Founded in 1972 by Jack O'Neill and George Melon, J.G. Melon is a legendary Upper East Side saloon and an undeniable cornerstone of New York City's burger scene. With its signature green-and-white checkered tablecloths, dark wood panels, watermelon-themed artwork, and strict cash-only policy, the pub offers a timeless, no-frills neighborhood atmosphere. Over the decades, it has amassed significant accolades--frequently named among the Best Burgers in NYC by Eater, The Infatuation, and New York Magazine, famously cited by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as serving "the best hamburger in the world," and praised by Anthony Bourdain as an essential New York institution. Using their exact menu terminology, here is how the food breaks down: Bacon Cheeseburger: Their iconic, thick beef patty broiled to order and served on a toasted bun with melted American cheese and crispy bacon, accompanied on the side by raw red onions and thick-cut pickle chips. Chili: Served by the cup or bowl, this rich, comforting house-made beef chili comes topped with chopped raw onions and melted American cheese--a classic, warm opener that pairs perfectly with an order of their signature Cottage Fried Potatoes. Service is fast, efficient, and classic old-school New York. Between the cold beers on tap, award-winning burgers, and nostalgic saloon vibe, J.G. Melon remains an essential Manhattan stop. read more

See all

A relative who lives in NYC recommended this diner/bar-vibe restaurant to us. I loved how they are able to keep prices relatively low! They are also a cash-only establishment. I got the cheeseburger, which was delicious. If I lived closer, I would come back for sure. It can get very busy and it is a compact restaurant. When seats are filled, there is little walking room because the tables are set up to maximize space. That being said, they do have a small restroom available. read more

J.G. Melon - cheeseburgers and fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

Guess what? I Chat GP'ed this place- asking for something NYC authentic and not all touristy and annoying- so this was a big rec. my teens and I are competing and we see who can find the best eats whilst out of town. They gave the cheeseburger a 10 out of 10. It was great. Perfect portions and great atmosphere! I had a BLT and subbed the mayo for butter. It was perfect! The waiter was perfect- but, if you are one of those people that needs the wait staff to ask you all kinds of dumb questions and build reppport-this place isn't for you- because after all that is NOT real- NYC. The waiter was kind and efficient! Just my style. 10/10 on the burgers according to my teenagers. Teens are huge critics so this is a huge compliment. If I lived here- the bar would be one of my go-to's! Thanks JG! Xoxoxo read more

Came here for dinner on a week night. Place was packed! Cash only. Quick service. No frills burgers. I got the cheese burger, nothing fancy. A decent sized patty with melted cheese. Onions and pickles come in the side and a plain toasted bun. They have fries that are shaped like potato chips which were great. The apple pie that they have for dessert was prob the best apple pie I ever had in my life. I would go back for that apple pie for sure. Husband got the bloody Bull and that tasted good too. read more

Popped in for a quick dinner and had an overall good experience. The burger was good, but honestly nothing too special, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. The service was fantastic and the old-school ambiance is really cool. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the neighborhood, but I don't think it's worth traveling across the city for. read more

J.G. Melon - Bacon Cheeseburger & Fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

An old timey New York icon of a bar, gets crossed off my bucket list, finally. I will never beat Bobby Flay, but did try his childhood burger joint. I parked myself at the bar as patrons were leaving midday on a sunny May Day Friday. Lines of folks were outside waiting to get in to this very popular place. A noice burger it is. Served on a bed of raw red onion and sliced pickles. I would have liked it more if it was juicier, tho. The "cottage fries" were crinkle cut like the pickles were, and they thankfully were thin, crisp not salty or greasy. Kitty stopped by to serve up my burger. I am not much of a bar guy, to be honest. Never got to know a Norm. Looked to be filled with locals as the person seated at the bar stool next to me called our bartender by name "Bobby". That bar has seen a lot of NewYorkers over the years. Did not appear to be any tourists. A fun experience for me. read more

J.G. Melon - A nice burger with cottage fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Cuisine: 7 Service: 7 Decor: 7 Value: 7 Overall: 7 Established 1972 in the Upper East Side, this old school restaurant is an institution for burger lovers. I haven't been in a while, but made a pitstop recently. Nothing has changed except for the prices. Same decor since my first visit during college. Same down to earth servers doing their thing. And the same pub style burger that made them famous is still a joy. I hope this place never change. read more

J.G. Melon - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

Walked in for a late lunch around 3ish on a Wednesday afternoon. One of my favorite cheeseburgers in NYC area served with dill pickles and raw red onions. Their cottage fried potatoes are one of my best choices to pair with the burger. Their melon decor is something that is just so very quirky and quaint for as long as I've been coming here. I love the "old school" cozy feel and charm like the tin ceilings painted over in watermelon pink, the stained glass window preserved in their decor and the wood bar. I did not get to finish with their delicious sour cream apple pie, however, I highly recommend it. read more

See all

It was a bright, sunny early evening. Possibility rang in the air for basketball games have been played; the Knicks had won three, the Spurs one. Later that night the Knicks were to make history well history since in the 1970s. Yes, children, I'm telling you the story of the night I had the best hamburger I've ever had. And the best cottage fries, which are very rare. In fact this might be the first time I've ever had cottage fries in a restaurant. J G Melon does not disappoint, and the prices are unbelievably reasonable. It is cash only. It has some very unusual things on the menu such as Cornish game hen. It also has a lots of salads and some very delicious sounding desserts, but I did not try any. The inside of the rest of the iconic tavern is classic New York City. I highly recommend a visit. Oh- and great bartender too. Excellent margarita read more

See all

Walk-in only neighborhood classic on the Upper East Side. Known for their burgers and old school vibe with the paper menus and cash only service. Often rumored to be one of the best burgers in NYC, but I believe many better options are available. Still worth checking out if you can grab a table! read more

J.G. Melon - Cheeseburger & Cottage Fried Potatoes & Cosmopolitan - American Near Me - New York, New York

JG Melon is a quintessential New York institution, with an iconic burger, wonderfully old-school atmosphere, and the kind of timeless character that can't be manufactured. Unpretentious, lively, and endlessly charming, it remains one of the great neighborhood restaurants in the city. read more

I had passed by this old cash-only relic of a restaurant a handful of times, usually after going into Central Park or something similar. It's always crowded, and I was finally able to get in without waiting much a couple of months ago. They only had bar seating, which I was perfectly fine with. The bartender was my waitress, and she was overwhelmed but friendly, making a whole lot of cocktails. I eventually got an Allagash White from their tap selection for $8, which was tasty as always. For dinner, I ordered a cheeseburger at medium rare and their cottage fries, which are a separate order here. The burger was $13.50 without cheese or $1 more with it, and I got it with cheddar. After a while, it arrived with a good amount of pickles on the side. The burger had a good crisp and was moderately juicy, but it was a bit small for the price and had only a tiny bit of cheese. The fact that it doesn't come with fries or anything else doesn't really help, and if I were really hungry, I probably would have needed to order a second or something else. The cottage fries, or "Cottage Fried Potatoes" as listed on the menu, were good. They were slightly crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and mostly worth it for $8. The food was overall perfectly fine, but it's hard to justify the price given the size and the fact that the fries aren't included. For instance, you can get a juicier burger that is a good three times larger, with a better patty and higher quality cheese, plus waffle fries, at Wollensky's Grill for only an extra $2.50. Not including that place, there are plenty of other places for a similarly priced or cheaper burger that are just as good, if not better (even the pricey P.J. Clarke's fits this narrative, and that's not that common.) The fact that it's cash-only and a hassle to get into doesn't really help either. If you don't mind paying a bit more, go here for the nostalgia, as it is still tasty. read more

See all

Here's the thing about old New York restaurants - they're too over-hyped. Often the food is just ok, but its reputation is bolstered by the mere fact that it's been around for decades. I'm here to tell you the truth -- the food here is decent, but not mind-blowing. I can get the same quality and taste from a cheaper establishment. Hell, I can satisfy the same cravings at Shake Shack! I came here on a Friday evening and had to wait in an hour line. That's the last hour-line I'll ever stand in. I could have spent that time dining, paying, and heading back home if I chose a place elsewhere. And as I said, the burgers were decent, but not worth the wait. The potato chips were fantastic, but again, it doesn't compete against the many other establishments with great fried potatoes. Was the bustling, tightly-spaced bar vibe charming? Yes. Did I think the green gingham tablecloth was a nice touch? Absolutely. Was the overall experience, from the wait to the food to the ambience, worth standing in an hour line? No. If you want to try this just to say you've tried it, be my guest. But be warned -- you're coming for the name, not the food. read more

J.G. Melon - Bacon burger with fries. - American Near Me - New York, New York

Just an all round, really good burger. It's got the retro vibes and the interior feels cozy and classic. Would I wait an hour for it? Probably not, but if you can get in without a wait it's a solid meal. One burger left me a bit hungry, but if you supplement with fries or split a second with a friend, it's a good amount of food. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

I love JG Melon. I've never dined in- only ordered takeout about 20 times lol . But they always have a line/wait so I think that says enough. The burger is really good and always made with love. Would recommend the "chips" as well. So good. Service is always amazing. Looking forward to the day I dine in because this place is truly so cute. read more

I'd never been to J.G. Melon, it never hit my radar screen - living downtown, I'm not in the neighborhood. Until I recently saw Bobby Flay say he'd been going for decades, and it was his favorite burger in the city. Ironically, 2 weeks after I heard his 'testimonial', I had a doctor's appointment on.......74th St., a few blocks down from J.G. I made plans to have lunch there after the appointment. I ordered the cheeseburger and cottage fries. The burger came with red onions and pickles; however, I like my cheeseburgers with ketchup only - I want to taste the meat. I'll admit to having a few pickles in between bites! The first bite was eye opening! The cheese had blanketed the dark, seared, slightly crisp crust that I rarely find on my hamburgers; I didn't know it was there! It was a perfect combination for the juicy, flavorful and savory interior of the burger! I ordered it medium, and it was cooked perfectly. I could taste the 'quality of the meat' - I'm not sure what cuts they're using, and what the fat content is, but they've mastered the recipe! Next up, the cottage fries. There's a story behind the 'cottage fries' at J.G. - it has something to do with either running low on potatoes...or keeping them in the fryer a little longer, I can't remember which. But when it happened, customers clamored for more. They're crispier and thinner than your typical cottage fries; a few were almost like a thick potato chip. While I found them very tasty, my preference is for a thicker, fluffier fry. I'm glad I saw Bobby's 'Flaylist' - it opened the door to a truly delicious cheeseburger in the city! I'll definitely be back! read more

See all

This place has amazing atmosphere and charm. The food is superb and they quickly get you your food. The only problem is the service. I know, I know, they are busy BUT by not having water for 15 min and not asking if you need another drink, or not bringing the check makes the turnover slow and then you have people waiting outside. It's not a rush of people wanting in... it's slow service where you have people sitting. read more

J.G. Melon - Cheeseburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

Not good. Not even close of what it used to be. Burger was so so, but half the size of what it was known for. Grilled cheese sandwich was a disgrace. Bread had to be 2-3 weeks old and harder to chew than a shoe sole. There was barely 1 or 2 slices of cheese in there. Service? I mean, where do I even start? Waiter was nowhere to be found, nice guy for sure but definitely needed help. Thankfully waitress tending other tables was nice enough to help. Will never, ever go again. read more

JG Melon may be a New York "classic," but the experience did not live up to the reputation. I arrived before our group and said we were a party of three, not knowing that a fourth person might be joining us. I understand the policy of not seating incomplete parties during peak times, but once we were seated and eating, a fourth person did arrive and simply wanted to order a grilled cheese. She was told she couldn't order because she wasn't there when we were originally seated. That felt ridiculous and unnecessarily rigid. She had plenty of time to eat while we finished our food and drinks, and when we walked out, there were several empty tables. Rules are fine, but common sense and hospitality matter. If the food were truly unforgettable, maybe the attitude would be easier to overlook, but it's not the best food in the city by any stretch. For a place with this much hype, the lack of flexibility made the whole experience feel overrated. JG Melon may be famous, but famous doesn't always mean worth it. read more

Pretty much exactly what I expected!! As others have noted, it's cash only so make sure to bring cash. Burger was decent but I do wish it came with more bacon. Fries were just okay. Given the location, not sure I'm rushing back since there are other burger spots I prefer, but I was glad to have tried it! read more

J.G. Melon - Bacon cheeseburger and fries - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

JG Melon is simply one of a kind. From the smallest kitchen you can imagine, their cooks send out hundreds of burgers and tons of fries cooked to perfection and served hot every day. The skill and consistency of JG Melon's kitchen is unmatched. To many people, this is the place to go for the best burger in New York. JG Melon has a small menu. They keep it simple and focus on getting it done right every time. They will soon be serving the 4th generation of customers since they opened. Jack and George (the J and G) aren't with us anymore, but the institution they created is and probably will be for as long as its owner wants to keep it open. read more

J. G. Melon is an iconic Upper East Side burger institution. It also most definitely has the nostalgia factor. Located on Third Ave, there sometimes can be long waits. Even when there is a wait, it's worth while. For me, dining at J. G. Melon holds many memories. Since I was a teenager have eaten many burgers here with my family over the years. Eating here, feels like coming home again The decor is old school and, holds onto its charm. Service is friendly and welcoming. Don't forget it's cash only. The cheese burger, turkey burger and their cottage fries are delicious. The quality of food has not changed over the years. If you are in the mood for desert, my favorite is the apple sour cream walnut pie. A sweet way to end a true New York burger experience. read more

J.G. Melon - Perfectly crisp and delicious cottage fries, served with great cheeseburger. - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Is it worth you wait? Yes, if you haven't experienced this iconic spot. Pass if you're expecting a delicious top tier burger Wait time = 25mins-1hr+ Food 3/5 Cheese burger was nice and charred in some areas but inconsistent inside. The biggest issue was the dryness overall A bit embarrassing that the fries were the highlight of the entire meal - uniquely cut into potato chips Chili wasn't too bad, nice and chunky Service 4/5 Decent NY attitude throughout the experience. No issues despite the amount of tables and foot traffic. Ambience 3/5 definitely an old school vibe inside and out The bathroom was tiny and pretty dirty imo read more

See all

JG Melon -- A Classic Worth Knowing, Not Chasing When the founder of Shake Shack calls a burger his favorite, it's hard to ignore. That alone made JG Melon impossible to leave off our burger tour list. The list itself is a mix of instinct, research, and whatever the algorithm decides to throw at me--but it's a list I trust. JG Melon felt like a must. That Sunday morning, we were heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art anyway, so we arrived about 30 minutes before opening. Even then, the line was already impressively long. Once the doors open, don't expect a warm "Welcome." What you'll hear instead is: "Cash only." Bring cash. Seriously. Within minutes, the place fills up completely. Every seat is taken. It took us about 20 minutes just to place our order--partly because someone had to brave the famously cramped bathroom. We kept it classic: a double cheeseburger, fries, and to gently warm our Sunday stomachs, the soup of the day--broccoli cream. The soup was good. Not surprising, but solid. The burger, as expected, was very good. Well-executed. Comforting. Classic. But if you ask whether it's a burger that lingers in your memory long after--my honest answer would be no. At least not for me. It's tasty. It's satisfying. But it's not the best burger. And even if I find myself back at the Met someday, craving another look at Van Gogh's self-portrait, I don't think I'd detour here again. Ten blocks is still ten blocks--and New York has no shortage of good burgers closer by. A New York institution worth experiencing once. Just not one I feel the need to chase. read more

Damn how time changes things. First time in about 20 years going to JG. I would come up come up to NYC about four times a year and always stopped in. Burger was perfection every single time. Burger, bun, pickles... The burger had no equal in NYC. I stopped in today and was extremely disappointed. The rude service and the loud cursing customers near me is typical and no big deal. However, the burger is not the same and no one can tell me any different. I orderd and the burger came out within 90 seconds. That's beyond fast service and obviously they are making burgers before they are ordered. The bun was a mess and it completely fell apart while eating. The burger was extremely small although it tasted ok. The cottage fries were lukewarm at best for $8. The burger was $15 which isnt bad for NYC standards. With a drink it was $34 with tax and tip. How sad this place has falllen read more

For the reputation, wait and logistics of the restaurant, it was unfortunately very underwhelming. I went late on a Friday night after 11pm and there was no wait though was still pretty crowded inside. When I passed the restaurant earlier around 7pm in past, the line would be down the block! It's cash only with no exceptions - I really don't understand the point of establishments, especially more known places, keeping that policy in this day and age and why they wouldn't accommodate credit cards. There is a bar seating then a dining area in the back - the tables are quite close together and can get really cramped and loud. I get old school diners vibes with ?handwritten menu on the wall. I went with the classic cheeseburger - it was fairly dry and thin, I didn't find it that juicy at all. The cottage fries were also very dry and didn't seem to have any salt at all, also were quite thin and were like eating potato chips. Overall not terrible but more convenient and just as good, if not better options available. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

About an hour wait for some really tasty old school burgers and an ambiance of being surrounded by melons, more likely watermelons than any other kind of melon.... Yes! This is an all cash burger joint and it has all of the basics and then some. It's super casual and the waiters are known to be rude but we lucked out with a nice one when we went. There's a bar at the front left and seating on the opposite side as well as at the back. Tables and chairs are a bit tricky yo navigate through but eventually you'll be led to the one that's yours for the 45 minutes or so. Happy eats! read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

Bucket list iconic spot in NY. This is a must try burger. The burger is the classic loosely formed patty to make it tender and falls apart with each bite. It's a simple burger, generous patty, cooked to preference, cheese, onion, tomato, and bun. That's it. It's a decadent treat. Fries were thin round slices and fried to crispy perfection. The chili for a delight as well. Tip: Get there early, it's very crowded. The rare patty is about equal to med rare. read more

See all

Cash only but old school vibe can't be mad at it. Prices really reasonable, homey ambiance albeit a bit cramped. Melon decor is on point!! read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

I go by JG Melon a lot, and it was finally time to walk inside. It is a cash only establishment so make sure you have money on hand before you go in. Started with the Chili just a very hearty traditional American cup of chili. The diced onions on top add so much needed crunch and freshness to it so would highly recommend trying that. I don't think I could do more than a cup, but that's up to you. In a world of smash burgers it's a pleasure to see JG Melon to a normal burger and do it well. I wish the bacon was a little more crispy, but it's topped with your favorite American cheese, and the meat is cooked to a little over a medium, which I wish was a little more rare. It really is just a great burger joint and if you're ever in the upper side and you're craving a hearty burger make your way to JG Melon, there's usually a way and it might be worth it. read more

See all

Burger was great and we loved our waiter. The burger also comes with some extra lettuce on the side, which I really liked. Would recommend getting their seasonal fruit pie with a side of cream. Also recommend going late in the night so you can get a booth inside. I recommend! read more

J.G. Melon - Hamburger - American Near Me - New York, New York

This must be a bad place to work because every member of the staff was miserable. Our waitress was visibly mad the entire time, muttering under her breath, shoving my friend's purse under her seat. It's not our fault your establishment is tiny, if you can't feasibly wait tables in the setup you've made, change it. The food was so average. And to top it all off, the manager of the evening came over and aggressively told us to "wrap it up within the next 3 minutes." While we were counting our cash (since it is archaically cash-only) to ensure we paid properly. Unbelievably disrespectful. Don't come here if you're looking to enjoy yourselves. read more

Arrived at 6 pm on a Friday and got a table for two right away. Had the burger and fries and wish the burger had a sauce but it was good although not the best burger i've ever had read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

On a Wednesday happy hour, my partner took me and his daughter to JG Melon, the famous Upper East Side burger joint tucked on the corner of 3rd and 74th. Even on a weekday, the place was crowded we put our names down and waited about 45 minutes for a table. To their credit, the host was polite, even remembered my boyfriend's name, and eventually got us seated. The space itself is tiny, very old New York, with a full bar and curbside seating. The décor hasn't changed much since JG first opened in 1972, which is part of its charm but also shows its age and I like that! I ordered the cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, raw onion, and fries. The burger was... fine. The bun was oddly oversized compared to the patty, making it clumsy to eat, and overall it landed at about a 6.5/10 for me. We added a side of pickles for the table, and I had a dirty martini (extra olives), which was honestly the highlight of my meal. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the hype. Our waitress had an attitude that made it seem like she'd rather be anywhere else, and when we mentioned our missing fries, the staff seemed more annoyed than apologetic. The menu is refreshingly simple so you know what you're there for but it does come with a side of attitude. JG Melon is cash-only, so don't forget to bring bills. On the way out, the host at least sent us off with a goodbye, which was a nice touch. Final thoughts: The burger was decent but nothing groundbreaking in 2025, especially with NYC's burger scene having leveled up in the past two decades. Worth a try if you're curious about an old-school staple, but for me, it didn't live up to the legend. read more

J.G. Melon - The coolest pic of the night - American Near Me - New York, New York

Changed from one to three stars. Manager got us seated way quick but food was still to come out. Food was good pub/diner food. Seated. Been 24 mins so far. One table finished their meal, two tables seated after us are eating. Well, my ice tea is good...sorry. No pics because we haven't gotten. Our food yet read more

J.G. Melon - No food. Coming up on half an hour... - American Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Not worth the hype. Walked in around 6:30 on a Monday and got seated right away - had tried to go before on a Tuesday around 7:30 but it was over an hour wait and you have to wait around since they don't take down phone numbers. If I had to wait 1+ hr I would be pretty disappointed in the food. Very average burger and sandwich. Also, the waiter at the table next to us was so rude to the two older ladies he was serving - very odd vibes. If you decide to go, the bar is cozy and it's cash only. Maybe the drinks are better than the food. read more

I was kind of disappointed by this spot since it's so hyped as one of the best burger spots in NYC. We went late (happy it's open late) so maybe the employees weren't putting love into it anymore but I wouldn't go back it was just dry and flavorless. read more

J.G. Melon - American Near Me - New York, New York

The service is just too terrible. I live in the neighborhood, and every other restaurant I've been to in NYC has had exceptional service, even when slammed. Nothing is really worth being treated poorly so I simply won't return despite the food being good. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and although I am usually very understanding of waits/not sitting empty parties, I explained to the host one person was 15 mins away but that my grandparents were very tired and needed to sit down, and that I could order for the whole party already. Host wasn't understanding at all and yelled that he doesn't sit empty parties and walked away. It was raining out, so I chose to stay for the sake of not trying to find another place in the rain. When we sat down the food took a long time to arrive, and our waitress never passed by after bringing out the food to check in or refill our water. The same host passed by to sit another party, and when my partner asked if he could get a beer he rudely replied, "I'm not a waiter" and walked away without saying anything to our waitress (who he passed by). We ended up flagging down a random worker who finally brought us the beer. The burgers were good, fries as well but overpriced in my opinion at $8. The place is nostalgic and nice, but the staff really dampens your experience with a snobby/strict-ness that just isn't warranted for a burger joint. I have worked in food service & customer service for many years, and that level of lack of understanding and disrespect was completely unwarranted. read more

A classic institution with surprisingly decent burgers. I always make sure to stop by here when I'm in the UES

This one lives up to the hype. It is one of those classic New York spots that feels completely untouched in the best way. Cozy booths, a packed bar, and that kind of energy where you know people have been coming here forever. The cheeseburger is exactly what you want it to be. My bestie had the turkey cheese burger. No gimmicks, no overthinking, just perfectly cooked, juicy, and served the way it should be. And those cottage fries. . . Wow! But honestly, what struck me just as much was the service. Warm, fast, and genuinely welcoming even when the place is buzzing. Bobby is super friendly and seems to know all the regulars by name. He took care of us as if we were regulars, though. It's cash only, it's crowded, and you might wait a bit . . . but it's absolutely worth it. Some places are trendy. This place is permanent. read more

See all