Best Burgers in Grand Rapids (2025)

Downtown’s arcade-and-whiskey hangout made its name with giant stuffed burgers and has the trophy case to prove it. Frequently voted Best Burger by Grand Rapids Magazine and a perennial Revue West Michigan favorite, it remains a must on any GR burger crawl.

Known for serious whiskey and steaks, this West Side standby also turns out a dialed-in double cheeseburger with sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, and punchy pickles. Praised by regional writers and beloved by locals for nailing the details night after night.

This mom-and-pop takeout spot sears impossibly flavorful smash burgers on Nantucket sesame buns and pairs them with cult-favorite fries and house sodas. Crowned Michigan’s 2025 Great Lakes Burger Battle champion by the Michigan Beef Industry Commission.

Studio Park’s neighborhood tavern does a polished smash burger and a signature 123 Burger with bacon-onion marmalade. Regular burger-night specials and consistent local buzz make it a reliable downtown fix before a show or game.

A tiny counter by the tracks serving griddled burgers and malts since 1946. Known for hefty patties and a beloved olive burger, it’s a living slice of neighborhood history still run with old-school charm and quick hands at the flat-top.

A West Side favorite with late-night personality and a burger lineup that ranges from classic to creative. Celebrated by Grand Rapids Magazine readers for multiple categories, it’s a go-to when you want a smash burger with a side of local character.

A craft-beer stronghold with a serious burger game—think two crisp smash patties on brioche and frequent specials riffing on GR’s olive burger tradition. A longtime late-night staple often shouted out by locals and regional guides.

Downtown taproom known for big, thoughtfully topped half-pounders like the Otto with a fried egg and the jalapeño-forward Big Sassy. Highlighted by Revue West Michigan’s editors and a steady stream of happy burger loyalists.

A retro-leaning neighborhood spot where the Commons Cheeseburger and an excellent olive burger show off precision and restraint. Locals call it technically perfect, and it’s a relaxed alternative to the downtown crowds.

Don’t let the name fool you—its double smash burger is a downtown standard, paired with twice-fried Belgian-style frites. Featured by local TV and a finalist in regional polls, it delivers classic flavors at friendly prices.

A laid-back local bar where the hefty, well-seasoned burgers satisfy late or early. Regulars tout it for value, and it shows up on local lists for post-night-out eats—very much part of the city’s everyday burger landscape.