The Best Burgers in New Jersey (2026): Sliders to Shore Shacks

The best burgers in New Jersey start with the state's own style, the onion-pressed slider, at White Manna in Hackensack and White Mana in Jersey City. From there, work through old-school cheeseburgers at Krug's Tavern in Newark and Steve's Burgers in Garfield, then head south for Tony Beef and Woodies Drive-In at the Shore.

Below is our roundup, grouped by region. Every spot appeared in recent 2025-2026 coverage. Hours change and some Shore places are seasonal, so check before you drive.

What is a New Jersey slider?

A Jersey slider is a small, griddled burger. The cook presses a ball of beef flat onto a pile of thinly sliced onions, so the onions steam into the patty. It goes on a soft roll, often with American cheese. It's a close cousin of the Oklahoma fried onion burger, but smaller, and most people order several at once.

When you order, look for:

• Onions cooked into the meat: soft and sweet, not raw slices on top.
• A soft, steamed roll: it should squish around the patty. Our guide to burger buns explains why potato rolls work so well.
• Speed: these are cooked in batches on a flat-top, so they come out fast and hot.

North Jersey: the slider joints

• White Manna (Hackensack): a tiny diner on River Street that has been making sliders since 1946. Golf-ball-sized portions of beef are smashed with paper-thin onions on the griddle and served on Martin's potato rolls. It's one of the most famous burger counters in the country and gets busy, so be ready to wait for a stool.
• White Mana (Jersey City): a separate business with a similar name and a similar approach. It serves small, squishy flat-top burgers that are best ordered in multiples. Fans argue about which of the two is better, which is a good excuse to try both.

North Jersey: classic taverns and burger counters

• Krug's Tavern (Newark): a century-old bar and grill best known for one thing, a big, juicy cheeseburger. It's a no-frills neighborhood bar, which is part of the appeal.
• Steve's Burgers (Garfield): a cash-only counter serving hand-formed cheeseburgers. Toppings like bacon, an onion ring and a house sauce build a messier, heartier burger. Bring cash.
• Black Horse Pub (Mendham): a historic pub where a dry-aged cheeseburger started as an off-menu item and became a permanent fixture. It's a good pick if you want a sit-down dinner with your burger.
• The Committed Pig (Morristown, Summit and Manasquan): known for double-patty cheeseburgers made with custom Pat LaFrieda beef. They're big enough to share.
• Diesel and Duke (Montclair and Princeton): a quick-service spot for never-frozen smash burgers and hand-cut fries. If you like crispy edges, read our smash burger vs. regular burger explainer.

Central Jersey

• Sergeantsville Inn (Sergeantsville): a country inn in Hunterdon County serving a simple, house-ground burger made from short rib, chuck and brisket, finished with cheese, onion and mustard. It's a good stop on a drive along the Delaware River.

South Jersey and the Shore

• Tony Beef (Somers Point, Brigantine and Galloway): a South Jersey favorite known for its take on a classic double-decker fast-food burger, with buttery buns and a house special sauce.
• Woodies Drive-In (Ship Bottom): a beach-town drive-in on Long Beach Island. It's known for chopped-meat burgers and over-the-top specials like a patty made with fried mac and cheese. Check the season before you go.

How to plan a New Jersey burger crawl

1. Pair the sliders. Hackensack and Jersey City are close enough to hit White Manna and White Mana on the same day. Order a few sliders at each instead of a full meal.
2. Add a tavern stop. Krug's in Newark works well on the same loop, and New York City is right across the river. Our New York burger crawl and New York City burger guide cover the other side of the Hudson.
3. Save the Shore for summer. Tony Beef and Woodies fit naturally into a beach weekend.
4. Bring cash. Several old-school counters in the state are cash-only or prefer it.

Heading to the southwest part of the state? Philadelphia is a short drive from Camden County. See our Philadelphia burger guide.

Make Jersey-style sliders at home

You don't need a diner griddle. Follow our how to make sliders guide. Slice onions as thin as you can, put a small mound on a hot pan or griddle, set a ball of beef on top and press it flat. Flip once, add American cheese and set the roll on top to steam. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness; our burger temperature guide has the details.

Know a New Jersey burger we missed? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

What burger is New Jersey known for?

The onion-pressed slider: a small beef patty smashed onto thin-sliced onions on a griddle and served on a soft roll. White Manna in Hackensack and White Mana in Jersey City are the best-known places to try it.

Are White Manna and White Mana the same restaurant?

No. They're separate diners, one in Hackensack and one in Jersey City, with similar names and similar sliders. Many burger fans visit both.

Where can I get a good burger at the Jersey Shore?

Tony Beef has locations in Somers Point, Brigantine and Galloway, and Woodies Drive-In is in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island. Some Shore spots keep shorter hours in the off-season.

How many sliders should I order?

Most people order two to four per person, depending on appetite. If you're visiting more than one slider spot in a day, start with two.