I have been writing about burgers in North Carolina for a while now, and this list has evolved with every road trip, detour, and deliberate pitstop. The 2026 edition has been refreshed — a few beloved spots have rotated off to make room for some newer finds that have genuinely earned their place. These are the ten best burgers in North Carolina right now, and I would drive for every single one of them.
This article was originally written in April 2019 and has since been updated and recirculated for May 2026.
The 10 Best Burgers in North Carolina Worth Driving For
Al’s Burger Shack – Chapel Hill
Al’s Burger Shack is a permanent fixture on this list. It is exactly what a burger joint should be — no frills, just an exceptional burger. Order Sean’s Cheeseburger with crinkle fries, and if you are feeling it, a cup of sauvignon blanc. There are multiple locations in the Triangle, though the Franklin Street in Chapel Hill location is my favorite. See all 4 locations here.
Al’s Burger Shack is at 516 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
Bar Virgile – Durham
Downtown Durham‘s beloved craft cocktail bar has one of the most talked-about burgers in the Triangle — the Single Burger, made with locally sourced ingredients and consistently described as the best in the city. It is a small, cozy spot with no reservations, so arrive early, especially on DPAC nights. Order a craft cocktail while you wait, and enjoy the ambience.
Bar Virgile is at 105 S Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701
The Cardinal – Boone
David and I first discovered the Cardinal on a drive up to Blowing Rock, and it has been on every mountain itinerary since, especially on our annual trip to Valle Crucis. Order the farm burger, add bacon, and add an egg, according to David.
The Cardinal is at 1711 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607.
Char-Grill – Raleigh
The original Hillsborough Street location is my guilty pleasure, and it always will be. Bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a fountain Cheerwine — that is my order, every single time. Other Char-Grill locations exist around the Triangle, but the original location in Raleigh is my go-to.
Char-Grill is at 618 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603.
The Bar at Fearrington House Restaurant – Pittsboro
Photo by Glory Roze Photography
Fearrington Village — the former dairy farm turned charming Relais & Châteaux retreat just south of Chapel Hill — is worth the drive all on its own. The Bar at the Fearrington House Restaurant serves up one of the best burgers ever. It is served on an everything-seasoned bun. Wander the gardens, browse the bookshop, grab a burger. It is a lovely way to spend a day in Chatham County. I do recommend calling ahead to reserve seats at the bar, though they do take walk-ins as well.
Fearrington House Restaurant is at 230 Market St, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Island Burgers & Bites – Carolina Beach
This place started as a tiny grill inside a convenience store and became one of the most celebrated burger spots on the North Carolina coast — and the story behind it is just as good as the food. Brothers Kanwar and Ajay Singh opened it on a corner of Lake Park Boulevard in 2017 with no restaurant experience and quickly had lines stretching out the door. They serve up hand-pattied burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and my personal favorite, that legendary candied bacon cheeseburger. Order online if you are visiting on a summer weekend. The wait is worth it either way.
Island Burgers & Bites is at 254 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428.
Miller’s Restaurant – Mocksville
Make this a deliberate pitstop on the way to the mountains — specifically, the pimento cheese burger. It is a hole-in-the-wall spot in Mocksville that deserves more attention than it gets. They also serve fried okra, which in my world is always the right call.
Miller’s Restaurant is at 710 Wilkesboro St, Mocksville, NC 27028.
PT’s Olde Fashioned Grill – Wilmington
I found PT’s Grill in college while visiting friends at UNCW, and I have not stopped going back. David and I have driven down from Raleigh specifically to eat here — no other agenda. The move is to order when you get there, grab a beer on the patio while they cook, then head to the Riverwalk in Wilmington or Wrightsville for a picnic. Thank me later. See all locations here.
PT’S Grill is at 1437 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Snap Dragon Bar & Kitchen – Burnsville
Burnsville‘s historic town square is charming enough on its own, so Snap Dragon is just another reason to sit down and stay a while. The nautically themed pub — named for Captain Otway Burns’ ship from the War of 1812, which is a fun piece of history — serves burgers made from locally produced beef. The Blue Ridge Burger gets most of the attention, and rightly so because it is delicious.
Snap Dragon Bar & Kitchen is at 107 Town Square, Burnsville, NC 28714.
Standard Beer + Food – Raleigh
Tucked into Person Street Plaza on the edge of Raleigh City Farm, Standard is the kind of neighborhood spot that earns fierce local loyalty. The smash burger — two patties — is the thing to order with a side of queso tots. Scan the QR code, grab one of their frozen cocktails, and settle into the patio. It is a signature Raleigh experience.
Standard Beer + Food is at 205 E Franklin St, Raleigh, NC 27604.
Final Thoughts
This list has been updated for 2026 to reflect where David and I have been eating and what continues to stand out. One of my absolute favorite spots closed a few years ago, which was the initial inspiration for this article. That said, there are some really incredible options to stop at on your next road trip. Use this interactive Google Map to help you plan your North Carolina burger bucket list.
Where is your best burger spot in North Carolina? Drop it in the comments — I am always adding to the list.
