Everyone has that one restaurant that they are absolutely sure has the best burgers in Virginia, so we asked around and local residents in the following towns shared their secret spots with us. Visit a few of these 20+ burger joints and let us know which restaurant tops your list for the best burgers in Virginia.  

Beauvine Burger Concept—Richmond

Try one of the artisan burgers or build your own flavor combination at Beauvine Burger Concept. This approachable burger spot, located in the Fan District of Richmond, offers a variety of customization options including turkey and vegan patties. Try the Belle Ringer with herbed goat cheese, pickled red onion, spring greens, tomato jam, and herb aioli, or the Bellytimber with smoked cheddar, onion rings, buttermilk slaw, housemade pickles, tomato, mayo, and local barbecue sauce. Don't forget a side order of the duck fat fries and polish off your meal with a milkshake. 

Grill 309—Culpeper

Culpeper’s Grill 309 is a favorite spot for locals, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and incredible burgers that will keep you coming back again and again. For a sweet and savory pairing, try the Doughnut Burger, a ½ pound Virginia Black Angus beef burger with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, an over easy egg, and bacon, all served on a freshly glazed doughnut bun. If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, go for the Burger Sliders, three mini Virginia Black Angus Beef burgers with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles.  

The Shack—Staunton

The Shack
Photo Credit: Chad Williams @echadwilliams

The Shack is a must-visit when it comes to dining in Staunton. Under Chef Ian Boden, the restaurant’s menu reflects the abundance of fresh produce and ingredients found in the Shenandoah Valley. While it’s tough to choose a favorite dish, the Shack Burger is definitely a front runner, topped with a black garlic mayo, provolona whiz, and grilled onions.  

Burger in the Square—Roanoke

Since 1985, Burger in the Square has been a favorite in the Roanoke community. They use fresh ground beef to create a menu of over 20 different juicy burgers, from the most basic, no-frill burger on a bun to favorite specialty burger combinations like the Blazing Saddle with ghost pepper cheese, grilled serrano peppers, sautéed onions, srirachi slaw, lettuce, and tomato or the Oinker Burger with hand-pulled sweet or vinegar barbecue and house slaw. 

Me’s Burgers & Brews—Danville

Owned by a mother/daughter duo, Me’s Burgers & Brews ties the family’s love of literature into the menu, with their ever-changing selection of burgers named for their favorite writers. Order the C.S. Lewis (a beef patty with pesto, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, basil mayo, and swiss cheese) or the J.R.R. Tolkien (with bacon, hash brown, pickled jalapenos, caramelized onions, marinated mushrooms, sriracha aioli, and pepper jack). If you prefer to be the “author” of your burger, start with a beef, veggie, chicken, bison, lamb, or tuna patty and then choose from the 30+ toppings to craft your own original masterpiece.  

Viking Burger—Newport News

If you’re in Coastal Virginia and looking for a fantastic burger, head to Viking Burger in Newport News. Since 2014, the restaurant has been redefining the art of the burger. While you can order a basic cheeseburger or one of their unique signature creations, we recommend Viking’s “Valhalla” burgers, made with two sirloin patties stuffed with different types of cheese, like the Valkyrie, a double burger stuffed with pepper jack, muenster, grilled jalapeños, and spicy brown mustard, and then finished with even more pepper jack, grilled bell peppers, and lettuce. These behemoth burgers often conquer even the most voracious eaters, so don’t feel too bad if you leave with leftovers.  

Melt—Leesburg

Quality, passion, and creativity set Melt apart from the rest of the burger crowd. They use the best ingredeints, including 100 percent natural Angus beef in a proprietary blend (made just for the restaurant by a local purveyor), domestic lamb, and turkey ground daily. The fresh seafood and local produce is delivered every day. They make their buns in-house, every day so the bread is always fresh. The gourmet burger offerings include the Tex-Mex Burger with jack cheese, pico de gallo, grilled jalapenos, roasted corn salsa, lettuce, guacamole, and a smoky chipotle sauce, as well as the Philly Cheesesteak Burger (just what it sounds like). 

NN Burger—Tappahannock

NN Burger
Photo Credit: Allison Nida @cookthenidaway

NN Burger is a Virginia-born gourmet burger and craft beer restaurant specializing in fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Each hand-crafted, artisan burger is prepared in a unique two-step process. First, each burger is placed on a 700-degree wood-burning grill to infuse a delicious smoky flavor, then a seasoning blend made from traditional Virginia herbs is applied. Next, each burger is transferred to a second super-hot, flat-top grill to quickly seal in the juices and finish the cooking process. For a fresh twist, we recommend the Hawaiian Burger, which comes topped with a grilled pineapple slice, fried egg, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and teriyaki sauce. 

Timberwood Grill—Charlottesville

If we could choose one word that describes the Timberwood Grill philosophy, it would be family. It’s simple—the moment you walk in the front door, you become more than a customer. You join the Timberwood family, and their goal is to treat you as such from that point forward. Every day, they patty burgers by hand and cut lettuce for salads. And that sauce, side, or soup you love? Just ask, and they’ll give you the recipe so you can share it with your family and friends. For burgers, try the Clint Eastwood with mesquite seasoning, American cheese, tequila-infused chipotle barbecue sauce, onion rings, bacon, and jicama slaw. 

Bräuburgers—Forest

Brauburgers serves 100 percent freshly ground and hand-made Angus beef patties sourced from family farms. The food is made fresh every day using meats that are never frozen and are Certified Humane with the highest satisfaction in mind. Delight yourself with Specialty Brats, fresh toppings, and homemade sauces that are prepared daily. This burger bar keeps 22 craft beers on deck from around the region with a special emphasis on local craft microbreweries. Build your own or try a specialty burger like the Stuttgart with bacon, gouda, caramelized onions, and Haus barbecue sauce on a brioche bun. 

Pure Eats—Lexington

Pure Eats
Photo Credit: Chad Williams @echadwilliams

Pure Eats features fresh, homemade doughnuts every morning, locally sourced, all-natural burgers, chicken, and veggie burgers, plus Homestead Creamery milkshakes and a variety of Virginia craft beers. This outstanding restaurant brings local food to the table at a reasonable price. Their special burgers change weekly, but you'll often see offerings like the Caprese Burger with tomato, basil, and mozzarella. 

80/20 Burger Bar—Norfolk

The mission at 80/20 Burger Bar is simple: Serve the best burger you'll ever have. To do this, they prioritize quality ingredients, with grass-fed beef from Harris Farm in Chatham. The restaurant also features over 100 beers (many from local breweries), an innovative cocktail menu, and wines chosen specifically to pair with burgers. The extensive signature burger menu includes favorites like the Junk Drawer with house smoked brisket, havarti cheese, and horseradish aioli, and The Nanny with house-made bacon peanut butter, pepper jelly, and bacon. 

Citizen Burger Bar—Charlottesville

At Citizen Burger Bar, they believe that kicking back with a tasty burger and a beer is one of life’s essential liberties. To secure that sacred right for the people of Charlottesville, Citizen Burger Bar teams up with a few exceptional nearby farms to design a menu around locally produced, top-tier ingredients. From the specialty burgers menu, repeat customers love the Citizen Burger with swiss, black onion, garlic aioli, iceberg, and tomato, as well as The Executive with pit-smoked pork belly, swiss, black onion, and garlic aioli. 

 

Still hungry? Visit one of the honorable “best burger” mentions below!