10 of the Best Burgers in Pittsburgh You Must Try

Dad's Dog & Burger

Dad's Dog & Burger took Pittsburgh's diner scene by storm when it opened in early 2025, and this classic diner feels like it could've been operating at its Bloomfield location for decades during our visit- not the mere days at early opening.

True to style, this one serves up a simple menu of smash burgers, hot dogs, fries, and more all for a respectable price point.

Their diner burger, which can come plain, with cheese, or topped with Brothmonger's acclaimed chili (plus other classic toppings) is the definition of a classic burger- albeit smashed. The flavors of this one come together for a burger that is both incredible and simple, classic and delicious. 

So if you want a stellar burger that pays homage to the classics right, Dad's has you covered.

Dad's Dog & Burger is located at 4830 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. 

Kaya

The Strip District's resident Caribbean-inspired restaurant, Kaya, may be an unlikely pick for one of our favorite burgers in the city, but their aptly named Kaya Burger one we've been enjoying for nearly two decades!

This one comes topped with pickles, avocado, bacon, tomato, Chihuahua cheese, a dippy egg, and Kaya sauce and is as sloppy as it is flavorful. Paired with their acclaimed sweet potato fries on the side, and you really have the makings of a perfect meal.

One of our favorite memories in the city was taking family to Kaya and virtually everyone at the table ordered the burger and crushed it, and it has been a regular in our rotation ever since.

Kaya is located at 2000 Smallman Street in the Strip District.

Pittsburgh Sandwich Society 

Pittsburgh Sandwich Society began as a mobile food truck slinging sandwiches at area breweries and events. While the truck can still be found out from time to time, they have had a permanent residency at Strange Roots Millvale for many seasons to serve their popular food to guests.

Their featured burger, the In-n-Aht Burger, is a perfect replica of the famous west coast chain its name is a riff off of. Two smashed burgers, cheese, onion jam, lettuce, tomato, and sauce (plus bacon, if you're feeling up for the extra charge) come together for a burger that does justice to its namesake.

In fact, we've taken several addicts to said namesake chain to try this one, and each had the same response- it is the real deal.

Pittsburgh Sandwich Society operates a mobile food truck on a limited basis and can be found as the permanent kitchen at Strange Roots at 501 East Ohio Street in Millvale.

Tessaro's

It's hard to talk about the best burgers in Pittsburgh without giving a shoutout to Tessaro's. This Bloomfield bar and grill has been a staple in the city for decades.

You're not going to find a fancy burger here- this one is as all-American as they come. Thick patties, ground by their in-house butcher, are cooked over hardwood and served with an assortment of classic toppings and sides. 

In a way, a Tessaro's burgers feel like what you'd get in a classic Fourth of July cookout, and feels as much about the nostalgia as they are delicious.

Tessaro's is located at 4601 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield.

Burghers

Burghers is a popular local brewery chain known for a great line up of craft beer and an even better selection of smash burgers.

With locations in Millvale (their flagship), Lawrenceville, the South Side, and Zelienople, you have numerous opportunities to try their popular creations throughout the region.

But for us, there is one burger that we order on every single visit- the Maggie's Farm. This one is topped with smoked gouda, horseradish, caramelized onion, roasted chilies, and rum aioli and is rich, smokey, and intensely flavorful.

Be sure to upgrade your side of fries to add rosemary, as they add a ridiculous amount onto every serving, too. (We'd also be remiss that their #TheBlend patty combination of 30% mushrooms and 70% beef is also worth upgrading from time to time, too!)

Burghers has several locations around the city. We are particularly fond of the flagship location at 400 Grant Avenue in Millvale.

Salem's

Salem's in the Strip District is known for offering a massive menu of affordable Middle Eastern fare, and is routinely considered to be one of the best restaurants (and markets) in the entire city.

While we often visit this one for their massive shawarma wraps, which are large enough for two if not three meals, we'd be remiss if we did not mention their burger which has a bit of a diehard following behind it.

To call Salem's burger a classic diner burger may be an understatement. First, you pick whether you want 1/3 lb or 2/3 lb, and it comes served on a brioche bun with red onion, sliced pickles, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. Be sure to add some beef bacon (they do keep Halal), and off you go with a tasty meal.

Simple? Yes. Perfect? You know it.

Salem's is located at 2923 Penn Avenue in the Strip District.

Fat Butcher

We are of the mindset that Pittsburgh needs more butchers- because when you have a good butcher, you're sure to get good meat.

When a butcher has a food menu, well, that is where the magic happens, and you get just that at Fat Butcher in Lawrenceville.

The smash burger at Fat Butcher is all about classic toppings- two patties, American cheese, iceberg lettuce, pickles, onion, and special sauce on a Challah bun. It is served to be a fast casual meal with no frills. Just good meat, classic toppings, and made to perfection for a quick meal.

Go to pick up meat to cook at home and pick up a burger for now in the process? We really can't argue there.

Fat Butcher is located at 5151 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

Burgatory

Pittsburgh has been home to many burger chains throughout the years. Some have come and gone while others have stood the test of time. Burgatory is one local chain that has held its own with their immense menu of burgers and milkshakes, and can be found at nearly 10 locations in the city- including inside Acrisure Stadium and PPG Paints Arena.

Much like other burger joints, we have one creation that we keep going back to again and again, the Piggy Butter & Jelly. This one includes a ground beef and bacon burger dusted with cajun seasoning, topped with American cheese, candied bacon, bread & butter pickles, peanut butter, and habanero jelly.

Sweet, savory, and rich all in one bite? We originally thought this one was going to be too crazy, and it ended up being just right.

Burgatory has several locations throughout Pittsburgh.

Cold Friends Kitchen

Cold Friends Kitchen took the Pittsburgh dining scene by storm with its mobile food trucks and later expansion to run the food program at New Amsterdam in Lawrenceville.

Although we can rave about Cold Friends Kitchen's entire menu (particularly their particularly stellar pork belly bites), their entire smash burger lineup is deserving of the highest praise.

Want a classic? They have you covered. Want something more out-there? Their creations like Holy Smokes with Muenster cheese, hot cherry pepper bacon jam, arugula, pickled red onions, and chipotle aioli or the Jelly Belly with Muenster cheese, crispy pork belly, jalapeno apricot jam, peanut butter, and candied peanut crunch are sure to please.

But, honestly, be sure to order other items off their menu to enjoy a feast as this one is a delight no matter what you order!

Cold Friends Kitchen operates mobile food trucks in Pittsburgh and manages the kitchen at New Amsterdam in Lawrenceville at 4421 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

Loaded at Lawrence Hall

Raise your hand if you love the loaded, crazy, dripping burgers with incredibly out-there toppings. If your hand is up, you'll want to head to Loaded at Lawrence Hall.

Burgers here come with two smash burgers and have an array of topping choices from classic American style to more unique options like the Drunken Goat with aged white cheddar, whiskey peach BBQ sauce, goat cheese, and pickled red onions and scallions or the Texan with American cheese, BBQ sauce, and shoestring onion straws.

I'll be the first to admit that while I like a loaded burger, these can often go the wrong way in a hurry simply for the novelty of it all. But Loaded does a great job walking a fine line of serving up massive burgers that also come with incredible flavor, and for that we keep going back.

Loaded is a food stall inside Lawrence Hall at 4609 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

Bonus – Crapteka Popup by Apteka (Vegan)

To end this list, we have one bonus burger menu, but we have to throw in with two caveats attached- they're vegan and only available for a limited time!

The vegan Eastern European restaurant, Apteka, does a vegan burger popup, aptly named Crapteka, for three weeks- typically starting mid-to-late January. These burgers, naturally, do not include beef, but are instead made of buckwheat and mushroom and come with an assortment of delicious, house-made toppings.

Those who want to visit for the Crapteka popup will do well to either order online in advance (often on Wednesdays for the weekend) or get in line when they open as the popularity of this one is unrivaled. Still, if vegan junk food “burgers” are your thing (and they should be), you'll be joining the crowds for this annual treat- we go every year, sometimes twice!

Apteka is located at 4606 Penn Avenue in Bloomfield. The Crapteka popup typically runs for three weeks in January and sometimes extends into the first weekend in February.

Do you have a favorite burger in Pittsburgh that we should go try next? Comment to share!