Raleigh’s burger game is on fire—from smash patties dripping with nostalgia to chef-stacked creations at a range of prices that are sure to please all palates. Whether you’re into griddled classics, dry-aged beef or wagyu wonders, the City of Oaks has a burger for every craving. We’ve taste-tested our way through towering stacks and no-frills favorites to bring you the 12 best burgers in town. Grab extra napkins—this list is juicy. 

Ranchero
MoJoe’s | Glenwood South

If breakfast and a burger had a baby, it would be this zesty number from DTR’s longtime cheap and reliable unassuming meaty mainstay. Adding a little spice to both die-hard regulars’ and newcomers’ hearty routines is the Ranchero—each bite serving sublime sustenance thanks to the Sterling Silver meat, crispy jalapeno bacon, pepper jack cheese, a piquant dash of salsa verde and perfectly oozy egg to seal the deal. In short, it’s a hangover brunch fit for Parks and Rec’s Ron Swanson—hearty, unapologetic and best served with a side bloody or boozy milkshake. But it hits just as well (and may go down even easier) paired with catching a casual game at the bar, sipping a bev on the backyard-esque deck, or refueling post-Glenwood romp. And a side of fries or onion rings with the famous MoJoe’s Sauce, aka a peppery Cajun ranch, is borderline mandatory. mojoesburgerjoint.com

Houseground Burger
Foxcroft Wine Co. Midtown

While “wining” down on the sun-soaked patio at this recently bowed bougie wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop, a charcuterie board or flatbread might be a more standard pairing. But without a doubt, the houseground burger fully deserves the spotlight—think of it as meat and cheese in handheld form. Like the most picture-perfect Krabby Patty of Spongebob’s dreams, the uberjuicy ground certified Angus beef patty gets all dressed up with arugula, tomato, grilled onion, to-die-for truffle aioli, and dealer’s choice of blue cheese or cheddar (as the saying goes, cheddar is better) on a made-in-house potato bun—a perfect balance of savory, cheesy, peppery, tangy and slightly sweet, bursting at the seams with flavor and making for an appropriately messy burger that might just have you licking the plate clean. No judgment. foxcroftwine.com 

Ashe & Co Burger
Whiskey Kitchen | Warehouse District

Saucy, cheesy and oh-so-savory, this succulent sando is a downright indulgence. Anything but vanilla, robust beef gets tucked between a toasty Union Special brioche bun piled high with melty Ashe County cheddar cheese, an addicting caramelized onion aioli with just a hint of sweetness, crisp house dill pickles and a juicy slice of heirloom tomato. But the real star? That expertly grilled, perfectly seasoned patty with just a little bit of char for a satisfying crunch—altogether resulting in a rich yet well-balanced texture bomb with every bite. For Southern comfort at its finest, ride the high with a whiskey flight, classic or creative cocktail, or your go-to beer or wine posted up at a picnic table on the sprawling light-strung patio, or inside the bright, airy interior. whiskey.kitchen

Tavern Burger
Village Tavern | Midtown

The only thing more patriotic than this “All-American” beefy beauty is a Miller in hand, a grill nearby, and the Fourth of July sky lighting up in red, white and boom. But this elevated tavern experience? It’s giving Founding Fathers with flavor. Stacked high with bibb lettuce, juicy tomato, crisp red onion, melty American cheese and a generous swipe of housemade Secret Sauce, the scratch-kitchen creation doesn’t just hit the spot—it’s a pledge of allegiance to the best of the best grill-side greats. villagetavern.com

WAGYU BURGER
Wye Hill | Warehouse District

Among its roster of iconic burgers, this 6-oz. wagyu stunner steals the spotlight. Layered with drippy housemade American cheese and jalapeno bacon jam, and cradled inside a golden pillowy pretzel bun, the charred juicy patty oozes with temptation that more than delivers in every indulgent bite. And while the $25 price tag may seem steep, trust—it’s worth every cent. Not to mention a seat on the primo patio serves up those no-extra-charge unparalleled skyline vistas, all wrapped in Wye’s trademark everyone’s-invited energy. In short, it’s a craveworthy balance of richness, heat and savory depth—crafted not just to satisfy, but to seduce. wyehill.com

Standard Smashburger
Standard Beer + Food | Seaboard & Person Street District

Just one look at Standard’s ever-popular burger will have you salivating—the gooey cheese, the perfectly seared juicy meat and the glorious dripping sauce together making for a flavor-flex masterpiece you’ll want to admire before demolishing. Two patties piled with griddled onions, American cheese, dill pickles and Pop’s Russian sauce on a Martin’s potato roll isn’t anything fancy—in fact, it’s quite messy (and you’re definitely going to need extra napkins). But it’s everything you’d want in a good, slutty cheeseburger. Embrace the mess with a side of truffle fries loaded with truffle aioli, Parmesan and herbs, and wash it all down with a frozen bev on the lively sunny patio—or inside the bright and open casual interior (a bar seat is sacred)—for anything but a standard experience. standardbeerandfood.com

NRBC Burger
Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie | Five Points

They say a burger is only as good as its bread, and when it comes to Neuse’s burger, the Union Special brioche bun is a standout of its own. Soft and spongy, it’s the perfect vessel for a bangin’ burger boasting a tangle of textures and tastes—from the taste bud-tingling half-pound patty to the rich NRBC beer cheese to the crispy onions and pungent house pickles. While there’s nothing wrong with a plain-Jane burg (done well, of course), Neuse proves that a little extra goes a long way. Especially when it comes to that to-die-for roasted garlic aioli. And with its all-are-welcome feel, the neighborhood brewery is the kind of place you can get one any time, no matter the occasion—girls/guys night, family dinner, or on your own with a beer at the bar. neuseriverbrewing.com

Double Double Smashburger
Gussie’s | Warehouse District

While there’s no wrong order at Gussie’s, there’s only one that epitomizes its authentic feel-good MO. Frankly, it should come as no surprise that this good-time neighborhood bar plates a palatable smash on the regular. And, yet, each bite will surprise you. The quintessence of your all-American grilled backyard burg with homey vibes to match, a garden-variety of American cheese, caramelized onion and LTOP serve as classic dressings to two perfectly grilled sirloin-brisket patties so fresh you might think you hear them moo. And if heat is more your vibe, the jalapeno Jack smashburger straight slaps. gussiesraleigh.com

Burger
Hummingbird | Iron District

This Nawlins-inspired burger at Dock 1053 takes a cue from its name, keeping it simple—and letting the flavor speak for itself. Chef/owner Coleen Speaks saw no need to rewrite the classic, instead blending nostalgic Americana vibes with a lighter, farm-fresh touch that tastes like it should be paired with a milkshake and a jukebox at a ’50s diner—though Hummingbird’s bright, eclectic interior or buzzy wraparound patio are just as inviting. And the proof is in that patty—gobs of grease aren’t necessary to make a good burger. A backyard cookout delivered in every bite—if your grill master was a James Beard semifinalist—the certified Angus houseground sirloin and chuck patty is stacked with gooey cheddar, flawlessly griddled onion and piquant pickles, lightened with fresh tomato and crisp lettuce. Pro tip: Save some room for the deliciously crispy chips on the side—dipped in that better-than-ranch ranch, of course. hummingbirdraleigh.com

Textbook
LaGana | Smoky Hollow

Don’t let anyone tell you that wagyu shouldn’t be a burger—one bite of LaGana’s premium wagyu beef patty will render you unable to remember your name. Smooth like butter, ubermoist and juicy, the double-smash all but melts in your mouth via an umami taste bud explosion of the pillowy Union Special bun anchored by the NC-raised pure Japanese wagyu from family-owned Wilders farm. The classic LTO provides a hint of health, while the signature sauce delivers the slightest bite—in the best way—tempered by supercreamy Yankee cheddar to bring it home. For an OG-meets-chef-driven burger with a lunch-counter feel, LaGana is the move for any meaty menu masterpiece—including the comparable daytime Lunch Boi. And don’t sleep on the tots. Period. laganaraleigh.com

Wolfpack Burger
Players Retreat | Hillsborough Street Corridor

If you’re in the mood for a sloppy joe burg, this classic Hillsborough Street sports bar mainstay is always the move. Slapped sloppily between a perfectly puffed sesame seed Union Special bun, the chili- and slaw-smothered quarter-pounder patty—with an option to go big at 6 oz.—defies stereotypes by serving up all the nostalgia of a Southern cookout with a refined edge. Juicy, messy and loaded with flavor, it’s the kind of bite that demands extra napkins—and maybe a second round. Pair it with crispy chips or a cold local pint, and you’ve got yourself a reimagined certified comfort-food classic. playersretreat.com

Mushroom Pierogi Burger
J. Betski’s | Five POINTS

It wouldn’t be a true J. Betski’s burger without one of the elevated-casual East and Central European resto’s signature mushroom and three cheese pierogies sandwiched between the housemade brioche buns, naturally (soo Polish coded). And while it may sound wrong, it couldn’t be more right. The stuffed surprise hits with an umami punch, dishing another layer of cheesy decadence to an already super-savory burger stacked with Swiss, port and balsamic-glazed onions, and truffle aioli (and you’ll want extra of those ultracrunchy potato crisps)—all balanced out by a clutch dose of refreshing house pickles. jbetskis.com