little heat, a little smoke and a lot of flavor.
The Harlem Jerk
Two smashed patties with American cheese, pickles and onions, topped with jerk fries and jerk mayo. Yes, fries on the burger. You won't find this one at other NYC burger counters.
Impossible and Veggie Burgers
The Impossible Classic and Impossible Jerk use plant-based patties, and our homemade, award-winning veggie burger is made in-house (it contains nuts). Both come with American cheese unless you ask to leave it off.
See every option on our burger menu.
Don't Skip the Fries and a Shake
Go for jerk fries, sweet yam fries or curly fries with chipotle mayo. Then order The Harlem Shake®, our signature organic shake made with Blue Marble ice cream, organic New York whole milk and red velvet cake from Harlem bakery Make My Cake. It's our best seller for a reason.
New here? Read our full guide on what to eat at Harlem Shake®.
Best Smash Burger in Manhattan: Harlem Shake® on 124th Street
100 W. 124th Street at Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027
Our original location is a block from 125th Street, close to the Apollo, the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Schomburg Center. Grab a burger before a show, after a day exploring Harlem or late at night, since we're open until 2 AM on weekends. More on our Harlem location, or see why locals call it the best burger in Harlem.
Best Smash Burger in Brooklyn: Harlem Shake® in Park Slope
119 5th Avenue at Sterling Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
About a 10-minute walk from Barclays Center and close to Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park. A great stop before a game or concert, after a day in the park or for a late-night bite. More on our Brooklyn location.
Other NYC Smash Burger Spots Worth Knowing
New York's smash burger scene is better because there's real competition. A few other places burger fans talk about:
7th Street Burger: Opened in the East Village in 2021 and helped start the citywide boom. Now has locations across New York. Short menu, long lines.
Hamburger America: George Motz's 15-stool lunch counter at 155 West Houston Street in SoHo, known for its Oklahoma-style fried onion burger and rotating regional specials.
Gotham Burger Social Club: A Lower East Side favorite that started as a pop-up, also known for fried onion smash burgers.
What sets Harlem Shake® apart: the Pat LaFrieda blend, signature builds like the Hot Mess and Harlem Jerk, organic milkshakes, a real sit-down diner atmosphere, two boroughs and a 2013 head start.
How to Spot a Great Smash Burger
The crust: Edges should be dark brown and lacy, not gray.
The beef: Ask what's in the blend. Good burger spots will tell you.
The cheese: It should melt into the patty, not sit on top of it.
The bun: Soft, toasted and squishy. A potato roll is the standard.
The balance: If you can't taste the beef under the toppings, something's wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smash Burgers in NYC
What are the best smash burger restaurants in New York?
Popular NYC smash burger spots include Harlem Shake® in Harlem and Park Slope, 7th Street Burger, Hamburger America in SoHo and Gotham Burger Social Club on the Lower East Side. Harlem Shake® has been serving Pat LaFrieda smash burgers on 124th Street since 2013.
What is a smash burger?
A smash burger is a ball of ground beef pressed flat onto a very hot griddle, creating a thin patty with a deeply browned, crispy crust. Most are served as doubles with American cheese on a soft potato roll.
Where can I get a smash burger in Harlem?
Harlem Shake® at 100 West 124th Street at Lenox Avenue serves smash burgers made with a custom Pat LaFrieda blend, plus fries and organic milkshakes. It's open until 11 PM Sunday to Thursday and 2 AM Friday and Saturday.
Where can I get a smash burger in Brooklyn?
Harlem Shake®'s Park Slope location at 119 5th Avenue at Sterling Place serves the same smash burgers, fries and shakes as the Harlem original, about a 10-minute walk from Barclays Center.
What beef does Harlem Shake® use?
Harlem Shake® uses a proprietary Pat LaFrieda blend of chuck, rib and brisket. The patties are smashed and griddled until crisp and are cooked juicy and well done.
What's the best burger to order at Harlem Shake®?
First-timers should get the Harlem Classic: two smashed Pat LaFrieda patties, American cheese, homemade pickles, onions and special sauce on a toasted Martin's potato roll. For heat, go with the Hot Mess.
Does Harlem Shake® have vegetarian smash burgers?
Yes. Harlem Shake® offers Impossible burgers and a homemade veggie burger, which contains nuts. Both come with American cheese unless you ask for it without.
Are smash burgers cooked well done?
Most are, because thin patties cook through quickly on a hot griddle. At Harlem Shake®, the patties are cooked well done but stay juicy thanks to the fat in the Pat LaFrieda blend.
Where can I get a late-night smash burger in NYC?
Both Harlem Shake® locations stay open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and until 11 PM the rest of the week.
Come Hungry
Crispy edges, real beef, melted cheese, a soft toasted bun and a red velvet shake on the side. That's what we've been doing in Harlem since 2013, and in Park Slope too.
See the Burger Menu | Order From Your Nearest Location
Harlem: 100 W. 124th Street, New York, NY 10027 | (212) 222-8300
Brooklyn: 119 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 | (877) 71-SHAKE