There's nothing quite so all-American as a juicy burger, ideally accompanied by fries and a soda. But with so many amazing bites to choose from across the States, it can be hard to narrow down the ones that are worthy of your bucket list. Grab your napkins and bring an empty stomach as we rank the tastiest burgers in America right now, counting down to the best of all.

Click or scroll on to discover America's greatest burgers, as we count down to the one we believe is the greatest – let us know if you agree!

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each burger in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.​

There's more than one Abbey Burger Bistro location in Maryland, so there's no excuse not to pay a visit and try one of the many creative burgers on the menu. There's a lot to choose from, including the spicy Korean duck burger, peanut butter burger and blackened shrimp burger, but we always come back to the Baltimore burger. With a thick smear of crab dip slathered on top, it's a must-try.

Serving classic burgers with a gourmet twist, Chomp Kitchen and Drinks has lots on the menu to catch your eye. With two locations, in Providence and Warren, this burger joint has plenty of innovative toppings. But you can't beat its signature house burger, with smoked Gouda, cured bacon, Chomp sauce, lettuce, tomato and pickles.

You've heard of a Big Mac, but have you tried a Big Wac? Rethink your ideas of vegan food while devouring this plant-based burger made with two handmade vegan-friendly patties, dairy-free vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles and onions, on a sesame seed bun. And, of course, there's a creamy, tangy secret sauce to top it all off. One bite of this burger from Green New American Vegetarian in Arizona will have you asking: Ronald who?

Burgerlords' vegan cheeseburger receives constant and consistent praise throughout the Los Angeles food scene, which is saying a lot for a city full of people watching what they eat. In 2020, this burger joint became 100% vegan, with patties 'made of plants, not based on plants'. The cheeseburger – with vegan cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion and the spot's signature 2,000 Island dressing – comes in single and double, but we say go for the double.

With four locations in Lincoln, Honest Abe's has some of Nebraska's most talked-about burgers. Its menu is large, with eight permanent burgers and five specials on rotation so there's always something for everyone. The Fireside, which comes with jalapeños, bacon, sriracha ketchup, cumin lime mayo, pepper Jack cheese and romaine lettuce, is a popular option. Make sure you get a side of Parmesan truffle fries while you're there.

A colourful diner in Anchorage, Tommy’s Burger Stop has an incredible selection featuring beef patties seasoned with Cajun spices and served with either fries or giant onion rings. Pick from classic American combos or hearty specialty burgers, all with rave reviews. However, don't miss out on ordering the decadent R.L.E Hello Burger with two 5.5oz (155g) patties loaded with bacon, grilled mushrooms, onions, jalapeño peppers and American cheese.

A good lamb burger can be hard to find but Rioja in Denver pulls off its Colorado lamb burger with such ease it's easy to forget they aren't a dedicated burger joint. Served at lunch, this burger comes with house-made mozzarella, spicy aioli, oven-roasted tomatoes and a side of sweet potato fries.

What people love about the Big Boom – ­an 8oz (227g) patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles in a sesame seed bun – ­is its size. That, plus the amazing 'special sauce' and charred flavour. You'll find it at Boomers Drive-In in Bellingham, a fun, old-fashioned drive-in which feels a little like stepping back into old Americana. Expect classic décor, speedy, friendly service and delicious, bulky burgers.

Texas may be known for its meat, but Arlo's food trucks are experts when it comes to vegan burgers. The proof is in the Bac'n Cheezeburger, made from a gluten-free and soy-free plant-based patty, and sporting thick slices of umami seitan bacon, piled with traditional burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion and even gooey slices of vegan cheese. Meatless Monday just got a whole lot more fun.

Proof on Main's signature bison burger is so legendary and so loved that it had to make the list. The menu at this hip restaurant changes seasonally, but its bison burger is so good it's been a year-round staple since 2006. It's topped with melty sharp Cheddar, smoked bacon and sticky onion jelly.

Attached to a brewery in Salt Lake City, Proper Burger Co. lets guests choose their type of patty, then a style. However, why not make it easy on yourself and go for its Flyin' Hawaiian. Strap in for a tangy taste of pineapple, ham, Swiss cheese, jalapeño and aioli, all piled on a patty in a soft bun.

Kuma's Corner is a gourmet burger bar with a handful of Midwest locations where all menu items are named after rock and metal bands. We mean it when we say these burgers rock! Go for the Led Zeppelin – ­a beef patty topped with applewood-smoked bacon, BBQ pulled pork, Cheddar and pickles. Not feeling meaty? Dial it up to 11 by subbing in a grilled chicken breast, chicken tenders, black bean veggie patty or the plant-based Impossible Burger.

Portland is famous for many things, but we're partial to its smashed burgers. Over at Bless Your Heart Burgers, you have to try the LL Cool J burger with guacamole, ranch, bacon and all the classic fillings. The team use house-made zucchini pickle, too, which fans say is utterly delicious.

An unconventional cheeseburger, the Juicy Lucy (inspired by the Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar, which pops up further down our list) looks like a regular hamburger from the outside, but when you bite into the patty, molten Cheddar and American cheese come oozing out. Plus, at 11:11 Burgers & Beignets, orders are totally customizable, so you can add jalapeños, extra cheese (American, Cheddar, pepper Jack or provolone), maple bacon and salad, or swap your bun for a pretzel one. Be sure to grab a few extra napkins!

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Shake Shack in town, but those who do take advantage of it. In the world of fast food, finding a satisfying vegetarian option can be difficult. Luckily, the Shroom burger is so good it has made super fans of both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Who wouldn't love a crispy, deep-fried portobello mushroom cap filled with melted cheese on a toasted bun and dressed with fresh salad?

Folks flock to Motz's Burgers for old-fashioned sliders on soft locally made buns – and this family-owned business has been flipping burgers since 1929. Sizzled on the griddle with caramelised onions, then popped on the bun and topped with ketchup, mustard, pickles and an optional slice of gooey cheese, this is a traditional American slider done right.

A cheeseburger with a refined twist, the Tavern burger features a plump beef patty topped with Stilton cheese and mushroom Cognac cream, all on a challah bun. Challah is soft, fluffy bread that has been enriched with egg, making it extra soft and a little sweet. Served at The Tavern, a fancy pub in Tulsa, this eponymous eat comes with skinny fries and gets glowing reviews.

There are burger joints with fans and then there are burger joints with cult followings. In-N-Out is one of the latter. Although only located in eight states (mostly in central and western regions), this fast food spot is so sought after, it makes the must-visit lists of visitors and locals alike. The posted menu is small, but those in the know order off the not-so-secret menu, where they turn Double-Doubles (double meat, double cheese) into customised works of art. Hint: order it 'animal style' for a mustard-cooked beef patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle, extra spread and grilled onions.

The onion burger is an Oklahoma obsession, originated during the Depression when chefs would add inexpensive ingredients to make the meat go further. Tucker’s Onion Burgers has five Oklahoma locations and specialises in its namesake burger. Locals can't get enough and say the onions are caramelised to perfection, the patties are fresh and the portions are generous. The hefty The Mother Tucker is the go-to here – featuring three juicy beef patties and a mountain of sizzled onions and cheese, plus optional grilled jalapeños and your choice of condiment.

Customers rave about the Sebastian's steakhouse burger on the brunch menu at The Brindle Room, with some making a special journey just to sample what some say is the best burger in the country. With a juicy patty 'cooked to perfection', the steakhouse burger is topped with American cheese, caramelised onions and pickles. Fans also rate the service at this cosy hole-in-the-wall.

James Beard award-winning chef Justin Yu's version of a burger, The Party Melt at trendy bar and eatery Better Luck Tomorrow, really is something special. Consisting of a seared wagyu beef patty with both caramelised and thinly sliced red onions, crispy broiled Cheddar cheese and metchup (a combo of mayo and ketchup), the burger is served between thick slices of house made bread topped with a Parmesan crust. Customers and food critics alike rate this decadent burger, which pops up as a regular special.

This local six-lane bowling alley is just as popular for its burgers, beers and cocktails as it is for its bowling. The organic beef Mission burger is loaded with caramelised onions, Monterey Jack cheese, caper aioli and served in an acme bun. You can also add avocado and bacon or make it Impossible.

It's hard to decide which burger to choose at The Burger Dive in Billings, Montana. But there's one that customers say is the best they've ever had – I'm Your Huckleberry. This World Food Championships 'Burger Champion' burger is covered with head chef Brad’s Huckleberry Hatch chilli barbecue sauce, bacon, goat's cheese, arugula and roasted red pepper mayo.

Styled as an old-fashioned burger restaurant with a Korean twist, Five Stars Family Burger is an award-winning spot that regularly comes top in lists of the region’s best fast food. What sets the burgers apart from the rest is the use of charcoal, which adds a wonderfully smoky flavour to the beef. There’s a lot to choose from, but nothing embodies the fusion of flavours more clearly than the Bulgogi Burger, featuring thin slithers of marinated bulgogi meat on a fresh, locally sourced beef patty. Load it up with fried mushrooms, crispy bacon and Cheddar, but make sure you grab plenty of napkins.

Recognised by the Library of Congress as the birthplace of the hamburger, Louis’ Lunch in New Haven is the most historically significant spot in America when it comes to burgers. Family-owned and operated since 1895, this no-frills joint is spot on when it comes to traditional burgers. The patties are freshly ground and hand-rolled each day, and served between toasted white bread, with garnishes including cheese, onion and tomato.

California is packed with legendary burger spots, but Pie ‘n Burger is a particular favourite. The old-school joint has been a fixture in Pasadena since 1963 and its specialty is no-frills, classic California-style burgers. Fans say the key to Pie 'n Burger’s success is the restaurant’s homemade thousand island dressing, which (they say) simply cannot be bettered. The classic cheeseburger served with lettuce, tomato and onion is the most popular item, but try the double-stacked Big Ben if you’re really hungry – best served medium rare.

This Memphis institution has been serving its classic cheeseburgers since 1912, and famously boasts a 'secret' cooking process that hinges on it never changing the grease used to fry the burgers. The grease is occasionally topped up to keep the supply going, but at least a few drops in the mix have been in there for over a century. Fans say the burgers at Dyer's are incredibly juicy and absolutely packed with flavour. The concise menu offers a simple cheeseburger with your choice of single, double or triple patties, though you can customise with house-made chilli or bacon if you like.

Voted the 'best burger in DC' by Washington City Newspaper seven years in a row, the Proper burger at gastropub Duke's Grocery is a must-try. It consists of two angus beef patties, melted gouda cheese, pickles, charred red onion, sweet chilli sauce, rocket and aioli served in a brioche bun. 

Rodeo Goat has nine locations across Texas, each with a menu to satisfy even the biggest of burger cravings. Got a sweet tooth? Go for the unique Sugar burger, a thick beef patty complemented by grilled peaches, candied bacon, caramelised onions and jalapeño jelly. If you don't fancy beef, you can swap for a chicken, turkey, black bean or plant-based patty instead.

Philadelphia's m2o is a neighbourhood hangout with tons of great burger options. However, the Philly burger – a spicy, saucy burger with Cheez Whiz, fried onions and sliced jalapeños – is a nacho-lover's dream come true. Don't worry if you aren't close to Philly, there are two other Pennsylvania locations (one in Wynnewood and one in East Norriton), as well as outposts in Delaware and New Jersey.

This restaurant may be focused on pizza, but it's the burger that steals the show. Ever since it appeared on the menu, demand has far outweighed supply – if you come, expect long lines and a burger that is more than worth the wait. Expect a dry-aged beef patty, perfect pretzel bun and toppings like caramelised onion, EMMY sauce and Grafton Cheddar – no substitutions allowed.

The legendary double-stack cheeseburger served at this Atlanta gastropub was once a limited-supply item you could only order after 10pm – and it pretty much always sold out – but happily it's now a permanent fixture on the dinner menu. This simple but perfectly executed burger is elegantly served in a glossy house-made bun and topped with shaved red onion and bread and butter pickles. Fans rave about the quality of the beef, as well as the excellent fries. 

This wildly popular joint, located in a New York gas station, only opened in April 2024 but has already garnered a reputation for making one of the city’s finest burgers. Here the thin and crispy patties are smashed to perfection, and diners regularly swamp the tiny eatery, which is hidden inside a Mobil Mart. But the wait is totally worth it to try signature creations like the O.K.C Oklahoma, featuring a double patty, smashed onion, American cheese and the spot’s signature Horsey sauce, all inside a potato bun.

An LA institution, this small but friendly diner has been dishing up its signature steakburger since 1927. Simply served with The Apple Pan's house-made sauce, mayonnaise, pickles and lettuce, customers can also add melted Tillamook Cheddar. There are other popular burgers on the menu but sometimes there's no need to mess with an original.

Superiority Burger has been hand-making vegetarian (and sometimes vegan) burgers since before it was cool. Don't expect any engineered imitation meats between the buns here – it's all handmade from whole plant-based ingredients. The vegan burger is the superstar here, but you truly can't go wrong with any of the burgers on the menu. If you're looking for a plant-based burger that will knock your socks off, this is the place.

For a refined take on a cheeseburger, head immediately to Au Cheval. This upscale burger is full of flavour, from the beef patty to the melted cheese to the toasted bun. Take it up a notch by adding thick-cut bacon and a runny egg – you won't regret it.

Self-described ‘burger scholar’ George Motz opened his first ever restaurant, Hamburger America, to rave reviews in late 2023. The diner-style joint is the result of years of research into America's original fast food specialties and its UPS is historically accurate burgers, including his signature fried onion burger. This delightfully messy creation is made to a 100-year-old recipe and consists of a single or double beef patty, which is smashed on the grill with sliced onions until perfectly caramelised, then served on a bun with American cheese. The spot also has a monthly burger special, so look out for old-school classics like butter and olive burgers.

Cheese-lovers of the world unite! Matt's Bar is home of the famous cheese-stuffed burger patty, also known as the Jucy Lucy (yes, that's the correct spelling!). Customers say it's the best burger they've ever had and recommend adding pickles for even more added flavour.

Available only during the lunch service, the Luger burger from Brooklyn's famed Peter Luger Steakhouse draws hungry fans from all over the country. This burger is huge, simple and hits the spot. The no-frills presentation is over a half pound of ground steak, a sesame seed bun and, if you wish, cheese. Come hungry, go home stuffed.

This gourmet mom-and-pop spot in the Houston Galleria was the top-ranking burger joint in Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants List 2024, so you know it’s something special. Here, smashed beef patties, fried fish and falafel burgers are given an Asian twist with the likes of kimchi relish and sambal mayo. But the real draw of burger-chan is that the burgers are totally customisable, so diners can choose from four types of bun, three cheeses and an endless list of toppings and sauces. If you find all that choice a bit overwhelming, it’s hard to beat The Spicy – a smashed beef patty piled with pepper Jack cheese, pickled and charred jalapeños and soy serrano peppers.

Now discover America's most historic burger joints

Last updated by Natasha Lovell-Smith.