Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays & Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More Next
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More Next
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More Next
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See All Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Comfort Food Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Pasta & Noodle Recipes
    • Chefs
    • Meat & Poultry Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See All Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails & Spirits
    • Coffee Drinks & Recipes
    • Juices
    • Beer & Brews
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
    • Tea Recipes & Ideas
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays & Events

    Holidays & Events

    See All Holidays & Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Food & Wine Books this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Travel Chevron Right
  3. Best Burgers in Philadelphia

Best Burgers in Philadelphia

By Food & Wine
Updated April 25, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Tired Hands Brewing Compnay
Credit: © Neal Santos
Philadelphia offers an impressive array of burgers, from single-patty standbys to towering stacks made with wild boar meat, spicy pimento cheese and all kinds of secret sauces. Here are photographer Neal Santos's picks for the best burgers in Philly.
Start Slideshow

1 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Hungry Pigeon

The Hungry Pigeon
Credit: © Neal Santos

This bright neighborhood restaurant, located in the historic "Fabric Row" area of Queen Village, serves a burger made with grass-fed beef from Rineer Family Farms. It features a secret burger sauce, plus cheddar, lettuce, pickles and onions on a double-sesame-seeded bun. hungrypigeon.com

1 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Kensington Quarters

Kensington Quarters
Credit: © Neal Santos

Hop on the Market-Frankford Line to the bustling Fishtown neighborhood. Part butcher shop, part restaurant and part bar, Kensington Quarters uses freshly butchered and ground grass-fed beef for their patty, and serves it on a house-made sesame-seed brioche bun with raw-milk cheddar, garlic chili aioli and pickled red onion. kensingtonquarters.com

2 of 16

3 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Standard Tap

Standard Tap
Credit: © Neal Santos

If you find yourself in Northern Liberties, head over to the Standard Tap, one of Philadelphia's best neighborhood bars for local draft beers and award-winning burgers. Order the Standard Burger, served with melted Monterey jack, pickled green tomatoes, lettuce, onion and skinny-cut fries.

3 of 16

Advertisement

4 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

South Philadelphia Taproom

South Philadelphia Taproom
Credit: © Neal Santos

This spacious South Philly bar can warm you up with solid beers, friendly staff, and food that is prepared with thought and care. Their happy hour is awesome—the perfect time to saddle up with a beer and burger. They make theirs with a grass-fed beef patty, smoked cheddar and pickled veggies. southphiladelphiataproom.com

4 of 16

5 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tria Taproom

Tria Taproom
Credit: © Neal Santos

Amid the ritzy restaurants of Rittenhouse Square sits Tria Taproom, a draft beer and wine bar that impressively straddles the fine line between casual and refined. The cozy bar has a friendly and knowledgeable staff to help guide you through their lists of beers and wines. Grab their beer burger, served with Chimay cheese, beer pickles and a "Beer-naise" sauce that glues the bun and patty. triataproom.com

5 of 16

6 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fountain Porter

Fountain Porter
Credit: © Neal Santos

Just a few blocks off of Philadelphia's evolving Passyunk Square is a corner bar that boasts one of the city's best burgers—delicious, no-frills and just $5. Order one with fries and start working through the ever-changing draft beer list.

6 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Blue Duck

The Blue Duck
Credit: © Neal Santos

Any visit to the Northeast should include The Blue Duck. On the outside, it's an unassuming spot tucked in a strip mall, but the interior has polish to rival any Center City restaurant. And the duck fries alone, topped with duck confit and smoked gouda, can justify the trip. But the star is a burger called the Beast of Northeast Philly: a wild boar and beef patty with smoked gouda, fried Sriracha onions, bacon and a sweet tomato jam. blueduckphilly.com

7 of 16

8 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

LoSpiedo

LoSpiedo
Credit: © Neal Santos

Drive or take the Broad Street line down to Philadelphia's Navy Yard, a large industrial park and commercial shipyard. Here you'll find one of the city's six Marc Vetri restaurants, LoSpiedo. This is a true Vetri experience, with a sharp interior and impressive menu. Their brisket cheeseburger is one of Philly's best. lo-spiedo.com

8 of 16

9 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Khyber Pass Pub

The Khyber Pass Pub
Credit: © Neal Santos

In the heart of Old City is The Khyber Pass Pub, a one-time music venue that became an impressive pub serving a menu that blends New Orleans–style Creole with new American. Come here for the beers and the Khyber burger: an angus beef patty with bacon, smoked cheddar and Creole mustard. khyberpasspub.com

9 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Royal Tavern

Royal Tavern
Credit: © Neal Santos

Royal Tavern's Angus burger is beautifully well-rounded, with sweet, spicy, salty and spicy flavors from a brilliant stack of toppings: bacon, caramelized onions, pickled long hots, smoked gouda and chile mayo. This award-winning favorite belongs on every burger bucket list. royaltavern.com

10 of 16

11 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Shake Shack

Shake Shack
Credit: © Neal Santos

The New York-based chain has put down roots in Philadelphia with locations in Center City and University City. The classic Shack Stack is a welcome addition to the city of Brotherly Love, featuring a beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, ShackSauce and a crisp-fried, cheese-stuffed portobello mushroom. Round out your order with crinkle-cut fries and a shake. shakeshack.com

11 of 16

12 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Grace Tavern

Grace Tavern
Credit: © Neal Santos

Situated off of South Street's buzzy business corridor is Grace's Tavern. With tin ceilings and a dark, cozy atmosphere, this neighborhood bar has the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a solid burger without excess adornments or flavors. The Grace Burger comes with lettuce, tomato, red onion and swiss cheese, and it's served with fries or crispy fried green beans. gracetavern.com

12 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

SpOt Burger

SpOt Burger
Credit: © Neal Santos

What was once a tiny food cart is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Philadelphia's booming Brewerytown section. The burgers are made with tremendous care, usually by chef-owner Josh Kim. Order the SpOt burger, made of freshly ground sirloin and topped with hickory-smoked bacon, cheddar, pickles, coleslaw and SpOt sauce.

13 of 16

14 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Rex1516

Rex1516
Credit: © Neal Santos

Executive chef Justin Swain tops his excellent burger with bacon, fried red onions, bibb lettuce and spicy pimento cheese. But it's not the only attraction at this South Street restaurant: Cocktails are fantastic, and the interior has the charm of what the restaurant calls "a faded Southern mansion." rex1516.com

14 of 16

15 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Bud & Marilyn

Bud & Marilyn
Credit: © Neal Santos

This Midtown Village spot is an homage to The Spot, a restaurant that chef Marcie Blaine Turney's grandparents owned when she was growing up in Ripon, Wisconsin. The interior, which evokes classic Americana, is almost as beautiful as the burger: two beef patties, yellow cheddar, Nueske's bacon, red onion, shredded lettuce and pickles. budandmarilyns.com

15 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 16

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tired Hands Brewing Compnay

Tired Hands Brewing Compnay
Credit: © Neal Santos

Philadelphia's Main Line is lucky to have the impressive Tired Hands Brewing Company, which makes an impressive lineup of house-brewed beers along with this burger, served with lettuce, tomato, onion, candied bacon, smoked cheddar, whiskey-infused dill pickles and mustard made with the brewery's HopHands Pale Ale. tiredhands.com

16 of 16

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Food & Wine

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 16 The Hungry Pigeon
2 of 16 Kensington Quarters
3 of 16 Standard Tap
4 of 16 South Philadelphia Taproom
5 of 16 Tria Taproom
6 of 16 Fountain Porter
7 of 16 The Blue Duck
8 of 16 LoSpiedo
9 of 16 The Khyber Pass Pub
10 of 16 Royal Tavern
11 of 16 Shake Shack
12 of 16 Grace Tavern
13 of 16 SpOt Burger
14 of 16 Rex1516
15 of 16 Bud & Marilyn
16 of 16 Tired Hands Brewing Compnay

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Food & Wine

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Food & Wine
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Meredith Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

View image

Best Burgers in Philadelphia
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.