Burgers. There’s nothing that can comfort the soul quite like a thick, juicy beef patty encased in melted cheese, two fluffy pillows of carbs, and topped with anything under the sun. Bacon? Avocado? Grilled onions? We love it all. Even in the heart of a so-called “small” city, Salt Lake has an impressive inventory of incredible burgers, from old to new, classic to innovative, and simple to outrageous.
The Salt Lake City Female Foodie team has compiled this guide to highlight the absolute best burgers in SLC, with a special bonus guide at the end. We update this post annually and take our burgers very seriously. Enjoy!
SEE ALSO: 15 BEST RESTAURANTS IN SLC
15. Coppercreek Pub & Grub
A fantastic pub grub spot for those located west of downtown. If you haven’t visited Coppercreek Pub & Grub in West Valley, then put it on your list for one reason and one reason only: THE CHUBBY. AKA a ground chuck patty smashed between TWO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES. Smothered in grilled onions, mushrooms, and Thousand Island dressing. Read our full post on Coppercreek Pub & Grub *HERE*.
Coppercreek Pub & Grub
- Website
$$ Sports Bars, Pubs, Burgers
3451 5600 W # A, Salt Lake City, UT 84120
801-417-0051
14. Cotton Bottom Inn
This small pub will not catch your eye as you’re driving past, but the big talk about its garlic burgers definitely will! Many Salt Lake City natives have tried or heard of this authentic sandwich and have come back for years craving a bite. A slab of juicy garlic meat squished between a crispy flaky bun and topped with classic condiments make for a unique take on the typical burger!
Cotton Bottom Inn
- Website
$ Dive Bars, Burgers
6200 Holladay Blvd E, Holladay, UT 84121
801-273-9830
13. Manoli’s
This list has an extensive array of different styles of burgers but one of the best burgers in the city has unquestionably been the lamb burger from the relatively new restaurant, Manoli’s. The flavors of this lamb and beef patty are unbelievable, served with red pepper feta spread, garlic aioli, and fennel slaw. All served on an artisan bun with a light side salad. Manoli’s typically encourages a dining culture of small plates and sharing but this burger is one that simply cannot be shared.
Manoli’s
- Website
$$$ Greek
402 E Harvey Milk Blvd, #2, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-532-3760
12.Proper Burger Co.
A sister restaurant to Avenues Proper and Proper Brewing Co., Proper Burger Co. completes the trio. Whether you’re feeling sweet, savory, hot, or creamy, they’ve got a burger specialized just for you- their range of choices will satisfy any and every palate. As they say, “Never prim always PROPER!” Read our full post on Proper Burger Co. *HERE*.
Proper Burger Company
- Website
$$ Burgers
865 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-906-8604
11. Bambara
After the original publication of this post I was told by several burger lovers in SLC that the burger at Bambara is an absolute MUST. Although we were informed by our server that there have been recent changes to the classic burger, this burger should still be at the top of your list. Cooked to order this beef patty is served with smoky cheddar and a side of some of the BEST fries on this entire list. Don’t forget to dip in the side of aioli.
Bambara
$$$ American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, Seafood
202 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-363-5454
10. R&R BBQ
Roger and Rod Livingston started off as champions of nine cooking competitions and ended as famous restauranteurs and bbq-ers. Not only have they captured the hearts of native southerners living in SLC, but have stirred up some of the best meat in town. The Caveman burger holds many of their famous slices of meat: melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, flavor blasted andouille sausage, and a perfectly cooked 1/3 lb burger all topped with fried jalapeños, Monterey jack cheese, and their special sweet sauce. A side of sweet potato fries and you’ve hit a bonus.
R&R BBQ Downtown
- Website
$$ Barbeque, Smokehouse, Steakhouses
307 W 600 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-364-0443
9. East Liberty Tap House
If you’re in the mood for a classic, delicious burger, the Tap House Burger is for you. The thick, juicy burger itself is so craveable, but when you combine it with their house-made pickles (they’re truly amazing) and the signature peppercorn aioli, you have a winner. And don’t even get us started on the fries. Major heart eyes.
East Liberty Tap House
- Website
$$ Burgers, American
850 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
801-441-2845
8. The Copper Onion
Talk to any burger connesuier in Salt Lake City and they’ll mention The Copper Onion Burger without fail- and for good reason too. This juicy Niman Ranch beef burger is cooked to order and served with caramelized onions, aioli, and iceberg lettuce all on a delicious house bun. Always order with a slice of cheddar!
The Copper Onion
$$ American (New)
111 East Broadway #170, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-355-3282
7. Lucky 13
Lucky 13 has been a Salt Lake City staple for years and there’s good reason for it! Located just a block west of Smith’s Ballpark, they’re constantly busy filled with loyal SLC customers looking to break ground on some of their delicious (and huge) beef patties. Our pick: the Celestial Burger. It’s a large beef patty served with house-smoked bacon, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and house barbecue sauce. Make sure to bring your ID for this one! #nomnomnom
Lucky 13
- Website
$$ Burgers, Bars, American (New)
135 W 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
801-487-4418
6. The Garage on Beck
The Garage on Beck does a fantastic job of serving comfort food items to match the ambiance and aesthetic of this once auto repair shop turned into roadhouse bar. Although the Fried Mormon Funeral Potatoes and Southern Fried Chicken top the charts for menu items, The Garage serves over half a dozen quality burgers. Our pick: the Cowboy Burger. This hand-pressed patty is served with golden and crispy onion rings, bacon, cheddar cheese, leaf lettuce, and fresh tomato with a pat of BBQ sauce. Unreal.
Garage on Beck
- Website
$$ Bars, Music Venues, Burgers
1199 Beck St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
801-521-3904
5. Chedda Burger
Burgers with Attitude! Owner Nick Watts originally started his burger infatuation in the original Chedda Truck and has since then opened up a storefront location on 600 south and most recently a new location on Foothill. These burgers are creative, delicious, and oh so chedda-licioussss. Menu favorites include The Green Mile, The Mother Hen, and The Dirt Bag. Read our full review on Chedda Burger *HERE*.
Chedda Burger Gateway
- Website
$$ Burgers
The Gateway, 190 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
385-322-3700
4. From Scratch
From Scratch has become one of our favorite restaurants in the town! It’s situated on a lesser known street- Gallivan Avenue, just off of State Street and Broadway downtown. This new-ish SLC restaurant takes their name to heart and literally creates everything From Scratch (even the ketchup- who does that??) with their locally sourced menu of bistro fare from pizza to salads to pasta to burgers. We suggest the Egg Burger. Schedule a date for this SLC hotspot and in the meantime read our full post *HERE*.
From Scratch
- Website
$$ Pizza, Burgers, Bars
62 E Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-961-9000
3. Pago
The Pago Burger is truly fit for a queen and among all of the other amazing burgers on this list stands out for its incredible flavor within and surrounding the beef patty. Served with bacon, white cheddar, pickled onion, black truffle aioli, and truffle frites, you are bound to fall in love at first bite.
Pago
$$ American (New), Tapas/Small Plates
878 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801.532.0777
2. Hires Big H
Our longest standing foodie affair on this collection and also on our list of Top 10 Places to Eat in Salt Lake City! Their burgers are nothing crazy or outrageously fancy- just a classic, darn good burger. Order their namesake burger (The Big H) for a ground chuck hamburger topped with fry sauce, lettuce, tomato, and American Cheese (I like to add grilled onions and avocado to mine). Make sure to enjoy your Big H with some of their homemade onion rings or hand cut fries and a thick, homemade oreo shake.
Hires Big H
- Website
$ Burgers
425 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-364-4582
1. HSL
The number one burger on our list this year goes to undoubtedly to the folks at HSL (Handle Salt Lake). Served both during lunch and dinner, the HSL burger is truly unforgettable. There isn’t anything too fancy or too frivolous about this burger- just an amazingly flavorful beef patty adorned with the greatest american cheese you’ll ever taste alongside pickled red cabbage and tomato jam.
HSL
- Website
$$$ American (New)
418 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-539-9999
Bonus: Best Burgers Near Salt Lake City
5. Logan: Morty’s Cafe
For a delicious, juicy burger while dining in Logan, Morty’s is the best place in town. Opening in 2014, Morty’s set out with the goal of creating “Cache Valley’s Best Quick-Serve Hamburger”. The burger patties are incredibly flavorful and adorned with all fresh toppings depending on what suits your fancy. Make sure you enjoy some of their amazing homemade classic or sweet potato fries with your burger, and if you’re especially hungry a raspberry shake!
Morty’s Cafe
- Website
$ Burgers, Cafes
780 E 700 N, Logan, UT 84321
435-535-3276
4. Saratoga Springs: Seven Brothers
One of our favorite newcomers to the Utah burger scene is unquestionably Seven Brothers- we love them for their fresh and delicious burgers and extremely family oriented customer service! There are so many great options when dining with Seven Brothers but we’re partial to the Paniolo Burger, stacked high with fresh grilled pineapple, 2 strips of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, 2 monster onion rings and topped with paniolo BBQ sauce. Read our full review on Seven Brothers HERE.
Seven Brothers Burgers
- Website
$$ Burgers, Salad, American (Traditional)
731 N Redwood Road #100, Saratoga Springs, UT 84045
385-352-1200
3. Provo: Chom Burger
We love Chom Burger for burgers, fries, and shakes that remind us a whole lot of Shake Shack in New York City. There are a lot of delicious menu items, but we recommend their green chile avocado burger, complete with a toasted potato bun, CHOM sauce, pepper jack cheese, green chiles, and guacamole. Fries and shake are a necessity.
CHOM Burger
- Website
$$ Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches
45 W 300 N Provo, UT 84601
(385) 241-7499
2. Provo: Black Sheep Cafe
With a creative spin on Navajo cuisine, Black Sheep boasts some of the most gorgeous and delectable plates in the valley for lunch, dinner, and brunch on the weekends. You can read in depth about our Black Sheep dining experience *here*, but in the meantime feast your eyes on this life-changing 1/2 pound Bleu Burger with bleu cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon, served with a cab sauv reduction and mayo. Amen.
Black Sheep Cafe
- Website
$$ Native American
19 N University Ave, Provo, UT 84601
801-607-2485
1. Park City: High West Distillery and Saloon
Possibly the absolute best burger in the state of Utah comes from High West Distillery & Saloon in the mountains of Park City- a definite mention on our list of best restaurants in Park City. The High West Burger is truly sublime- a beautiful 8 oz. blend of bison and beef served with broiled aged gruyere, blue cheese, BBQ glazed sweet onion, crispy fried shallots, all served on a homemade house caraway bun with hand cut fries.
High West Distillery
- Website
$$ Bars, American (New), Distilleries
703 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84060
435-649-8300
Did you like this post?? Be sure to check out similar posts featuring Salt Lake City restaurants:
- Top 10 Restaurants in Salt Lake City
- 15 Best Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants in Salt Lake City
- Top 10 Pasta Restaurants in Salt Lake City
- 15 Best Restaurants in Downtown Salt Lake City
- Free Bucket list of 100+ Restaurants in Salt Lake City
