21 best burgers in Charlotte

Here’s where to find the best burgers in Charlotte. This list is in no particular order; it is not a ranking.

(1) Brooks’ Sandwich House

A Charlotte staple, Brooks’ reopened in January 2020 after losing co-owner Scott Brooks in a tragic shooting in late 2019. It then closed for a couple of months due to the pandemic, but Brooks’ is back again.

Order this: Burger “All The Way” with mustard, onions, and homemade chili.

Location: 2710 N. Brevard St.

(2) Bang Bang Burgers

Fast-casual burger joint with locations in Elizabeth and South End.

Order this: The Bang Bang Burger. Comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, homemade pickles, and “Bang Bang” sauce with a side of fries.

Backup order: The Cowboy with sharp cheddar, bacon and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce sauce and a side of fries.

Locations:

• Elizabeth – 2001 E. 7th St., D
• South End – 235 W. Tremont Ave., Suite 101

(3) Ace No. 3

Simple burgers served in an old-school environment.

Order this: The Ace burger. It’s made with two patties, American cheese, onions, pickles, and comeback sauce on a toasted potato bun.

• And snag an order of fries. They’re on our best fries list.

Backup order: Build your own burger (single, double, triple, or veggie) and add bacon ($1.49) or an egg ($1). You can also get your burger on a gluten-free bun ($1.25).

Locations: 

• Belmont – 1001 Belmont Ave.
• Myers Park – 829 Providence Rd.
• Concord Mills – 8520 Pit Stop Ct. NW #10

(4) Blacow Burger

Burgers and sushi served under one roof.

Order this: The Blacow Burger. It’s made with Wagyu beef, lettuce, teriyaki glaze, nori furikake, mayo and tempura avocado.

Locations:

• South End – 1515 S Tryon St., Suite 103
• University – 517 University Pointe Blvd.

(5) The Crunkleton

An elevated, members-only cocktail bar in Elizabeth.

Order this: “A Really Good Burger.” No really, that’s what it’s called. It comes with American cheese, lettuce, onions and sauce on a Brioche bun. Wash down the burger with an Old Fashioned.

Location: 1957 E. 7th St.

(6) The Dive N

This old-school Pineville diner looks like it’s straight out of the 60s with its retro booths and decor.

Order this: Jimmy Special (available on Thursdays). It’s a double cheddar burger topped with onion rings, pickles, mustard and special sauce.

Location: 109 N. Polk St.

(7) Reid’s Fine Foods

Upscale urban grocery store with locations in Myers Park, SouthPark and Uptown.

Order this: Reid’s Steak Burger. It’s an 8-ounce steakburger made from filet mignon, sirloin and ribeye ground in-house from Reid’s award-winning butcher shop. You have the option to choose your cheese, two toppings and a side (go with the truffle fries).

Pro tip: Stop by Reids Myers Park or South Park on Tuesdays for half-priced burgers. The meal will run you $9.99 (normally $16).

Related story: Reid’s Fine Foods to open new healthy food concept in Lowe’s tower in South End

Locations: 

• Myers Park – 2823 Selwyn Ave.
• South Park – 4331 Barclay Downs Dr.
• Uptown – 121 W. Trade St. Suite 150
• Levine – 135 Levine Ave. of the Arts, Suite 120

(8) Harriet’s Hamburgers

The Optimist Hall food stall keeps things pretty simple with a succinct and nostalgic menu of just burgers and fries.

Order this: The hamburger with white American cheese. It includes two patties served on a brioche bun with pickles, red onions and simple sauce.

Location: 1115 N. Brevard St.

(9) Moo & Brew

Neighborhood burger and beer spot with a great patio in Plaza Midwood (known to many for their famous Large Marge Bloody Mary).

Order this: Farmer’s Daughter. Comes with a farm egg, peppered applewood bacon, cheddar, tomato, Bibb lettuce and M&B sauce.

Backup burger: Moo & Brew Burger. Brew-braised onions, brew chili, brew cheese and yellow mustard.

Location: 1300 Central Ave.

(10) Pinky’s Westside Grill

The no-frills roadside restaurant garnered national attention after being featured on a 2015 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Order this: Pterodactyl Burger. An award-winning 5-ounce beef burger, “everything style.”

Burger style options at Pinky’s:

• Everything — mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickles.
• Westside — mustard, chili, slaw, onion.
• Ding Dong Style — crunchy peanut butter, honey-cilantro slaw, and hot sriracha sauce.

Go big burger: Triple “G” three, 5-ounce patties, Westside style (this was Guy Fieri’s order when he visited).

Locations:

• Charlotte – 1600 W Morehead St.
• Huntersville – 9818 Gilead Rd, 101 B

(11) The Diamond

Cozy retro diner in Plaza Midwood, founded in 1945.

Order this: Small Block Burger — a 1/3 pound ground beef with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise.

Location: 1901 Commonwealth Ave.

(12) The Asbury

Find this burger in the Dunhill Hotel in Uptown.

Order this: The Asbury Burger. Two house-ground beef patties, pickle and saffron mayo, caramelized onions, mushrooms and griddled cheddar.

Location: 235 N. Tryon St.

(13) South 21 Drive-in

The drive-in Southern comfort food restaurant has been serving gems like the Super Boy since 1955.

Order this: Super Boy hamburger. Two beef patties, cheese, mustard, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes with French fries.

Location: 3101 E Independence Blvd.

Related story: 35 iconic restaurants that have been serving Charlotte for 20+ years

(14) The Goodyear House

The NoDa neighborhood restaurant inhabits a transformed early 1900s mill home.

Order this: Goopy burger. Shipley Farms beef, cheddar, pickles, onion, and shredded lettuce on a benne seed bun.

• Make it a double for $5 more and/or add Benton’s Bacon for $3 more. It’s crafted to taste like an elevated version of the McDonald’s Big Mac.

Location: 3032 N Davidson St.

Related guide: The 21 best patios in Charlotte, right now

(15) Bad Daddy’s

Neighborhood burger spot located in Dilworth.

Order this: Sam I Am Burger. American cheese, an over-easy fried egg, rosemary ham and pesto.

Location:

• Dilworth – 1626 East Blvd.
• Ballantyne – 15105 John J Delaney Drive
• Birkdale – 8625 Lindholm Drive A
• Concord – 8915 Christenbury Pkwy., Ste 70
• Charlotte Douglas Airport – 5501 C Josh Bringham Concourse C, Gate 4

(16) Midwood Smokehouse

Sure, you know Midwood for its barbecue, but have you had the burger?

Order this: If not, try The Roadhouse. It’s a chuck and brisket burger patty with ketchup, mustard, pickles American cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Add brisket for another $5 or chopped pork for another $3.

Locations:

• Plaza Midwood – 1401 Central Ave.
• Park Road Shopping Center – 540-C Brandywine Rd.
• Ballantyne – 12410 Johnston Rd.
• Birkdale Village – 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy.
• Cross Hill Market – 702 Cross Hill Rd.

(17) Foxcroft Wine Co.

Upscale yet unpretentious wine bar with tasty small plates and entrees.

Order this: House-Ground Burger. Ground hanger steak, grilled onion, pea shoots, tomato, truffle aioli, and your choice of cheddar or blue cheese.

Locations:

• Dilworth – 1235 East Blvd., Suite I
• South Park – 7824 Fairview Rd.
• Waverly – 7416 Waverly Walk Ave. Suite H-1A
• Greenville – 631 South Main Street

(18) Bae’s Burgers

The simple menu at Bae’s Burgers lists just four burgers, but each is full of flavor.

Order this: The Boss. It has two smash beef patties, bacon, grilled onions, American cheese and garlic aioli.

• The garlic parmesan fries are a must-try.

Location: Varies. Find the location schedule here.

(19) Romeos Vegan Burgers

The vegan burger joint started as a food truck operation and quickly expanded to its first brick and mortar within a year’s time. It has since added a second brink and mortar location in Greensboro.

Order this: “Where Art Thou Romeo Burger.” It comes with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, cheese, and pickles and is topped off with a house sauce.

Locations:

• Charlotte – 5518 South Blvd.

(20) Rusty’s Deli & Grille

South Charlotte deli that’s been serving the area since 1983.

Order this: Rusty’s cheeseburger. Comes with lettuce, tomato, mayo and cheese.

Location: 8512 Park Rd.

(21) Growlers Pourhouse

NoDa gem from local restaurateurs Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown.

Order this: The Liquid nitrogen burger. American cheese, nitro muddled herb aioli, bread & butter pickles, gem lettuce, served medium rare on a brioche bun.

Location: 3120 N Davidson St.

Originally published May 18, 2017. Last updated on June 30, 2022