Burgers · ranked by Your Friend Matt

North Carolina's best hamburgers (not smashburgers)

I have driven across North Carolina looking for the best hamburger in the state: the mountains, the Triangle, Eastern NC, and a lot of small towns in between. To compare them evenly, every burger gets the same three basic toppings. This is the classic full-patty list; smashburgers have their own. It is a living list, so a new stop can bump one off.

  1. #1

    Lil Papi's International Deli

    Concord · Map · went May 27, 2026

    Order: The burger, plain and simple

    The best hamburger in North Carolina, and it is right near Charlotte. Took the top spot on my list in May 2026.

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  2. #2

    Market on Morehead

    Charlotte · Map · went May 14, 2026

    Order: The hamburger, on the new patio

    The best hamburger in North Carolina that is not a smash burger. All of the food I tried here was amazing.

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  3. #3

    Parkton Grill

    Parkton · Map · went Apr 26, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    One of the best hamburgers in North Carolina is in a town without a stoplight. One of the juiciest burgers in the state.

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  4. #4

    BrightStar Grill

    Mount Holly · Map · went Apr 2, 2026

    Order: The full-patty hamburger

    My new favorite full-patty hamburger in North Carolina, in a wonderful diner that is locked in the 1960s. Worth the drive to Mt. Holly.

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  5. #5

    Brooks Sandwich House

    NoDa · Map · went Apr 13, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    Hooked after the first bite. A Charlotte classic that earned its spot on the statewide list.

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  6. ·

    Charley's Restaurant

    Albemarle · Map · went Oct 29, 2026

    Order: The Charley Burger, fries, and a cherry Coke

    Around since 1976, one of the two classic burger spots in town. I went looking for the best hamburger. The hot dog won.

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  7. ·

    Bull City Burger and Brewery

    Durham · Map · went Oct 12, 2026

    Order: The burger, locally sourced beef

    Supposed to have the best hamburger in North Carolina. I walked in prepared to be let down. Then I took a bite.

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  8. ·

    Hinson's Drive-In

    Matthews · Map · went Sep 7, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    On my bucket list for months. Here since 1954, just south of Charlotte off US 74. A little hard to find, and I loved it.

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  9. ·

    Shake Shop

    Cherryville · Map · went Jul 9, 2026

    Order: The hamburger (cash only)

    So many people claim this is the best hamburger in North Carolina. An hour from Charlotte, cash only, a line before the second shift opens. I was not disappointed.

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  10. ·

    Melvin's

    Elizabethtown · Map · went Aug 10, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    Of all the classic hamburger spots I have tried across North Carolina, Melvin's may be the best. It melts in your mouth.

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  11. ·

    Rockwell Cafe

    Rockwell · Map · went Jul 16, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    A small town between Charlotte and Greensboro hiding a serious burger. My kids and I drove out and came away impressed.

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  12. ·

    Al's Burger Shack

    Chapel Hill · Map · went Jun 1, 2026

    Order: The burger, cooked to your temperature

    I did not understand why people are obsessed with this place until I tasted it. Picking your meat temperature at a casual spot is rare.

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  13. ·

    Pete's Burgers and More

    Reidsville · Map · went Jun 3, 2026

    Order: The Superburger

    The Superburger leans on its toppings, and on this search every burger gets the same three basics. Still a worthy stop.

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  14. ·

    Clark's Snack Bar

    Charlotte · Map · went Jul 14, 2026

    Order: The hamburger and the fries

    Some of the best fries in the Queen City. I went to find out how the hamburger holds up.

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  15. ·

    Chubz Famous Chiliburgers

    Charlotte · Map · went Aug 30, 2026

    Order: The chiliburger

    The hamburger is great, and the customer service from Mr. Chubz is elite.

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  16. ·

    For Crying Out Loud

    Charlotte · Map · went Aug 29, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    Locations in Charlotte and Concord. A stop on the search for the best hamburger in North Carolina.

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  17. ·

    Little Mountain Burger Company

    Denver · Map · went Jun 17, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    Everything on the burger is sourced within a short drive of Lake Norman: the patty from Little Mountain Farm, the bun from Willow Tree Bakery.

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  18. ·

    McDonald's Family Restaurant

    Bessemer City · Map · went Jun 15, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    Not the McDonald's you are thinking of. The burgers here make you feel like you are back home, wherever home is.

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  19. ·

    Bill's Truck Stop

    Linwood · Map · went Jun 4, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    You have driven past it on a road trip. One of the best hamburgers in North Carolina as far as value goes.

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  20. ·

    Dash In

    Concord · Map · went Jun 9, 2026

    Order: The hamburger from the full kitchen

    One of my favorite hamburgers in North Carolina is from a gas station, so when Dash In opened with a full kitchen I had to see if its burger competes.

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  21. ·

    What-A-Burger No. 11

    Mooresville · Map · went Jul 29, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    What-A-Burger and Whataburger are not the same thing. A classic Iredell County drive-in, with more locations in Mount Pleasant, Concord and Kannapolis.

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  22. ·

    Tastebudz at The Grill

    Kannapolis · Map · went Aug 18, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    North Carolina gas stations always seem to have the best food. Basic store-bought ingredients, put together right.

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  23. ·

    Annie's Fish & Fixins

    Concord · Map · went Sep 16, 2026

    Order: The hamburger

    A seafood spot that is not known for hamburgers but should be. Black-owned, in Cabarrus County about 10 years, and everyone is shocked on the first bite.

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  24. ·

    Ann Marie's Gourmet Burgers

    Charlotte · Map · went Jun 10, 2026

    Order: The Southern Burger with chili and cheddar

    A new burger joint inside a Walmart of all places. Black-owned, and I absolutely loved the Southern Burger.

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