Best Burgers in Chicago (2026)
99 places ranked using live data from Google, Yelp, Uber Eats & many other platforms
Top Rated Burgers in Chicago
Showing 10 of 99 restaurants · Ranked by FoodIndex score
Shake Shack
Premium BurgerShake Shack serves up ShackBurgers right in the heart of Wrigleyville.
3519 N Clark St Suite C105 · Wrigleyville
Charly's Burgers
Neighborhood BurgersClassic, no-frills burgers for the Hermosa community on Chicago's Northwest Side.
2320 N Cicero Ave · Hermosa
Boba Burger
Smash BurgerCreative smash burgers with a fun, modern twist in Morton Grove.
8530 Waukegan Rd · Morton Grove
Gordon Ramsay
Celebrity BurgerGordon Ramsay's acclaimed premium burger concept comes to Chicago's River North.
2 E Ontario St · River North
KRASA CRAFT
New AmericanThoughtfully crafted new American cuisine in Chicago's Ukrainian Village.
1141 N Ashland Ave · Ukrainian Village
Small Cheval
Smash BurgerAu Cheval's beloved smash burger, distilled to its purest form near Wrigley Field.
1119 W Waveland Ave · Wrigleyville
Small Cheval
Smash BurgerThe Au Cheval smash burger concept in the heart of Wicker Park's Milwaukee Avenue.
1732 N Milwaukee Ave · Bucktown
Busy Burger
Local ClassicA beloved neighborhood burger spot with decades of character in Little Italy.
1120 W Taylor St · Little Italy
About Chicago Burgers
Chicago's burger scene has its own distinct character. The smash burger movement landed here as hard as anywhere in the country, the city has a genuine best cheeseburger conversation that stretches from River North to Humboldt Park, and the best hamburger in Chicago argument has been running long enough that the serious spots have had years to earn their scores. Best burgers in Chicago searches are high-volume because the options are genuinely wide: gourmet builds, classic diners, vegan burgers, smash burgers in Chicago, and the kind of neighborhood joint that doesn't need a press mention because the regulars are enough.
Shake Shack appears three times in the top 25, Wrigleyville at #1, West Loop at #13, and River North at #20, which is the clearest possible signal of multi-location consistency in the data. Small Cheval shows up in both Wrigleyville (#8) and Bucktown (#9), and has become the answer most serious Chicago burger conversations land on when pressed. Gordon Ramsay in River North holds #5, which reflects the strong review signals that location pulls across platforms. Charly's Burgers in Hermosa at #2 and Lucy's in both Humboldt Park (#3) and Uptown (#6) represent the neighborhood side of this list, spots that don't rely on brand recognition and earn their ranking entirely on product.
The best burgers in the Chicago suburbs has its own sub-conversation. Stacked and Folded in Winnetka, Herm's Palace in Skokie, 10Q Chicken in Downtown Evanston, and Boba Burger in Morton Grove all rank in the top 25 and serve the wider metro area. The best smash burger in Chicago specifically surfaces Small Cheval and SALT Burgers in Wicker Park most consistently. Busy Burger in Little Italy and The Bad Apple in North Center are both long-running entries that hold their positions through repeat review volume rather than novelty. For vegan burgers in Chicago, KRASA CRAFT in Ukrainian Village is the entry the data surfaces most consistently.
How FoodIndex Scores Restaurants
Every venue earns a single 0–100 FoodIndex score by combining signals from major platforms—stars, review volume, recency, and consistency—so you can compare places fairly at a glance.
Google Reviews
Aggregate star ratings and review volume from Google Maps.
Yelp Ratings
Weighted scores from Yelp’s review community and elite reviewers.
Uber Eats Data
Delivery ratings, order frequency, and customer satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shake Shack, Charly's Burgers, and Lucy's are considered some of the best burger spots in Chicago based on FoodIndex data. Rankings use signals like rating quality, review volume, recency, and consistency across public platforms, so the top spots reflect places with strong customer feedback.
FoodIndex gives each place a 0–100 score based on public ratings, review counts, recent activity, and consistency across platforms. Places with strong reviews, steady customer feedback, and enough review volume usually rank higher.
No. FoodIndex rankings are not paid placements. The order is based on data signals, not ads, sponsorships, or restaurant promotions.
Use the restaurant list, neighborhood filters, and address details on this page to find burgers near you in Chicago. You can also open each restaurant profile to compare ratings, review counts, menu links, and ordering options.
Yes. Ratings, reviews, menus, and restaurant details can change, so FoodIndex rankings may shift as new data comes in. Check back before you choose a place, especially if you are planning a visit, pickup, or delivery.
More in Chicago
Best Sushi in Chicago
Creative, chef-driven sushi and Japanese street food on Grand Avenue in River North.
A specialty sushi bar on Madison Street in the heart of The Loop.
Sushi-san's Tokyo-inspired street sushi and Japanese snacks in Lincoln Park.
Fresh sushi and rich ramen brought to Chicago's quiet North Shore in Northfield.
A unique sushi and fresh fruit smoothie combination on Michigan Avenue in The Loop.
Best Coffee in Chicago
A thoughtfully crafted specialty coffee shop in Chicago's Pilsen.
A community-rooted coffeehouse serving the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
A casual, welcoming neighborhood café on Irving Park Road in North Center.
A cozy neighborhood coffee shop in Logan Square.
A mental health–focused café in Logan Square where every cup supports suicide prevention.
Best Pizza in Chicago
The inventor of Chicago stuffed pizza, now serving the West Loop.
Elegant Italian trattoria-style pizza and pasta in River North.
Funky, creative pizza and craft cocktails in Wrigleyville.
Upscale Italian taverna with exceptional pizza in the heart of River North.
Lively pizza bar with Chicago-style pies and a full bar in the West Loop.