Portrait Bar

Portrait Bar is a cocktail bar with one of the coolest rooms in New York, and the burger is not an afterthought.

The cheddar was the standout supporting component. It added saltiness and umami that pulled even more beef flavor out of the patty. Instead of taking the burger in a different direction, it made the entire bite feel richer and more intensely savory.

The bun deserves credit too. Brioche can become overly sweet and start fighting with a rich burger. This one stayed complementary and allowed the beef and cheddar to remain the focus.

The missing component was onion. The burger had beef, cheese, sauce, and soft bread, but it needed one sharp interruption to reset the palate between bites. That is really the entire criticism. The patty was cooked well, the seasoning was right, the cheddar made the beef taste better, and the bun understood its role.

Derek has been at least three times. Nick has had it once, in December 2025. The most recent visit was in June 2026, and the burger has continued to earn the recommendation.

Portrait Bar also has some of the best atmosphere of any bar we have visited. It is dark, wood-paneled, filled with portraits, and built around a carved fireplace inside The Fifth Avenue Hotel, where Andrew Carmellini oversees the food and Darryl Chan runs the bar. The room feels closer to an extremely wealthy person's private drawing room than a standard hotel bar.

The burger is fantastic. The fact that you get to eat it in that room makes the entire thing even better.

Portrait Bar separates itself through strong patty execution and the way its clothbound cheddar reinforces the beef. The bun complements the rich construction without adding excessive sweetness.

The missing element is a sharper source of acidity, which would give the burger more contrast and make the complete balance feel more resolved.