Two pieces of bread and some meat, right? Well, since you found this article on the interwebs, I will assume that you think a good burger is more than that, and we agree. We are Milwaukee natives and have personally done the “research” to bring you the best burgers in Milwaukee!
In our list, you will find classic Milwaukee burger spots that are near and dear to our hearts (and bellies) alongside some of the new trendy spots in the city. Let’s get on with the list because this post makes me hungry.
Here are our favorite burger joints in our hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin!
1. Elsa’s on the Park
This upscale, trendy restaurant serves mouth-watering burgers alongside strong, hand-crafted martinis. On weekends, they transform into a cocktail bar, whipping up one-of-a-kind libations that all alcohol lovers will enjoy.
However, their extensive burger menu is a reason to visit on its own. You’ll find interesting flavors like the Burger Au Poivre, covered in peppercorns and cooked in a burgundy sauce. Or, opt for the Burger Alfredo, topped with a creamy parmesan sauce. View Menu
2. Crave Cafe
Don’t judge this place by the exterior or our horrible picture. Just order “The Crave Burger” and thank us later. However, I would take this truffle aioli-covered burger to go and enjoy it in the nearby Hubbard Park.
Ideal for take-out lunches or dinners, Crave Cafe whips up big, juicy burgers that make a satisfying and filling meal for the whole family. This small, hole-in-the-wall cafe has a very limited menu, but what it lacks in choice, it makes up for in flavor.
The cheeseburgers and hamburgers are 1/3lb of all-natural Angus beef. Try their unique Japanese Katsu Burger, a crispy pork loin topped with garlic aioli and katsu sauce. Our favorite burger is the Carve burger, which is to die for. It has caramelized onions and white truffle aioli.
Complete your order with a side of BBQ or Ranch fries, and you have yourself a mouth-watering dinner! View Menu and Order Online Here.
Related Article: 3 Days in Milwaukee Guide
3. Sobelman’s
With two locations in Milwaukee area, Sobelman’s is a household name in the burger industry. Although the inside of their restaurant may look like your typical burger bar, its wide range of burger options makes this place truly shine.
There are over 20 different burger choices on the menu. You’ll find traditional favorites like cheeseburgers, veggie burgers, and mushroom and Swiss, but their namesake burger is the star of the show. The Sobelman comes with three types of cheese, bacon, and diced jalapenos. You can upgrade the Sobelman to a double or triple burger if you’re extra hungry.
Don’t forget to wash it down with one of their famous, decadent Bloody Marys. The Masterpiece is topped with a cheeseburger slider, and the Baconado comes with a skewer of bacon-wrapped cheeseballs. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the Bloody Beast – a Bloody Mary with a whole fried chicken in it! View Menu and Order Online.
Related: Best Brunch Spots in Milwaukee
4. Kopp’s
This is Milwaukee comfort food. Some foodie snobs won’t like this burger being near the top of the list, but if you grew up in Milwaukee – you’d get it. And if you didn’t grow up here, you desperately need one of these burgers (and some frozen custard) in your life.
It’s more than just the burgers. It’s a uniquely Milwaukee experience. Specializing in frozen custard sundaes and “jumbo” hamburgers, Kopp’s is one of those places that you can’t miss during your visit to Milwaukee.
Unlike fancy gastropubs or modern joints, Kopp’s sticks with a fairly straightforward menu. They have cheeseburgers, hamburgers, grilled chicken burgers, and even fish burgers. Don’t expect any flashy toppings besides the traditional ketchup, lettuce, bacon, or pickle.
For dessert, you should try one of their ice cream concoctions. They have different flavors offered each day, like Snickers Chunky Cheesecake, Midnight Chocolate, and Caramel Cashew. Click here to check out Kopp’s flavor forecast. View Menu and Order Online.
5. Crafty Cow
They’re known for their Jucy Lucy-style burgers, which have cheese inside the patty rather than on top. They also serve some of the best cheese curds in Milwaukee, which are the perfect appetizer.
All burgers on the menu are antibiotic, hormone-free, USDA-grade beef. Their signature burger may just be a plain patty stuffed with American cheese, but there’s nothing plain about its flavor.
You can also order one of their specialty burgers, like the Peanut Butter Paradise. You should try the Cheesehead, which is stuffed with five different kinds of cheese before being topped with cheese curds and smothered in a creamy cheese sauce.
They also have an amazing weekend brunch, with dishes like chicken and waffles, brisket breakfast bowls, and breakfast biscuits. There are now three locations throughout the area. View Menu
6. Stack’d
This classic burger bar lets you choose from one of their delicious gourmet burgers or build your own burger. If you have a bit of creativity, with over a dozen types of cheese and 20 different sauces, you can create your own unique delicacy!
Go for the traditional beef burger, or try something different, like the pizza burger, Bahn mi burger, or chickpea walnut burger. You can even help the environment with the Willburger, where a certain percentage of sales go directly to the Humane Society of Wisconsin. View Menu and Order Online
7. Merriment Social
Sometimes, there’s nothing more comforting than sitting down with a nice, juicy, gourmet burger. This gastropub only serves dishes made from high-quality ingredients, with an extensive beer and cocktail menu to match.
Menus change seasonally, and burgers are just one of the many options you have to choose from. The burgers are wagyu butterburgers, my favorite is the Merriment Burger. It’s topped with American cheese, bacon, pickles, and egg.
You really can’t go wrong with anything you order at Merriment Social! View Menu, order online or make a reservation.
8. Camino
If you’re looking for a good old-fashioned burger, then look no further than Camino. You’ll surely find something on the menu that sparks your interest by serving up dishes like chicken wings and house-made sausages.
They have only one burger option—the Burger. Made with half a pound of Wisconsin beef and topped with melted cheese and sizzled onions, it’s guaranteed to change the way you think of traditional cheeseburgers.
Camino has daily specials, like Mega Dog Tuesday and Beer and Mac Thursdays, so you can always expect a great deal when dining here. View Menu and Order Online.
9. Nite Owl
Head over to the Nite Owl Drive-In, a staple that has been serving Milwaukee for the last 70 years. They open at 11 and stay open until they run out of meat! They run out of burgers before dinner time most days.
Honestly, this is one of our favorite places for a burger. However, it’s been next to impossible lately to get a burger—except for lunchtime.
Options are limited compared to other pubs and restaurants in the area, but they are all solid options, like mushroom & swiss and bacon cheeseburgers. They also have other offerings, such as steak sandwiches, hot dogs, and turkey clubs. View Menu
10. AJ Bombers
Half burger joint and half kitschy dive bar, AJ Bombers, is one of the most memorable stops on this Milwaukee burger list. The beer is cold, the burgers are massive, and the atmosphere is in a league of its own. Guests are actually encouraged to grab a marker and write it all over the walls!
On the menu, you’ll enjoy specialty burgers like “Cheese on Cheese on Cheese” or the spicy “Medusa” burger. Vegetarians can also find something to enjoy, like the Beyond Burger, which is made from 100% plant-based proteins.
For starters, you can indulge in various crispy snacks, like fried pickles, buffalo chicken eggrolls, and, of course, good old Wisconsin cheese curds.
This is a restaurant that not only we love, but our kids do too. If you are looking for family friendly restaurants in Milwaukee to bring the kids, head to AJ Bombers.
Don’t forget to stop by for their weekday happy hour from 2 pm-7 pm. Enjoy discounted drinks and $4 single burgers and cheese curds. View Menu
11. Mason Street Grill
Meat lovers rejoice! The Mason Street Grill is here to satisfy every carnivorous craving you may have. This American restaurant has it all – baby back ribs, steak and fries, short ribs, and burgers! It is also on our best restaurants in Milwaukee article because they have great food!
Made from 10oz of Black Angus chuck sirloin, the Mason Street Grill burger is incredible. It’s topped with honey-glazed onions, muenster cheese, and house-made relish. For those who want to cut back on the meat, you can also opt for the burger to be made with 100% plant-based proteins instead.
Besides the daily happy hour, you can also enjoy live music six days a week. Listen to the finest jazz and soul musicians in Wisconsin while you indulge in some of the most mouth-watering dishes available. Besides burgers, Mason Street Grill is also one of the best steakhouses in Milwaukee. View Menu
12. Oscar’s Pub & Grill
This no-frills establishment serves up the best bar burger in Milwaukee. The owner used to work at Sobelman’s (#3 on this list) and, in 2011, decided to open up his own Milwaukee burger joint with his wife.
For under $8, you’ll get one of the best burgers in Milwaukee and hand-cut fries! There is no other place in the city where you can get a tasty burger with an amazing local beer selection. They offer five specialty burgers. Our favorites are the Gringo and the Big “O.” They have a full menu with appetizers, salads, other sandwiches, a Friday fish fry, etc.
Oscar’s has become so popular they’ve opened up a second location called Oscar’s Winner Circle (3800 W Breman St. Milwaukee), and they have a food truck called Oscar’s on a Roll.
13. Shake Shack
As one of the most successful chains in the US, Shake Shack is a popular choice for a quick Milwaukee burger. Although it’s a fast-food chain, the food is fresher and more gourmet than your typical drive-thru joint. This is a tasty, quick option if you are looking for lunch in Milwaukee and are downtown.
One bite into their succulent burgers, and you’ll see why they’ve become one of the biggest burger restaurants in the country!
Get the classic ShackBurger, Shack Stack, or Smoke Shack. There are also mushroom and chicken burgers on the menu if you’re looking for more choices. Don’t forget to complete your meal with crinkle fries and a milkshake. View Menu
14. Milwaukee Burger Company
The burgers at the Milwaukee Burger Company constantly outshine the competition and for a good reason! The meat is grilled to your liking and made from 100% midwestern beef. All you have to do is add your favorite toppings and have one unforgettable meal.
Some of their burgers, like the Blueberry Hangover, can be a little outrageous. Made with a blueberry bun and a blueberry-infused patty, it’s nothing like anything you’ve had before!
If you’re up for the challenge, you must take the Big Milwaukee Challenge. It consists of an astonishing eight beef patties with eight slices of American cheese. This massive burger is piled with onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, and even fried cheese curds before being smothered in a rich burger sauce. If you can eat this monster burger in under 30 minutes, you’ll get a t-shirt and shoutout on their social media accounts! View Menu
Related Milwaukee Articles
- Where to Find the Best Burger in St. Pete Florida
- Top 7 Best Burgers in Playa del Carmen
- Top 15 Best Lunch Spots in Milwaukee
- How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Getaway in Milwaukee
- 25 Best Things To Do In Milwaukee | Local’s Guide
Pin me for when you are hungry Later!
