Grafton Street Restaurant & Irish Pub—Gainesville
Grafton Street Restaurant & Irish Pub, named for the popular street in Dublin, serves a wide array of Irish fare (and drinks to match), but their “G Street” Burger has become a go-to order for regulars. They start with a toasted Brioche bun and a delicious thick burger, and then pile on tons of Applewood bacon, Vermont cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and a healthy topping of their secret burger sauce. Pair it with a draft beer for a satisfying (and filling!) burger experience.
Boulevard Burger and Brew—Richmond
Located on the Boulevard and on the outskirts of Richmond’s craft beer-centric Scott’s Addition neighborhood, Boulevard Burgers and Brew has become a burger mecca for the capital city. The old-school diner cooks up the patties to your preference of either “pink” or “no pink”, resulting in a perfectly juicy burger. Go with a specialty order like the Chuck Norris Black and Blue (blackened spice, blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion) or the Fatty D (spicy Asian dry rub topped with cilantro, tomato, pickled ginger, Nori, and wasabi Kim Kim aioli), or build your own burger from their “add-ons” menu. And make sure to add a side of the fries…you won’t be disappointed. Pair your burger with a draft beer or one of their adult boozy shakes and floats. We like the Belle Isle Brew shake, made with Belle Isle Bold Brew Coffee Moonshine, Bailey’s, and vanilla ice cream.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 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 burger is definitely a front runner, topped with a black garlic mayo, cheddar cheese, marrow roasted onions, dill pickles, and thick slabs of crisp bacon. Go crazy and top it all off with an egg for the full burger experience at The Shack.
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 (a burger made with ghost pepper cheese, grilled serrano peppers, sautéed onions, srirachi slaw, lettuce, and tomato) or the Oinker Burger (burger with hand-pulled sweet or vinegar barbecue on top and optional house slaw).
Maw & Paw’s Diner—Eagle Rock
Photo Credit: Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge
Located north of Roanoke near the Virginia border, Maw & Paw’s Diner is a small, family-owned restaurant that knows how to make a fantastic burger. The diner is known for their Super Bacon Cheeseburger, built on a handmade patty, and at only $4.99, the burger is both delicious and affordable. If you’ve spent the day working up an appetite exploring the nearby mountain trails, add an order of the Bacon & Cheese Fries, but plan for a nap afterwards.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, including C.S. Lewis (a beef patty with pesto, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, basil mayo, and swiss cheese), Alexander Dumas (the “Three Musketeers” of meats—ham, bacon, and grilled chicken breast—topped with lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese, and ranch dressing), and Jane Austen (a beef patty with bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, jalapeño aioli, and Pepper Jack cheese). 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.
{Ra}Bistro—Lynchburg
{Ra}Bistro has a full menu with salads, starters, and a wide array of entrees, but the menu also features over 15 specialty burgers made with fresh-ground meats like Angus beef, turkey, bison, and chopped sirloin. The most unique offerings include the Funnel Cake Burger (a cheeseburger rolled in funnel cake batter, flash-fried, dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry melba sauce) and the Bayou Burger (Angus beef topped with flash-fried crawfish, Andouille sausage, melted provolone, and remoulade).
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.
This isn’t the first roundup of restaurants that know how to make the perfect burger. Read about eight more great burger joints around the Commonwealth, find the best places for burger and beer pairings, or visit one of the honorable “best burger” mentions below!
- Burger Bach—Richmond
- Riverside Lunch—Charlottesville
- Holy Cow—Alexandria
- Burger Bar—Bristol
- Jack Brown’s—Harrisonburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Elkton, Roanoke, and Norfolk locations
- Boylan Heights—Charlottesville
- Basic Burger—Arlington
- JJ’s Restaurant & Sports Bar—Abingdon