Updated at: 09-06-2023 - By: Craig Huey

The Mile Square City has a lot of great burger joints, so picking the best one can be difficult. While we are well-versed in the standards, we figured it would be fun to explore some uncharted burger territory and map it out. Unique burger options in Hoboken are detailed below.

The Blue Elk at Bareburger | 515 Washington Street

Bareburger is well-liked by diners, especially vegans and vegetarians, because the restaurant supports local farmers and artisans while serving up inventive and environmentally friendly takes on American fast food standards like burgers, french fries, and salads. The Blue Elk Burger at Bareburger is a standout among the restaurant’s many one-of-a-kind offerings due to its combination of elk patty, Amish bleu cheese, black forest bacon, caramelized onions, and tomato fig jam on a sprout bun. The Blue Elk satisfies the cravings of those with a more adventurous palate and a penchant for game meat, but it isn’t for everyone.

The Blackened Tuna Burger at Grand Vin | 500 Grand Street

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Grand Vin has quickly become a staple of Hoboken’s food scene. The menu features innovative takes on traditional Italian fare (their fried Cajun calamari is a personal favorite), and the upscale but homey rustic atmosphere is perfect for sipping wine or enjoying a craft beer. Although there are many delicious options on Grand Vin’s brunch menu, including many of the restaurant’s signature dishes, the Blackened Tuna Burger stands out as a truly original and impossible-to-resist offering. Pan-seared tuna is served on a seven-grain bun with avocado, chipotle mayo, and mixed greens, and it is sure to please seafood lovers everywhere. Plus, we’ve included a side of our homemade truffle fries because, well, why not?

Additional Reading: The Finest Vegan Patties in Hudson County

The Mac Cheese Burger at The Ainsworth | 310 Sinatra Drive

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When discussing Instagram-worthy restaurants, we simply could not leave out The Ainsworth, which serves up delicious fare from brunch to dinner and offers breathtaking views of the cityscape. This all-inclusive hangout has outposts in both New York City and Las Vegas, where you can enjoy the same loungey atmosphere and creative takes on traditional bar fare and casino drinks.tsnack on some sweet tea wings, candied bacon, and frozen lemonade mules. We always have our eye on the Mac Cheese Burger, which is served on a fresh sesame seed bun and consists of a juicy beef patty topped with perfectly crispy but somehow also creamy panko-crusted mac cheese.

The Bohemian “Burger” at The Madison | 1316 Washington Street

We haven’t forgotten that vegetarians occasionally crave a burger that can hold its own as the main course. Madison’s new Bohemian Burger features a three-bean quinoa veggie patty, arugula, parmesan cheese, and cranberry aioli on a brioche bun. Extra benefit? The restaurant serves this dish, along with a wide variety of other traditional American fare and cocktails, for all three of its meal service times: brunch, lunch, and dinner.

The Ragin’ Cajun at Onieal’s | 343 Park Avenue

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The best burgers in Hoboken can be found at Onieal’s, a downtown institution of an Irish pub where “everybody knows your name” and the food is surprisingly good. One of the hardest parts about eating here is deciding what to get, especially from the extensive menu of mouthwatering burgers. If you’re looking for something more traditional, go with the Onieal’s Famous; if you’re craving something a little more out of the ordinary, we recommend the Ragin’ Cajun. This Cajun-seasoned burger is topped with jack cheese, crispy onions, and remoulade, and served with a side of their signature homemade fries. Looking to remove the punch? Onieal’s menu also features a veggie option and a long list of optional toppings for those who want to make their burger as unique as they are.

The Breakfast Burger at The Shepherd The Knucklehead |1313 Willow Avenue

When the Shep says it has a “legendary” dedication to serving high-quality beer, it means it. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with a casual steakhouse vibe, and boasts 60 taps of rotating microbrews in addition to wines by the glass, a fully stocked bar, and a menu of wine and beer pairings. There is a wide selection of delicious pub food available for diners (and drinkers) to choose from, such as several different kinds of half-pound Angus burgers with hand-cut fries. For a change, what do we recommend most? We’re going with the classic Breakfast Burger, which features bacon, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg, because what other tasty toppings could you possibly want on a breakfast burger?

Check This Out: Top Restaurants in Hoboken for Avocado Toast

The Burger Melt at Tenth Willow | 935 Willow Avenue

It’s not necessary to provide much background information for Tenth Willow, just as there was for the Madison. This historic restaurant has been serving “elevated pub grub” and a vibrant social scene that begins every weekend on Thursday nights with half-priced martinis and culminates with a Sunday Funday that can hold its own against the best brunches in town for quite some time. In between martinis or mimosas, you’ll probably be hungry, and the Burger Melt is a great choice if you’re looking for something different to eat. This unique take on the classic patty melt features Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and onions between two slices of fresh rye bread.

The Arthur’s Burger at Arthur’s | 237 Washington Street

We admit that Arthur’s Burger isn’t the most original option here or anywhere else, but just like Onieal’s, it’s impossible to make a list of the best burgers in town and leave out Arthur’s. The perfectly marbled, enormous steaks and delicious garlic bread at this self-proclaimed “landmark” restaurant are unrivaled, but the burgers are also excellent. Arthur’s “monstrous” burger is an all-time favorite, featuring ground beef cooked to order, plus lettuce, tomato, onion, and a side of fries.

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Elizabeth teaches English to students with special needs and those who are particularly talented at a school in lower Manhattan. Elizabeth has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The New School and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from William Paterson University. She took a brief, restorative break in Jersey City before making the move back to Hoboken. During the summer months when she is not working as a teacher, tutor, or nanny, she can be found working out at one of the many fitness studios in Hoboken and JC that she has joined through the ever-growing ClassPass service, or, more likely, gorging herself at one of her favorite local establishments, Onieal”s or Southouse. She, like all the other local plebeians, would never refuse an eyebrow threading or a glass of rosé served at just the right temperature.