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A tall burger topped with melted yellow cheese, sliced red tomatoes, pale green lettuce, and rings of purple onions on a golden bun. Fries in the background.
The classic cheeseburger with brown butter aioli from Mélange.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

16 Outstanding Burgers to Try in D.C.

In a burger-loving town, these patties stand tall

by Tierney Plumb, Adele Chapin, Stephanie Carter, and Gabe Hiatt Updated
View as Map
The classic cheeseburger with brown butter aioli from Mélange.
| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.
by Tierney Plumb, Adele Chapin, Stephanie Carter, and Gabe Hiatt Updated

A naturally portable food item that’s affordable by design, the humble hamburger emerged as big seller for D.C. restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. D.C. has long had a high-low love affair with ground beef patties from high-end hotels and steakhouses — Bourbon Steak’s lounge burger checks both boxes — to powerhouse chains with Mid-Atlantic roots (Shake Shack, Five Guys), pop-ups and food trucks done good (Mélange, Swizzler), and, more recently, cheffed-up ghost kitchens like Ghost Burger.

Most restaurants on this updated map are hyper-focused on the quality of beef they use and which cuts they blend into patties. Gourmet condiments and interesting accents abound. This list is all about animal protein, but veggie burger fans should plan a trip to D.C.’s meat-free hitmakers Plnt Burger and Bubbie’s.

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Soko Butcher

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On one side of this cozy butcher shop in Takoma Park, a full kitchen turns out deli sandwiches, bone broth, beef tallow fries, and more from the shop’s locally sourced, sustainable meats. The smash burger places a house-blended, 21-day, dry-aged beef patty atop a potato bun with American cheese and mayo. Follow Soko’s Instagram account for burger-of-the-week specials, like bacon-wrapped Impossible burgers with bacon jam, as well as breakfast burgers topped with breakfast sausage and egg.

7306 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 588-3331
(240) 588-3331

The Avenue

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This neighborhood spot in Chevy Chase tops certified angus beef patties — one or two — with all the traditional cheeseburger accoutrements (shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and American cheese) but swaps ketchup for its tangy house “Avenue” sauce. The Avenue stuffs in all into a potato bun.

5540 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015
(202) 244-4567
(202) 244-4567
A plump patty topped with a slice of yellow-orange cheese on a burger bun sits next to a pile of French fries.
The Avenue’s cheeseburger.
The Avenue [official photo]

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Slash Run

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The rock-n-roll dive in Petworth sends out a strong nine-burger lineup built with six-ounce Creekstone Farms beef patties. The “straight up and to the point” classic comes with lettuce, tomato, and onion, while an offbeat “barstool rodeo” barbecue works with finely ground coffee. Order online or dine in on its pink-and-black patio. A punky sibling called The Runaway recently debuted in Brookland with jet-black brioche burger buns from local baker Pop’s Buns.

201 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20011
(202) 838-9929
(202) 838-9929

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Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen

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The Brookland neighborhood mainstay is known for its much-loved Colonel burger (certified Angus beef, pickled onions, Tillamook cheddar, applewood smoked bacon on a brioche bun). Served with hand-cut fries, chips, or a side salad. Order for pickup or indoor or patio dining.

3126 12th St NE, Washington, D.C., DC 20017
(202) 636-0050
(202) 636-0050

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Primrose

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During the pandemic, Brookland’s feathery French wine bar and bistro mastered the art of the smash burger with a temporary carryout operation dubbed Larry’s Chicken and Cheeseburgers. The best-selling burger is here to stay at Primrose, built with gooey gruyere, onion jam, mayo, steak fries.

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
(202) 248-4558
(202) 248-4558

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Jack's Ranch Barbecue

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After opening as an Italian restaurant, this sprawling, 11,000-square-foot beast of a restaurant re-worked its menu and concept in May 2022 with a focus on Central Texas barbecue, figuring that customers really wanted what the restaurant group already knew — smoked meats. The burger comes with two prime beef patties with cheese on a sesame bun.

1755 Tysons Central St, Tysons, VA 22182
(703) 663-4755
(703) 663-4755

Lucky Buns (Multiple locations)

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Chef Alex McCoy’s Adams Morgan hangout (and Union Market stall) is devoted to burgers that top Creekstone Farms beef with globetrotting condiments like bacon XO jam, pickled beetroot, or a Thai chili take on D.C.’s treasured mumbo sauce. Another location is en route to the Wharf this fall.

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1713
(202) 506-1713
A cheeseburger with several patties stacked atop each other. Lucky Buns/Official

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Garden District

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The Logan Circle beer garden and barbecue joint is a low-key option for one the best cheeseburgers in town. Order a burger basket, and supplement it with fried onion rings, fired pickle spears, or hush puppies.

1801 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20009
(202) 695-2626
(202) 695-2626
A burger with pickles and tomatoes on a seasame bun sits on a blue and white checkered paper.
A burger from Garden District.
Garden District

Le Diplomate

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Le Diplomate’s “burger Americain” is a French-ified take on a Big Mac, complete with two patties, American cheese, pickles, onion, special sauce and, of course, pommes frites. It’s available on both the lunch and dinner menus.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333

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Duke's Grocery

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The “proper burger” (gouda, pickles, charred onions, sweet chile sauce, arugula, garlic aioli, brioche bun) at Duke’s carries a registered trademark. The East London-style pub’s original location is in Dupont, but there are outposts in Woodley Park and Foggy Bottom. An additional location is en route to Navy Yard.

6230, 1513 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

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Ghostburger

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This virtual restaurant from Espita Mezcaleria and chef Rob Aikens, a devout burger designer, made such a hit that the the Southern Mexican restaurant in Shaw serves its burgers, cheesesteaks, and wings to sit-down customers. “La hamburguesa” comes with a single or double four-ounce LaFrieda beef patty queso Oaxaca, Espita’s salsa macha, and smoked tomatillo relish.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001
(202) 827-5237
(202) 827-5237
A thick beef patty on a golden bun is garniched with green lettuce and rust-colored salsa macha,
Ghostburger’s “la hamburguesa” is topped with white queso Oaxaca, rust-colored salsa macha, and smoked tomatillo relish to the patty
Ghostburger

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Unconventional Diner

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Chef and owner David Deshaies upholds the burger standards he learned from mentor Michel Richard at Central, where a prime beef burger continues to wow downtown diners. Deshaies’s version at his cheeky diner in Shaw is a classic double cheeseburger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and caramelized onions.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

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Mélange

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This may be the most diligently crafted burger in all of the District. Before chef Elias Taddesse opened his standout burger shop full of Ethiopian and French influences in Mount Vernon Triangle, he honed his recipe for three years at an attention-grabbing burger pop-up out of Wet Dog Tavern. A buttery bun, a deeply beefy mix of Roseda Farms cuts, and brown butter aioli make the “classic” a total knockout. Grab a pint of Taddesse’s toast-flavored ice cream while you’re at it.

449 K St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001
(202) 289-5471
(202) 289-5471
A tall burger topped with melted yellow cheese, sliced red tomatoes, pale green lettuce, and rings of purple onions on a golden bun. Fries in the background.
The classic cheeseburger with brown butter aioli from Mélange.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Also featured in:

Eat Brgz - Chinatown

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At this fast-casual, outside-the-box burger spot customers choose from a long list of “toppings” (carrot, cucumber, sauteed mushrooms, chorizo, and more), cheese, and seasoning to mix into their burgers, meaning nothing gets placed on top of the dry-aged Roseda Farms beef patty (there are other patty options as well) once it’s nestled into a squishy, freshly baked potato roll or gluten-free cauliflower bun, or placed on top of a salad. Sauces, like queso or tzatziki, come on the side for dipping. There’s also a location in Capitol Hill across from Eastern Market.

704 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074
A burger next to fries on a silver tray.
Eat Brgz’s popular Mexico City burger features chorizo, red onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, Oaxaca cheese and taco seasoning. Fries come in classic, Cajun, jerk, or garlic Parmesan varieties.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Swizzler

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The D.C. food truck known for environmentally conscious versions of American cookout classics opened its first standalone restaurant in Navy Yard in 2020. Pillowy bread from Pop’s Buns in Northeast hold grass-fed beef patties sourced from Joyce Farms, a regenerative agriculture co-op in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

1259 First St SE, Washington, D.C., DC 20003
(202) 930-1499
(202) 930-1499
A beef burger patty with arugula, dill pickle, stack sauce, and Parmesan truffle fries.
Swizzler’s “Swizz Stack” (grass-fed beef, arugula, dill pickle, stack sauce) and Parmesan truffle fries.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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The Salt Line

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The sprawling riverfront spot next to Nationals Park is known for its seafood towers and lobster rolls, but chef Kyle Bailey knows his way around a burger, too. The Salt Line’s version involves two ground chuck patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, and a sesame bun. Reserve a seat across its huge patio, or sit inside. There’s also a Salt Line in Ballston now too.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Also featured in:

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Soko Butcher

7306 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

On one side of this cozy butcher shop in Takoma Park, a full kitchen turns out deli sandwiches, bone broth, beef tallow fries, and more from the shop’s locally sourced, sustainable meats. The smash burger places a house-blended, 21-day, dry-aged beef patty atop a potato bun with American cheese and mayo. Follow Soko’s Instagram account for burger-of-the-week specials, like bacon-wrapped Impossible burgers with bacon jam, as well as breakfast burgers topped with breakfast sausage and egg.

7306 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
(240) 588-3331
(240) 588-3331

The Avenue

5540 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015

This neighborhood spot in Chevy Chase tops certified angus beef patties — one or two — with all the traditional cheeseburger accoutrements (shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and American cheese) but swaps ketchup for its tangy house “Avenue” sauce. The Avenue stuffs in all into a potato bun.

5540 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015
(202) 244-4567
(202) 244-4567
A plump patty topped with a slice of yellow-orange cheese on a burger bun sits next to a pile of French fries.
The Avenue’s cheeseburger.
The Avenue [official photo]

Slash Run

201 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20011

The rock-n-roll dive in Petworth sends out a strong nine-burger lineup built with six-ounce Creekstone Farms beef patties. The “straight up and to the point” classic comes with lettuce, tomato, and onion, while an offbeat “barstool rodeo” barbecue works with finely ground coffee. Order online or dine in on its pink-and-black patio. A punky sibling called The Runaway recently debuted in Brookland with jet-black brioche burger buns from local baker Pop’s Buns.

201 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20011
(202) 838-9929
(202) 838-9929

Brookland's Finest Bar and Kitchen

3126 12th St NE, Washington, D.C., DC 20017

The Brookland neighborhood mainstay is known for its much-loved Colonel burger (certified Angus beef, pickled onions, Tillamook cheddar, applewood smoked bacon on a brioche bun). Served with hand-cut fries, chips, or a side salad. Order for pickup or indoor or patio dining.

3126 12th St NE, Washington, D.C., DC 20017
(202) 636-0050
(202) 636-0050

Primrose

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

During the pandemic, Brookland’s feathery French wine bar and bistro mastered the art of the smash burger with a temporary carryout operation dubbed Larry’s Chicken and Cheeseburgers. The best-selling burger is here to stay at Primrose, built with gooey gruyere, onion jam, mayo, steak fries.

3000 12th St NE, Washington, DC 20017
(202) 248-4558
(202) 248-4558

Jack's Ranch Barbecue

1755 Tysons Central St, Tysons, VA 22182

After opening as an Italian restaurant, this sprawling, 11,000-square-foot beast of a restaurant re-worked its menu and concept in May 2022 with a focus on Central Texas barbecue, figuring that customers really wanted what the restaurant group already knew — smoked meats. The burger comes with two prime beef patties with cheese on a sesame bun.

1755 Tysons Central St, Tysons, VA 22182
(703) 663-4755
(703) 663-4755

Lucky Buns (Multiple locations)

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Chef Alex McCoy’s Adams Morgan hangout (and Union Market stall) is devoted to burgers that top Creekstone Farms beef with globetrotting condiments like bacon XO jam, pickled beetroot, or a Thai chili take on D.C.’s treasured mumbo sauce. Another location is en route to the Wharf this fall.

2000 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1713
(202) 506-1713
A cheeseburger with several patties stacked atop each other. Lucky Buns/Official

Garden District

1801 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20009

The Logan Circle beer garden and barbecue joint is a low-key option for one the best cheeseburgers in town. Order a burger basket, and supplement it with fried onion rings, fired pickle spears, or hush puppies.

1801 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20009
(202) 695-2626
(202) 695-2626
A burger with pickles and tomatoes on a seasame bun sits on a blue and white checkered paper.
A burger from Garden District.
Garden District

Le Diplomate

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Le Diplomate’s “burger Americain” is a French-ified take on a Big Mac, complete with two patties, American cheese, pickles, onion, special sauce and, of course, pommes frites. It’s available on both the lunch and dinner menus.

1601 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-3333
(202) 332-3333

Duke's Grocery

6230, 1513 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The “proper burger” (gouda, pickles, charred onions, sweet chile sauce, arugula, garlic aioli, brioche bun) at Duke’s carries a registered trademark. The East London-style pub’s original location is in Dupont, but there are outposts in Woodley Park and Foggy Bottom. An additional location is en route to Navy Yard.

6230, 1513 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

Ghostburger

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001

This virtual restaurant from Espita Mezcaleria and chef Rob Aikens, a devout burger designer, made such a hit that the the Southern Mexican restaurant in Shaw serves its burgers, cheesesteaks, and wings to sit-down customers. “La hamburguesa” comes with a single or double four-ounce LaFrieda beef patty queso Oaxaca, Espita’s salsa macha, and smoked tomatillo relish.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001
(202) 827-5237
(202) 827-5237
A thick beef patty on a golden bun is garniched with green lettuce and rust-colored salsa macha,
Ghostburger’s “la hamburguesa” is topped with white queso Oaxaca, rust-colored salsa macha, and smoked tomatillo relish to the patty
Ghostburger

Unconventional Diner

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Chef and owner David Deshaies upholds the burger standards he learned from mentor Michel Richard at Central, where a prime beef burger continues to wow downtown diners. Deshaies’s version at his cheeky diner in Shaw is a classic double cheeseburger with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and caramelized onions.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

Mélange

449 K St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001

This may be the most diligently crafted burger in all of the District. Before chef Elias Taddesse opened his standout burger shop full of Ethiopian and French influences in Mount Vernon Triangle, he honed his recipe for three years at an attention-grabbing burger pop-up out of Wet Dog Tavern. A buttery bun, a deeply beefy mix of Roseda Farms cuts, and brown butter aioli make the “classic” a total knockout. Grab a pint of Taddesse’s toast-flavored ice cream while you’re at it.

449 K St NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001
(202) 289-5471
(202) 289-5471
A tall burger topped with melted yellow cheese, sliced red tomatoes, pale green lettuce, and rings of purple onions on a golden bun. Fries in the background.
The classic cheeseburger with brown butter aioli from Mélange.
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Eat Brgz - Chinatown

704 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

At this fast-casual, outside-the-box burger spot customers choose from a long list of “toppings” (carrot, cucumber, sauteed mushrooms, chorizo, and more), cheese, and seasoning to mix into their burgers, meaning nothing gets placed on top of the dry-aged Roseda Farms beef patty (there are other patty options as well) once it’s nestled into a squishy, freshly baked potato roll or gluten-free cauliflower bun, or placed on top of a salad. Sauces, like queso or tzatziki, come on the side for dipping. There’s also a location in Capitol Hill across from Eastern Market.

704 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 450-5074
(202) 450-5074
A burger next to fries on a silver tray.
Eat Brgz’s popular Mexico City burger features chorizo, red onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, Oaxaca cheese and taco seasoning. Fries come in classic, Cajun, jerk, or garlic Parmesan varieties.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Swizzler

1259 First St SE, Washington, D.C., DC 20003

The D.C. food truck known for environmentally conscious versions of American cookout classics opened its first standalone restaurant in Navy Yard in 2020. Pillowy bread from Pop’s Buns in Northeast hold grass-fed beef patties sourced from Joyce Farms, a regenerative agriculture co-op in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

1259 First St SE, Washington, D.C., DC 20003
(202) 930-1499
(202) 930-1499
A beef burger patty with arugula, dill pickle, stack sauce, and Parmesan truffle fries.
Swizzler’s “Swizz Stack” (grass-fed beef, arugula, dill pickle, stack sauce) and Parmesan truffle fries.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Related Maps

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

The sprawling riverfront spot next to Nationals Park is known for its seafood towers and lobster rolls, but chef Kyle Bailey knows his way around a burger, too. The Salt Line’s version involves two ground chuck patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, and a sesame bun. Reserve a seat across its huge patio, or sit inside. There’s also a Salt Line in Ballston now too.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Related Maps