10 top spots for burgers in the Triangle
From the original beef patty to more eclectic versions with house-made sauces, eggs and buns, each burger spot in The Triangle has something special to offer.
But what are the spots that you have to try? We have put together a list, using winners from WRAL Voters' Choice Awards and online review sites that will help guide you through your local burger journey.
Dine at one of these spots for a good time and full stomach.
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
About the spot: Serving gourmet burgers, sushi, and craft drinks, this fusion restaurant is a unique hotspot to live out your food combo fantasies. Alongside their explosive menu, the restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere of pop-art decorated walls and massive fish tanks for customers to experience as they eat.
What to eat: The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar is known for its cutting edge Burgushi, a fusion of sandwiches made with sushi stuff, and sushi made with burger stuff. While an odd idea in concept, the Burshushi has top reviews for its amazing taste.
Voters’ Choice Awards: This burger was named First Place in the 2022 awards.
Address: 4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 100, Raleigh
Phone: (919) 784-0400
Hours of Operation: Monday through Thursday, Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Abbey Road Tavern & Grill
About the spot: Abbey Road Tavern & Grill is a neighborhood rock ‘n roll bar with a menu of amazing daily specials, entertaining live performances, and a state-of-the-art sound system that makes every seat in the restaurant the best spot for watching sports and television shows on any of their monitors.
What to eat: Their award-winning Beatle burgers are crafted with Certified Angus Beef and cooked exactly to your liking. These burgers are especially unique because of their link to a Beatles band member or Beatles-related media. Customers can enjoy the John or Paul burger surrounded by the musical ambiance of pop rock hits.
Voters’ Choice Awards: This burger was named Second Place in the 2022 awards.
Address: 1700 Center St., Apex
Phone: (919) 372-5383
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight
OnlyBurger
About the spot: Starting as a food truck and developing into a fully-functioning restaurant on Shannon Road in Durham, OnlyBurger’s mission has always been simply burgers and fries. Their initial food truck was the poster child for Durham’s current food truck scene, acting as a trend setter and gaining a loyal following of customers as they expanded.
What to eat: OnlyBurger is driven to create the perfect burger, and in that, it has succeeded. Every burger is made fresh upon order, and fries are hand cut and fried to perfection for each customer. The types of burgers offered include The FGTBurger with fried green tomatoes, the Frito Bandito and The Texan, complete with braised brisket. Other menu items include sliders so you can try multiple burgers, Carolina Dogs and milkshakes or ice cream sandwiches to top off your meal.
Voters’ Choice Awards: This burger was named Third Place in the 2022 awards.
Address: 3710 Shannon Road., Suite 118, Durham
Phone: 919-937-9377
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tavern on the Green at Eagle Ridge
About the spot: Tavern on the Green is a lively and atmospheric restaurant located within Eagle Ridge Golf Club. They are family oriented and offer a terrific view of the lake and golf course.
What to eat and drink: Serving some of the best pizza and burgers around, customers will be more than satisfied with their menu options as they dine in the scenic spot. They also serve a selection of beers, including one of the finest Bourbon selections in the area. They are known for perfectly cooked and crafted burgers, alongside their easygoing atmosphere.
Voters’ Choice Awards: This burger was named a Finalist in the 2022 awards.
Address: 565 Competition Road, Raleigh
Phone: (919) 977-8094
Hours of Operation: Monday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
QueenBurger
About the spot: If you’re looking for local, delicious burgers that won’t break the bank, look no further than QueenBurger. Named Indy Week's Best New Restaurant in 2021, QueenBurger has opened its first brick and mortar store at American Tobacco Campus.
What to eat: As a local favorite, QueenBurger is known for its smash burgers made with grass-fed beef and housemade topics such as zesty ranch and fire-spiced fried onions. They aim to perfect the burger and play with their creations to keep customers on their toes. Alongside their unique take on the dish, the restaurant caters to be affordable as well, offering any burger, a small fry, and a drink for just $14 plus tax.
Voters’ Choice Awards: This burger was named a Finalist in the 2022 awards.
Address: 325 Blackwell St., Suite 125 Durham
Email: info@eatqueenburger.com
Hours of Operation: Monday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
MoJoe’s Burger Joint
About the spot: Since opening in 2002, this hotspot has stuck true to its mouth watering burgers. MoJoe’s Burger Joint set out to serve quality meals in a friendly and casual atmosphere, and has succeeded in doing so since declaring their goal over twenty years ago.
What to eat and drink: MoJoe’s specializes in hand-pressed Premium Sterling Silver beef burger patties that are specially cooked to each customer’s liking. The restaurant also offers savory wings, sandwiches, and freshly chopped salads for people looking to add to their meals. Alongside their food options, MoJoes has a wide list of alcohol, and is best known for their “Boozy Shakes,” the perfect treat for adults to wash their burgers down.
Address: 620 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
Phone: (919)-832-6799
Hours of Operation: Open everyday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Burger Bach
About the spot: Burger Bach is a New Zealand inspired Gastro Pub which aims to bring New Zealand across the ocean and to each one of its customers in Durham. They source the best and healthiest products from both the local area and New Zealand to ensure the highest quality of food. Through their outstanding burgers and drinks, Burger Bach works to create a lively atmosphere for people to feel comfortable socializing and enjoying good food.
What do eat and drink: This restaurant has an extensive list of creative burger combinations, both meat and vegetarian, that cater to simple tastes as well as those looking for more out of the box and foreign options. Burger Bach also offers sides, starters, and salads. For a taste of the Southern Hemisphere, Burger Bach will exceed your expectations.
Address: 737 9th St, Durham
Phone: 919-973-4416
Hours of Operation: Closed Monday; Open Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Al’s Burger Shack
About the spot: Built on local and sustainable principles, Al's Burger Shack works to provide great, fresh food with a dose of southern hospitality. Almost 100% of the restaurant’s interior was recycled from the previously existing space, their seats are designed from reclaimed wood, and some of the bricks from the patio are over 200 years old, demonstrating the spot’s commitment to the environment and their customers.
What to eat and drink: Al’s Burger Shack utilizes fresh ground beef for all of their burgers. They serve custard and cheese from creameries in the area, craft beers brewed in North Carolina and vegetables produced from as many local spots as possible. While they source many things locally, all of their specialty toppings and dressings are homemade in the Shack. Alongside their fun burger options, sandwiches, hotdogs, and sides are also offered for customers to choose from. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available as well.
Address: 516 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
Phone: 919-904-7659
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Merritt’s Grill
About the spot: Merritt’s Grill has been creating unforgettable experiences since 1992. With a slow rise to fame, the restaurant began as a lunch counter ran out of the back of a filling station. After “The Love Sandwich,” a delicious BLT was added to the menu, it rose from a hidden local gem to receiving nationwide recognition for its menu.
What to eat and drink: The restaurant is dedicated to sourcing the best and freshest ingredients for its recipes. In the mornings, they serve an option of breakfast sandwiches. Later in the day, Merritt’s opens its menu to a variety of sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, soups, and salads. Their excellent burgers are cooked with two, thin beef patties and loaded with signature Merritt’s toppings. Their local artisan breads leave customers dreaming of their next bite, and allow each sandwich and burger to be customized to each individual’s preference. Gluten free bread and vegetarian sandwiches are also available.
Address: 1009 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill
Phone: 919-942-4897
Hours of Operation: Closed Sunday; Open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Char-Grill
About the spot: Char-Grill is a local fast-food chain restaurant based in Raleigh. Open since 1959, this old fashioned spot satisfies customer’s cravings for a tasty meal and a blast to the past. They truly abide by their slogan Simpler Times, Simpler Choices. Customers have to place their orders on paper and pencil then wait for their order, which is selected from very few menu options.
What to eat and drink: Sticking to simple means, this hotspot has only 15 items on its menu. Char-Grill has perfected the original burger, offering a patty served with cheese, lettuce and tomato. A variety of other sandwich bases are also offered, along with a salad, for those looking to spice up their order. As for drinks and sides, the milkshakes come in only chocolate and vanilla, perfect to dip a handful of fries in. Lastly, their dessert menu holds only two items, but Char-Grill’s brownie and apple turnover is the perfect sweet ending to any burger meal.
Address: 618 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
Phone: 919- 821-7636
Hours of Operation: Monday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
