Best Burgers in the East Village, Ranked

Nowon is a Pantheon-tier burger in a neighborhood full of good ones. The kimchi double smash is the signature: caramelized kimchi griddled directly into the patty, gochujang-kissed American cheese, all on a sesame milk bun. The Korean influence isn't a gimmick; it's a genuine flavor innovation that makes every other smash burger taste incomplete by comparison. Old-school rap and hip-hop on the speakers, disco ball overhead.

Hall of Fame tier at a neighborhood bar price. Lion's Bar doesn't get the Instagram hype of some West Village spots, but the burger is objectively better than most of them. Well-executed patty, good cheese, and a setting that feels like your favorite local bar, because it is. The best quality-to-price ratio of any burger in the East Village.

Virginia's is the East Village neighborhood restaurant that's best known for its burger, and for good reason. The patty is thick and well-seasoned, topped with Cabot cheddar, onion marmalade, and marrow aioli. Available at both brunch and dinner. The optional bacon and egg add-ons are worth it.

The East Village shop is a useful counter-service choice for a simple, inexpensive smashburger. Its late-night schedule varies by day, so use the branch-specific hours below rather than assuming every night runs until 3 a.m.