18 Burgers To Try When It's Time To Kick The Classic Up A Notch

Forbes

22-07-2025

Burgers aren't only delicious, but so much fun to build and eat. They are endlessly customizable, with everything from the type of burger to the toppings or condiments and even the bun being up to your personal preferences. But they are also so satisfying while also being very convenient – how many hearty meals can also be enjoyed handheld on the go?
Burgers exist on both the fast food and the fancy level and everywhere in between, and it just may be the classic comfort food…but no matter how many burgers you've made and eaten in your life, there's ways to enjoy them you've never even considered!
The Ritz-Carlton Signature Burger
The Ritz-Carlton Signature Burger at The Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco,
At The Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, crafted with an 8 oz. prime short rib and brisket blend patty, the burger is layered with Gruyère cheese, jalapeño aioli, arugula, and pickled onion - all tucked inside an Acme sesame bun. It's rich, savory, and perfectly balanced with a touch of heat.
'This burger doesn't just hit the spot – it raises the bar. Crafted with a rich short rib and brisket blend, melty Gruyère, and a kick of jalapeño aioli, it's our elevated take on a comfort classic, done The Ritz-Carlton way," said Gloria Trujeque-Renteria, Banquet Sous Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
Bayou Burger
Bayou Burger at Gotham Burger Social Club in New York.
At Gotham Burger Social Club in New York, the Bayou Burger is made with Gotham Smash Double, provolone melt, Black Magic jammy tomatoes, Creole remoulade, and spicy onion chow chow.
'This collab with Christian Gill from Food Network gave us a chance to push flavor into uncharted territory. We wanted something loud, layered, and unmistakably NOLA—and Christian delivered. It's collaborations like this that let us get a little wild creatively, and the Bayou Burger hits every note," said owner Mike Puma .
1803 Burger
1803 Burger at 1803 NYC.
At 1803 NYC, the 1803 Burger is made with cheese, bechamel BBQ Sauce, sesame seed bunch, lettuce, tomato, house cut fries nola inspired but everyone loves a classic burger.
'We wanted to create something rooted in our New Orleans spirit, but universal in its appeal. The 1803 Burger is comforting, craveable, and a little elevated—just like the city that inspired it," said chef/Owner Rafi Hasid.
Carver Steak & Egg Burger
Carver Steak & Egg Burger at Carversteak in Resorts World Las Vegas.
At Carversteak in Resorts World Las Vegas, available exclusively at the bar, the burger is a housemade Creekstone Farms smashburger with Carversteak's signature Snake River Farms American Wagyu Rib Cap, topped with Gruyère cheese, fried egg, crispy shallots and a finishing touch of horseradish cream and chimichurri.
"Our Carver-Steak & Egg Burger is everything we love about steak, reimagined as a smashburger. The burger is created with our signature Snake River Farms American Wagyu Rib Cap, Gruyère, a fried egg, crispy shallots, horseradish cream, and chimichurri and only a limited number are available at the bar each evening and is an exciting addition to the Carversteak experience," said Chef Daniel Ontiveros, Corporate Executive Chef Carver Road Hospitality.
Bacon Smashburger
Bacon Smashburger at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Las Vegas.
At Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Las Vegas, this burger is made with two Wagyu patties, and topped with American cheese, savory bacon-onion jam and garlic aioli, on a toasted sesame seed brioche bun.
'There's a reason Flanker's Bacon Smashburger is award-winning, it's got that perfect mix of savory, sweet and smoky with our bacon-onion jam, melted cheese and finished with garlic aioli. Guests love the epic Touchdown Burger upgrade, with the burger served with a sizzling pour of white cheddar," said Michael Clark, Executive Chef Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar Las Vegas.
Breakfast Burger
Breakfast Burger at Toro Scottsdale at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
At Toro Scottsdale at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, the ultimate breakfast burger, it features a cage free fried egg, locally sourced Noble brioche bun, mixed greens, house-made pickle, cheddar cheese, bacon morita jam and garlic crema.
'The Breakfast Burger is really an embodiment of what Toro Scottsdale is. The locally made bun and high quality beef gives it a Scottsdale base, while the bacon morita jam and garlic crema give it a Latin flair. It's a great way to get something non traditional for brunch with a Toro Scottsdale spin," said Executive Chef Gage Smit.
Folded Cheeseburger
Folded Cheeseburger at Miznon at Hudson Yards in New York City.
At Miznon at Hudson Yards in New York City (with additional locations worldwide) the Folded Cheeseburger draws inspiration from Israeli street food.
Chef Eyal Shani replaces traditional burger buns with Miznon's signature pita. The patty is thin, seared hot on a plancha for a crisp exterior and juicy, pink center. As it cooks, shredded white cheddar melts into the meat, then the entire patty is folded over itself, sealing the cheese inside and creating a golden, cheesy crust. Stuffed into the pita, it's layered with creamy aioli, sour cream, tomato slices, and crunchy pickles. The creamy elements soften the richness of the beef and cheese, while the acidity from the pickles and tomato brings balance to every bite.
"The brilliance behind this burger is that it gets a sear on the outside, but the inside doesn't touch the plancha. That creates a beautiful contrast with the crispy outside and pink and juicy inside," said Chef Eyal Shani.
Pastrami Burger
Pastrami Burger from Carnegie Diner & Cafe.
From Carnegie Diner & Cafe, which has locations in NYC, NJ and VA, this burger is made with thin sliced American Wagyu Pastrami, an all natural 8 oz. beef burger, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, mushrooms and Reuben sauce, served with hand-cut fries tossed with Greek Oregano and Salt and an Organic House Mixed Greens Salad with Honey Caesar and balsamic glazed dressing.
'The Carnegie Diner & Cafe pastrami burger is a flavor explosion—where the smoky, tangy Reuben-inspired pastrami melds with our fresh, juicy burger, creating a crazy, irresistible combination that redefines burger bliss," said Carnegie Diner & Cafe Chef & CEO Stathis Antonakopoulos.
Fondue Burger
The Fondue Burger at Clinton Hall/
The Fondue Burger at Clinton Hall is an unforgettable twist on the classic cheeseburger. Nestled in a warm, soft pretzel bun, this bold creation features a juicy beef patty surrounded by a bubbling pool of molten fondue cheese—rich, creamy, and irresistible. As if that weren't indulgent enough, it's finished with crispy golden fries tucked right into the bun, soaking up every drop of cheesy goodness. Salty, savory, and sensational—this is comfort food, reimagined.
"At Clinton Hall, we love turning the familiar on its head. The Fondue Burger isn't just a meal—it's a moment. When that pretzel bun arrives at the table bubbling with molten cheese and overflowing with fries, it's pure spectacle. People don't just eat it—they film it, photograph it, and share it. That kind of joy and surprise is exactly what we aim to deliver with every dish," said Telly Hatzigeorgiou, owner of Clinton Hall.
Empire Burger
Empire Burger at Bourbon Steak New York.
At Bourbon Steak New York, a prime steak burger stacked with a seared foie gras slider. "We add the foie slider on top of the burger to mimic The Empire State Building and add to its glory by adding foie gras. We use foie gras from Hudson Valley, which we call liquid gold, as it adds a little extra juiciness by complementing the burger patty," said Gerald Chin, Head of Culinary at Bourbon Steak New York.
Coffee & Cocoa Burger
Coffee & Cocoa Burger at Smith & Wollensky.
At Smith & Wollensky, the signature coffee and cocoa rub, topped with ancho chili butter and angry onions.
'Our proprietary 'butchers grind' Coffee & Cocoa burger is a testament to Smith & Wollensky's commitment to culinary creativity and excellence. The harmonious blend of savory premium ground beef, the depth of rich cocoa, and the bold notes of robust coffee create a flavor symphony that surprises and delights even the most experienced palates. The rub has become a beloved choice for our guests," said Chef Brian Doyle, VP of Culinary.
Arlington Burger
Arlington Burger at The Salt Line Hudson Valley,
At The Salt Line Hudson Valley, this burger is dressed in Cabot white cheddar, thick cut bacon, gochujang and scallion aioli on a sesame seed potato roll.
Chef John Bush says: 'It's a play on a classic cheddar burger with additional complexity of pairing with an aioli that vibes well with the other ingredients. It makes for something interesting and different, and at the same time reminiscent and familiar.'
Saganaki Burger
Saganaki Burger at The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
At The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, a charbroiled beef & lamb patty with fresh arugula, red onion, tzatziki, and flambéed Kasseri cheese on a brioche bun.
'Our Saganaki Burger is hand-crafted using traditional Greek flavors and preparation methods that align with our commitment to providing the most authentic Mediterranean food experience for our customers. We combine fresh ground beef and ground lamb to form our burger patty which is charbroiled, and then flambé Greek Kasseri cheese in brandy to bring in the rich, savory, tangy flavor that Saganaki is beloved for. From there, we top the burger with fresh arugula, red onion, and house-made tzatziki on a brioche bun. It marries together an American comfort classic and the incredible bold flavors of the Mediterranean," said Bob Andersen, President of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill.
Powder Burger
Powder Burger at Powder at Waldorf Astoria Park City.
At Powder at Waldorf Astoria Park City, the burger, local cheddar, house made bacon jam, bread & butter pickles, bibb lettuce, housemade mustard aioli, paired with the resort's signature truffle fries.
Executive Chef, Stuart Roger says: 'The Powder Burger is our elevated take on a classic, crafted with premium local beef, sharp Utah cheddar, and rich bacon jam we make in-house. It's comforting and rooted in the bold flavors that define mountain dining in Park City.'
Surf & Turf Burger
Surf & Turf Burger at Zeke's Landing Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama.
At Zeke's Landing Restaurant in Orange Beach, Alabama, the Surf & Turf Burger combines local Alabama Wagyu and Maine lobster, topped with white American cheese and a Gulf Coast aioli served on a brioche bun. "We wanted to create something indulgent but balanced – the richness of the local Alabama Wagyu pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the Maine lobster. The white American cheese adds that classic melt, and the Gulf Coast aioli is a traditional garlic aioli with a touch of cocktail sauce to enhance the seafood component. It's a nod to both land and sea," said Chef Ricky Brimlow at Zeke's Landing Restaurant.
Vegan Smash Burger
Vegan Smash Burger at Hawkeye Bar & Grill at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.
At Hawkeye Bar & Grill at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, a plant-based burger topped with avocado, spice smoked salsa aioli and chao vegan cheese, served on a griddled vegan and gluten free bun. 'Being located in the town made famous as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it was important to create burgers that stood out from the rest. We grind a proprietary blend of sirloin, chuck and short rib daily for our butcher's burgers, but also wanted to provide something equally as tasty for vegans. This burger combines protein-based ingredients for the patty that's cooked to emulate that familiar crispy texture and taste of a smash burger. Paired with our condiments, it has been a home run," said Executive Chef Jim Perillo at The Otesaga Resort Hotel.
The Cry Baby
The Cry Baby at The Cherry Cricket.
At The Cherry Cricket, the Cry Baby is the burger that had everyone talking and voting at the 2024 Denver Burger Battle, where it took home the coveted People's Choice Award. Built on the Cherry Cricket's signature half-pound Cricket burger patty, it brings bold French onion flavor in every bite with layers of melty Swiss cheese, rich caramelized onions, crispy crostini, house-made cheese frico and a generous spread of French onion schmear. A pile of crispy onion strings on top seals the deal, making this burger an indulgent, crunch-filled tribute to the iconic dip that inspired it.
"The Cry Baby is all about bold, rich flavors and fun textures that come together to create an unforgettable burger experience. We named it that because with its irresistible flavor combination and sheer deliciousness, it just might bring you to the happiest of tears. This National Hamburger Day, we hope it encourages everyone to take risks and get creative with their own burgers at home. It's the perfect opportunity to try new flavor combinations and build something truly delicious that reflects your own style,' said Samantha Taxin, multi-unit manager, Cherry Cricket brand, Denver (she/her).
Walter Burger
Walter Burger at Lebowski's Taproom in Colorado Springs.
At Lebowski's Taproom in Colorado Springs, it all starts with the regular Lebowski Burger - locally sourced Colorado beef under a hubcap with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and grilled onions. Then they add creamy peanut butter and spicy jalapeno jam.
"You don't even really taste the peanut butter, just gives it a little extra creaminess, but you get that little bit of extra jalapeno kick at the end. Was named one of the best burgers in Colorado by 5 Reasons to Visit website in December!!" said Dave Kowalski, Founder of Lebowski's Taproom.