Every now and then, the stars align and Peaches makes it back to the East Coast. She’s one of those friends I don’t get to see nearly enough, so when she does roll through, it always turns into a proper feast. This time, we kicked things off at Minetta Tavern , a New York institution and home to one of my top 10 burgers.
Burgers
Now, Minetta is all about two burgers: the classic cheeseburger and the famous Black Label burger. I’ll be honest — the Black Label doesn’t do it for me. It’s rich, truffle-heavy, and has a bit of that “trying too hard” vibe. We ordered one anyway, along with a classic, and the whole table agreed: old school wins every time. Pair it with their fries, keep it simple, and you’ll see why it makes my top list year after year.
The Steaks and Apps
Beyond the burgers, we went big. The barley risotto with truffles was creamy and rich (I like mine a little softer, but still solid). The bone marrow? Always a must-order — three hearty portions with bread that’s dangerously good on its own. For the main event, the ribeye came out perfectly seared, juicy, and cooked just right, so everyone at the table found their sweet spot. Dessert was coconut cake, which was fine but not life-changing. Next time, I’d go for something tart or more classic.
The vibes at Minetta are pure old-school New York. Think 1940s-50s steakhouse energy-packed room, framed vintage photos, buzzing conversations, martinis flowing without pause. Service was sharp, our waiter nailed it, though one cranky manager could’ve used a nap (or maybe a cocktail himself). Still, when a place serves one of the best burgers in the city and nails the ribeye like that, you forgive the little things.
Thoughts
Minetta Tavern is a place you go when you want tradition, flavor, and a hit of that old New York feel. The burger stays undefeated, the night was a win, and this was only Part 1 of Peaches’ NYC adventure.
Follow the full adventure:
Part 1: Minetta Tavern
Part 2: Dear Strangers & The Spaniard
Part 3: Frank
Part 4: Bar Snack, Lost Paradise, Don Chicken Manhattan & il laboratorio del gelato
Look, I’m just a Fat Guy from Brooklyn giving you my two cents. If you want more Top 10s—steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it—click the words and keep going.