The Best Burgers in Boston

You might know of Boston's "Hahvahd Yahd", but it's also famous for baked beans, Fenway Park and historical New England charm. This East Coast city stands out as one of the most popular destinations in America, and visitors here will find a wealth of attractions, entertainment, culture and scenic views to enjoy. Check out Boston Common, the oldest public park in the country. Walk along the famous Freedom Trail or stroll the quaint, cobbled streets of Cambridge to get a feel for this diverse and historically-rich city. Beantown is the home of the first Thanksgiving, and bountiful autumnal harvests have made this place an ideal foodie destination. You can find all sorts of cuisine here, from high-end French fare to yummy street tacos. If you want a juicy hamburger to fuel you up, you'll find plenty of those, too. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out for a wicked burger? Check out our Tastemaker List to learn where to find the best burger in Boston.

The OpenTable Team

13 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Pammy's, Longfellow, Alden and Harlow…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	American…
Neighborhoods:	Cambridge, Harvard Square…

Pammy's

$$$$

American

Cambridge

4.8

1772 reviews

Pammy’s is an upscale New American restaurant located in the heart of Cambridge, between Central and Harvard Squares. It’s a cozy but elegant neighborhood spot run by husband and wife team Chris and Pam Willis, who live right up the street from the eatery. They treat Pammy’s guests like family and pride themselves on their great food, wonderful hospitality and chic vibe. The dishes here lean toward hearty Italian flavors, such as the Lamb Chop with Farro and Fava Bean Risotta or the Squid Ink Spaghetti, but the burger is always a top choice as well.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Longfellow

$$$$

American

Cambridge

4.6

265 reviews

Longfellow, located in the historic Cafe Algiers space on Brattle Street in Harvard Square, is a casual, welcoming neighborhood bar and eatery. The brainchild of chef and restaurateur Michael Scelfo, Longfellow is a super popular joint for dinner and a great gathering place for friends and colleagues to have a few drinks. The menu features bar food for passing and sharing along with main dishes for a more substantial meal. Step into the beautiful space with exposed brick and real oak flooring, and sample either Alden’s Burger or Longfellow’s Burger, topped with fried kale leave, b&b gold beets, hot peppers and pecorino aioli.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Alden and Harlow

$$$$

American

Harvard Square

4.6

4230 reviews

Sharing a space with Longfellow at 40 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Alden and Harlow serves sustainable, honest American food in the subterranean den. It’s a modern, cozy and comfortable space to dine and Chef Michael Scelfo does not disappoint with the menu. The goal is to create humble, unpretentious food that honors tradition of place in its quality - and he succeeds. The restaurant features a variety of flavors, like Cold Smoked Red Shrimp and Chicken Thigh Torchon, but the real hit is the “Secret Burger,” which has only limited availability. Come for an early dinner to up your chances of scoring one before they run out.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Alcove

$$$$

American

West End

4.5

1526 reviews

Located on a welcoming port on the edge of Boston’s West End, Alcove is all about creating a memorable experience to share with friends. The warm, neighborhood restaurant is perfect for date nights, pre-game meetups, business meetings and celebratory occasions. Their focus is on creating great food and drinks by ensuring their ingredients tell a story. They form relationships with local purveyors to bring in only the highest quality meat, seafood and product. Order to Cheeseburger to see what the fuss is all about! It comes with Jasper Hill’s Vault No5 Cheddar, caramelized Vidalia onion and B3 pickles. You can also tack on bone marrow if you really want to splurge.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Yellow Door Taqueria - South End

$$$$

Mexican

South End

4.6

377 reviews

Lion’s Tail, located in the South End’s Ink Block, is a trendy, sophisticated cocktail den decorated with leather and metal for a cool, ultra chic ambiance. The name itself comes from a bourbon-based cocktail and they have plenty of other creative tinctures that use locally distilled spirits and high craftsmanship. Their food menu spans a range of options, all of which use only the very best in all-natural, locally sourced ingredients. They serve responsibly raised, grass-fed and organic ingredients, including the delicious LT burger.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Commonwealth

$$$$

American

Cambridge

4.1

423 reviews

Commonwealth Restaurant and Market is the place to go to enjoy one of the best burgers in Boston in a casual, family-style environment. The food here is simple but extremely well-crafted and features fresh, seasonal ingredients in everything from the hearty main dishes to the creative cocktails. They also have a cool market where you can buy locally sourced meats and cheeses to take home. The menu is subject to change regularly, but includes options like a Kale Caesar salad, smoked ribs, Faroe Island Salmon and, if you’re lucky, their mouthwatering burger.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Mooo BEACON HILL

$$$$

Steakhouse

Beacon Hill

4.8

4199 reviews

Mooo is a great name for a modern steakhouse and you will find lots of amazingly fresh red meat on the menu here, as well as a smattering of salads, seafood and other tasty options. Located in Historic Beacon Hill, right on Beacon Street, the place has a warm atmosphere with modern decor and is perfect for a date or a casual meetup with friends. They have a full menu of appetizers, soups and salads in addition to the main entree steaks and seafood. Burger lovers should definitely try the Painted Hills Sirloin Beef Carpaccio, served on a brioche crouton and topped with pecorino romano and pickled beech mushroom.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

OAK Long Bar + Kitchen

$$$$

Unspecified

Back Bay

4.6

1556 reviews

If you’re looking for the best burger in Boston and want a more elegant vibe, head to Oak Long Bar and Kitchen in the Back Bay. It’s a Contemporary American restaurant that marries classic elegance and modern style. Enjoy specialty, hand-crafted cocktails at the gorgeous coppertop bar and a farm-to-table menu featuring local ingredients. Sip a delicious, inventive cocktail while you wait for your burger and enjoy the downtown style. Their menu covers everything from Clam Chowder to to Lamb Meatballs, but the Oak Burger, made of wagyu chuck and topped with applewood smoked bacon and American cheese, is the best reason to go.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

State Street Provisions

$$$$

American

Financial District

4.6

1075 reviews

State Street Provisions is a welcoming, contemporary American eatery with a touch of old-fashioned charm. It creates a perfect blend of the old-timey taverns of Boston’s historical Long Wharf and the trendy new vibe that diners are seeking out. The menu features a historically-inspired but forward thinking selection of dishes as well as an extensive list of unique cocktails, wine and beer to pair with your meal. Dive right in to the State Street burger, definitely one of the best items on the menu. It comes on an English Muffin with White Cheddar, Pancetta, Smoked Onion and House-made pickles.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Henrietta's Table

$$$$

American

Harvard Square

4.5

4338 reviews

Henrietta’s Table, located on Bennet St in Cambridge, is just a stone’s throw away from the ivied walls of Harvard. They opened their doors 20 years ago and locals and tourists alike have been flocking here ever since. It is one of the most beloved restaurants in the city, visited by celebrities, New England farmers and Nobel laureates alike. The menu here strives to be “fresh and honest,” which means everything comes fresh from the farm and cooked with honest to goodness love. Try their out-of-this-world seared salmon burger, which comes with baby greens, a lemon herb vinaigrette and spicy tartar sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Moonshine 152

$$$$

American

South Boston

4.9

1405 reviews

Moonshine is a modern neighborhood restaurant located in South Boston. Operated by Chef-owner Asia Mei, it is a welcoming place where locals come to see familiar faces. The menu here features local, seasonal ingredients cooked up with a wide range of flavors spanning Asian, Mexican, Latin American and New England cuisines. They are open until two in the morning every night and the action picks up late! Stop in to try the Grass-Fed beef Burger, topped with Sharp Cheddar, House Aioli and served with shoestring french fries.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Russell House Tavern

$$$$

American

Cambridge

4.4

2568 reviews

Russell House Tavern, located in an inviting, multi-level space with vintage photographs of the Square, is the perfect place to grab a burger in Cambridge. The menu features seasonally-inspired, classic dishes from New England and beyond as well as hand-crafted artisan cocktails and a long list of all-American wines and craft beers. You can try everything from the Tavern Pizzas and Steak Frites to the delicious R. House Burger, a dazzling 8 oz. prime ground beef patty topped with sharp cheddar, bacon and caramelized onions.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Daedalus

$$$$

American

Harvard Square

4.6

397 reviews

Daedalus, located in a converted greenhouse in Harvard Square, is a casual restaurant that serves New American cuisine and drinks in beautiful, spacious surroundings. Diners love the crab cake sandwich, buffalo tenders and their hearty brunch, but the burger is the most popular item on the menu by far. It comes with barbecued onions, melted crumbled blue cheese, lettuce and tomato on a toasted bun. You can also opt for the delicious veggie burger if you’d rather go with a meatless meal.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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