Rebecca DavisPhiladelphia is famous for cheesesteaks, but the local patty scene is quietly stealing the spotlight these days. Smash patties, molten cheese, brioche buns stacked high: the city’s patty game has never been more competitive.
The city’s burger joints run the full spectrum, spanning no-frills lunch counters to chef-driven dining rooms where the humble patty gets a serious upgrade.
That variety is exactly what makes Philly such a rewarding city to eat in, and exactly what makes choosing where to go such a challenge.
That’s where this guide comes in. I’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to, and here are the spots serving the best burgers in Philadelphia right now.
How Much Does a Burger Cost in Philadelphia?
A standard burger in Philadelphia generally costs $7 to $15, while specialty gourmet creations can reach up to $25 with premium sides.
| Burger Type | Estimated Price Range |
| Single Patty / Fast-Casual | $7.00 – $13.00 |
| Local Smash Burgers | $10.00 – $13.00 |
| Specialty / Gourmet Burgers | $14.00 – $25.00 |
1. Bad Brother
Website: https://www.badbrotherphilly.com/
Address: 726 N. 24th St.
Contact: 215-235-2460 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday, Sunday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Saturday 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Tucked away in a cozy, century-old corner row home in Fairmount, Bad Brother hits the sweet spot between a laid-back neighborhood tavern and an upscale dining experience.
The kitchen serves up brilliant gourmet twists on pub classics, pairing high-end ingredients with an unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere. You can catch the owners behind the bar chatting with guests, which adds a warm community connection.
Their signature cheeseburger features a premium mix of mozzarella, grilled beef fat zucchini, smoked eggplant mayo, and marinated red onion on a sesame milk bun.
Just be prepared for a premium price point, as the standard burger costs $20.50 and the patty size feels relatively small.
Also, the historic indoor dining layout is quite small and gets cramped very quickly during peak weekend hours.
This might be the best burger I’ve ever had
Holy wow! This place is a gem. They’re so low key and friendly but the service and quality is unparalleled. This might be the best burger I’ve ever had and everything on our plates was well thought out. The drinks were delicious and generous and all the staff we interacted with were super chill and kind. If I could I’d give it 6 stars. Bad Brother is unassuming and will blow you away.
- Christina D.M. Google Review
one of the best neighborhood bars and restaurants
Bad Brother is one of the best neighborhood bars and restaurants in Philadelphia. I love to take friends and family there for not only their selection at the bar and a delicious and creative menu, but the service and atmosphere are just what you need to feel at home while also enjoying your time out. Get yourself some wings, a burger, and a sausage sandwich! Add a Caesar salad that you won’t regret, either.
- Christina Geitner Google Review
2. Lucas Burger
Website: https://lucassmashburgers.com/
Address: 2101 Chestnut Street
Contact: 445-223-4145 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Saturday 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Finding an incredible smash burger that caters to everyone in your group can be a challenge, but Lucas Burger’s precise technique locks in flavor and creates perfect, crispy edges to perfection.
They also offer an inclusive menu featuring gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian burgers. They also have original creations like crab burgers, so there’s something for everyone.
When I stopped by with a friend last week, the crispy texture of the beef was phenomenal.
Plus, their pricing is competitive for the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, keeping baseline classics under ten dollars. Just note that third-party apps tack on a fixed 15% service fee.
The severe street parking constraints also make quick car pickups highly impractical.
Was delicious
Delicious burger AND Same Price Cash or Credit! That treats diners right!
I had the DaMati burger; roasted garlic, caramelized onions, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato. Was delicious.
Bun was nicely toasted too.
Extra points for being open on Memorial Day!
- B ES Google Review
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this place
The guy at the counter was amazing, helpful with my choices! I’ve heard nothing but great things about this place and I’m from Texas so a burger goes a long way to getting a great review on it! Happy I found this place while I’m here!
- Eric Zimmerman Google Review
3. Spot Gourmet Burgers
Website: https://spotburgers.com/
Address: 2821 W Girard Ave
Contact: 267-930-7370
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
If you appreciate the artistry of an in-house butchery, you’ll love Spot Gourmet Burgers. They skip pre-packaged ground beef to craft one-third-pound patties entirely from fresh USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) sirloin every single day.
The kitchen leans into chef-driven flavor profiles that go far beyond standard toppings. They incorporate unique combinations like goat cheese, truffle-balsamic, and horseradish-mayo.
They also celebrate their local roots by serving classic Philadelphia street-food elements like Cheez Whiz right alongside their main burger lineup.
However, these premium ingredients mean you will face a higher fast-casual price point. Their specialty single burgers range from $12 to $15 before adding sides.
Also, they only operate a single storefront on West Girard Avenue, which limits pickup accessibility if you live outside this specific pocket.
The best burger I’ve had in Philly.
Food is awesome – the best burger I’ve had in Philly. They were super fresh. We saw them actually hand forming the patties after we ordered. The nuggets were like an even better version of McDonald’s. Will definitely be a regular spot.
- Samantha Jones Google Review
I had high hopes for the Big Mac burger and it delivered
Holy cow, this place put me in a deep food coma. I had high hopes for the Big Mac burger and it delivered. The fries was great, also ordered a double smash burger (I had to save for later). So glad this place exist, the people here knows what they are doing.
- Tony Mai Google Review
4. OK SMASHED BURGER
Website: https://oksmashedburger.com/
Address: 3517 Lancaster Ave.
Contact: 267-360-2929
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Craving an ultra-thin patty with an extreme crunch?
OK SMASHED BURGER stands out by offering a completely Halal-certified menu. They offer smoked beef bacon alternative and a brilliant fusion item that presses a smashed beef patty directly onto a flour tortilla.
They focus heavily on hyper-crispy textures. They use a specialized technique to grill a prominent, crunchy cheese skirt directly onto their custom creations.
A colleague of mine who lives in South Philly swears by their locally inspired combinations of sharp cheese and long, hot peppers. They also offer a citywide delivery footprint across multiple neighborhoods.
If there’s one thing to note, the intense heat pressing can occasionally lead to inconsistent execution, causing some patties to dry out.
The physical storefronts also suffer from cramped waiting spaces with zero indoor seating.
The Smash burgers are delicious
Welcoming atmosphere, Clean restaurant, great customer service. Was very patient while my daughter and I decided on what to order. The Smash burgers are delicious. I definitely will be returning to try other menu items.
- Tiara Willis Google Review
The type of customer service I enjoy
First time visiting and the staff member that waited on me was very pleasant and friendly! She suggested things to try from the menu and that’s the type of customer service I enjoy when visiting a location for the first time. I never told her it was my first time visiting she just treated me with such kindness.
- Sumayyah Irvin Google Review
5. P’unk Burger
Website: https://punkburger.com/
Address: 1823 E. Passyunk Ave.
Contact: 215-468-7865 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday, Sunday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
If you prioritize ethically sourced dining, P’unk Burger is one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia for you. They deliver custom, made-to-order burgers crafted exclusively with all-natural, grass-fed beef and consciously sourced local ingredients.
You’ll love their extreme menu customization and dietary flexibility. They provide an array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives like plant-based patties.
They also honor their community roots by partnering with local businesses, even using neighborhood ice cream for their milkshakes.
Plus, they offer a daily BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policy, allowing you to bring your favorite craft beers to pair with dinner.
Limited street parking, however, makes driving a hassle. The tiny thirty-two-seat indoor dining space also gets crowded very quickly during peak weekend rushes.
Everything was delicious.
Great burger shop with lots of vegan options. My sister had an Impossible beef burger with onion rings on top. I have a vegan, hand-pattied veggie burger and I topped it with cheese and caramelized onions. They had milkshakes, even vegan shakes with your choice of milk. The soda fountain offered Maine Root organic sodas. Everything was delicious. Service was great.
- Tammy French Google Review
I was impressed at the variety of options they had
Visited this spot on an overnight trip to Philadelphia. My friend suggested it as a quick stop for dinner. I was impressed at the variety of options they had for type of burgers (veggie options as well). I tried the P’unk Burger which was really good. The tater tots are good as well but sold separately. Carry out was quick.
- Mark Orebiyi Google Review
