Home » Recent posts » The 5 Best Burgers in Denver That Locals Can’t Stop Talking About

The 5 Best Burgers in Denver That Locals Can’t Stop Talking About

best-burger-denver-banner
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Denver’s culinary scene is packed with bold flavors, but few things satisfy quite like a perfectly crafted burger. 

Finding the best burgers in Denver means exploring everything from legendary dive bars to modern fusion spots and farm-to-table kitchens that all put their own spin on the classic.

Good news, the hard part is already done. We’ve spent time across the city tracking down the most satisfying, juice-dripping bites out there. We focused on places that truly understand the American staple while still adding something unique to every bite.

Here are the best burger joints in Denver that serve everything from simple, no-frills perfection to creative takes stacked with unexpected flavors.

How Much Do Burgers Cost in Denver?

The cost of a burger in Denver varies based on the dining style, ranging from $9 to over $20. 

Dining StyleEstimated Cost
Fast-Casual (Base Burger)$9 – $10
Standard Dine-In (Base Burger)$12 – $16+
High-End / Specialty$17+
Complete Meal (with fries & drink)$15 – $20+

1. 5280 Burger Bar

5280-burger-bar-logo

Website: https://www.5280burgerbar.com/

Address: 500 16th Street Mall Suite 160 Denver, CO 80202

Contact: (303) 825-1020

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Friday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm | Sunday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Biting into a chef-crafted meal made with fresh, all-natural ingredients is exactly what you get at 5280 Burger Bar. 

This downtown favorite elevates the classic American staple by ditching typical fast-food methods in favor of high-quality, distinctive builds. 

Beyond the beef, their menu is loaded with diverse comfort foods ranging from lobster rolls to loaded tater tots. This makes it an easy choice when dining with people who might not want a traditional patty. 

While the specialty creations are flavorful, their appetizer execution can sometimes miss the mark. Some of the sides that we tried, like the fried pickles, was also a bit too salty for our liking.

On the bright side, the diner has a casual, lively atmosphere that’s perfect for watching a game or hanging out with a group of friends.

Pros

  • Chef-driven specialty menu
  • Wide variety of non-burger items
  • Mobile food truck availability
  • Casual and social sports bar vibe

Cons

  • Inconsistent appetizer quality
  • Occasional over-salting on sides

No regrets at all

Finally made up my mind and decided to try both the hand-cut onion rings and the fries — and honestly, no regrets at all. Both were fantastic. The fries were crispy with just the right amount of seasoning, and the onion rings had that perfect crunch without being greasy.

The burger itself was fresh, flavorful, and cooked exactly how I ordered it. You can tell they take pride in their ingredients and preparation. The vibe inside is casual but fun, and the staff was friendly and quick.

Craving a great burger in downtown Denver… think I found a good one.

Barry Stratta, Google Review 

Staff was super super friendly 

I only tried one burger in Denver, it was the Baja  Colorado burger and it might have been my favorite burger I’ve ever had. The chicken sandwich was also phenomenal, fries were the perfect blend of crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, and the nachos were classic and tasty. Staff was super super friendly (our waitress was Megan). The only thing I didn’t absolutely love was the egg rolls. Would come back here so fast. Highly recommend!!

Joseph Pratt, Google Review 

2. Park Burger

park-burger-logo

Website: https://www.parkburger.com/

Address: 2643 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Contact: (303) 862-8461

Hours: Open Everyday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Locally sourced components and all-natural, never-frozen meats form the foundation of Park Burger. This beloved neighborhood joint has built a rock-solid reputation by serving house-made patties on locally baked buns, creating a vibrant flavor profile.

We recently grabbed lunch here, and the freshness of the locally sourced ingredients completely won us over.

The kitchen also offers turkey, buffalo, and veggie options, ensuring everyone in your party leaves satisfied. You can also easily pair your main course with hand-spun shakes and a solid selection of local craft beers.

On top of that, the joint has a highly accessible, family-friendly environment that feels welcoming the moment you walk through the doors. 

That said, the kitchen can sometimes struggle during peak hours. Some customers have complained about undercooked patties and lukewarm sides on busy weekends.

Pros

  • All-natural, never-frozen meats
  • Locally baked custom buns
  • Multiple alternative protein choices
  • Comprehensive beer and shake menu

Cons

  • Inconsistent cooking temperatures
  • Occasional undercooked items

Some of the best burgers we’ve had in Denver

We got the fig burger and the black pepper burger.  Both were prepared medium rare to perfection.  The ingredients are stacked well to avoid a tomato slice slide fiasco.  We also got an order of the birria fries and truffle fries.  Birria weren’t super loaded but both fries had really great tasting potatoes.  Overall I’d say these some of the best burgers we’ve had in Denver.  Bonus for the nice soap and hand lotion in the bathroom.

Chris Abell, Google Review 

Went hungry and left happy

Family had the veggie burger, kids slider, and Buffalo burger. We went hungry and left happy. Food was cooked and prepared quickly and looked like the pics on the menu.

The staff was friendly and on a super hot day in Denver the AC was a real treat!

Bonus points the kids meal $5.00 comes with the slider fries and a soft serve cone.

David Gresham, Google Review

3. Hopdoddy Burger Bar

hopdoddy-burger-bar-logo

Website: https://www.hopdoddy.com/locations/unionstation

Address: 1747 Wynkoop Street Denver CO 80202

Contact: (303) 446-2337

Hours: Sun – Thur 11:00am – 10:00pm, Fri – Sat 11:00am – 11:00pm

Ethically sourced ingredients and a serious commitment to regenerative farming set Hopdoddy Burger Bar apart from the crowd. 

They craft their entire menu from scratch daily, using pasture-raised meats and baking their buns fresh in-house. This dedication to clean food practices results in an elevated dining experience that highlights bold, natural flavors.

Diners can explore highly creative combinations, including Wagyu smash and ahi tuna options that rotate regularly to keep things interesting. 

The atmosphere leans heavily into a lively bar culture, integrating craft cocktails and margaritas alongside their main dishes. When you want something very different from a Japanese restaurant for dinner, this is a fantastic alternative.

While the in-house preparation is usually stellar, their takeout quality assurance needs improvement. A few patrons have reported missing items or, in rare instances, alarming foreign objects found in to-go orders.

Pros

  • Ethically sourced, pasture-raised meats
  • Buns and sides made fresh daily
  • Highly creative flavor combinations
  • Full bar with craft cocktails

Cons

  • Quality control issues with to-go orders

They were all delicious

This is a GREAT please to eat. The food is over the top Yummmm! They make their $ on the bar so the food is very reasonable bfor downtown Denver. I have included the menu as of 12/14/2025 just to let you know what is available. We had every burger, and they were all delicious. The green chili queso dip was wonderful for for the fries.  Highly recommend.

Mary Panzer, Google Review 

5/5 every time

This is the best burger spot I’ve been to in a long time! From the burgers to the beers! I had the wagyu smash burger with the green chili queso fries, my wife had the chicken bacon ranch sandwich and both were incredible. This place deserves 5/5 everytime. The next time I’m in Denver this will be the place to be!!! Thank you guys!!!

Dominic Normand, Google Review 

4. Gaia Masala & Burger

gaia-masala-burger-logo

Website: https://gaiamasalaandburger.com/

Address: 1530 Blake St A, Denver, CO 80202

Contact: (303) 993-2976

Hours: Mon – Sun 10:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Traditional Indian spices paired with American comfort food create a bold and unexpected flavor experience, and Gaia Masala & Burger fully embraces that approach. 

The menu reimagines familiar favorites by layering tikka masala, mint, and curry-based sauces over classic burgers and cheesesteaks. This turns them into something far more adventurous.

When we stopped by late one evening after a concert, the vibrant masala seasoning on their signature cheesesteak absolutely blew us away.

The menu is incredibly inclusive as well. It offers a massive array of halal, vegan, and gluten-free items alongside Mediterranean favorites like gyros and shawarma.

Plus, they keep the doors open until three in the morning every single day, so it’s easy to grab a midnight snack here.

That said, the dining environment can get quite loud. Some purists may also feel the fusion flavors occasionally overshadow the actual meat, leaving the standard patties tasting a bit underwhelming.

Pros

  • Unique Indian and American fusion
  • Open daily until 3:00 AM
  • Extensive vegan and halal options
  • Massive, highly diverse menu

Cons

  • Can be extremely loud inside
  • Fusion sauces may mask meat quality

Very good and fast service

The naan and papadom were on point. Second the service by Priya was excellent, and she shared a lot of the stories about the restaurant and her personal journey here. Very good and fast service. It seems like the owners are very kind and very cool people. We like supporting those small businesses of downtown Denver. The beef lamb gyro rice plate was enough to serve two people, and the Ralphie Burger had crispy turkey bacon. They are both recommended.

HI THERE, Google Review 

Seasoned to perfection 

Everything was absolutely amazing from the service to the food and beyond. We came from out of town and would definitely come back if I’m back in Denver. We had the lamb burger, chicken tikka masala cheesesteak and calzone. Everything was seasoned to perfection and the food came out fast. We loved this place so if you’re thinking about going do it! We don’t have any pics of the food just empty plates. Pramisha was our server and she was AMAZING!!

Jala Camille, Google Review

5. The Cherry Cricket

the-cherry-cricket-logo

Website: https://cherrycricket.com/

Address: 2641 E 2nd Ave Denver, CO 80206

Contact: (303) 322-7666

Hours: Mon – Sun 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Holding strong as a historic local institution since 1945, The Cherry Cricket delivers immense nostalgic charm. This beloved dive bar made its name by offering a highly customizable build-your-own experience featuring dozens of unique toppings. 

Diners have complete freedom to stack their meals exactly as they want, resulting in award-winning combinations that have stood the test of time.

The atmosphere is delightfully relaxed, focusing entirely on community, sports, and pouring excellent Colorado craft beer. 

It’s exactly the kind of casual gathering space where you can spend hours catching up with friends over greasy, satisfying comfort food.

However, offering such a massive level of customization inevitably leads to occasional kitchen mix-ups. Guests frequently mention order accuracy issues, such as missing toppings or ignored substitution requests during peak dining hours.

Pros

  • Historic local reputation since 1945
  • Endless topping customization choices
  • Award-winning, timeless recipes
  • Excellent neighborhood dive atmosphere

Cons

  • Frequent order accuracy issues

More than just a burger

Came back here on another trip to Denver. If you can’t decide between a salad and a burger, the burger bowl is an excellent option. And if you like blue cheese, they’re generous with that and it comes with just a few fries. It’s so much more than just a burger without the bun.Added some crunchy poblano’s, and it was an excellent dinner will definitely be ordering this again.

Back in town, another excellent burger bowl

Chuck Hodge, Google Review 

This place never disappoints.

Hands down one of the BEST burger spots around! The burgers are insanely good—juicy, packed with flavor, and fully customizable with tons of toppings. The vibe is always on point, and the service is top-tier: fast, friendly, and on it even when they’re slammed. This place never disappoints. If you’re craving a real burger, The Cherry Cricket is the move. Absolute Denver classic!

Neko G, Google Review