The best burger in Columbus is always an ongoing debate, but there’s really no need to settle it, right? Because we enjoy so many enticing options here in Columbus that you’re sure to find a burger – or two, or three – you’ll love.
Hungry for a crispy-edged smashburger? Or how about a towering tavern burger? Or a simple one you can savor with a pint at a local bar or brewery? We put together your guide to burgers around Columbus!
The Flavor Burger from Flavor 91. Author photo.
Tavern Burgers in Columbus
In the mood for a giant, tavern-style burger? Order up one of these goodies and you won’t go hungry.
Stacked Burger Co.: Find Stacked Burger Co. in a Worthington strip mall, where they dish out 1/3-pound burgers like the Stack Burger with caramelized onions and house pickles, or the Beer Gut with house-made chili.
Ringside Café: Ringside is one of Columbus’ oldest restaurants, a downtown institution since 1897. It’s tucked into an alley off Broad Street, and all their burgers are named for heavyweight champions like Buster Douglas or Jack Dempsey.
Thurman Cafe: The Thurman Cafe is a Columbus icon, a German Village mainstay known for its towering burgers. Feeling really hungry? See if you can take on the Thurminator! *Please note that Thurman's is temporarily closed. Reopening date is TBD.
Flavor 91 Bistro: Flavor 91 is a family-run Whitehall spot that blends East African flavors with American classics. The Flavor Burger features grass-fed beef with Ethiopian-style seasoning, pepperjack, and a spicy sauce. Keep an eye out for their food truck, too!
Gahanna Grill: Gahanna Grill has been a neighborhood favorite since 1939. Their signature is the “Beanie” Burger with a 1/4-pound patty, bacon, cheese, and Beanie’s original homemade slaw.
Pat & Gracie’s: Named for a couple of colorful Columbus figures, Pat & Gracie’s features a downtown location and a Clintonville shop at Graceland. Try their Chimi Burger with jack cheese, avocado, caramelized onions, bacon, and house-made chimichurri.
The Rossi Kitchen + Bar: Like your favorite neighborhood tavern, The Rossi is a cozy corner spot. It’s the perfect place to kick back with a cocktail and The Rossi waygu burger and a plate of frites.
Atlas Tavern: Atlas Tavern near Polaris serves up an excellent bar menu, from a draft list of 20 craft beers deep to wings to sandwiches. Their burgers are not to be missed, from the savory Tavern signature to the onion-heavy Oklahoma smashburger to the Frita Cubana with sweet hot pickles and crispy potatoes.
FlipSide: With more than a dozen burgers to choose from, FlipSide at Easton has something for everyone. Try the Mikey with bacon and pepperjack, the brunch burger with hash browns and a fried egg, or the Uncle Jimmy with peanut butter and bacon.
The Double 185 Cheeseburger. Author photo.
Bar Burgers in Columbus
What better way to spend the evening than bellying up at the bar with a cold beer and a burger in hand?
Johnnie’s Tavern: The Johnnie’s Super Burger continues to draw fans to this long-running dive bar on Trabue. One bite through the layers of crispy lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and cheese, and you’ll see why!
Club 185: One of German Village’s favorite hangouts since 1954, Club 185’s signature is the Double 185 cheeseburger, a simple but easy-to-love concoction with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mayo.
O’Reilly’s Pub: O’Reilly’s is Clintonville’s go-to dive bar, and their signature meal is the pepper burger, generously rolled in crushed pepper, cooked well done, and then layered with bacon and cheese.
Nasty’s Sports Bar: Regulars are quick to call out the burgers at this Hilliard sports bar. Try the K-9 Mattis Mayhem with jalapenos or the one-pound Big Nasty!
Press Grill: Press Grill is tucked into a narrow storefront in the Short North, where regulars dig into weekly specials alongside their Press Burger, a cheeseburger with a fried egg!
The Juicy Jackie burger from Goood Friends. Author photo.
Brewery Burgers in Columbus
The combination of locally made craft beers and burgers is hard to beat!
Street Thyme: Street Thyme is a food truck slinging burgers and making regular stops at breweries like Seventh Son Brewing. Order a pint to go with hand-cut fries and a Fun Guy with mushrooms or an Irish Breakfast with fried egg and bacon.
Derive Brewing Company: To go with the house beers at this Clintonville brewery, order a plate of cheese curds and their popular Derive Burger, a smashburger with American cheese, lettuce, and house “smack” sauce on toasted brioche buns.
Smash N Eatz: Smash N Eatz is tucked into East Side Brewing in Reynoldsburg. On their menu of crave-able bar food is a lineup of smashburgers, BBQ bacon burgers, breakfast burgers, Oklahoma onion burgers, and more.
Goood Friends: Located inside Jackie O’s taproom on Fourth Street downtown, Goood Friends leads off their menu with the Juicy Jackie, a monster burger with two patties of mushroom-blended beef, sharp cheddar, crispy onions, pickles, Duke’s, and Goood sauce.
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing: In their main dining room and rear taproom, Wolf’s Ridge serves up a seriously good set of burgers, from the classic WRB Burger with RL Valley beef to the rich Beef and Lamb Burger.
Courtesy of Ritzy's.
Smashburgers in Columbus
Smashburgers are enjoying their day in the sun, and rightfully so!
Preston’s Burgers: often ranked one of the city’s best burgers, Preston’s has nailed the smashburger style, with two patties, American cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, onions, and secret sauce. Find them in Clintonville and inside the Little Grand Market.
Sexton’s Burger Bar: Sexton’s is already a city-favorite pizza shop, and their Gahanna burger bar is winning fans just the same.
Ritzy’s: In 2018, the Webb family brought back the bygone burger chain G.D. Ritzy’s, known for their crispy-edged burgers, hot dogs, fries, and shakes. You can once again enjoy what made Ritzy’s an institution at this Clintonville shop!
Smash Buddies: It’s well worth seeking out this hidden gem in the Brewery District for their smashburgers, sandwiches, and loaded tots!
Veggie Burger from Northstar Cafe. Author photo.
Veggie Burgers in Columbus
Who says you have to eat meat to enjoy a great burger? Not these spots!
Northstar Cafe: When you ask about veggie burgers in Columbus, Northstar’s is sure to top the list! Their house-made patty blends rice, black beans, and beets, and is topped with diced onion, pickles, kale, tomato, and white cheddar.
4th & State: Located at – you guessed it – Fourth and State streets downtown, 4th & State has become a popular spot for plant-based diner fare, including a range of burgers loaded with fresh veggies, tempeh bacon, and house-made sauces.
Arch City Tavern: Amongst Arch City’s excellent menu of burgers is a top-notch Spiced Bean Burger, with a house-made pecan and black bean patty topped with sauteed onions, cheddar, and more veggies.
SOW Plated: Their SOW Burger layers a green chickpea and quinoa patty with pickled cabbage, onion slaw, arugula, and a curry aioli on a brioche bun.
