Five Guys started in the DMV, so it’s no surprise that D.C. is home to some of the best burgers whether you take them fast-casual or refined with shaved truffles!
On our Instagram page, we asked our Washingtonian followers for their recommendations on the best burger places in D.C., and they came through!
We have compiled those answers in one article for an easy guide to the best burgers in the city. Fair warning, though, if you aren’t craving a burger now, you definitely will be by the end of this article!
1. Capital Burger
This Mount Vernon place was one of the most recommended burger places by our followers.
According to their website, “we have elevated this iconic American experience […] as we created our signature beef blend and a staff who brings The Capital Grille’s attention to every detail.”
With its high-quality meat and wine, this place has a variety of menu items including six signature burgers rich in toppings, sauce, and flavors. However, they have one particular burger that gave its name to this restaurant: The Capital Burger described as having a “French onion-style” with caramelized onions, Wisconsin Grand Cru gruyère, and shallot aioli.
📍: 1005 7th NW
2. Lucky Buns
Another highly recommended place to get a tasty burger is Lucky Buns, thankfully located around D.C. in Adam’s Morgan, The Wharf, Union Market.
After looking over their menu it is obvious why this place is so popular. They only serve the iconic combination of burgers, sides, and drinks so there is no fuss about what to order!
The menu simplifies things down to 11 unique burger options, each one more unique and flavorful than the next!
📍: 2000 18th St NW
📍: 675 Wharf St SW
📍: 1309 5th St NE
3. Duke’s Grocery
Inspired by London’s working class, this pub restaurant serves 14 original burgers and sandwiches.
Their flavorful creative blend of burgers distinguishes this place from other restaurants in D.C.!
There are four locations in D.C., so you’ll definitely want to find the closest one to try this burger.
📍: 2000 Pennsylvania Ave St NW
📍: 1201 Half St SE
📍: 1513 17th St NW
📍: 3000 Connecticut Ave NW
4. Bubbie’s
From the creators of PowPow, an award-winning plant-based Asian restaurant, Bubbie’s is serving up guaranteed vegan and Kosher-certified Americana burgers, fries, and soda.
This sophisticated joint has the classic burgers and sandwiches that we all know and love, plus many drink options to satisfy anyone’s hunger at a decent price – Bubbie’s “sammies” are priced starting at $9 and go up to $16, proving that going vegan isn’t always expensive.
📍: 1829 M St NW
5. Thunder Burger
Get struck by lightning at this restaurant located in Georgetown on M Street.
Thunder Burger has 10 burgers to choose from including a half-pound beef burger and an impossible burger for a plant-based option.
They also serve a Ventura Highway with a beef patty topped with triple cream Brie and caramelized red onion, or a Buffalo Stomp with a bacon-wrapped bison burger with blue cheese, onions, tomato, and remoulade. With these intense burgers comes a side of Thunder fries, cranberry vinaigrette coleslaw, or apple potato salad is served with it.
📍: 3056 M St NW
6. Red Apron Butcher
Situated in D.C. at the multi-dining option The Roost, Red Apron is top-notch.
This place will serve you a big juicy burger cooked how you like it. Their meats have no hormones, no antibiotics, they are handmade, authentic, and Animal Welfare Approved.
📍: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE
7. Le Diplomate
Hamburgers are America’s national dish, but that doesn’t mean the French can’t cook up a delicious one! Located on the always buzzing 14th Street Corridor, Le Diplomate serves traditional French dishes but has a particularly renowned Burger Américain, plated with French-styled fries.
If you are in the market for a fancier burger, perhaps this place will satisfy your taste buds.
📍: 1601 14th St NW
8. Ghostburger
This Shaw restaurant doesn’t just serve condiment-packed burgers and Philly cheesesteaks, they nail them!
With a whole variety of burgers to choose from, as well as the option to add a patty to your burger, a meal at Ghost Burger will definitely fill you up!
An honorable mention goes to their “La Hamburgesa,” accessorized with special Mexican cheese, salsa macha, a smoked tomato relish, topped with cilantro.
This burger will make your palette travel south of the border!
📍: 1250 9th St NW
9. The Big Board
Family-owned by brothers whose dream was to create community over burgers, opened their restaurant in 2011 in the NoMa neighborhood.
Serving eight kinds of burgers with many other dishes and appetizers to choose from, this restaurant has recipes that you will find nowhere else in D.C.!
According to their website, “to create a burger that truly set itself apart, the guys drew upon a family marinade recipe developed by the boys’ father, Admiral Flannery, who spent his career as director of the National Military Command Center.”
📍: 421 H St NE
10. Good Stuff Eatery
We love a family-owned business, that positively impacts the community, and uses local farm ingredients!
Located just around the corner of Capitol Hill and in Georgetown, Good Stuff Eatery has become a D.C. staple with burgers named after former President Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Indeed, the Michelle Melt is a turkey burger topped with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, tomato, and lettuce, on a wheat bun with herbed mayo. The Prez Obama Burger has applewood bacon, onion marmalade, Roquefort cheese with horseradish mayo on a potato bun.
Pair your big burger with one of their 12 creative milkshake flavors.
📍: 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
📍: 3291 M St NW