Best Late Night Burgers in NYC (Open Past Midnight)
By Brotherly Burgers, July 2026
The best late-night burger in NYC is 7th Street Burger (7.5), not because it's the highest scoring burger on our list, but because it's open until 3 AM, is cheap, and hits better at 1 AM after a few drinks than any $35 burger would. For quality, Lion's Bar (9.0) serves until late in the East Village. These are the burgers available after midnight that we'd actually recommend.
Late-night burger lists usually push you toward sad fast food or nostalgia diners. This list is different: every spot either carries a Burgerverse score or is explicitly marked as "on our radar." No tourist traps.
| # | Restaurant | Score | Price | Neighborhood | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7th Street Burger | 7.5 | $7 | Multiple | Smash |
| 2 | Lion's Bar | 9.0 | $19 | East Village | Tavern-Style |
| 3 | JG Melon | 7.5 | $14.25 | Upper East Side | Classic |
| 4 | Corner Bistro | 6.5 | $16.95 | West Village | Classic |
The Rankings
The undisputed king of late-night burgers in NYC. Open until 3 AM at multiple locations (hours vary by spot), with a cheap double cheeseburger. Is it the best burger in the city? No. It scores 7.5 (Good tier). But at 1 AM, after you've been out for hours, a hot smash burger with melted American cheese and grilled onions at this price is genuinely one of the best things you can eat. This is a late-night burger list, and nothing beats 7th Street at that job.
Price $7
If you want a legitimately great burger late at night, not just a serviceable one, Lion's Bar in the East Village is the play. Hall of Fame tier (9.0) at a bar that serves until late. The quality gap between this and every other late-night option is enormous.
Price $19
Cash-only Upper East Side institution since 1972, open until 3 AM. The burger is a thick, no-frills classic with cottage fries. JG Melon at 2 AM is a rite of passage for UES residents. The melon motif on the walls, the Bloody Marys, the decades of history: this is a vibe more than a burger destination, but the burger holds up.
Price $14.25
On Our Radar
Albany-import smashing grass-fed patties until 2 AM daily. Great late-night option in North Brooklyn that we haven't scored yet.
From the Electric Burrito team. Thin weighted patties (not smashed), hot dogs, and fries with pickle queso until 3 AM on weekends. Under $10.
No-frills East Village counter. Simple, cheap burgers until late. Classic NYC energy.
Open until 2 AM. Upscale late-night dining with a solid burger. More of a full-dinner experience than a quick late-night bite.
The short answer
- Highest ranked here
- Lion's Bar9.0 · #10 citywide
- Score range
- 6.5–9.04 ranked picks
- Price range
- $7–$194 priced
Updated July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best burger open late in NYC?›
7th Street Burger is the best late-night burger option: open until 3 AM at multiple locations with a solid, cheap smash burger. For higher quality, Lion's Bar (9.0) in the East Village serves until late.
Where can I get a burger after midnight in NYC?›
7th Street Burger (until 3 AM), JG Melon (until 3 AM), Corner Bistro (until 4 AM Fri/Sat), and Herbie's in Williamsburg (until 2 AM) all serve burgers past midnight.
What is the best burger in the East Village late at night?›
Lion's Bar (9.0) serves late and has the best quality. 7th Street Burger's East Village location is open until 3 AM on weekends for a cheap smash burger option.
Is JG Melon open late?›
Yes, JG Melon on the Upper East Side is open until 3 AM. Cash only. Their cheeseburger and cottage fries are a classic late-night NYC meal.
All scores are from the Burgerverse ranking system, based on Brotherly Burgers' reviews of 102 ranked NYC burgers. Scores use a 0-10 scale with decimal precision.