Most Underrated Burger Spots in NYC
Some burger spots in New York City become famous because they go viral.
Others become neighborhood institutions because the food is actually worth obsessing over.
Harlem Shake® falls into the second category.
While tourists wait in massive lines downtown for whatever burger is trending on TikTok that week, locals have quietly been heading uptown for years to grab one of the most satisfying burgers in NYC. Since opening in Central Harlem in 2013, Harlem Shake® has built a reputation as a true neighborhood burger spot — the kind of place people recommend with confidence when friends ask where they should actually eat in New York.
Not where influencers are filming. Not where the hype machine is strongest. Where the food consistently hits.
That is what makes Harlem Shake® one of the most underrated burger spots in NYC.
Why Harlem Shake® Stands Out in NYC’s Burger Scene
New York has no shortage of burgers. There are smashburger spots on every corner now, gourmet burger restaurants trying to reinvent the wheel, and fast-casual chains chasing the next food trend. A lot of them start blending together after a while.
Harlem Shake® feels different immediately. Part of it is the atmosphere. The restaurant has the energy of a classic New York neighborhood burger joint mixed with old-school diner nostalgia, hip-hop culture, and the unmistakable personality of Harlem itself. Nothing about it feels manufactured for tourists. It feels rooted in the community around it.
The other reason is simple: the burgers are genuinely excellent.
Harlem Shake® uses a custom Pat LaFrieda beef blend made from chuck, rib, and brisket, smashed on the griddle until the edges develop that crispy lace texture burger fans obsess over. The patties stay juicy in the center, the cheese melts perfectly into the beef, and the buttery Martin’s potato rolls somehow manage to hold everything together without falling apart halfway through the meal.
It is the kind of burger experience that reminds you why New York takes burgers so seriously in the first place.
The Hot Mess Burger Deserves the Hype
If there is one burger that perfectly captures why Harlem Shake® has developed such a loyal following, it is the Hot Mess Burger.
The name alone tells you what you are getting into.
Two smashed beef patties layered with American cheese, smoky chipotle mayo, and Harlem Shake®’s signature pickled cherry pepper and bacon relish. The first bite hits with a smoky, salty, spicy, tangy flavor all at once. The relish cuts through the richness just enough to keep the burger balanced while the chipotle mayo brings everything together.
It is messy in the exact way a great burger should be.
The cheese drips. The bun soaks up the juices. The crispy beef edges crunch underneath the softness of the potato roll.
This is not one of those carefully stacked gourmet burgers that looks better than it tastes. The Hot Mess Burger feels indulgent, comforting, and unapologetically over-the-top without becoming gimmicky.
That balance is hard to pull off, which is why so many people walk away calling it one of the best burgers in Harlem.
A Burger Spot That Actually Feels Like NYC
One of the reasons Harlem Shake® continues building such a strong local following is because it still feels deeply connected to New York City itself.
The Harlem location captures everything people love about uptown Manhattan. There is music playing, people hanging out over burgers and shakes, families stopping in after school, friends grabbing late-night food after a night out, and tourists stumbling into what becomes one of their favorite meals of the trip.
You are minutes from landmarks like the Apollo Theater and Marcus Garvey Park, but Harlem Shake® never feels like a tourist trap trying to capitalize on the neighborhood. It feels like part of the neighborhood.
That authenticity matters in a city where so many restaurants now feel designed more for social media than actual dining experiences.
Brooklyn Locals Already Know
The Park Slope Brooklyn location has developed the same kind of following.
Brooklyn has become one of the most competitive food scenes in the country, especially when it comes to burgers, but Harlem Shake® stands out because it focuses on substance over hype. The Downtown Brooklyn and Park Slope crowd has embraced the restaurant for the same reason Harlem did: the food is consistently good, the atmosphere feels welcoming, and nothing about it feels forced.
People come for burgers before concerts at Barclays Center. Families stop in after Prospect Park. Friends meet for fries, shakes, and burgers on weekends.
It feels like the type of place that has always been there, which is exactly what Harlem Shake® intended when creating the Brooklyn location.
The Milkshakes Are Part of the Experience
You cannot talk about Harlem Shake® without talking about the shakes.
A lot of burger restaurants treat milkshakes like a side item. Harlem Shake® treats them like part of the main event.
Made with Blue Marble ice cream and premium ingredients, the shakes lean fully into nostalgic New York diner energy while still feeling unique to the restaurant itself. The signature Harlem Shake® — featuring red velvet cake sourced from a local Harlem bakery — has become one of the restaurant’s most iconic menu items for good reason.
Pairing a smashburger with crispy fries and a thick milkshake honestly feels like the perfect NYC comfort food meal.
Why Harlem Shake® Has Stayed Underrated
Truthfully, Harlem Shake® probably should not still be considered underrated.
The restaurant has been featured by major food publications, built a loyal local following, and consistently delivers some of the best burgers in Harlem and Brooklyn. But compared to the endless hype surrounding trendy downtown burger spots, Harlem Shake® still somehow feels like a hidden gem.
Maybe that is because it never chased trends. It did not build itself around viral moments or over-the-top gimmicks. Instead, Harlem Shake® focused on creating a restaurant people genuinely wanted to come back to again and again.
That approach built something more valuable than hype: real loyalty. And in New York City, that is usually the clearest sign a restaurant is doing something right.
FAQs About Harlem Shake®
What makes Harlem Shake® one of the most underrated burger spots in NYC?
Harlem Shake® stands out because of its high-quality smash burgers, authentic neighborhood atmosphere, custom Pat LaFrieda beef blend, and strong connection to Harlem and Brooklyn culture.
What is the Hot Mess Burger at Harlem Shake®?
The Hot Mess Burger features two smashed beef patties, American cheese, chipotle mayo, and Harlem Shake®’s signature pickled cherry pepper and bacon relish on a Martin’s potato roll.
Does Harlem Shake® have locations in Harlem and Brooklyn?
Yes. Harlem Shake® has locations in Central Harlem and Park Slope Brooklyn.
What kind of beef does Harlem Shake® use?
Harlem Shake® uses a custom Pat LaFrieda blend of chuck, rib, and brisket for its burgers.
Are Harlem Shake® milkshakes made with real ice cream?
Yes. Harlem Shake®’s shakes are made with Blue Marble ice cream and premium ingredients, including locally sourced products in some signature shakes.
Is Harlem Shake® worth visiting for tourists in NYC?
Absolutely. Harlem Shake® offers a more authentic NYC burger experience than many tourist-heavy chain restaurants while still delivering gourmet-quality burgers, fries, and shakes.
