10 North Carolina Burger Spots Locals Swear By (One Might Be In Your Town)
North Carolina knows how to do burgers right. Whether it’s a no-frills gem tucked inside a gas station or a gourmet creation served alongside craft drinks in a trendy bar, the Tar Heel State delivers serious flavor in every bite.
I’ve spent years crisscrossing NC on a personal mission to find the best burgers, and along the way, I’ve discovered places that truly stand out.
These local favorites have earned their loyal followings with perfectly seasoned beef, inventive toppings, and that hard-to-define magic that turns a good burger into a great one. Trust me, these spots are worth the detour.
1. Island Burgers & Bites: Gas Station Glory
Who would’ve thought a Sunoco station in Carolina Beach would become burger royalty? Last summer, I stumbled upon this unassuming spot while nearly on empty, both my tank and stomach.
The magic happens when that first bite reveals why Yelp crowned them “best cheeseburger in the state” in 2022. Their hand-formed patties have the perfect char-to-juiciness ratio, with a secret seasoning blend that’ll make you forget you’re dining beside fuel pumps.
Recently named a top-5 NC restaurant for 2024, this place proves extraordinary food can come from ordinary places. The locals protect this secret fiercely, until they inevitably break and tell everyone they know.
2. Pinky’s Westside Grill: Charlotte’s Creative Burger Canvas
Charlotte natives practically pushed me through Pinky’s door my first week in town. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Mexi-Burger,” they insisted. One bite of that masterpiece, loaded with black beans, sour cream, and just the right kick of spice, and I understood the devotion.
The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between dive bar charm and family-friendly fun, with a giant metal penguin sculpture outside that’s become an unofficial city landmark.
Founder Greg Auten crafts each menu item with the same rebellious creativity that earned him cult status among Queen City burger enthusiasts. Their white trash burger topped with pimento cheese never disappoints either.
3. Bull City Burger & Brewery: Durham’s Farm-to-Table Patty Paradise
Remember that time I drove two hours just for a burger? My friends thought I was crazy until they tasted Bull City’s pasture-raised beef patties. The owner shakes farmers’ hands weekly, sourcing ingredients within a 75-mile radius.
Their pimento cheese slaw burger haunts my dreams, a perfect symphony of tangy, creamy, and savory. Each bite delivers that satisfying beef flavor that only comes from properly raised cattle.
Don’t miss their housemade pickles and mustard that elevate everything they touch to gourmet status without any pretension.
4. Juicy Lucy’s Burger Bar & Grill: Asheville’s Stuffed Sensation
Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains works up an appetite that only a stuffed burger can satisfy. Juicy Lucy’s changed my understanding of what a burger could be the moment that molten cheese core erupted from my first bite.
Their signature style, stuffing patties rather than topping them, creates an experience that’s equal parts delicious and theatrical. My personal favorite combines gooey cheddar with caramelized onions hidden inside grass-fed beef.
Beyond traditional beef, they offer bison, turkey, and plant-based options that receive the same stuffed treatment. Pair your creation with one of their hand-spun milkshakes (the salted caramel version is life-changing) for the full Western North Carolina burger experience.
5. Hops Burger Bar: Greensboro’s Global Burger Journey
The line stretching down the block first caught my attention. “Worth every minute of waiting,” a regular assured me as we inched toward Hops’ entrance. Their hibachi burger transported me straight to Japan with its ginger-infused patty, wasabi mayo, and teriyaki glaze.
Each weekly special explores a different international cuisine, turning beef into a passport for your taste buds. Greensboro locals track these rotating creations with religious devotion. The chalkboard announcing next week’s feature draws crowds of photo-snapping fans.
Even their standard menu burgers, like the North Carolinian with pimento cheese and fried green tomato, showcase why this spot earns national recognition year after year.
6. Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar: Cary’s Sweet-Meets-Savory Sensation
Walking into Corbett’s feels like stepping into a time machine. The classic soda fountain vibe had me half-expecting to see people doing the jitterbug!
The glaze on their burgers creates a sweet-savory magic that dances across your taste buds. Owner Joy Corbett explained how her grandfather’s recipe inspired this signature creation while I devoured every last bite. The true experience pairs their burgers with one of 250+ craft sodas.
Families pack this Cary favorite for weekend lunches, creating a noisy but joyful atmosphere that feels quintessentially American.
7. Relish Cafe & Bar: Raleigh’s Peanut Butter Burger Phenomenon
“You’re putting WHAT on your burger?” My friend’s horror turned to enlightenment after trying Relish’s infamous peanut butter bacon burger. That creamy-salty-sweet combination shouldn’t work, but wow, does it ever!
Nestled in North Raleigh, this unassuming cafe transforms familiar comfort foods into unexpected masterpieces. Chef Daniel Whittaker told me he created the PB burger after a late-night refrigerator raid, proving inspiration strikes in mysterious ways.
Beyond their signature creation, Relish offers seasonally rotating specials featuring North Carolina ingredients. The weekend brunch crowd packs in for their morning-after burger topped with a fried egg and maple-pepper bacon. Just be prepared for a wait, Raleigh residents consider this spot their delicious little secret.
8. Al’s Burger Shack: Chapel Hill’s National Champion
College towns often have the best hidden gems. My UNC student tour guide insisted we detour to this tiny shack with a line that stretched around the block. “Best burger in America,” she promised confidently. Turns out she wasn’t exaggerating, TripAdvisor literally crowned Al’s the “Best Burger in America” in 2018.
Their Sean’s Cheeseburger combines hand-patted Angus beef with perfectly melted cheese and signature sauce on a buttered potato bun. Owner Al Bowers high-fives regulars while flipping patties in the open kitchen.
The crinkle-cut rosemary fries deserve their own award category. Despite national fame, this Chapel Hill institution maintains its humble, community-focused spirit, though you’ll now find folks making pilgrimages from across the country for a taste.
9. Johnson’s Drive-In: Siler City’s Time-Honored Tradition
My grandfather first took me to Johnson’s when I was seven, ordering exactly what his father ordered in the 1950s. Some places transcend time, and this Siler City institution, unchanged since 1946, is living history.
Owner Claxton Johnson still uses his father’s original recipes, including that signature Velveeta cheese melt that forms a crispy cheese skirt around their grain-fed beef patties. No fancy aiolis or artisanal buns here, just perfectly executed simplicity that’s converted generations of North Carolinians.
Cash only, limited hours, and often sold out by 1pm, Johnson’s operates by its own rules. The regulars, some who’ve been coming weekly for 60+ years, wouldn’t have it any other way. This is burger purity that no modern establishment can replicate.
10. Alley Twenty Six: Durham’s Sophisticated Burger Experience
Sometimes you want a burger with a side of refinement. Tucked in downtown Durham, this upscale drinks bar wasn’t on my burger radar until a bartender whispered, “Our secret weapon is on the menu as ‘The Alley Burger.'”
This culinary masterpiece combines house-ground beef with truffle cheddar and bacon jam that’s simmered for hours. The chipotle aioli adds just enough heat to cut through the richness. Feeling extravagant?
Add foie gras or a perfectly runny fried egg. Owner Shannon Healy crafted this burger to complement their award-winning drink program. While definitely splurge-worthy at $18, the Alley Burger transforms an ordinary meal into a special occasion, even when enjoyed at their elegant bar alongside one of their handcrafted non-alcoholic refreshers.