A New York Burger Crawl: 4 Downtown Stops You Can Walk

The best downtown New York burger crawl links four very different burgers on one walk: Hamburger America and Raoul's in SoHo, Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village and 7th Street Burger in the East Village. The full route is roughly 1.5 to 2 miles on foot. You won't finish four burgers, so split each one or order a single at every stop.

The route at a glance

1. Hamburger America, SoHo (MacDougal Street at Houston): fried onion and smash burgers.
2. Raoul's, SoHo (Prince Street): a peppercorn-crusted bistro burger, a few blocks east.
3. Minetta Tavern, Greenwich Village (MacDougal Street): the dry-aged splurge, a short walk north.
4. 7th Street Burger, East Village (East 7th Street): a fast, cheap smash burger to finish, about a mile east.

Distances are approximate. If your feet give out, the subway or a short cab ride covers the longest leg.

Before you go: planning tips

• Time it right. Raoul's and Minetta Tavern are sit-down restaurants with busier dinner hours, while Hamburger America and 7th Street Burger are quick counters. A late-afternoon start usually works well. Check each spot's current hours before you set out.
• Pace yourself. Two people splitting four burgers is about right. Skip the fries until the last stop.
• Weekdays are easier. Lines and waits tend to be longest on weekend evenings.
• Bring a backup plan. Some of these burgers are made in limited numbers, so have an alternate stop in mind (see the end of this guide).

Stop 1: Hamburger America

Start with burger history. Hamburger America is the SoHo counter from burger historian George Motz, opened in late 2023. The menu is short: a classic smash burger and an Oklahoma-style fried onion burger, with thin onions pressed into the patty on the flat-top, plus a rotating regional burger that changes each month. Order the fried onion burger, single, so you have room for the rest. Curious about the style? Read our Oklahoma fried onion burger guide.

Stop 2: Raoul's

A few blocks east, Raoul's has been a SoHo bistro since 1975. Its Burger au Poivre, with a peppercorn crust, is famous partly because it's hard to get: it has traditionally been served in limited numbers and only at the bar. Arrive early in the evening for the best chance. If it's gone, have a drink, soak up the room and move on.

Stop 3: Minetta Tavern

The splurge. Minetta Tavern, a Greenwich Village tavern dating to 1937, serves the Black Label Burger, made from a custom dry-aged beef blend from Pat LaFrieda and topped with caramelized onions. There's also a more classic Minetta Burger with cheddar. Tables are hard to book, so try for a seat at the bar early or late. Want to understand why dry-aged beef tastes so different? See our guide to dry-aged beef burgers.

Stop 4: 7th Street Burger

Finish with something fast and cheap at the original 7th Street Burger, which opened on East 7th Street in 2021 and has since grown into a chain with dozens of locations. The format is simple: smash burgers on potato rolls with American cheese, grilled onions, pickles and house sauce. It's a good chance to compare a modern smash burger against the thicker, more expensive burgers from the last two stops. Our smash burger vs. regular burger guide explains the difference.

Backup and bonus stops

• Nowon, East Village: a Korean-American spot near 7th Street Burger, known for a double smashed cheeseburger with kimchi. It landed on a 2026 global best-burgers list.
• J.G. Melon, Upper East Side: not walkable from this route, but worth a separate trip for one of the city's classic pub burgers. It's cash only.

For more options, browse our picks for the best smash burgers in New York City and the best gourmet burgers in New York City.

What to order at each stop

• Hamburger America: a single fried onion burger with cheese. Come back another day for the monthly regional special.
• Raoul's: the Burger au Poivre if it's available, plus a drink at the bar.
• Minetta Tavern: the Black Label Burger if you want the splurge, or the Minetta Burger if you'd rather save room.
• 7th Street Burger: a single cheeseburger, and fries if you have any appetite left.

Splitting is the key to finishing the route. Ask for a burger to be cut in half at the counter stops, and share at the sit-down ones. Drink water between stops, and walk the longer leg to the East Village slowly. By the time you reach East 7th Street, you'll be ready for one last small burger.

Crawl variations

• Budget crawl: Hamburger America and 7th Street Burger only. Add Nowon for a third.
• Splurge crawl: Raoul's and Minetta Tavern, with a sit-down dinner at one of them.
• Smash-only crawl: Hamburger America's classic smash, 7th Street Burger and Nowon, all quick counter-style stops.

Want the full list? See our best burgers in New York City guide or explore the burger map.

FAQ

How long does this burger crawl take?

Plan on three to four hours, including walking, waits and eating. Bar seating at Raoul's and Minetta Tavern can add time on busy nights.

Can I do the crawl with kids?

The counter stops are easy with kids. Raoul's burger is served at the bar, so that stop works best for adults.

Which stop should I skip if I'm full?

Raoul's is the easiest to drop, since its burger isn't always available. Hamburger America and Minetta Tavern are the two most distinctive stops.

What's the cheapest stop?

7th Street Burger and Hamburger America are the most affordable. Minetta Tavern's Black Label Burger is the priciest.

Do I need reservations?

Not for the counter spots. At Raoul's and Minetta Tavern, bar seats are the usual way to get the burgers, so arriving early or late helps more than a booking.