The Best Burgers on the UES According to Upper East Siders

It’s not difficult to find a place that serves burgers, but finding a place that serves a really, really good burger is a whole different story. That’s why Upper East Site turned to you, our loyal readers, to find out who is serving the best burgers on the Upper East Side.

We surveyed followers of our Instagram account last week and these are their picks for the top burgers between East 59th and 96th Streets. 

J.G. Melon

Cheeseburger $13.50 (add $7.25 for fries)

An Upper East Side institution located at the corner of Third Avenue and East 74th Street since 1972, J.G. Melon racked up nearly double the votes of its closest competitor in our poll, far and away the favorite burger of the UES.

Gone are their famous cottage fries, a staple of the 50-year-old Upper East Side fixture— the result of a french fry supplier ending their long run. However, JG Melon’s thick and juicy, no-nonsense burgers on a toasted bun are here to stay– and so are their signature green-and-white checkered tablecloths.

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Fellow Upper East Sider and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg once called them the “best hamburgers in the world.” Don’t come looking for anything fancy, the only burger toppings you’ll find at Melon’s are bacon, cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and red onion.

Just remember to bring cash. J.G. Melon is very old school, which means you’ll be out of luck if you try to pay with a credit card.

7th Street Burger

Double Cheeseburger $9.50 (add $4 for fries)

Talk about making a big impact in a short period of time, 7th Street has only been open since June and its tasty seared smash burgers have already skyrocketed them to second place our poll of the best burgers on the Upper East Side. 

Simplicity is also the focus at 7th Street, located at 1603 Second Avenue, between East 83rd and 84th Streets, where burgers come just one way— on a potato bun with grilled onions, pickles and house sauce— because that’s the only way you need it.

While it may not have beat out J.G. Melon in votes this time around, 7th Street Burgers has stolen the hearts of non-meat eaters, who can get their double smashed cheeseburger made with plant-based Impossible meat. 

Plus, credit cards and Apple Pay are welcome too.

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Chez Nick

The Burger $21 (includes fries) 

Head to Chez Nick for an elevated burger experience from the Yorkville new American bistro located at 1737 York Avenue, at the corner of East 91st Street. 

The Burger at Chez Nick starts with two premium Pat LaFrieda beef patties seared on the grill and stacked on a toasted brioche bun, then topped with American cheese, grilled onions, kosher pickles, fresh lettuce and their own special sauce. 

Taller than it is wide, this bad boy requires two hands to eat— so keep your napkin handy. Matched with fresh cut french fries sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and herbs, this is the kind of upscale burger plate that dreams are made of.

Cafe D’Alsace

Burger D’Alsace $26 (includes fries)

Another fancy burger has been voted among the best on the Upper East Side, but you wont find it served among American fare— that’s because it’s actually served at the French restaurant Cafe D’Alsace, located at 1703 Second Avenue between East 89th and 90th Streets.

Sharing a menu with French staples like the Croque Madame and the Steak Tartare, the Burger D’Alsace isn’t your standard cheeseburger— for that, look elsewhere. 

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The Burger D’Alsace starts with a toasted brioche bun and comes with a side of fries, just like The Burger at Chez Nick, but that’s where the similarities end. This is a completely different elevated burger experience.

Cafe D’Alsace uses a single, thick and juicy beef patty as the star of the show, then tops it with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and aioli. As for cheese, you wont find American melted on this French burger, but do have a choice of Cheddar, Gruyère, Roquefort or Alsatian Munster on top.

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