The Best Burgers in Richmond
You can’t beat a classic, and there’s nothing more classic than sitting down at a mom-and-pop shop with a burger and a side of fries. There’s also no better place to do it than here, as RVA was voted the best burger town in the nation!
If you’re on the hunt for the top burgers in Richmond – for dinner tonight, or for a trail of excellent stops around the city to keep following – we’ve got a few ideas for you.
Honey Whyte’s
Two decades of business backs this burger joint. Honey Whyte’s claims to have RVA’s best burger, but we’ll leave you to be the judge (good luck trying every burger on this list).
If you don’t mind high cholesterol, try the heart attack burger, where the patty is found between two grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches. We won’t judge if you play it safe, though. There are plenty of other options for beef, chicken, turkey, or veggie burgers to choose from.
Cobra Burger
This hardcore Church Hill stop isn’t afraid to take shots at their fast food competitors (but let’s be real, Cobra Burger is in a different league). Here, you have to “have it our way” – Cobra Burger knows what’s best, so that’s what they make. Don’t try to mess with perfection.
Your plate is as fresh as it can get with local, grass-fed and grass-finished beef, homemade pickles, fresh-cut fries, handmade rolls from a Virginia Beach bakery … you get the point.
Just don’t be a big baby and ask for substitutions on your Big Baby Butter Burger. They won’t forgive you.
Eazzy Burger
Have you ever stood in line for hours just because the barbecue is that good? That’s what happens at ZZQ – and their pitmasters couldn’t stop themselves from trying their hands at burgers too, so they opened a joint right next door.
Eazzy Burger is a sustainability-minded, family-friendly eatery that serves up some of the best dishes in the city. Be prepared for big portions of oh-so-indulgent food; you’ll want to catch some Zs after any meal from the double Zs.
Beauvine Burger Concept
If a burger is just a concept, then count us followers of Beauvine’s philosophy.
You’ll spot this trendy little shop in The Fan easily with its popping patio, sports fans cheering at the bar, and giant American Gothic mural complete with humanoid cows. Pair their artisan burgers with one of their famous shakes (they’ll even split it for you and your honey) and your favorite kind of fry: sweet potato waffle, parmesan truffle, maple chile, pimento cheese, and beyond.
Burger Bach
How often do you get the chance of eating New Zealand cuisine? In RVA, you’ve got great options!
Just like Proper Pie Co. in Church Hill, Burger Bach in Carytown and Midlothian is New Zealand-style cuisine right here in Virginia. Enjoy a plate of fresh-cut fries with your high-stacked burger (and if the fries are just as important as the sandwich to you, check out their fry indulgence shareables, too).
Not a big beef lover? You aren’t forgotten! Burger Bach has chicken, black bean, and ahi tuna patties to devour, too.
Boulevard Burger & Brew
Cruise through Scott’s Addition and keep your eyes peeled for the Las Vegas sign – because it’s actually the Boulevard Burger & Brew sign.
This nostalgic 50’s-style joint serves up classic and veggie burgers, glizzies, and baskets of fried deliciousness with milkshakes in eleven combinable flavors (or eight boozy milkshake options for the adults at the table).
Smashed RVA
If a high-stacked smashburger (or an iconic chopped cheese sandwich) is what you’re craving, then Smashed should be your destination. Their burgers are so good that you’ll want to take home a tub of their signature Smash sauce – and you can!
Plant-based diners can find Beyond smashburgers and Beyond chopped cheese sandwiches alongside some delicious smash fries.
Station 2
Is it hot in here, or is that just the grill? This historic-firehouse-turned-restaurant is right down the street from The Poe Museum and is serving up burgers until midnight every night.
You can cure your late-night munchies with no guilt because Station 2 is Virginia Green Certified. You can see where their local ingredients are sourced on their website – so if you choose to take on the legendary Station Ladder challenge, you’ll know you’re supporting a lot of local businesses.
Slay Burgers
If you’re on the North Side, you have no reason not to check out Slay Burgers. They are challenging your traditional fast food stops to up their game because they offer high-quality, made-to-order food at lightning speed.
Just don’t cancel out their efficiency with your own decision paralysis; their 15 beef, chicken, and even seafood sandwiches all might sound too good at once.
The Savory Grain
New American dining with old favorites done right. The Savory Grain is an aesthetically pleasing environment with a lot of elevated southern dishes, but their signature burger earns them a spot on the list.
Get your burger and craft beer on a night out on the town, or swing by for brunch and try their breakfast burger (yes, it’s on a biscuit and it’s amazing).
Capital Ale House
This is for all of you suburbanites who don’t want to drive downtown to get a burger (and for the honorary Richmonders who are closer to Harrisonburg and Fredericksburg).
Capital Ale House is your classic tavern-style restaurant, with beers on tap and burgers at the ready. They mix things up with a bit of an Eastern European twist, offering a few more unique options like Hungarian potatoes or sauerbraten. Our go-to? Splitting a Bavarian pretzel and beer cheese to start. Whatever you are picturing, it’s even bigger.
Can Can Brasserie
Who put a French bakery on this list of burger joints? We know, we know, but we wanted to be true to the assignment. Can Can does have burgers – and pretty fancy ones at that. So even if your date orders the boeuf bourguignon, we wouldn’t blame you if you ordered a good old beef burger. Can Can knows how it’s done.
