The Best Burgers in Charleston

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KING ST HISTORIC DISTRICT

The burger at Husk consistently tops lists of great burgers in Charleston (and America) because of its pure, delicious simplicity. Two Benton’s bacon-infused ground beef patties sit upon a house-made buttermilk & benne seed bun, topped with American cheese, diced white onions, bread & butter pickles, and a special sauce (and lettuce and tomato, when they’re in season). Very nearly the dictionary definition of a good burger, this is truly a work of art.

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SULLIVAN’S ISLAND

Make the trek out to Sullivan’s Island and you’ll find one of Charleston’s best burger joints — Poe’s Tavern. People flock to the little house on iddle St for its fat half-pound beef pucks and delectable toppings on a brioche bun. The Amontillado is topped with guacamole, jalapeño Jack cheese, pico de gallo, and chipotle sour cream, and it’s perfect for those who like their burgers with a little kick

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MAZYCK-WRAGGBOROUGH

Found on the restaurant’s bar menu, Chef Matthew Niessner crafts the Halls Chophouse Burger with 10oz house prime ground beef (direct from the Allen Brothers out of Chicago) and cheddar cheese, then serves it with a generous helping of Parmesan truffle fries.

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WEST ASHLEY

Tucked into an unassuming strip mall in West Ashley, Charleston Sports Pub is something of a diamond in the rough. The menu is loaded with winners, but the Southerner burger is the shining star; it starts with a buttered bun and a seasoned half-pound of ground beef, and then gets some house-made pimento cheese, peach jam, and crispy bacon. You’ll love how the sweetness of the peach jam perfectly complements the creaminess of the pimento cheese (trust us).

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NOMO

Everything Butcher & Bee touches seems to turn to gold, and its burger is no different. The burger is classically simple with two patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and secret sauce. What more do you need?

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MOUNT PLEASANT

The California Burger from Coleman is topped with Monterey Jack cheese, pecan-smoked bacon, avocado, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, and creamy Dijon dressing (and add a couple of jalapeños if you’re feeling it). It’s a perpetual favorite among locals at this Mount Pleasant staple.

THE MEMPHIS

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PARK CIRCLE, WEST ASHLEY, MT. PLEASANT

This sucker would make Elvis proud. The house-grund beef is topped with healthy servings of homemade peanut butter and sliced banana, which come together in an unexpectedly delicious way. Try it with a side of fries and homemade ketchup. Sesame has a number of unique burger creations on the menu and will even do a duo of sliders for those of you who are indecisive.

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WAGENER TERRACE

The guys at Moe’s know that putting an egg on anything instantly makes it a breakfast item, so for those of you who want an excuse to eat a burger at 9am, the Eye Opener is for you. In addition to the fried egg, the hand-pattied ground chuck burger is topped with cheddar cheese and bacon to round out the experience.

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CANNONBOROUGH

Prepare for New England on a bun — this 6oz patty is topped with sharp white cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, thinly sliced Granny Smith apple, maple mayo, and arugula and is probably unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before.

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SHEM CREEK

This is what it would look like if a cheeseburger and a French dip sandwich had a baby. The house-ground patties are prepared daily and comprised of Angus chuck, brisket, and short rib. It’s all then deliciously topped with white cheddar, tomato jam, candied shallots, and a Parmesan crisp.

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UPPER KING

Available exclusively on the Sunday brunch menu (and in limited quantities during happy hour), Chef Keeler’s double cheeseburger — a recipe he brought over from the beloved (and now-shuttered) Two Boroughs Larder — is a classic. The double batty cheeseburger is topped with mornay cheese sauce, bacon, Thousand Island dressing, and pickles on a soft sesame seed bun. Pro tip: You can also add an egg to it at brunch, if you’re feeling frisky.

UPPER KING

You don’t often find a patty melt on a breakfast menu, but at Rarebit — King St’s upscale diner — you’ll be glad you did. This beauty consists of two Angus patties, pressed flat, topped with American cheese and caramelized onions on rye toast, and although it doesn’t come with any sides, you’d be remiss if you didn’t pair it with the amazingly creamy macaroni & cheese or house-cut fries. The full breakfast menu is available ’til the wee hours of the morning (1am), making this perfect for a late-night pick-me-up.