There are few other foods so representative of American cuisine than the hamburger. Just as one would expect, the nation's capital offers its share of world-class burgers, which range from traditional diner fare to inventive and creative takes on the classic. Whether you are looking for a fast-food cheeseburger or a fancy gourmet version like those served at 2941 Restaurant and Le Diplomate, there is something for everyone on this list of D.C.'s top burger places. Some restaurants even serve delicious but healthy chicken, turkey, or veggie patties.
2941 Restaurant, Falls Church
2941 is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the D.C. area. The restaurant is worth the trip to Virginia, if even just for the environment. The dining room features a lake view and the restaurant is located amidst koi ponds, waterfalls, and beautiful natural landscaping. The restaurant specializes in American food that has French and Mediterranean influences and its signature burger is called The All American.
It is a beef patty with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato, served on an olive oil brioche bun. In addition to the traditional burger, the restaurant offers a unique take on the poultry burger with a sandwich called The Daffy, which is duck meat mixed with foie gras that is then topped with slices of foie gras and a delicious onion agrodolce. Whether you want to keep it traditional or go out on a limb and try The Daffy, the burgers at 2941 are sure to satisfy your burger cravings.
2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042, Phone: 703-270-1500
Mintwood Place, Adams Morgan
Mintwood Place is a modern farmhouse-style restaurant serving French-inspired American cuisine. The menu features a variety of small bites, cheese platters, and starters. The selection of main courses includes everything from a 20-oz ribeye steak to a winter squash ravioli, braised lamb, seafood, and an absolutely stunning burger.
This dry-aged beef burger is wood-grilled and topped with cheese and bacon. In addition to the delicious burger, the restaurant offers other tasty appetizers, entrees, and desserts, including escargot hush puppies, pork schnitzel, Key lime pie, and much more. The restaurant features a nice ambiance that is enhanced by the wood-burning oven and sidewalk seating.
1813 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC 20009, Phone: 202-234-6732
Duke's Grocery, Dupont Circle
Duke's Grocery is a British-inspired pub that serves a selection of decadent burgers that include two Creekstone Farm Angus beef patties. The star of the sandwich menu is the Proper Burger, which is a piled-high masterpiece topped with melted Gouda, dill pickles, charred red onions, Thai sweet chili sauce, rocket, and garlic aioli, served on a ciabatta bun.
The already massive sandwich can be topped off with a runny egg, avocado, applewood-smoked bacon, white truffle oil, or pâté. The burgers can only be ordered medium rare or well done. The menu changes daily, depending on market availability. The menu is written on a chalkboard and items are erased as they run out of certain dishes throughout the day.
1513 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Phone: 202-733-5623
Founding Farmers DC, Downtown
Founding Farmers DC is a co-op owned restaurant that serves market-fresh comfort food. The restaurant is owned by more than 40,000 farmers from the North Dakota Farmers Union and gets its supplies and ingredients from family farms all over the country.
They serve quality food that is made from scratch. The restaurant's commitment to sustainability extends to the interior as well: The restaurant is constructed and decorated with many recycled and refurbished materials and they recycle waste and compost wherever possible. The restaurant serves several farm-fresh beef, turkey, and veggie burgers. The burgers are topped with fresh ingredients and served with fries, Farmers chips, or something else from their side menu.
1924 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006, Phone: 202-822-8783
Z-Burger, Tenleytown
Z-Burger is a much-loved chain and Washington D.C. landmark. The restaurant serves delicious, made-from-scratch burgers with a long list of toppings. Burgers can be paired with a side of fresh-cut fries and one of more than 75 varieties of hand-spun milkshakes.
Guests choose a beef, turkey, or veggie burger and can add cheese, bacon, and any of a long list of free toppings or premium toppings for an additional charge. Z-Burger has several locations in the D.C. area and the Z-Burger food truck can be seen at events around the city and can also be booked for private events.
4321 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016, Phone: 202-966-1999
Good Stuff Eatery, Capitol Hill
Good Stuff Eatery is a burger joint in the shadow of the US Capitol building. The restaurant serves excellent burgers that are made from the highest-quality ingredients. The head chef and owner is Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef and Spike's Sunnyside is the highlight of the menu.
This burger includes fresh cheese, applewood bacon, and a freshly fried egg. It is served on a brioche bun and slathered with Good Stuff sauce. The menu also includes burgers named for President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. The Good Stuff Eatery has several locations around D.C., including the flagship location on Capitol Hill as well as a few other locations in the United States and internationally.
303 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003, Phone: 202-543-8222
Thunder Burger & Bar, Georgetown
Thunder Burger & Bar is a Georgetown restaurant serving a selection of signature burgers, appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts. The restaurant also features a stylish bar that serves a wide selection of craft beers and whiskey.
The Thunder Burger is a build-your-own burger option with a plethora of free toppings, such as grilled onions, poblano peppers, wasabi mayo, sautéed onions, and many more. There are additional premium toppings that can be added for an extra charge, such as a selection of cheeses, fried egg, barbecued pulled pork, applewood-smoked bacon, guacamole, and others. In addition to the Thunder Burger, the menu includes a selection of pre-fab burgers as well. The "Pig in a Cow Suit" is a local favorite.
3056 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, Phone: 202-333-2888
Central Michel Richard, Chinatown/Penn Quarter
Central Michel Richard is a restaurant in Chinatown that offers a New-American/French fusion menu and has won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in the US. The restaurant is conveniently located near the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, downtown theaters, and other downtown attractions.
The restaurant offers a scrumptious burger that comes with four interesting protein choices. For a perfectly-executed classic burger, try a hamburger with cheese or bacon. For more of a unique experience, guests can opt for the ahi tuna burger, shrimp burger, or chicken and lemon burger. All of the burgers are served with a choice of salad or fries.
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, Phone: 202-626-0015
Bourbon Steak, Georgetown
Bourbon Steak is an upscale restaurant and bar in the Four Seasons hotel. The menu features a selection of high-end cocktails as well as fresh-from-the-farm pub fare. The burgers are made with 8 ounces of blended dry-aged chuck and New York strip steak and have a beef to fat ratio of 75:25, guaranteeing a juicy burger every time.
They are topped with shallot-red wine jam and mustard butter and served on a grilled bun. The duck fat fries are the perfect indulgent accompaniment to Bourbon Steak Lounge's luxurious burger.
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, Phone: 202-342-0444
Holy Cow, Del Rey
Holy Cow Del Rey is a gourmet burger restaurant in Alexandria serving award-winning burgers, hand-cut fries, milkshakes, and more. The menu includes a kid's menu with burgers, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders. Beverage options at Holy Cow include a selection of vintage and short-run glass-bottled sodas as well as regular fountain drinks.
The burger menu includes a wide selection of proteins and toppings, with choices ranging from the traditional Classic Hamburger to more indulgent choices like The Steak House. The Steak House is a natural Angus beef patty topped with blue cheese, creamed spinach, onion crisps, and sautéed mushrooms, served on a toasted bun. The restaurant offers tuna, chicken, turkey, and quinoa veggie patties as well.
2312 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301, Phone: 703-666-8616
Le Diplomate, Logan Circle
Le Diplomate is a popular French bistro in Logan Circle. While it may seem strange to order a burger at a restaurant known for its French cuisine, Le Diplomate is a strong contender for Washington D.C.'s best place to eat a burger.
The most popular burger is the Burger Americain, which consists of two specially blended Pat La Freida beef patties that are topped with American cheese, pickles, onion, and special sauce, all served on a sesame seed bun. The burger is served with a side of fries. The restaurant is open for dinner every weekday and serves brunch and a midday meal on the weekend.
1601 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, Phone: 202-332-3333
Red Apron Butchery, Penn Quarter
Red Apron Butchery is a butchery and restaurant that is committed to serving humanely sourced beef. The restaurant ensures that best animal welfare practices are followed at every stage of the production chain. The burgers are hormone and antibiotic free and are flavorful and juicy.
A favorite is the Red Apron Original, which is topped with lettuce, cheddar cheese, pickles, tomatoes, onions, and the restaurant's special Island Sauce. For the best experience, order a side of Nate's Fries to accompany your burger. These fries are cooked in aged beef fat and then seasoned with salt, garlic, and rosemary. Red Apron Butchery has several locations in the D.C. area.
709 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, Phone: 202-524-5244
Citizen Burger Bar, Charlottesville
Citizen Burger Bar is a rustic-industrial restaurant that specializes in gourmet burgers and craft brews. The restaurant uses mainly locally sourced and hormone-free ingredients. The restaurant serves several specialty burgers, ranging from the traditional American Classic to the decadently-topped Wild Mushroom and Swiss.
Additionally, guests can build a custom burger by choosing from several bun, cheese, and topping options. You can choose from a Timbercreek local beef patty, farm-fresh chicken, house-made vegan burger, or grilled cheese as a base. Diners can enjoy their meal while looking into the exposed kitchen or looking out the window at the nostalgia-inducing Paramount Theater.
212 E. Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, Phone: 703-567-7401
Clyde's of Georgetown, Georgetown
Clyde's is an iconic neighborhood restaurant that has been serving food and drinks in northwest Washington since 1963. The restaurant's ambiance is reminiscent of days past, including its original oak bar. The restaurant is well known for its burgers, chili, and Sunday brunch offerings. The burgers are made from more than 6 ounces of locally raised grass-fed beef.
They are topped with lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes and served with a choice of french fries, fruit, salad, or chili. Guests can choose to add sautéed mushrooms or onions for an additional charge. Several non-beef patty options are available, including chicken, salmon, and veggie.
3236 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007, Phone: 202-444-9180
Desperados Burgers & Bar, Logan Circle
Desperados Burgers & Bar is a basement-level burger restaurant that offers a selection of specialized burgers as well as craft brews, cocktails, and a fantastic brunch. The cowboy-themed restaurant serves a selection of tasty appetizers like fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, quesadillas, wings, and nachos. The menu features a selection of pre-fab burgers and a list of additional toppings and sauces that can be added.
The burgers are made from half a pound of ground Angus beef and are served with a choice of french fries or baked potato. The Desperados burger comes with chuck and slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions. Remoulade sauce and mustard come on the side. In addition to beef burgers, the restaurant offers turkey, chicken, portobello mushroom, and veggie patties as protein options.
1342 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, Phone: 202-299-0443
Ollie's Trolley, Downtown
Ollie's Trolley isn't an actual trolley as the name might suggest, but rather a local mainstay for diner food. Ollie's has been in business for more than 30 years and has won numerous awards for their burgers and other menu items. The burgers are made from all-natural, 100% black Angus beef from the local Roseda Farm. The meat is delivered fresh each day and ground on-site.
Burger options include a traditional burger, a bacon cheeseburger, and a chili cheeseburger. For the health-conscious, the restaurant serves a veggie burger and a turkey burger as well. The nostalgic restaurant is decorated with a variety of kitschy antiques and serves up old-fashioned, diner-style milkshakes.
425 12th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 202-347-6119
The Bottom Line, Downtown
The Bottom Line has been a landmark in D.C. since it was established in 1979. The bar occupies a basement space and also has heated outdoor seating. The menu features Mexican and American pub grub and offers a build-your-own burger option with a choice of ground beef or veggie patty as the base.
The burger can be topped with a choice of several toppings and is served on a toasted bun with homemade chips, fries, or tots. The menu also features several signature pre-fab burgers, including the Black and Bleu, the spicy Chalenango burger, or the Heidenberger, which is topped with Swiss cheese and fried onions and served with Russian dressing.
1716 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, Phone: 202-298-8488
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