Best Burgers in Cincinnati: Local Guide to 10 Burger Spots You Need to Try

Delwood: The Mount Lookout Must-Try

Address:
Mt. Lookout - 3204 Linwood Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Google Reviews:
4.7 stars with 400+ reviews

There's usually a line out the door at Delwood in Mount Lookout, and once you try their Classic Double, you'll understand why. This burger isn't messing around—two four-ounce patties on a soft potato bun, melty American cheese, tangy pickles, and here's the kicker: a Peruvian aioli that somehow makes everything taste even better.

Delwood sits right at the corner of Delta and Linwood (hence the clever name), and they've got both a cozy indoor space and an outdoor patio that's dog-friendly. So yes, bring your furry friend.

Want to level up your order? Grab a side of blistered shishito peppers or crispy brussels sprouts. And definitely check out their craft beer and cocktail menu—they know what they're doing there too. The whole vibe is relaxed and welcoming, which is exactly what you want when you're about to demolish a seriously good burger.

Best for: Bold, creative burgers with global influence.

Gulow Street: Your Northside Go-To

Address:
Northside - 1614 Hoffner St, Cincinnati, OH 45223

Google Reviews:
4.8 stars with 300+ reviews

Sometimes the best burgers are the ones that don't try too hard. Gulow Street in Northside gets it. Their burger is straightforward—two buns, a great patty, American cheese, pickles, plenty of lettuce, and mayo. Nothing fancy, just really well done. And the price? Super reasonable.

This place feels like hanging out in someone's really cool living room. There are paintings everywhere, the lighting is perfectly dim, and everyone who works there—from the bartenders to the cooks—makes you feel welcome. The back patio is great when the weather's nice.

It's the kind of neighborhood spot where you'll see the same faces week after week, and that's always a good sign. When locals keep coming back, you know the food is consistently good and the atmosphere is right.

Best for: Neighborhood pub burgers at an affordable price.

Nation Kitchen & Bar: Burgers That Give Back

Address:
Westwood - 3435 Epworth Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211
Milford - 203 Mill St, Milford, OH 45150

Google Reviews:
4.5 stars with 600+ reviews

Nation is doing something pretty cool—they're located in an old Cincinnati fire department (which is already awesome), and every month they feature a "Burger of the Month" where part of what you pay goes to charity. They even have a leaderboard inside showing the top ten burgers based on what customers are ordering.

The whole place has this fire department theme going on with hatchets on the door handles and even on top of the buns. It's a fun touch that sets the mood.

If you're trying to eat a bit healthier, they've got options like the Legion of Shroom. But don't worry, they've also got classic burgers that'll hit all the right notes. And they've got two locations—one in Westwood and another in Milford—so whether you're on the west side or east side, you're covered.

Best for: Classic American burgers serving both the West siders and East siders.

Colette OTR: When You Want Something a Little Fancier

Address:
OTR - 1400 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Google Reviews:
4.8 stars with 300+ reviews

Okay, so Colette is mostly known as a French restaurant, but their burger is legit. It's got all your standard toppings—lettuce, cheese, onion, pickles—but the real star is their house-made Dijonnaise. It's basically a fancy mustard-mayo situation that takes the burger to another level.

The location is perfect, right across from Washington Park and Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. The inside has that cool urban energy with dim lighting that makes it feel special, whether you're there with friends, family, or on a date.

Your burger comes with frites (that's fancy-speak for fries), and they're really good. The whole experience feels a bit more upscale than your typical burger joint, but it's not stuffy or pretentious. It's just a really solid burger in a great atmosphere.

Best for: Elevated, chef-driven takes

Fifty West: Way More Than Just a Burger

Address:
Mariemont - 7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Deerfield Township - 5224 District Pk Dr, Mason, OH 45040

Google Reviews:
4.4 stars with 1,200+ reviews

Here's something different—50 West is part restaurant, part activity center. In the summer, they've got sand volleyball and pickleball courts. In the winter, they turn it into an ice skating rink. So yeah, you can work up an appetite before hitting the burger.

Their Classic burger is simple and delicious—single patty, American cheese, their own special fry sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion. But if you're feeling adventurous, check out their 12 different burgers based on the states that US Route 50 goes through.

The Colorado burger is not for the faint of heart—it's got spicy green chili salsa, ghost pepper jack cheese, and jalapeños. If you can handle heat, go for it. If not, stick with the Classic.

They recently opened a location in Deerfield Township too, so if you live in the northern suburbs, you don't have to drive as far. With good food, craft beer, and year-round fun, 50 West is perfect for making a whole outing of your burger run.

Best for: Burgers paired with craft beer with a fun atmosphere for the whole family.

Tickle Pickle: Rock 'n' Roll Meets Burgers

Address:
Northside - 4176 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Fort Thomas - 915 N Ft Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Google Reviews:
4.5 stars with 1,900+ reviews

Tickle Pickle is all about having fun with it. The whole place has a music theme, with most menu items named after bands or songs. They've got locations in both Northside and Fort Thomas, Kentucky, so take your pick.

If you want to keep it classic, try the Bread Zeppelin (see what they did there?). But they've also got wild combinations with jalapeño jam, sauerkraut, and ghost pepper jack cheese if you're into that kind of thing.

The ingredients are top-notch, and they really know how to cook a patty. What's great is that every time you come back, you can try something different. The menu has enough variety that you won't get bored, and the whole vibe is energetic and fun.

Best for: Creative burgers and vegetarian options

Zip's Cafe: A Cincinnati Classic Since 1926

Address:
Mt. Lookout - 1036 Delta Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208

Google Reviews:
4.6 stars with 1,600+ reviews

When a place has been around for almost 100 years, you know they're doing something right. Zip's Cafe has been serving burgers in Mount Lookout since 1926, and they've won "Best Burger in Cincinnati" more times than we can count.

The Zip Burger keeps it simple—fresh ground beef that's delivered daily from a local meat market, cooked just right, with all the classic toppings. No gimmicks, no weird fusion stuff, just a really great burger done the way it should be done.

The atmosphere is pure neighborhood charm. There's literally a train that goes around the restaurant while you eat. Regulars fill the place, and everyone's friendly. It's the kind of spot that feels like a piece of Cincinnati history, which makes sense because it basically is.

Best for: All-Time Classic Cincinnati burger

Bard's Burgers: Worth the Drive to Kentucky

Address:
Covington - 3620 Decoursey Ave, Covington, KY 41015

Google Reviews:
4.7 stars with 1,900+ reviews

Don't let the river stop you—Bard's Burgers in Chili, Kentucky is worth crossing state lines for. They're all about the smash burger technique, and they nail it every time. Hand-crafted, seared to perfection, and seriously delicious.

Here's what's cool: you can either go classic with the toppings you know and love, or get weird with it. We're talking donut buns, different spice levels, and super Cincinnati toppings like goetta and chili. And the chili doesn't just go on the burger—you can swap your fries for chili or a coney if you want.

Now, if you're really hungry (or really brave), there's the Bardzilla Challenge—11 patties, three and a half pounds of burger, 22 slices of cheese, and two pounds of fries. You've got one hour to finish it all. Most people don't, but it's fun to watch someone try.

The whole place has that neighborhood burger joint feel where everyone's comfortable and the food is consistently great.

Best for: Smash-style burgers with creative options

Quatman Cafe: No-Frills, Just Good Burgers

Address:
Norwood - 2434 Quatman Ave, Norwood, OH 45212
Mason - 224 W Main St, Mason, OH 45040

Google Reviews:
4.6 stars with 1,400+ reviews

Sometimes you just want a thick, juicy burger without all the extras, and that's exactly what Quatman Cafe delivers. They've got two locations—one in Norwood and one in Mason—and both have that classic diner vibe going on.

The menu isn't huge, but that's kind of the point. They focus on doing a few things really well instead of trying to be everything to everyone. You get your burger, your fries, and you're happy. Plus, the prices won't make you wince.

It's straightforward, it's affordable, and it's good. What more do you need?

Best for: Old-school burger bar experience

Gordo's: Big Burgers, Bigger Flavor

Address:
Norwood - 4328 Montgomery Rd #1, Norwood, OH 45212

Google Reviews:
4.6 stars with 1,200+ reviews

Gordo's is that neighborhood pub where locals hang out, and the burgers are absolutely massive. They've got tons of flavor and plenty of different options to choose from.

The Hangover Burger is stacked high with toppings—perfect for when you need something substantial. But the IPA Burger might be the real winner here. It's got IPA-infused fondue drizzled on top (yeah, seriously), plus bacon and mushrooms. It's one of those burgers where every bite is different and delicious.

The atmosphere is super chill—lots of character, lots of regulars, and that comfortable feeling you get at your favorite local spot. Great location, friendly people, and legitimately great burgers make Gordo's a solid choice.

Best for: Casual pub burgers with huge portions