The 15 best burgers in Las Vegas

Before everyone in town was making burgers with an Asian twist, this beloved food truck was feeding the masses with juicy, all-beef patties piled with toppings like pickled ginger, habañero eel and avocado cream. There’s no bad choice on this menu, but we’re partial to the Tamago, which combines a runny egg, furikake, crispy onions, teriyaki and wasabi mayo for an umami-packed, sweet-and-spicy burger bomb. 

Michael Mina’s modern French brassiere dances between decadent fine dining and comfortable cafe without ever veering too far into either. Somehow, Bardot’s burger accomplishes the same balancing act. Available at brunch or in the bar and lounge, it starts with ground prime rib as the flavorful foundation supporting Comté cheese, Bordelaise onions, garlic aioli and watercress. Every element exists for a reason and contributes to a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. In other words: juicy burger magic with a dash of Paris.

We know what you’re thinking: Why would anyone bother with a burger at the culinary workshop of the chef of the (last) century? Because this isn’t a burger, this is le burger, or rather a pair of petite burgers stacked with thick slices of foie gras and sautéed bell peppers on two perfect little buns. Share them as a starter or take them on solo and get ready for an epically rich rendition of the American classic. 

If you’ve ever watched Gordon Ramsay berate a cook or dump a plate of disappointment on Hell’s Kitchen, you know the chef doesn’t mind turning up the heat. Hence the Hell’s Kitchen burger at his Planet Hollywood outpost. Grilled over an open, hardwood flame, this burger balances the punch of roasted chiles and jalapeño pesto aioli with creamy avocado, oven-roasted tomatoes and melty asadero cheese. When your mouth starts to feel en fuego, just order a caramel pudding shake to cool things down. 

This lively Cosmopolitan eatery is pre-game gold thanks to its energetic atmosphere and something-for-everyone menu of American pub fare. Burgers come in beef, turkey, veggie or Greek lamb varieties, the lengthy beer list leans heavily on locals and “bam-boozled” shakes are alcoholic dessert with a straw. Our pick, however, is all about the beef—kobe, in fact, glazed with teriyaki then crowned with nori furikake, crispy yam strips, spicy mayo and thick wedges of tempura avocado. Think you can improve on that killer combo? A la carte extras include wild mushrooms, shredded short rib and lobster.  

It can feel like a waste to order a burger off a menu bursting with so many enticing options, but there’s a reason this chile-imbued bomb is one of DW’s staples. It packs big, bold flavors thanks to New Mexico green chiles, jack cheese and the restaurant’s signature jalapeño bacon. All that heat is mellowed by a juicy patty, heirloom tomato and a potato bun, because frying your taste buds means you won’t be able to enjoy whatever’s for dessert.