Au Cheval: The Cortlandt Alley Diner With One of NYC’s Best Cheeseburgers
Au Cheval doesn’t run a happy hour — it’s a diner-style bar and restaurant down a semi-hidden Tribeca alley, and the reason people line up is the cheeseburger, widely ranked among the city’s best.
It’s the NYC outpost of the lauded Chicago original (Hogsalt Hospitality), in a converted-warehouse saloon space. The honest read: it’s not cheap and the wait is long (most seating is walk-in), but the burger and the bourbon-heavy bar earn it.
What to Expect
No happy hour. The signature is the griddled cheeseburger — the ‘single’ is actually two crispy patties with American cheese on a brioche bun (the ‘double’ has three), best with thick peppery bacon. Beyond it: potato hash with duck-heart gravy and a fried egg, honey fried chicken, a bacon-laden chopped salad, and marrow bones. A separate downstairs bar pours strong classic cocktails; a Sawada Coffee bar sits up front.
The Room
A leather-booth, zinc-bar saloon down Cortlandt Alley on the Tribeca/Chinatown border, near Canal St. Most seats are held for walk-ins, so waits are notorious. The Infatuation rates it 8.0/10; it routinely lands on best-burger lists. Crowd: burger pilgrims.
Who Au Cheval Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| The cheeseburger | One of the most-praised burgers in the city. |
| Cocktails downstairs | A strong classic-cocktail bar below. |
| Late brunch | Hash, fried chicken, and marrow bones. |
| Burger-list pilgrimage | A perennial ‘best burger’ contender. |
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Au Cheval FAQ
Does Au Cheval have a happy hour?
No — there’s no happy hour; come for the cheeseburger and the downstairs bar.
What should I order?
The cheeseburger (with bacon) — the ‘single’ is two patties — plus the potato hash.
Where is Au Cheval?
33 Cortlandt Alley in Tribeca (near the Chinatown border), by Canal St.
Is there a wait?
Usually — most seating is walk-in, so expect a line.
Happy hour times and deals last verified June 2026. Details can change — confirm with Au Cheval before visiting for a specific deal.