20 Best Burgers in Raleigh (start salivating y’all)

It still blows my mind at how many burger joints there are in Raleigh; it seems like there’s a burger joint around every corner. But hey, I’m not complaining, I love a good burger, and burgers are classic American fare and good for all occasions. Whether you prefer your burger with a beef pattie (or two), with extra cheese or want to keep it veg, there’s no shortage of succulent burgers in Raleigh for every taste.

The ONLY thing missing in Raleigh that us Aussies love is beetroot. To us, it’s not a complete burger without beetroot. But Raleigh definitely beats Australia on size – the burgers are typically HUGE and it’s no wonder when family and friends visit us in the US they pack on a few extra pounds! 

If you’re looking for the best burgers in Raleigh, and not sure where to go to avoid the chain burger joints, this guide is for you. We’ve been taste testing our way around the best burger joints in Raleigh to bring you the best of the City of Oaks.

Where to Go for Burgers in Raleigh

So, stop scrolling online for the best burgers near me, just grab your friends and a few extra napkins and hit up these spots below!

Burger Village

• Address: 510 Glenwood Ave
• Website: BurgerVillage.com

If you’re looking for grass-fed, organic, and exotic burgers look no further than Burger Village in Glenwood South. I like to eat as healthy and as clean as possible at home, and that continues when eating out in Raleigh and this is my new go-to burger joint. On the menu you’ll find organic, non-GMO, and grass-fed meats, including exotic meats like bison, elk, boar, and ostrich, plus your standard offerings such as beef, salmon, and chicken.

Your non-meat eater friends are in luck too, with several vegetarian and vegan options, and for those with dietary requirements they have gluten-free buns (or lettuce wraps). Excellent appetizers and sides too that are cooked in non-GMO rice bran oil, including the best onion rings I’ve tasted in the Triangle area, plus Cajun seasoned fries, traditional wings, guac & chips, cauliflower tenders, large salads, and more!

MoJoe’s Burger Joint

• Address: 328 W Davie St, Raleigh
• Website: Mojoesburgerjoint.com

Craving a tasty burger from a classic neighborhood burger joint? You can’t go wrong at MoJoe’s in Glenwood South who have been serving some of the best burgers in Raleigh since 2002. This place is quintessential old Raleigh with a diverse crowd, fun atmosphere, and tasty creations.

At MoJoe’s you get hand-pressed patties using 100% Sterling Silver Choice Beef and you can choose from a 6 ounce, 10 ounce, or “Hall of Fame” one pounder with 9 different styles to have your burger. I personally love their “Carnivore” style: 10 oz beef patty, crispy bacon, savory chili, pimento cheese, fried egg, avocado and a side of tater tots. And our eldest daughter loves their fried chicken sandwiches.

You can also build your own creations, plus they have gluten free buns, a dozen local beers on tap, and boozie shakes! Popular sides include their tater tots, onion rings with MoJoe’s signature sauce, and their fried pickles.

Players Retreat

• Address: 105 Oberlin Road
• Website: Playersretreat.net

The Players Retreat, or PR to the locals, is a storied sports bar in Raleigh and true landmark. Established in 1951, it’s the oldest continuously operating tavern between Atlanta and Washington D.C. The PR is a tradition with NC State University students and alumni, but you’ll also find an eclectic mix of people.

Burger + Mimi’s sausage dip

With a focus on hamburgers and sandwiches, they serve up some of the best burgers in Raleigh. They also boast the largest collection of single malts in North Carolina. Their burger is certified choice beef and ground in house daily. Popular burgers include:

• Bernie Burger (a classic PR burger): 6 oz with bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo on a Union Special seeded bun.
• Wolfpack Burger: 6 oz with slaw, mustard and chili.
• Hot Tip: don’t order their burgers above medium. Order it medium rare or even rare!

The locals love their onion rings – get some donkey sauce (horseradish sauce) with them. And kids eat free every Sunday (one free kids meal with every full priced adult’s meal – eat in only)

Char-Grill

• Address: 618 Hillsborough St
• Website: Chargrillusa.com

It doesn’t get more old school Raleigh than Char-Grill, a local fast-food chain that’s been serving charcoal-grilled burgers fresh off the grill since 1959. Take a trip down memory lane – just placing your order is a part of the experience as you fill out a paper order sheet with a pencil and wait while your food is cooked to order.

When we think about places to eat in Raleigh to grab a quick burger, Char Grill Raleigh is a great option, and our kids love their shakes and fries! My suggestion, start with their famous ½ Hamburger Steak Sandwich: a thick, juicy burger with lettuce, tomato, cheese, served on a sesame seed bun. 

Parkside Burger

• Address: 301 W Martin St
• Website: ParksideRaleigh.com

With a prime location in Downtown Raleigh at the entrance of the thriving Warehouse District and with its neon sign, Parkside Restaurant is hard to miss. Parkside is popular for brunch and is one of the best restaurants in Raleigh for traditional American comfort food the locals love, including an amazing burger! 

Introducing the Parkside Burger: half pound Black Angus Short Rib and Chuck blend patty, cheddar cheese, bacon, avocado, romaine, tomato, and onion – I also added fried egg. It’s one of my favorite burgers in Raleigh, tasty and filling. All their burgers are served with your choice of fries, tater tots or chips – I went with tater tots, and whilst tasty were just a little too salty for me. Wash it down with one of the 20 beers on tap.

Big Boy Burger at The Pit Authentic BBQ

• Address: 328 W Davie St
• Website: ThePit-Raleigh.com

In case you don’t know, North Carolina is a big BBQ state, and The Pit Authentic BBQ is one of the best BBQ joints in Raleigh. I love their Beef Brisket, and Baby Back Ribs. But one of my other favorite items is their Big Boy Burger: two house-ground brisket patties, western BBQ sauce, brisket, pulled pork, pimento cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion straws – I changed out the pulled pork for pulled turkey!

The burger is phenomenal. I mean, look at that thing. It tasted as good as it looks and they had to basically roll me out of there! You’ll definitely want to eat at the Pit more than once so you can to try their BBQ, their sides, and their burger! 

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

• Address: 111 Seaboard Ave
• Website: BadDaddysBurgerBar.com

Craving a burger with attitude? Bad Daddy’s in Raleigh has massive and tasty burgers topped with gourmet toppings, a special house bbq sauce, and hand-cut fries. Yes, this is a chain, but it originates from NC (Charlotte) and Bad Daddy’s commit to sourcing local and fresh ingredients whenever possible.

Try their Bad Ass Burger and Bacon cheeseburger on steroids. Plus, their build-your-own burgers (so many ingredients to choose from). Fried pickles and build your own salads. They also serve up great non-meat options and has gluten-free buns or sturdy lettuce wraps. And you can wash down your burger with a good selection of local NC beers. 

Lamb Burger at Whiskey Kitchen

• Address: 201 W Martin St
• Website: Whiskey.Kitchen

With over 300 whiskeys and craft cocktails, Whiskey Kitchen is one of our favorite bars in Raleigh. Part whiskey bar, part Southern kitchen – they happen to serve excellent and inventive Southern food. Whiskey Kitchen has a repurposed industrial feel with a hip interior and a garage door that opens to the beautiful outside patio space.

From their menu, one of my favorite items is their lamb burger: lamb patty, sheep’s cheese, tomato, vesta aioli, basil, mint, grilled bun – served with your choice of side. If you haven’t had a lamb burger before, come try their tasty creation whilst sampling one of the whiskeys (they have whiskey flights, y’all) or cocktails.

Over The Falls

• Address: 419 Brooks St, Wake Forest
• Website: www.otfalls.com

Although not in Raleigh, it’s only a 20-minute drive over to this top-notch burger joint in Wake Forest and well worth the trip. We love a restaurant that offers more. Over The Falls is that place. It has the largest selection of bourbons in Wake Forest, the friendliest service, and an extensive menu with unique items that you don’t think would work, but do – looking at the coffee burger here (Back-Alley Breakfast), who would have dreamt up such a concoction?

Not only are the burger items unique, but you also get huge portions for a reasonable price. They can also be customized with your choice of Angus Chuck Beef, Grilled or Fried Chicken, Turkey, or Beyond Burger for the vegans. The Beef on Weck gets the most standout reviews. What’s more is that all their burgers (except the Fried Chicken) are gluten-free and can come with Gluten-Free bread, and they also come with house-made potato chips, tortilla chips, macaroni salad, coleslaw or fries. Wash it all down with one of their famous house-made desserts.

Gussie’s

• Address: 927 W Morgan St
• Website: gussiesraleigh.com

Gussie’s is a bit of a hidden gem, but we’re letting the cat out of the bag – sorry, not sorry. It’s considered a “good-time neighborhood bar” and has a charming, hole in the wall type vibe. Named after a respected businessman who loved his community, you can really see how Gussie’s is carrying on that tradition. It’s the kind of place where you could pull up a bar stool, order a craft brew, and chat away with the stranger next to you.

As well as the vibe, their smash burger is popular, which for those who are fans of In-n-Out Burgers, Gussie’s burgers are the closest resemblance. Be sure to pair your burger with the Animal Fries, which are some of the best fries in Raleigh!

LaGana

• Address: 911 N West St
• Website: laganaraleigh.com

For a fine caual style burger joint, or a grab-and-go style burger on your lunch break, head to LaGana who have a small menu, but each item is next level good. Choose from either the Textbook which comes with Wagyu Beef and Yankee Cheddar, Miss Piggy (described as Baconator on steroids), The Bradford which comes with thick Wagyu, Blue Cheese and Arugala, or the Riki – Taki, a Dominican Sloppy Joe with cabbage.

Although there’s only four options, you will struggle to choose between them! Be sure to add a side of Yukon Tater Tots and thank me later!

Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie

• Address: 518 Pershing Rd
• Website: neuseriverbrewing.com

We can’t leave Neuse River Brewing Company off our list, it’s one of the best breweries in Raleigh full stop, so of course their burgers are going to excel. NRBC is a craft brewery just outside the Five Points neighborhood and is known for its Belgian ales and IPAs, but it’s also known to experiment. One of those experiments is their burgers. The “thickburger,” created by talented chef Steven Jankowski, was even recognized as the Best Burger in Raleigh by the News & Observer in 2022.

Today, the NRBC Burger still continues to wow guests with its succulent half pound beef patty, roasted garlic aioli, crispy onion, wrapped in a Union Special brioche bun. It’s also topped with NRBC’s unique, in-house made beer cheese.

Meat & Bite

• Address: 2908 Hillsborough St
• Website: meatnbite.com

Meat & Bite opened their doors in 2020 in the heights of the pandemic, but despite the crippling state of the economy during that time, their instant popularity progressed them through! Founders Leila and Mohammad wanted to offer something unique – they’ve fused together their culinary backgrounds of Mediterranean, American, and Tex-Mex cuisines to offer something that you won’t find anywhere else in Raleigh.

The smash burger has “In-and-Out” quality and is bursting with flavor. The portion size is pretty decent for the price, and they’re located on Hillsborough Street near NC State. Don’t pass by this burger joint without checking it out.

The Hibernian

• Address: 311 Glenwood Ave
• Website: hibernianpub.com

We always enjoy the Hibernian. It offers a top-notch experience when it comes to good vibes and tasty cuisine. It features two levels of bars and dining space, and we love the second-floor patio with city views. The Hibernian Burger is one of the bigger burgers in Raleigh. Just look at it. They also have a delicious Black Bean burger which is made in-house for vegetarians. All burgers come with a side dish of your choice.

Sean’s Shack

• Address: 2840 E Millbrook Rd
• Website: seansshack.com

Take a quick drive out of downtown to Millbrook East and be sure to pull up by Sean’s Shack, which I would consider to be a quintessentially, classic American burger joint with a casual, diner vibe. It has a drive-thru for those on the fly, and a small outdoor seating area. Everything ismade from scratch and locally sourced. All burgers are made fresh, and the homemade ranch is next level.

What also makes Sean’s Shack worth stopping by is the price. The 6oz burgers all come in under $10, most under $8, and are served with fries. It would make the ideal lunch time stop.

Raleigh Times Burger

• Address: 14 E Hargett St
• Website: RaleighTimesBar.com

The Raleigh Times is a timeless watering hole and one of the most famous bars in Raleigh – even Obama had a campaign beer here! Named after the former newspaper that occupied this 100-year-old building, they have an extensive beer selection, multiple levels and an awesome open rooftop patio with great views and it’s one of our favorite spots in Raleigh for a drink and bite to eat.

Rooftop views

Several of their dishes keep the locals coming back, including their signature burger. The Raleigh Times Burger: 8 oz. hand-pattied burger made with the highest quality chuck ground in-house every day and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, served on a potato roll. If you love beer, a rooftop patio, and a tasty burger, put the RT on your list – their Times Nachos is great too and make our list of best nachos spots in Raleigh.

Wye Hill Burger

• Address: 201 S Boylan Ave
• Website: WyeHill.com

You know we love Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing for their refreshing craft brews, creative cocktails, and for having the best view in Raleigh from their outdoor patio. We also love their creative small plates menu, and indulging in brunch at Wye Hill is one of our favorite dining experiences in Raleigh. On their menu is a great burger, the Wye Hill Burger: 1/3 lb burger, cheddar, gouda, fried green tomato, bacon, chipotle crema. Go sink your teeth into one and wash it down with a refreshing beer, or two!

CowBar Burger & Fries

• Address: 411 W Morgan St
• Website: CowbarBurger.com

When we visit Morgan Street Food Hall which is home to over 20 different food vendors, more often than not we’re ordering one of the delicious burgers from CowBar Burger. They’re a small local business serving up big and tasty southern burgers fresh to order. My favorite is the Southern Classic: chili, cheese, slaw, mustard, onion plus add ons. But there’s a burger here for everyone, including an amazing truffle burger and truffle fries, and probably the best vegan burger in Raleigh (check out their vegan stacker). And they do lettuce wraps for those avoiding gluten.

Final Thoughts

We’ll be adding to this list over time as more great burger places in Raleigh open up and as we explore the Triangle region more. But in the meantime, we’d love to hear your suggestions on where to find the best burger near me in Raleigh – please share in the comments!