Best Burgers in Charleston SC (2025)

The Tavern Burger is a Charleston rite of passage—thin, griddled, perfectly balanced, and served in a retro-stylish room that feels timeless. Celebrated by Food & Wine and named best-in-the-nation by Bon Appétit, it remains the benchmark downtown.

Known for fried chicken and oysters, Leon’s also turns out a stellar cheeseburger—smash-style, drippy, and exactly what you want with a cold beer on the patio. A frequent pick in respected dining guides, it captures laid-back Charleston flavor.

The original Husk still draws burger pilgrims for its double-stack with heritage-bacon grind and American cheese, best enjoyed at the adjacent bar. Long chronicled by national media, it’s a piece of modern Charleston food history in a classic house.

Wagener Terrace’s butcher-restaurant grinds its own grass-fed beef for a juicy, deeply flavored burger; frequent specials keep locals returning. Praised by Charleston City Paper and covered by The Post and Courier, it’s neighborhood dining at its best.

A 26-year stalwart where the flat-top sizzle defines thick, pub-style burgers with countless topping combos. Frequently cited by local critics and community polls, Moe’s remains a loyalists’ favorite for game days and no-nonsense plates.

This brewery’s burger leans classic—prime beef, American, bacon-mayo, the works—and pairs beautifully with house beers in a sprawling indoor-outdoor space. Regularly recommended by Eater and locals alike for casual burger-and-beer nights.

A modern take on the all-American bar burger: double smashed patties, American cheese, pickles, and signature sauce in a lively NoMo setting. Open daily and celebrated by local media, it’s a crowd-pleaser with a strong neighborhood following.

This midcentury-inspired spot keeps a loyal following for crisp-edged steakburgers and late-night hours. A recurring pick on Eater’s burger lists, it’s a classic King Street stop when you want unfussy execution and a proper cocktail alongside.

Seafood may headline here, but the griddled single or double with cheddar, pickles, onions, and special sauce is a sleeper hit. A polished King Street room, consistent service, and that burger make it a savvy move beyond oysters.

From pop-up to food truck to Eastside brick-and-mortar, Smash City champions classic simplicity—beef, cheese, onions, pickles, bun. Winner of Charleston City Paper’s 2024 Burger Throwdown, it’s now a reliable daily stop for purists.