Best Burgers in Boston

By: Dave O’Donnell, VP of Strategic Communications on Jan. 17, 2024

Boston is known for lots of things – history, education, beautiful architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and, of course, a delicious food scene. Sure, there’s the famous seafood offerings and many iconic restaurants across the city, but what’s really impressive is how well Boston does a burger. Call it a staple, call it a necessity, call it what you will – when it comes to culinary accomplishments, a city must get this essential item right.   

Here is our list of the best burgers in Boston:

Bred Gourmet 

Dorchester 

Nestled in Dorchester’s Lower Mills enclave, BRED Gourmet brings you one of the best burger experiences in Boston – succulent, seasoned to perfection, with fresh produce atop grass-fed Maine beef patties, this burger features the ideal balance of char on the outside and juiciness within. With an expansive menu infused by Chef and Owner Tambo Barrow’s Trinidadian roots, BRED should be on any burger lovers Boston itinerary. 

Eastern Standard 

Kenmore Square 

Celebrated restaurateur Garret Harker has re-opened Eastern Standard just a few blocks away from its former home in Kenmore Square. While the famous oyster burger is not quite back on the menu yet, Harker’s singular touch on the basic burger is unmistakable. Smothered with cheddar and padded by Brioche, the Eastern Standard burger is not only delicious but a fitting and filling way to start or end a fun night at Fenway Park or any of the great entertainment venues in the neighborhood.    

Row 34 

Fort Point 

What appears to be your basic bacon cheddar burger is so much more. Savory shoestring fries and caramelized onions enhance the taste, and that’s just the start. At this Fort Point-based restaurant, diners have so many options – add a fried oyster, drop a dollop of togarashi aioli on top, or just a touch of coleslaw, and suddenly, a delectable patty finds an entirely new gear. Discover the ride for yourself at Row 34.   

Roxy’s 

Cambridge & Allston 

Sure, the gourmet grilled cheese options and truffle fries are amazing, but Roxy’s burger deserves its own superlatives. It’s the diversity of options that really pop. Cheese choices range from Vermont cheddar to Muenster and Monterey, with house-made pimento also available and a touch of Roxy’s sauce always waiting to be added. Looking for more tasty additions? Try the truffle mayo, caramelized onions, Grillo’s pickles, and sauteed mushrooms.   

DW French 

Fenway 

Just opened this fall in the Fenway neighborhood, the burger at DW French is creating more noise than the Red Sox did this year. Brought to you by esteemed James Beard Award winner Douglass Williams, the DW French burger brings an American touch to a French brasserie, with perfectly grilled onions on a soft and fluffy brioche bun. Williams gets it just right with this item complementing an array of classic French fare. 

Wheelhouse 

Downtown 

Looking for a grab-and-go option to enjoy on the Greenway or back in the office? Located inside High Street Place, Wheelhouse is the place for you! The burgers are cooked to perfection and imbued with savory seasonings that only a sizzling griddle can impart. The variety is tremendous. From pimento cheese to jalapeno hot sauce, crispy shallots, smashed onion patties, house-made BBQ sauce, and bacon onion jam, the options are endless. 

Lola Burger 

Seaport 

Just around the corner from Lola 42, Lola Burger specializes in the craft of the burger - beef and beyond. While the single stack and double stack are supreme in their own right, it’s the creativity that really resonates here. Take the 50/50 burger. Half beef, half bacon, topped by blue cheese. Let that marinate in your mind. Or try the Korean pork burger featuring a fried egg, unagi sauce, and togarashi mayo. Prefer a rich Portabella experience? The brie and shroom burger is for you! 

Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant 

South Boston 

An American tavern in a classic neighborhood, this Southie joint doesn’t disappoint, particularly if you go with the Lincoln Burger, a prime blend topped with sharp cheddar and tastefully enhanced by bacon aioli and caramelized onions - what more do you need? So, if you are inclined to skip the pizza, go with the burger. You’ll leave happy.

Capital Burger 

Back Bay 

Spiked shakes and luxury burgers - that's the brand promise of Capital Burger, which opened last year in Boston’s Back Bay. The French-onion style Capital burger is, of course, a solid choice, but that’s just the beginning. Does blue cheese and truffle entice your palate? Check. What about candied bacon and tomato jam? Check. Swiss topped by an organic egg and aged balsamic mushrooms? They’ll do that for you too. So head to the nation’s newest Capital Burger here in Boston. 

Lucys’s American Tavern 

Dorchester 

Another great Dorchester option for a scrumptious burger is Lucy’s American Tavern in Adams Village. With 30 craft beers on draft and a fun vibrant environment befitting the Adams Village vibe, Lucy’s also does a tremendous burger. The Burger Royale overflows with BBQ sauce and onion strings, topped with applewood smoked bacon and aged cheddar. The Burger Deluxe takes a different tack with a special burger sauce and dill pickles, perfectly complementing the patty. Both are served on brioche. Looking for something different? The Healthy Burger and Turkey Smash are great options as well. 

Cambridge Hot Spots 

Across the Charles, a bevy of bodacious burger options are also available.  Little Donkey in Central Square features a most eclectic and elevated burger experience, with a dry-age beef patty smothered with mayo, buffalo pickles, an onion mélange, and jalapenos. And just in case that’s not rich enough for you, enjoy a topping of foie gras. Head further up Mass Ave into Harvard Square for two of the area’s most welcoming and well-known burger haunts – Mr. Bartley’s and Charlie’s Kitchen.