Situated on an Upper East Side corner, Beach Cafe is a hidden gem serving up satisfying burgers and cozy vibes. Classic checkered blue tablecloths welcome you, setting the tone for a timeless dining experience.

  • The Burger: Beach Burger with American cheese (Honorable Mention). A simple pub-style burger with your choice of cheese served on a pedestrian white bun with red onion, lettuce, and pickles on the side. This unassuming burger is elevated by its juicy patty, packed just right, making for a popper pub burger. One of their house favorites, the Beach Burger is a must-try for its no-frills flavor and texture.

  • Pro Tip: Keep it simple - this burger shines with minimal toppings. Pair it with cottage fries that deliver a delightful mix of crunch and fluffiness. Take advantage of their fantastic Beach Burger Brunch Special, featuring a burger, cottage fries, and three draft beers at an unbeatable price. Plus, enjoy burgers until 1am. 

  • The Occasion & Vibe: Groups. Perfect for casual gatherings, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere day and night. Enjoy outdoor seating under a charming awning or cozy up inside with bar and table seating. Great for meeting friends, late-night cravings, or low-key brunches - always laid-back and inviting.

The Location: Upper East Side, East 70th Street & 2nd Avenue.

With its unique blend of science-inspired burgers and playful twists, Burgerology has something for every kind of burger fan. You can choose from many unique options or play Burgerologist and create a custom burger. Plus, enjoy lots of milkshake options and cocktails in a fun atmosphere.

  • The Burger: Electron (Honorable Mention). Bacon-infused signature blend, bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and house sauce on a torta bun. All burgers feature a generous half-pound of meat served on this same unique bun, which boasts a softness and subtle flavors that perfectly complement the patty’s thickness. The bacon infusion brought a welcome boost of flavor and grease to the overall flavor profile, while the bacon strips added a crispy crunch. 

  • Pro Tip: Upgrade to the onion rings, which come with a tasty corn dog-style batter. Be sure to order a side of house sauce to go with them - and your burger!

  • The Occasion & Vibe: With Groups. Burgerology's midtown location, situated inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel, offers a unique blend of upscale casual and sports bar. With tons of bar seating, cool decor, and numerous TVs, it's an awesome spot to catch a game. All of their locations carry the same fun, laid-back vibe.

  • The Location: Multiple locations. 

A true New York dining room experience - bright, beautiful, and layered with character. Cecchi’s brings a mix of classic energy and modern polish, tucked into a sprawling space with subtle design shifts that create a new feel depending on where you sit. A best seller on their menu - the burger.

  • The Burger: Cecchi’s Burger (Honorable Mention). House sauce, American cheese, pickled green tomatoes, fries. A very thick patty, dense brioche bun, and heavy layer of American cheese make up the foundation here. The house sauce leans mustardy, while pickled green tomatoes bring acidity. The burger is served piping hot, with visible crisscross grill marks on the top bun. Super salty and crisp shoestring fries are piled high on the side, along with a vinegary slaw and fresh vegetables. I recommend leaving the veggies where they lie and eating this one as it comes. Portions are generous throughout.

  •  Pro Tip: The full menu at Cecchi’s is strong across the board, with standout sides, cocktails, and desserts. The San Gennaro in a Blanket is the perfect start to any meal, and the extra-flaky onion rings are a must-order. The creamed spinach is another highlight, rich and well-executed. Cocktails are excellent, and desserts hold their own, rounding out a meal that's consistently solid beyond the burger.

  • The Occasion & Vibe: Date Night / Reservations Recommended. Cecchi’s hums with energy even on a Tuesday night. Whether you’re perched at the bar or tucked into a velvet booth, the atmosphere feels classic but never stuffy - perfect for a date night or celebratory dinner. Large art murals, a vibrant front dining room, and a tucked-away back room each offer their own atmosphere, making it a restaurant you’ll want to revisit again and again just to experience its different corners.

  • The Location: 13th Street & 6th Avenue.


Bonus Thought: Being one of their biggest sellers, I wonder if I caught the burger on an off night. Every other dish I saw at nearby tables looked incredible - it’s places like this that make me wish I didn’t have such a responsibility to the burger (at least for one meal).

Chelsea Living Room offers a stylish, moody space that evokes the ambiance of a New York brownstone living room, complete with a fireplace, armchairs, and a backgammon set. The dark finishes, complemented by chandeliers above the bar and subtle hints of gold, create a warm, thoughtfully detailed space - it’s a very cool dining room with unmistakable New York energy.

  • The Burger: CLR Burger (Honorable Mention). Snake River Farms American wagyu, Crémeux de Bourgogne, red onion, watercress, peppercorn sauce. A thick, medium-rare patty sits on a bready brioche bun. The peppercorn sauce ties everything together, offering a buttery, rich flavor with a lingering pepper bite. The triple cream cheese is very subtle, while the Watercress adds a prominent leafy flavor. The burger is beautifully presented on an oblong dish, accompanied by a tower of crispy fries and a parsley-cilantro aioli that boasts a striking green hue.

  • Pro Tip: The green aioli for the fries may be the best thing I ate - refreshing, vibrant, and used on other dishes throughout the menu. Judging from what I saw around the room, the cocktails and the rest of the menu look on point. The restroom is located on the lower level, and that space has a vibe all its own.

  • The Occasion & Vibe: Date Night / Reservations Recommended. Chelsea Living Room nails the cozy-luxe feel. Upbeat music fills the space, yet it remains intimate thanks to dim lighting from chandeliers, sconces, and table lamps. Details such as gold-framed paintings, green-and-white wallpaper, and a gold disco ball and piano near the DJ booth add a playful sophistication. A semi-private back room further opens up the space, offering a whole new vibe.

  • The Location: Chelsea, 14th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues.

Due West, a stylish and intimate spot in the West Village, offers a refined take on the classic American bistro, focusing on creative cocktails and elevated comfort food.

  • The Burger: Bacon Cheeseburger (Honorable Mention). Applewood Smoked Bacon, American Cheese, Tomato, Onion, Shredded Romaine, House Pickles, and Chipotle Mayo on a potato roll. The applewood-smoked bacon adds a rich, smoky depth, while the chipotle mayo brings a spicy kick. The generous helping of veggies, including shredded romaine, thinly sliced onions, and thick, pickle-like cucumbers, is elevated by the abundance of creamy sauce. In fact, the combination of veggies and sauce almost tastes like coleslaw, adding a delightful twist to the classic burger.

  • Pro Tip: Take advantage of their innovative beverage program, featuring house-made bitters, sodas, and tonics, as well as canned and carbonated cocktails. Consider Due West a great addition to your West Village night out - it's an ideal spot to grab cocktails before or after dinner, adding a complementary touch to your evening.

  • The Occasion & Vibe: With Drinks. Due West is an ideal spot to grab a drink before or after a night out in the West Village. The upscale atmosphere, complete with plush banquettes and intimate tables, makes it feel like a sophisticated cocktail bar.

  • The Location: West Village, West 10th Street.

On the Upper East Side, Eli's Night Shift shines as a casual, laid-back destination for solid American eats.

  • The Burger: Smash Burger (Honorable Mention). Double patty, American cheese, and white onions served with fries. This is not your standard smash burger, served on a brioche bun and with patties that seem more steamed than smashed, but it works. Oklahoma style onions are abundant and layered throughout, the brioche bun super soft, and American cheese prominent. Ketchup complements the flavors nicely, adding a tangy contrast. It’s served with crispy, thick-cut fries.

  • Pro Tip: Eli’s has plenty of craft brews on tap and beer flights available. The Roast Pork quesadilla is legit. They also have another burger on the menu with their namesake.

  • The Occasion & Vibe: With Drinks. This spot is the epitome of laid-back. Whether you're working on your laptop, catching a game, or simply enjoying drinks with friends, this spot has got you covered. The outdoor deck, complete with seating and a barrier to keep you off the sidewalk, is a pleasant bonus - covered during cold weather and open during warmer months.

  • The Location: Upper East Side, 79th Street & Third Avenue.

Burgers, candy, chocolates, ice cream, the site of The Sopranos finale…what more can you ask for? Holsten’s is an old fashioned ice cream parlor in North Jersey that will bring you back to the 1950’s. 

  • The Burger: Cheeseburger (Tier 3). A simple diner cheeseburger with your choice of cheese on a pedestrian white bun. This burger stands out as a classic delight that will satisfy your cravings.

  • Pro Tip: American cheese on this burger is the way to go, and no visit is complete without one of their signature ice cream sundaes for a sweet ending to your burger adventure and a box of chocolates to go. 

  • The Occasion & Vibe: At The Counter. Holsten’s delivers a nostalgic and family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of counter and booth seating. Sit at the booth where Tony Soprano enjoyed his last meal of onion rings. 

  • The Location: NJ, Bloomfield.

“Your trusted neighborhood local,” Nightly’s is a swanky spot that redefines your typical Upper East Side hangout. This place strikes the perfect balance between trendy and neighborhood-friendly, offering a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing a drink or enjoying a meal, Nightly’s nails that sweet spot between casual and chic.

  • The Burger: Black Tie Burger (Honorable Mention). 8oz Pat Lafrieda Dry-aged gourmet burger, secret sauce, white cheddar, and caramelized onions on a brioche bun. 

  • Pro Tip: The Marry Me Chicken has received a lot of praise, though it’s just an okay choice. The cocktail and drinks menu, however, is a standout. The Negroni on tap is a refreshing, light orange concoction with a beautiful color. Even if you’re not a fan of Negronis, this one might surprise you. The Sangiovese wine, bottled in-house, is also delicious.

  • The Occasion & Vibe: With Drinks. Nightly’s has a trendy yet true neighborhood feel. The spacious dining room and beautiful bar offer a comfortable spot for both walk-ins and reservations, with the kitchen staying open late. The back corner table, draped in velvet, adds a cozy touch, while a playlist that includes the likes of De La Soul and People Under the Stairs sets a great vibe. It’s a cool, unique spot with upscale logos that give it a distinctly elevated feel—definitely not your typical UES venue. A cheetah motif runs throughout, adding a quirky, fun touch to everything from the menus to the coasters.

  • The Location: Upper East Side, 78th Street & 2nd Avenue.

 

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