The 12 best burgers in Boston

What it is: With Somerville, Salem, Back Bay and Harvard Square spots, this burger-centric spot (that was the brainchild of three longtime friends) is a bustling place to get some of the best burgers in town – in some of the most eccentric ways.

Why we love it: With a knack for delivering an assortment of wild creations, this place speaks directly to a meat-lover's heart. The King burger—their infamous combination of peanut butter, bacon, and fried cinnamon-sugar bananas—is the ultimate standout menu item guaranteed to turn heads. But don’t discount other options like the Big Papi (with smoked bacon, a griddled hot dog, fried egg, guac, pickled red onions and Papi sauce) or the Wicked Hot (cheddar, both sliced and fried jalapenos, horseradish sauce, spicy BBQ, Hot Mess sauce, and lettuce). Follow whatever you order with a Freak Frappe. Don’t ask. Just do it.

Address: 37 Davis Square Somerville, MA; 1105 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA; 1100 Boylston St. Boston, MA; 133 Washington St. Salem, MA

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11am-10pm; Fri. and Sat. 11am-11pm

What it is: Located in the heart of downtown Boston, this spot for comfort food is named after decorated Boston politician, James Michael Curley - the Rascal King. Make your way through the hustle and bustle and behind the curtain to find its speakeasy, Bogey’s Place, when you want a full on steak.

Why we love it: jm Curley's glorious burger is the perfect, juicy end to any work day, especially when paired with one of the restaurant's craft cocktails. Made from grass-fed beef, the Curley Burger is then topped with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, in-house pickles and Pop’s homemade Russian dressing on a sesame bun. Ask about adding a fried egg, slaw and, sometimes, an additional patty.

Address: 21 Temple Place, Boston, MA, 02125 

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 11am-4pm; Dinner: Sun.-Wed. 4-10pm, Thurs.-Sat. 4-11pm

What it is: This is your neighborhood whiskey tavern has been popping up on best-of lists more and more. It’s not surprising to any diner who has sampled the creative menu. There’s no take out, no reservations and no frills.

Why we love it: The mighty Hell Yeah Burger is the move here: double patties marinated in spices and whiskey, topped with a signature sauce, American and cheddar cheese, shredduce, smoked onions and pickles on a buttered seeded brioche. Smaller appetites will enjoy the Simple Burger, topped with cheddar, shredduce and Grillo’s pickles just as much.

Address: 331 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128

Opening hours: Check out the hours here.

What it is: This Lower Mills spot was born from chef-owner Tambo Barrow’s desire to make unparalleled burgers. The Boston native, who seasons and smashes his grass-fed burgers right on the grill, has developed an extensive menu of creative combinations to showcase these perfect patties.

Why we love it: Choose amongst their “smoked burgs” like: the Maui Burger, which is piled high with sliced fresh pineapple, smoked ham, sweet plantains, crispy onions, habanero pepper jack cheese and BBQ sauce on a potato bun; or the Parisian Burger, which is topped with applewood smoked bacon, brie, a fried egg, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms and truffle aioli, served on a brioche bun. For folks who aren’t about beef, BRED Gourmet also serves up an old school veggie burger, the meat-like Impossible burger and a slamming jerk salmon burger. There’s also one in Kendall Square.

Address: 2255 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8:30pm; Fri.-Sat. 11am-9pm

What it is: What started as a neighborhood spot with a focus on sharing the traditions of Belgian, German, and American artisanal beers is now known as a great spot for comforting shareable bites and hearty dishes.

Why we love it: This relaxed, cozy Brookline pub offers one of the best burgers around. For the P-House Burger—an 8-oz, all-natural prime burger served on a sesame brioche bun—it’s all about building your own burger from a selection of custom toppings and sauces. For example, you can enjoy your handheld with a fried egg, pickled jalapenos, bacon, sauteed onions or mushrooms, or any number of cheeses. A smear of truffle ketchup elevates the whole experience—and add the hand cut fries on the side to make your burger-eating experience pure bliss.

Address: 1648 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445

Opening hours: Mon. 5-11pm; Tues and Wed. 5pm-midnight; Thurs. 5pm-1am; Frid. 3pm-1am; Sat. noon-1am; Sun. noon-10pm

What it is: This new spot in Southie has been earning kudos for its downstairs speakeasy Leopard Lounge, as well as its gorgeous over-the-top lush décor, and amazing menu that’s inspired by Spanish tapas, wood-fired cooking, and the art of sobremesa—the ritual of letting the night unfold.

Why we love it: While it’s just an app, we want to call out the Hamburguesitas as two littles bites of juicy heaven. They’re made with Wagyu beef, oxtail marmalade, quick pickle, Mahón and aioli.

Address: 429 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 4pm-1am

What it is: Located in the heart of South Boston, this modern American tavern serves comfort classics in a classic American tavern style.

Why we love it: The ever-popular Lincoln Burger features a blend of prime beef, which is cooked atop the restaurant's wood grill, and is topped with bacon aioli, Cabot sharp cheddar cheese and caramelized French onions—all served on a homemade sesame brioche bun. Pro-tip: The burger comes with either fries or a salad, but ask if you can get half of each. There is also an app of Sliders served with bacon aioli, muenster, sunny-side up quail egg on potato bun.

Address: 425 W Broadway #427, South Boston, MA 02127

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-2am; Sat. and Sun. 9am-2am; Brunch served daily until 3pm 

What it is: This Southie spot by longtime local chef Asia Mei is extra in all the right ways, from having a selection of rotating jello shots to Ron Swanson-inspired weekend brunch specials. 

Why we love it: Burgers might take the ultimate crown, however, with over-the-top monthly offerings like the Italian Stallion or the Butter Chicken Naanwich Burger. The classic grass-fed Shine burger is a Boston’s Best award-winning hand-held feast made with a blend of organic short rib, chuck and sirloin and served on a house-baked potato bun. It's delicious no matter how it's accessorized (you can also make it a double patty). The popular house-made mushroom-tofu burger is an inspiring vegetarian-friendly option.

Address: 152 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127

Opening hours: Tues.-Thurs. 5-9:30pm; Fri. 5-10:30pm; Sat. 4-10:30pm; Sun. 4-9:30pm; Weekend brunch 11:30am-3pm

What it is: Since 1960, this Harvard Square landmark has been serving up its burgers with a side of celebrity-inspired names—and they're just as creative as the sandwiches themselves.

Why we love it: The menu changes constantly, but we’re guessing that the Drake Maye (with cheddar, guac and lettuce, tomato and red onion) and the Bill Burr (named for the famous comedian from Canton and topped with cheddar cheese, guacamole, lettuce, tomato and red onion) might be on the menu, if you stop in.

Address: 1246 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8pm; Fri. and Sat. 11am-8:30pm; Sun. 11am-4pm

What it is: Venture to student-saturated Davis Square to find a beefy hidden gem that’s a lively French brasserie and comforting American tavern. Foundry on Elm, which is modeled after a traditional brasserie and features an expansive marble bar, offers well executed and unpretentious fare.

Why we love it: A blend of brisket, chuck and short rib, the Chef’s Burger boasts one of the juiciest patties around, made only better by Vermont cheddar cheese, charred red onion, shaved dill pickles, truffle aioli and a brioche bun.  

Address: 255 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 4pm-midnight; Fri. 4-1am; Sat. 10am-1am; Sun. 10am-midnight

What it is: Ken Oringer’s global tapas restaurant in Cambridge is quite possibly the perfect example of upscale comfort foods done right.

Why we love it: As you cobble together a feast of small plates at this Central Square establishment, be sure to include the burger: a dry-age beef patty topped with foie gras onions, buffalo pickles, jalapeno chips and a perfect smear of French onion soup mayo (didn’t see that coming, did you). It may be meant for sharing, but you'll want to eat this one all on your own.

Address: 505 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02139

Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 5pm; Fri. and Sat. bar: 4pm

What it is: Born from a popular food truck and now an actual brick and mortar, Roxy's is known for its killer grilled cheese sandwiches, but this spot is no stranger to a flavorful, grass-fed burger, too.

Why we love it: Called Justin's Burger, it's topped with house-made pimento cheese, caramelized onions, Grillo’s pickles and chipotle mayo and hits the perfect balance between salty and sweet, tangy and spicy. If you're up for an umami bomb, go with the Mushroom Burger, which is loaded with sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, Monterey jack cheese, truffle mayo and arugula. The shop also offers a vegan burger, and even vegan grilled cheese, if that’s your thing.

Address: 292 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge MA, 02139

Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 11am-11pm; Sun. noon-7pm