7 of the Best Burger Joints in the Charlottesville Area!

The Charlottesville area is full of restaurants that are crafting exceptional burgers. Whether you're looking for the perfect, pillowy brioche bun or the best smash burger patty you've ever had, here are seven spots to check out the next time you need a burger fix.

If you want to visit a true Charlottesville establishment, look no further than Riverside Lunch. This joint has been serving up burgers and hot dogs in Charlottesville since 1935! These burgers get flat-pressed on the grill and are the self-proclaimed "best smash'd burgers in town." Riverside's loyal following includes locals, UVA athletes, and even local chefs. The reason? Consistency. You could visit Riverside 100 times and get the same incredible burger every. single. time.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, tasty, and all-around amazing lunch - this is definitely the place!

At Citizen Burger Bar, the magic is in the quality of their ingredients. Their meat and eggs come from grass-fed cows and free-range chickens and everything there tastes so fresh and real. Their brioche buns are to die for and let’s not even start on the fried pickles.

Their menu gives you the option the create your own burger, but I always go for the original “Citizen Burger." It’s made up of Timbercreek beef, McClure Swiss cheese, black onion, garlic aioli, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and it's topped with a delicious fried pickle. It’s the perfect place to meet up with friends or watch the game on their row of flatscreen TVs while enjoying a burger and beer!

While Selvedge Brewing is known for great beers, the Timbercreek Smashburger is worth a visit to the Selvedge Taproom alone. This burger uses meat sourced locally from Timbercreek farm and tops it with bread and butter pickles, caramelized onions, bibb lettuce, and cheese sauce - all served on a classic potato bun.

The Local Burger is just what it sounds like - local. This is one of Charlottesville’s favorite burgers because The Local (located in the Belmont neighborhood near downtown) uses fresh, organic, and local beef to make their signature burger creation. Not only is the beef local, the Swiss cheese they top it with is as well! They finish the burger with Applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and a side of their fresh and homemade french fries. What a wonderful and delicious way to support local companies!

Located steps away from Rivanna River Company, Högwaller Brewing opened in 2023 and joined the ranks of local spots specializing in smash burgers. The team at Högwaller keeps it simple but oh, so delicious. Choose from a junior (single patty) or regular (double patty) of their various burger styles including the Högwaller, Junk Burger, and BBLT.

Top everything off with a pint of one of their freshly-brewed beers and a side of crispy french fries while enjoying their outdoor picnic tables and fire pit.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint may have its roots in Harrisonburg, VA but its Charlottesville location has become its own hometown institution! Featuring 100% all-natural Wagyu beef, this isn’t your mama’s burger. Don’t even think about asking for lettuce and tomato! At Jack Brown’s, the burgers are prepared in a simple and basic fashion offering pared, down classics as well as more adventurous fare. Be sure to check out their daily burger special which often offers fun toppings like chipotle pimento cheese, honey sriracha glazed onions, and whipped brie cheese.

If you need something to wash down all of that beautiful beefy goodness, they have a selection of more than 100 craft beers to choose from.

Bonus: they're open until midnight making it the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat after a night out on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall.

Do you ever find yourself wanting a greasy, delicious burger at 2:00 a.m.? Located on the Corner at the University of Virginia, beside Insomnia Cookies, The Spot is Charlottesville’s famous late-night diner that serves up burgers until 3:00 a.m. After a night of seeing a show at the Jefferson or bar-hopping on the Corner, The Spot’s cheesy Gus Burger with a fried egg on top is just what you need. This burger has had college students from decades ago (including UVA alum Katie Couric) return to enjoy what used to be their favorite late night snack - and in some cases, still is!

In 2021, 22 UVA alumni representing every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s became the next generation of owners of The Spot. Three of them worked here as undergraduates. We are proud to be the custodians of The Spot and intend to preserve the atmosphere and good food that have made this establishment a true Charlottesville and UVA treasure.