Scott Rodd

A thoroughly challenging (though very tasty) list to compile, the selection of the best burgers in DC takes us to some of the most delicious local eateries, serving all kinds of cheeseburgers, veggie burgers and hamburgers. After all, although the best hot dogs in DC, the best pizza in Washington DC and the best sushi in DC are perfectly acceptable (and delicious) meals, sometimes all you’re really craving is a carefully contructed patty.

If you’re looking for a burger with a kick, this one’s for you. The pimento cheese gives it a smoky-spice and the San Marzano tomato jam brings some additional zing. The jam, however, can be a little overpowering—even for the biggest spicy food lover, you don’t want it to mask the flavor of the burger itself. The atmosphere at EatBar is pretty unbeatable—any spot that has Bad Brains, De La Soul and Devo on the same jukebox automatically earns our respect.

Carving Room is known for its finely crafted sandwiches made with high quality meats—and its signature burger is no exception. Made from ground brisket and piled high with mixed greens, bacon onion compote and sriracha mayo, this burger is a spicy, flavorful delight. It’s served on a brioche bun and comes with fries or side salad. Carving Room’s rotating draft list, low-key ambiance and solid happy hour make it a go-to spot to blow off some steam after work. It’s no surprise, then, that the venue has garnered some attention in recent years, including a spot on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-In, and Dives.

Crisp is known for dishing out some adventurous twists on down-home favorites—especially when it involves fried chicken. However, one of our favorite menu items has got to be the relatively by-the-book patty melt. Buttery toast, grilled to golden-brown perfection, replaces the staid old buns that other burgers call home. A slather of mayo, garlic dill pickle chips and pork belly jelly tie it all together. With a heap of fries on the side, this burger will bring you back to a simpler time—when  “cholesterol” was just a funny word. 

Burger Tap and Shake’s casual, sit-at-the-counter vibe dodges the common pretensions of many hip DC eateries—instead, they focus their attention on crafting renowned burgers, including the 'Big Daddy.' Thick-cut Benton’s bacon and buttermilk blue cheese make for a bold combination. Mushrooms sautéed with Worchester sauce and a touch of A1 sauce are the perfect addition to this a steakhouse-style burger. 

The burger offerings at Ollie's Trolley match the space's décor: Classic, unpretentious and all-American. The 12th St. burger joint is lined with booths and the food is served on plastic cafeteria trays. The Ollie burger is similarly no-frills, filled with classic accoutrements: shredded iceberg lettuce, American cheese and Thousand Island dressing. The burger is made from black angus chuck and beef brisket, sourced from Roseda Farm in Maryland and ground in-house daily.

Attention to detail makes this eatery a standout in the District. The beef used to prepare burgers is ground daily in-house; the strips of bacon are fresh-off-the-griddle crispy; and the brioche bun, lightly grilled inside and out, adds a slight sweetness to the mix. While this is one of many locations, b DC Penn Quarter manages to dodge the usual pitfalls of a mini-chain largely by relying locally-sourced ingredients to ensure that only the freshest dishes hit the table.

As the only spot in Southwest DC to grace our list, Station 4 holds its own in terms of flavor and flair. The most notable thing about Station 4's Kobe-style burger is the choice of meat—waygu ground beef from Snake River Farm, which yields a tender, juicy burger. Gorgonzola, mayo, lettuce and tomato are the perfect additions to this dish, not commanding too much attention from the burger itself. At $20, it’s a little steep compared to others on the list, but it’s worth checking out. Only a few blocks from Nationals Park, Station 4 is a great spot to hit up before and after Nats games, especially if you want to avoid all the riff-raff outside the stadium.