Where to Find the Most Memorable Burgers in D.C.

For a classic introduction to D.C.’s top-notch burgers, grab a group and head to Duke’s. Flirt all you want with the small plates and breakfast dishes, but the restaurant’s signature Proper Burger inevitably will steal the show. Sandwiched between brioche buns, this famed burger includes Angus beef, melted gouda, and a sweet and tart chile sauce that complements each savory bite. With four locations, plus flexible late-night options and happy hours (read: $10 wagyu burgers on Wednesdays), a Duke’s burger is a no-brainer on this list.

Try as you might, you won’t be able to resist the pull of the BBQ Tempeh Burger at Ellē. At this chic Mount Pleasant stalwart, house-fermented tempeh gets smoked over hickory and is topped with fried onions, pickles, and a pleasantly tart kimchi barbecue sauce. Since landing on The Washington Post’s “10 best burgers” list, this hearty option has now become available around the clock and can be ordered off the dinner or lunch menu. And if you want to plan the ultimate date, arrive around 5:30 p.m. for the restaurant’s “un-happy hour” and stay a tad longer to order this singular burger.

Who says you can’t have fun while eating a burger? That’s certainly what you’ll think while dining at Brookland’s The Runway, a colorful neighborhood spot for bottomless drinks and inventive burgers. Bear witness to the staff’s creative burgers sandwiched between squid ink buns (called The Runaway) and heaping piles of shoestring fries all while soaking in the space’s ’70s vibes. Another reason to dine here: you can savor your burger while jamming out to a rotating cast of rock ‘n’ roll bands.

At this most canonical of Parisian-style bistros, you might find yourself craving the signature escargots or steak au poivre. But if burger hunger strikes — and we know it does — definitely don’t shy away from the surprisingly stellar Burger Américain. Decidedly the least fussy plate on Le Dip’s menu, each burger comes with a well-seasoned four-ounce patty on a housemade brioche bun, which is topped with yellow American cheese and red onions. It’s then slathered with a rich and tangy secret sauce similar to the combination of Thousand Island dressing and tartar sauce. Last but not least, the bun comes with a French and American flag, a tribute to the mashup of culinary cultures that made this dish possible. (If you think D.C. is burger-obsessed, go visit Paris.) While the burger is best enjoyed fresh off the griddle, it’s possible to order it for takeout too.

You might visit Service Bar for its inventive drinks and unpretentious atmosphere. Though lesser known, the Service Bar burger punches above its weight too, and is definitely worth an order. Formally called the 7 Hills Burger, this beef patty (which can be substituted for an Impossible Burger) arrives with American cheese, caramelized onions, veggies, and their special sauce. For a memorable night in Shaw, order a round of burgers, and perhaps another round of the award-winning drinks.

Friendly faces and fabulous burgers will entice you into The Pub and the People, a neighborhood bar in Bloomingdale. There, you’ll find a few classics: a pub cheeseburger with all the fixings as well as their stellar seasoned black bean and rice burger, which comes with salsa verde, pickles, Gruyère, and an incredibly rich mole aioli. In case you want to linger longer (hint: stay for another burger), the basement speakeasy bar provides a cozy respite from the streets.

Though currently just a pop-up, Steeze Burger boasts some of the best burgers in town. It’s a labor of love for Hunter Karametos, the brainiac behind this roving joint, who ate over 150 burgers in 2021 before selling them around the DMV. The secret to his burger? Bone marrow, an ingredient inspired by the dry-aged patties at Burger & Beyond in London. For a taste of Steeze, you’ll have to follow his Instagram for pop-up announcements.

There is, in fact, an art to a sublime smashburger, which sizzles in its own fat and holds a sear that locks in those valuable juices. You’ll find one of the District’s best at Bar Charley in Adams Morgan. As delicious as it is decadent, this griddled wagyu beef patty gets topped with aged white cheddar, bibb lettuce, and truffle aioli. Truly, this is as close as you can get to feasting on burger royalty.

Since welcoming Impossible Burger to its menu in 2018, Wicked Bloom has served a tempting selection of meatless examples that keep regulars coming back. Not one, not two, but four mouthwatering burgers are available to satisfy both burger fanatics and vegetarians. You’ll find one with a Southern spin including crispy onions and tangy Jack cheddar, and another called Hombre which includes jalapeño, creamy avocado, and pico de gallo, reminiscent of Mexican American tacos.

Why settle for one burger when you can have two? Fortunately, you won’t have to choose at Unconventional Diner, which dishes out one of the best double cheeseburgers in the District. Using potato buns brushed with butter, this hefty burger takes toppings of lettuce, tomato, caramelized onion, and housemade pickles (you can ask for extra!). Stacked and loaded, this masterful burger is dished out on a plate for one sloppy-yet-satisfying bite.

There are 11 stellar burgers and chicken sandwiches on Lucky Buns’ menu, all flavorful and none too similar. This burger-centric menu makes this Adams Morgan spot a perfect gathering for large groups and picky eaters, especially when the burger toppings include Hatch chile relish, cotija crema, grilled pineapple, and bacon XO jam. Just a tip: This place gets crowded during the weekends, so make sure to arrive early.