When discussing food in New Jersey, the usual suspects come up: pizza, bagels, and Taylor Ham. However, NJ has no shortage of legendary burgers to choose from. Whether it’s places dating back to the 1930s or new-school spots opening in the last decade, it’s time Jersey’s service to hamburger excellence was recognized. Whether you prefer lacy smashburgers, thick butcher shop patties, or something in between, there’s a hamburger for everyone. These are the best burgers you’ll find in North Jersey.
Where to Find the Best Burgers in North Jersey
Krug’s Tavern – Newark
Krug’s Tavern, which opened in March 1932, is over 90 years old. For nearly a century, Krug’s has been the spot in Newark for drinks, watching the game, and, of course, its legendary burgers. A thick, freshly ground patty, seared on a flat-top and served on a soft, sesame-laden bun, is a fair reminder that while there might be impersonators, there is only one original.
Eighty Twenty – Westwood
At one point, Eighty Twenty was just a pop-up burger stand that would sell out weekly. However, since opening a brick-and-mortar last year, the burger joint has quickly established itself as one of NJ’s best smashburger spots. Eighty Twenty’s claim to fame is its signature-style burger: a thin-smashed 80/20 patty, sweet onions, American cheese, house-made Mandy Sauce, and a sweet, pillow-like potato bun. They’re not afraid to think outside the box, with smashed veggie burgers and confit-pork-topped burgers to boot.
Black Sheep Bar and Provisions – Garwood
Chef Nick DeRosa has a secret: the family-run butcher shop, F.A. DeRosa, that provides much of the meat for the Garwood restaurant. On the menu, this is perhaps most evident in the humble cheeseburger—Black Sheep’s version is simple on the surface, but hits all the notes of what a good burger should be. It’s DeRosa’s platonic ideal of a cheeseburger: a juicy, dry-aged Prime beef patty, melty American cheese, shingles of thin-sliced pickles, burger sauce, and a soft sesame bun. It’s perfect. Visually cartoon-like. And it’s not just the appearance that will keep you coming back. It’s one of the best damn burgers in the state.
During happy hour, Black Sheep offers a 4-oz. burger with the same fixings. Make it a double if you must (you must).
The Riverside Inn – Cranford
This classic Cranford dive bar dishes out the epitome of a no-frills burger. It’s not the most impressive offering in Jersey, but it’s consistently delicious, cheap, and served in an unbeatable bar atmosphere. Riverside’s burger uses hand-formed beef, griddled on a plancha, and served simply on a Kaiser roll—I like to get mine with bacon and American cheese. Paired with a cold PBR and a jukebox blasting The Strokes, it’s basically the greatest handheld meal you could ask for.
Burgerstrasse – Clifton and East Rutherford
In 2018, Burgerstrasse began selling burgers from its tiny shop in Clifton, NJ. Some years later, it’s still the place to go in Passaic County for thin, smash-style patties. Freshly ground beef is smashed on a scorching-hot griddle to create the unctuously crispy, lacy texture that has become so desired in the burger world over the past decade. Quality ingredients, cooked perfectly every time, make the Burgerstrasse motto—where it’s real—ring true.
Westwood Prime Meats – Westwood
Years ago, when I was still bartending up in Westwood, a man came and sat in front of me. We quickly got on the topic of burgers, and he made a declaration: “Westwood Prime Meats has the best burger in town,” he told me. Ten minutes later, he admitted it was his own butcher shop. Biased? Maybe. Justified? Absolutely. It’s the kind of no-frills, butcher shop cheeseburger that lets the quality do the talking. Where the shop really shines is in the options. Westwood Prime Meats offers three distinct burger blends for you to choose from: Steak Blend (ground chuck and round), SSB (short rib, sirloin, brisket), and Dry-Aged (35-day-aged rib deckle). Pick a classic burger or more inventive options like the French Onion, choose your patty blend, and get ready for a transcendent burger experience.
Summit House – Summit
When walking into the beautiful space that is Summit House, a burger might be the last thing you expect to enjoy as dry-aged tomahawks and grand seafood towers fly by. However, Summit House—one of New Jersey’s top 30 restaurants—serves what is essentially the ideal upscale cheeseburger. For lunch only, diners can enjoy a hand-formed, griddled patty topped with whatever the current offering is. Maybe it’s melted Gruyère, caramelized onions, and a spread of truffle aioli, or something a little more out there, like poblano and five-year cheddar. This luxury burger brings serious flavor to the party.
Steve’s Burgers – Garfield
This roadside stand in Garfield, NJ, was put on the map by its six-ounce chuck patties and the array of toppings guests can choose to pair with them. Owner Steve Chrisomalis Jr. is constantly reinventing the wheel with his burger creations, which is why Steve’s has garnered a cult following since opening over 10 years ago. Steve’s is also known for cheesesteaks, fries, and shakes, but it’s the burgers that are the namesake.
Diesel and Duke – Montclair and Jersey City
Diesel and Duke broke the Jersey burger scene over a decade ago when they originally opened in Montclair, and since then have maintained the consistency and innovation that brought them fame in the first place. Diesel specializes in griddle-style patties that are packed with flavor. The namesake Diesel Burger comes loaded with two patties, onion rings, jalapeños, caramelized onions, cheddar, BBQ sauce, and chipotle mayo. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the S.P.B.B. burger, which features a fresh-cooked beef patty, Sriracha, peanut butter, and bacon. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.
New Park Tavern – Jersey City
This classic dive bar offers what many consider to be Jersey City’s best burger—and one of the best in New Jersey. The menu is brief, written on a chalkboard: “Burger. Corned Beef. Taylor Ham. Virginia Ham. Turkey Club. Hot Dog. BLT. Fries.” We’re here for the burger, obviously. And it’s the archetypal American cheeseburger, at that: a thick, juicy patty, crisp lettuce and tomato, sliced red onion, and cheese, all on a poppy-seeded kaiser roll. Maybe some crispy bacon if you’re feeling daring. Whatever you choose, it’s the kind of old-school burger that will ground you. One bite and you’re transported to a simpler time. A simpler decade, perhaps. That’s what great burgers do.
White Manna – Hackensack
This small roadside shack has been serving hamburger sliders in Hackensack, NJ, for nearly 80 years. The signature slider at White Manna features a freshly ground beef patty cooked with onions and cheese, then sandwiched between a steamed Martin’s Potato Bun. It’s a classic New Jersey institution and was highly praised by New Jersey native, the late Anthony Bourdain, on his show No Reservations.
White Mana – Jersey City
No, I didn’t accidentally list the same spot twice. In fact, White Mana in Jersey City, NJ, is the original Jersey slider joint, and conversations about which spot is best have been the subject of stark debate for years. The truth is, both serve a remarkably similar product in a remarkably similar atmosphere. That’s because, although independently operated today, both were founded within weeks of each other in 1946 by Louis Bridges. One less “n” in the name was not intentional—it was the result of an error when making the sign. The mistake stuck and has served as a distinction between the two ever since.
The answer to “which is best?” usually comes down to which Man(n)a someone grew up on. So, try both, and decide for yourself who serves the best sliders in the state.
130 Shop – Tenafly
What happens when one of New Jersey’s best steakhouses opens a fast-casual sandwich spot? You get an excellent burger experience, obviously. The 130 Burger sits somewhere between classic fast-food style and elevated burger excellence. Two house-blend burger patties, two slices of American cheese, a layer of shingled pickles, crunchy raw onion, and creamy dijonaise. The best part? That might just be the bacon. Forget a pile of crunchy bacon cooked hours ago and held in a drawer—130 Shop instead adds a slab of steakhouse-style bacon to its burger. Thick, meaty, smoky—it’s the perfect complement to two juicy beef patties. It’s one of those burgers that asks you to ignore the mix of beef juice, bacon fat, and burger sauce dripping down your arms. But let’s be honest… are you even mad about it?
The Corner – Montclair
The Corner isn’t just about fluffy pancakes—they offer a burger that is seriously good. Reminiscent of NYC’s best steakhouse burgers, The Corner sears a thick, all-beef patty on a ripping-hot plancha, allowing a deeply rich, crispy crust to form on the outside while retaining the rosy, beefy juices inside. Cheddar cheese, a brioche bun, and shoestring fries round out what is one of North Jersey’s most pleasant burger experiences.
Dan & Day’s – Upper Montclair
Dan & Day’s serves mouthwatering smashburgers out of their Upper Montclair shop. The owners ran a Montclair favorite, Stuffed Grassfed Burger,s for years before closing in 2024. The team decided not only to move locations but also to shake up the concept a tad (or a lot). Instead of thick, stuffed burgers as they served at the predecessor, Dan & Day’s specializes in thinner-style patties. It proves that, when it comes to burgers, they’re no one-trick pony. Pair it with hand-cut fries and shakes, and you’ve got what is quickly becoming one of North Jersey’s best burger experiences.
Tierney’s Tavern – Montclair
At Tierney’s, the old-school décor and cold beers have kept Montclair patrons coming back since 1934, but the hamburgers are just as much a reason to visit this Jersey relic. A thick patty is seasoned and griddled to juicy perfection before being served on a toasted bun with cheese, creating an unforgettable rendition of the classic. This is a burger that brings you back to a simpler time—there’s no other way to put it.
For regulars and aficionados alike, there’s another burger at Tierney’s worth trying: the Buddy Burger, named after the late great Edward ‘Buddy’ Tierney. This off-menu staple features the same classic burger that customers have grown to love, but is griddled with a heaping mound of thinly sliced onions on top. The onions melt into the meat and caramelize on the outside. Buddy would make this burger for himself but shared the secret with regulars. Today, it stands as an homage to his hospitality. You won’t see it on the menu, but just ask—they’ll know.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
