Where to Find the Best Burgers in and Around Arlington
Dig into BBQ bacon cheeseburgers, teriyaki tuna burgers, vegan patties and more at these local spots. 🍔
How do you like your burger? Open Road in Arlington offers an array of tasty options. (Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Hospitality Group)
It’s hard to find a more satisfying sandwich than the almighty burger. Whether your forte is a bacon double cheeseburger dripping with sauce, or a simple veggie patty topped with a dollop of ketchup, you don’t have to travel far to satisfy that craving. Here are some of the best burger joints in town, including our Best of Arlington 2023 reader picks for “Best Burger.”
The Double Baller at Ballston Local features two patties, caramelized onions, cheddar and bacon. (Photo courtesy of Ballston Local)
Ballston Local
Hungry? The burger lineup at this bustling pub includes the Bluemont, a patty loaded with bacon, gorgonzola, caramelized onion, arugula and burger sauce (named for the nearby neighborhood). Each burger order comes with skinny fries, waffle fries or chips. Impossible burgers as well as gluten-free substitutions are available. // 900 N. Glebe Road, Arlington (Ballston)
Try the BBQ bacon cheeseburger from Basic Burger, which also serves Loaded Moo Fries with chipotle ranch dressing and fried egg. (Photo courtesy of Basic Burger)
Basic Burger
Don’t let the name fool you—Basic Burger serves more than a mere patty on a bun. In addition to its signature basic burger (100% Angus beef with lettuce, tomato and onion on a brioche bun), you can also find a big double cheeseburger, BBQ bacon cheeseburger and several other renditions, including veggie, turkey and Beyond burgers. Looking for sides? Try the Loaded Moo Fries: shoestring fries with chipotle ranch, crisp bacon, shaved parmesan, chopped scallions and a fried egg. // 1101 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
BGR The Burger Joint
The crafty burger options at this Lyon Village haunt include the Triple D (egg, applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, grilled jalapeno, BGR mojo sauce), Kentucky Style Bourbon (bacon, ham, cheddar, Kentucky-Style bourbon sauce, crispy onion strings), and the Wagyu Wellington (truffle-infused Wagyu, deep-roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, bleu cheese, mojo sauce). Not a beef-eater? BGR also serves Beyond burgers, chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers and a Teriyaki Tuna burger with sushi-grade ahi. Pair your order with a tray of garlic-parmesan fries or beer-battered onion rings. // 3129 Langston Blvd., Arlington
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Big Buns Damn Good Burgers
Pop by this Shirlington burger joint (the Best of Arlington 2023 crown champion in the “Best Burger” category) for some hefty options. The Horseradish Bourbon Burger features Angus beef loaded with muenster, applewood-smoked bacon, bourbon mushrooms, horseradish cream sauce and more fixings. If you’d like to forgo the bun, try a burger bowl; the Beet Sprouts & Harmony pairs a patty with arugula, crispy Brussels sprouts, barley, roasted beets, candied pecans, sweet potato chips and maple-Dijon vinaigrette. Add Cajun fries to your order for some kick. Chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers and Impossible burgers are also available. // 4401 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston) and 4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
The Broiler
Known for its steak-and-cheese, this Columbia Pike mainstay also serves up burgers, cheeseburgers and turkey burgers, topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Dig into one witha side of crinkle-cut fries or chips. Vegetarian? Try their 6- or 12-inch veggie sub, stuffed with green peppers, mushrooms, onions, cheese and whatever additional veggies you’d like to add. // 3601 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Burger District
This Courthouse burger emporium has options upon options, including the Bare Naked Burger (lettuce, tomato, onion, District sauce), the Blackened Blue Burger (Bayou spice, Wisconsin blue cheese), and the Royal Smoked Burger (BBQ ranch sauce, cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, koki krisp onion strings, fried egg). Customers avoiding red meat can swap out the ground beef for a vegan Beyond burger or turkey burger. But those who like pork with their beef can complete the meal with an order of bacon-cheese fries. // 2024 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
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Cowboy Cafe
Stop by this “low-key and local” bar and restaurant and order yourself a LoJo (TnT sauce, blue cheese, grilled onions) or The Barnyard (two half-pound beef patties, BBQ pork, two slices of cheddar, a fried egg and bacon). Each is topped with lettuce, tomato and onion and served with fries and a pickle. Turkey and veggie burgers are also on the menu. // 4792 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Elevation Burger
This locally-grown fast-food chain (the first one opened in Falls Church in 2005) serves 100% grass-fed beef and fries cooked in olive oil. Build your own burger or choose from a lineup of gourmet options, such as the Guacamole Ranch Burger (two patties, guacamole, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, ranch) and the Fiery Burger (two patties, cheddar, grilled onions, egg, hot-pepper relish and jalapenos). Bunless and plant-based burgers are also available. // Multiple locations in Arlington and Falls Church
Five Guys
Five Guys has been keeping it simple since the first storefront opened in 1986 on Columbia Pike (soon to house a brand-new location) with a short list of hamburgers, cheeseburgers and bacon cheeseburgers served with boardwalk-style fries. Choose from a single (a “Little,” as they call it) or a double patty, and customize your toppings, such as grilled onions, grilled mushrooms and jalapenos. Not feeling carnivorous? Opt for the veggie sandwich (grilled onion, mushroom, green peppers, lettuce and tomatoes). // Multiple locations in Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church
The Open Road burger is topped with Wisconsin cheddar and a fried onion ring. (Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Hospitality Group)
Open Road
Settle in at this brewpub with locations in Merrifield and Rosslyn for a hearty burger and fries, often accompanied by live music. Options include the French Onion Burger, a patty topped with gruyere, caramelized onion, crispy onion and steak sauce aioli. For the non-beef eaters, there are also fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, as well as a house-made veggie burger with sunflower seeds, hummus, cucumber, pickled beets and avocado (Rosslyn only). // 8100 Lee Highway, Falls Church and 1201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Weenie Beenie
Since 1954, this burger stand in Shirlington has been serving up half-smokes, hot dogs and burgers. Go old-school with a traditional hamburger or try the Jumbo Cheeseburger Royale—a double patty topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Make it a meal with an order of their wedge-cut potato fries. // 2680 Shirlington Road, Arlington (Shirlington)
