The 10 Juiciest, Most Delicious Burgers in Cleveland, OH
Few things are as American as a big, juicy hamburger! And call us dramatic but we think that few cities are as underrated for their food scene as Cleveland. So why don’t we put the two together and explore some of the best burger joints in this hidden gem of a foodie city. Here is a list of 10 of the Best Burger Spots in Cleveland.
The Rail
17885 Southpark Center, Strongsville, OH 44136
(440) 783-1275
While it may not be downtown, The Rail is worth the quick drive. Founder Mike Mariola drew inspiration from his successful steakhouse’s bar menu and created The Rail in 2011. It’s a full-service burger joint that’s perfect for any occasion. 100% of the beef used in The Rail’s burgers is sourced from local farms, along with the rest of the ingredients. Whether it is the dairy in the milkshakes or the spirits in their cocktails, it’s all Ohio through and through.
All of these factors trickle down into the explosion of flavor contained within The Rail’s burgers, and it’s that flavor that has seen The Rail win numerous awards for being the best burger in Cleveland. The Local Yokel is anything but your standard bacon cheeseburger and features a perfectly cooked over-easy egg. The Rail-Avore features a truffle aioli that will have you wondering why you’ve never had something like it on a burger before.
Gunselman’s Tavern
21490 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, OH 44126
Located a few miles outside of Cleveland, Gunselman’s Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants around. Opened in 1936, Gunselman’s has witnessed its fair share of history and has been serving happy customers the whole time. Gunselman’s has quite a few options when it comes to burgers. From The Big G Burger with its two ½lb patties and delightful brioche bun to The Beast Burger with its wagyu beef, bison, wild boar, New Zealand elk, Ito, and house-made “beast sauce,” Gunselman’s has something for everyone.
Buckeye Beer Engine
15315 Madison Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 226-2337
Buckeye Beer Engine is known for two things: its massive beer selection and its creative gourmet burgers. What’s better is that every burger can be curated to exactly what you want. Want to substitute a black bean patty for your beef one? No Problem! The Bourbon Bacon and Steakhouse burgers are at the top of the list regarding what you should order. The Bourbon Bacon is topped with applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda, arugula, and bourbon peppercorn gravy. The Steakhouse, on the other hand, comes with Wagyu Beef, crumbled bleu cheese, thyme, mushrooms, caramelized onion, and their in-house garlic-chive butter. Now let’s be serious, you’re hungry just reading that aren’t you?
Heck’s
2927 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 861-5464
Hecks is more than just a restaurant. It’s an experience. Hecks prides itself on being a place for friends to meet, dine, and lounge. Its original location in Cleveland is a 120-year-old break townhouse with an indoor garden. Talk about vibes, right? On top of that, Hecks is known for its gourmet burgers. Everything is seasonal and locally sourced, making endless options and flavors. Hecks has 12 different signature burgers on offer. Each is made with 100% grass-fed Ohio beef and is served on a Brioche Bun with Heck’s Fresh Cut Fries. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the options. The BrieBerry Burger, for instance, is unique in that it comes with Brie Cheese, Bacon, and a Blueberry-Ancho Sauce that tastes like nothing you’ve ever had before. No matter what you order, you’ll be eating one of the best burgers in Cleveland.
Good Company
1200 West 76th Street, Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 331-0318
Good Company is so good that it’s a certified resident of Flavor Town. The restaurant was featured in an episode of Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2022. Everything at Good Company is made from scratch and prepared with you and your family in mind. This is a burger joint that cares deeply about your dining experience. They have three different burger options on the menu. ‘The Good One’ comes with two certified Angus beef patties that have been blended with a custom sirloin and beef belly blend, griddled onions, malted pickles, shredded lettuce, American cheese, and caper-mustard aioli on a housemade poppyseed milk bun and is served with a side of their famous red relish.
Cordelia
2058 East 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 230-2355
Cordelia was named one of the 22 best new restaurants in the United States by Tasting Table when it opened. Perfect for a night out or brunch to start your Sunday, it serves up delicious Midwestern-inspired dishes that captivate your tastebuds immediately. However, today we’re only focusing on their burgers. While Cordelia only offers up one style of burger, it is without a doubt one of the best in Cleveland. Cordelia’s ‘Burger Box’ is a 1921-style slider with smoked cheddar, pickles, onion, and Cordelia’s signature in-house sauce. Cordelia is also close to Progressive Field, and if you can get a reservation, it is a great place to grab a bite before or after the game!
TownHall
1909 W 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 344-9400
Townhall is a unique and innovative restaurant that prides itself on healthy eating and being 100% GMO-free. Almost all of the ingredients are locally sourced and organic. Now you may be wondering, is it possible to have an amazing burger at a place that focuses on healthy eating? Well, the answer is a resounding yes. TownHall’s Grass-Fed Cheeseburger 2.0 features a beef patty from New Zealand, Organic Cheddar Cheese, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, and Romaine Lettuce, within an in-house-made bun. Oh, and if you want a burger on the healthy side, you won’t find a better Veggie Burger option around.
Johnny’s Little Bar
614 Frankfort Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 861-2166
Johnny’s Little Bar is a casual and easygoing tavern that will satisfy your tastebuds and your stomach no matter what time of day it is. Johnny’s ‘World Famous “Little Bar” Burger’ starts at only $8.75. Toppings are $1 each, and you can add any cheese of your choice, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms, too. With over 40 beers available, a late-night menu, and a burger that’s celebrated throughout town, Johnny’s Little Bar is an example of everything you want from a bar and burger. If you’re feeling fancy, step over next door to Johnny’s Downtown. You’ll need a reservation, but they take their world-famous burger to the next level with more toppings available for you to add so that you get the exact taste you’re looking for.
Stevensons Bar & Grill
800 E 200th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119
(216) 999-7156
Stevensons has been a Cleveland staple since the 1920s. In that time, they’ve garnered quite a reputation for their burgers. So much so that Stephensons has won multiple “best of” awards for their burgers. Not just in Cleveland but nationally as well! Their signature burger is the “Big Guy.” It’s a double cheeseburger with lettuce, pickle, and special sauce. But just because it’s simple by way of ingredients doesn’t mean it’s simple in taste. It’s absolutely packed with all the flavors that make burgers delicious. Stevensons is the prime example that you don’t have to make something fancy to taste really, really good.
Cleveland Chop
824 West St. Clair, Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 696-2467
Cleveland Chop is an elevated steakhouse and sports bar serving everything you would expect. But let’s focus on the burger side of things. If you want one of their delicious handcrafted burgers, you must make a lunch reservation. Their lunch menu is the only one that offers their burgers (they also have an incredibly delicious dinner and brunch menu.) The four burger options they have are The Steak House, Hangover, Classic Steak Burger, and Chop Burger. Each has its own unique array of toppings. The beef patties are Certified Angus Beef and are served with your choice of a side. So whether you want something simple and classic or something topped with caramelized onions, roasted mushrooms, and more, Cleveland Chop has you covered.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Cleveland page, here!
Featured Blog Posts
7 Most Spectacular Speakeasies in Cleveland, OH
The allure of a speakeasy is obvious to anyone who visits one of these hidden-in-plain-site bars. Finding an obscured or unusual entrance, providing a secret word or using a special door to enter, only to be rewarded with a swanky bar, spectacular cocktails and an unmatched prohibition-era vibe. Some of the most fun spots in Cleveland are these sometimes-underground gems, the spectacular speakeasies hiding right underneath our noses.
Bellie Up at Cordelia: The Best Meal in Cleveland
My plan was to get a burger. Instead, I ended up eating one of the most impressive meals I’ve ever had. Join me as I recount my remarkable experience enjoying the Cordelia “Bellie Up” tasting menu.
A Guide to Downtown Cleveland’s East 4th Street
Right in the heart of downtown Cleveland lies East 4th Street, a revitalized pedestrian-friendly street jam-packed with restaurants, bars, and people. When it comes to food, it’s hard to miss, whether you’re craving a slice of pizza or a multiple-course chef’s table dining experience. Here are our favorite places to eat and drink on East 4th Street.
7 Outstanding Pizza Spots in Cleveland
There’s nothing better than a slice of pizza. No matter what the occasion, weather, or time of day, pizza is always an option. What you get on a pizza says a lot about a person. As does the type of pizza that they prefer. Thin crust or deep dish? Pineapple or not? Each person can only answer these existential questions for themselves. However, the question as to where you should go in Cleveland to get the best slice or a whole pie can be answered right here, right now. So let’s roll into it; here are the 7 Best Pizza Spots in Cleveland.