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9 Top Burgers in Washington, D.C. to Try

A photo of Red logo
by Alex Kirshner
Updated October 21, 2021

Washington, D.C. and its surrounding communities are lucky to have a lot of good burgers to pick from. But what makes D.C.’s burger scene standout is how many different kinds of good burgers are on offer here. There’s everything from a classic at Clyde’s to an Ethiopian interpretation at Caffé Utopia to a high-end tuna option at Central Michel Richard.

Here are 9 restaurants around town that are doing burgers right.

4.8 (136)
$30 and under
Pizzeria
Shaw

A lot of people know Emmy Squared as a pizza shop — and its pies are indeed excellent — but its double-stack “Le Big Matt” burger is one of the restaurant’s greatest assets. With two dry-aged patties on a pretzel bun with American cheese, special sauce, pickles, and greens, it’s a multiple napkin affair. It comes in limited supply and often sells out, but you can also get it in a shipped kit if you aren’t able to grab one from the restaurant where U Street meets Florida Avenue.

Top review
John
Dined on May 23, 2025
Fantastic food, took us by surprise. 7 of us and everyone wants to go back.

A lot of people know Emmy Squared as a pizza shop — and its pies are indeed excellent — but its double-stack “Le Big Matt” burger is one of the restaurant’s greatest assets. With two dry-aged patties on a pretzel bun with American cheese, special sauce, pickles, and greens, it’s a multiple napkin affair. It comes in limited supply and often sells out, but you can also get it in a shipped kit if you aren’t able to grab one from the restaurant where U Street meets Florida Avenue.

Top review
John
Dined on May 23, 2025
Fantastic food, took us by surprise. 7 of us and everyone wants to go back.
$31 to $50
French
Logan Circle

There are people who would tell you not to go to an iconic French brasserie and then order a burger with “America” in the name. Those people have not had Le Dip’s burger Américain, which incorporates a special burger sauce comprised of mayonnaise, finely chopped dill pickles, chile sauce, and onion powder, and pairs it with immaculately cooked beef on brioche. You can try to replicate a Le Dip burger at home, but it’s first worth getting the real thing.

Top review
SaraRVIP
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Helpful waitstaff, yummy food, great ambience, wide selection of seating....can't wait to return! Happy New Year!!

There are people who would tell you not to go to an iconic French brasserie and then order a burger with “America” in the name. Those people have not had Le Dip’s burger Américain, which incorporates a special burger sauce comprised of mayonnaise, finely chopped dill pickles, chile sauce, and onion powder, and pairs it with immaculately cooked beef on brioche. You can try to replicate a Le Dip burger at home, but it’s first worth getting the real thing.

Top review
SaraRVIP
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Helpful waitstaff, yummy food, great ambience, wide selection of seating....can't wait to return! Happy New Year!!
4.7 (7645)
$31 to $50
American
Penn Quarter

Michel Richard, the legendary French chef who owned restaurants as far away as Tokyo and all over the United States, died in 2016. Central, his Pennsylvania Avenue hub that opened in 2007, carries on his legacy through, among other things, burgers. You might try the tuna burger, which has gained some fame since Richard featured it in a 2006 cookbook. Central’s lobster burger and shrimp burger stick with that aquatic theme, while its prime beef burger is a hulking, tasty challenge for someone in the mood for a whole lot of protein with a rich taste.

Top review
lorena
Dined 5 days ago
Great experience. Our waitress was kind, attentive and courteous. I was skeptical about making a birthday dinner reservation, because my last visit was not memorable. However, i was impressed with the service and the food. I will be sure to return and taste more items on the menu.

Michel Richard, the legendary French chef who owned restaurants as far away as Tokyo and all over the United States, died in 2016. Central, his Pennsylvania Avenue hub that opened in 2007, carries on his legacy through, among other things, burgers. You might try the tuna burger, which has gained some fame since Richard featured it in a 2006 cookbook. Central’s lobster burger and shrimp burger stick with that aquatic theme, while its prime beef burger is a hulking, tasty challenge for someone in the mood for a whole lot of protein with a rich taste.

Top review
lorena
Dined 5 days ago
Great experience. Our waitress was kind, attentive and courteous. I was skeptical about making a birthday dinner reservation, because my last visit was not memorable. However, i was impressed with the service and the food. I will be sure to return and taste more items on the menu.
4.5 (2657)
$31 to $50
Seafood
Navy Yard

Head to The Salt Line for one of the most pleasant dining backdrops in the District, with a perfect view of the Potomac River that’s steps away from your table. Stay for the food, which includes one of the best burgers in the whole town. The New England smash burger — two ground chuck patties with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo on a sesame bun — is a good example of the Massachusettsian character the restaurant brings to a lot of its food. Crispy fries provide an important complement to the patties.

Top review
Marcy
Dined 4 days ago
Service was quick Food selection was diverse and tasty Recommend tuna tartare Great location to get to Nats Park

Head to The Salt Line for one of the most pleasant dining backdrops in the District, with a perfect view of the Potomac River that’s steps away from your table. Stay for the food, which includes one of the best burgers in the whole town. The New England smash burger — two ground chuck patties with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo on a sesame bun — is a good example of the Massachusettsian character the restaurant brings to a lot of its food. Crispy fries provide an important complement to the patties.

Top review
Marcy
Dined 4 days ago
Service was quick Food selection was diverse and tasty Recommend tuna tartare Great location to get to Nats Park
4.1 (971)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Downtown

This downtown sports bar puts a 7-ounce Angus patty with applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar, American cheese, bistro onions, and “dijonnaise” on a potato bun to make its appropriately named Proper burger. For something lighter, you might try the spiced salmon burger with sriracha mayo and Asian slaw. Whatever you do, consider mixing it with Proper 21’s truffle fries (or tots, if that’s your thing), where the fried potato is smothered with malt vinegar aioli, parmesan, scallions, and white truffles.

Top review
Robert
Dined 3 days ago
Flatbread was a bit salty for us, but it was still good

This downtown sports bar puts a 7-ounce Angus patty with applewood smoked bacon, white cheddar, American cheese, bistro onions, and “dijonnaise” on a potato bun to make its appropriately named Proper burger. For something lighter, you might try the spiced salmon burger with sriracha mayo and Asian slaw. Whatever you do, consider mixing it with Proper 21’s truffle fries (or tots, if that’s your thing), where the fried potato is smothered with malt vinegar aioli, parmesan, scallions, and white truffles.

Top review
Robert
Dined 3 days ago
Flatbread was a bit salty for us, but it was still good
4.6 (7)
$30 and under
Ethiopian
Arlington

The greater D.C. area is blessed with a long list of delicious Ethiopian restaurants, scattered in neighborhoods all over the District, Maryland, and Virginia. All have their own standout traits. Caffé Utopia is one of the few that bills itself as a spot for gourmet burgers as well as staples such as tibs and sambusas. Those are musts, but venture out to try something new with the burger, which includes meat, tomatoes, mushrooms, grilled onions, special spices, and the diner’s choice of cheese.

Top review
dcsapper
Dined on Jul 17, 2021
We picked this spot, never having had Ethiopian Food and the reviews were great. We are so glad we did. The Hostess/Server was amazingly helpful and took the time to explain Ethiopian food and how it's cooked and eaten and what the best way to sample it is. Her advice was perfect, the ambience was perfect, the food was delicious and extremely good value. We think this place is amazing and totally worth a visit.

The greater D.C. area is blessed with a long list of delicious Ethiopian restaurants, scattered in neighborhoods all over the District, Maryland, and Virginia. All have their own standout traits. Caffé Utopia is one of the few that bills itself as a spot for gourmet burgers as well as staples such as tibs and sambusas. Those are musts, but venture out to try something new with the burger, which includes meat, tomatoes, mushrooms, grilled onions, special spices, and the diner’s choice of cheese.

Top review
dcsapper
Dined on Jul 17, 2021
We picked this spot, never having had Ethiopian Food and the reviews were great. We are so glad we did. The Hostess/Server was amazingly helpful and took the time to explain Ethiopian food and how it's cooked and eaten and what the best way to sample it is. Her advice was perfect, the ambience was perfect, the food was delicious and extremely good value. We think this place is amazing and totally worth a visit.
4.6 (5108)
$30 and under
American
Friendship Heights

A list of good D.C. burgers is not complete without something from this venerable institution. Clyde’s has several kinds of burgers on its menu, including a meatless Beyond Burger. Every item on the menu comes with Clyde’s quality, meaning no matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed to be happy. There’s nothing more essential in burgerdom, though, than an old-fashioned, classic restaurant cheeseburger, dripping with juices and eaten in a dimly lit dining room that radiates with the feeling of intimacy a good restaurant produces. This is where Clyde’s has always shined. A Clyde’s cheeseburger is a true cheeseburger’s cheeseburger.

Top review
VanessaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The ambience and the service are always good. The food can be hit or miss and the air conditioning is periodically broken, so overall it’s good, but this time it wasn’t great.

A list of good D.C. burgers is not complete without something from this venerable institution. Clyde’s has several kinds of burgers on its menu, including a meatless Beyond Burger. Every item on the menu comes with Clyde’s quality, meaning no matter what you choose, you’re guaranteed to be happy. There’s nothing more essential in burgerdom, though, than an old-fashioned, classic restaurant cheeseburger, dripping with juices and eaten in a dimly lit dining room that radiates with the feeling of intimacy a good restaurant produces. This is where Clyde’s has always shined. A Clyde’s cheeseburger is a true cheeseburger’s cheeseburger.

Top review
VanessaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The ambience and the service are always good. The food can be hit or miss and the air conditioning is periodically broken, so overall it’s good, but this time it wasn’t great.
4.2 (598)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
Georgetown

Sitting squarely on a bustling stretch of M Street in Georgetown, Thunder Burger & Bar has become a destination for people in the District looking for a good burger. It’s also become a layover spot for international flight attendants, who have shown up in increasing numbers lately to try Thunder’s Buffalo Stomp burger, which comes wrapped in bacon with grilled onion, gorgonzola cheese, tomato, and house remoulade. The restaurant’s Love Me Tender burger, with Kobe beef, Tillamook aged white cheddar, and the same house remoulade, is another hit.

Top review
Stuart
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Had the blue cheese burger. Can’t recall its name but it was excellent. Would enjoy it again. Didn’t have the beer I fancied and was a bit warm to dine inside, so opted for the outdoor seating which was fine. Great burger place for tourists in the area. Recommended.

Sitting squarely on a bustling stretch of M Street in Georgetown, Thunder Burger & Bar has become a destination for people in the District looking for a good burger. It’s also become a layover spot for international flight attendants, who have shown up in increasing numbers lately to try Thunder’s Buffalo Stomp burger, which comes wrapped in bacon with grilled onion, gorgonzola cheese, tomato, and house remoulade. The restaurant’s Love Me Tender burger, with Kobe beef, Tillamook aged white cheddar, and the same house remoulade, is another hit.

Top review
Stuart
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Had the blue cheese burger. Can’t recall its name but it was excellent. Would enjoy it again. Didn’t have the beer I fancied and was a bit warm to dine inside, so opted for the outdoor seating which was fine. Great burger place for tourists in the area. Recommended.
4.5 (120)
$30 and under
Burgers
Georgetown

A recent addition to the D.C. burger landscape, having opened up shop late 2020, City Sliders is unique in that it offers up pretty much every kind of slider you could imagine –– making for some lovely mix-and-match opportunities if you like different kinds of burgers and sandwiches. From the classics (cheeseburger, BLT, lamb burger) to its banh mi burger, Korean pork belly, and Cuban sliders, there are few taste profiles that can’t be accommodated here. City Sliders also offers five different meatless slider options, including a cauliflower steak and a quinoa and black bean burger.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 5, 2024
I was disappointed that the brunch menu was discontinued but the sliders were pretty decent in size for being sliders. The peach ginger mule was really good and the man serving us gave me a brownie with ice cream because it was my birthday. Overall the venue was really nice and I would go again for sure.

A recent addition to the D.C. burger landscape, having opened up shop late 2020, City Sliders is unique in that it offers up pretty much every kind of slider you could imagine –– making for some lovely mix-and-match opportunities if you like different kinds of burgers and sandwiches. From the classics (cheeseburger, BLT, lamb burger) to its banh mi burger, Korean pork belly, and Cuban sliders, there are few taste profiles that can’t be accommodated here. City Sliders also offers five different meatless slider options, including a cauliflower steak and a quinoa and black bean burger.

Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined on May 5, 2024
I was disappointed that the brunch menu was discontinued but the sliders were pretty decent in size for being sliders. The peach ginger mule was really good and the man serving us gave me a brownie with ice cream because it was my birthday. Overall the venue was really nice and I would go again for sure.
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