Ready to let your taste buds call the shots? Spokane’s burger scene is bursting with bold flavors, secret family recipes, and buns that could have their own fan clubs. Whether you’re hungry for classic drive-in nostalgia, plant-based wonders, or chef-inspired masterpieces, we’ve rounded up the top spots where your next favorite burger is only a bite away—no judgment if you lick your fingers.
Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub | Gourmet Burgers Meets Irish Craic
This pub feels like a neighbors’ secret where burger creativity meets cozy comfort. The soft pretzel bun stands up to every juicy bite while an Angus beef patty delivers an honest, savory punch.
Peppercorn bacon adds a spicy kick you won’t find at most other grills. Tangy ranch elevates each bite beyond the expected.
Plant-based friends aren’t left out. The O’Possible Burger pairs a seasoned patty with vegan cheese and fresh greens—proof that meatless can mean mouthwatering.
Irish Boxty Cakes transform humble potatoes into crisp, golden delights.
Draft beers rotate between local microbrews and classic Irish imports. Trivia nights and live tunes keep the energy high long after last call.
Families are welcomed by day with a kid’s menu offering familiar favorites. As evening falls, regulars settle in for a spirited buzz.
Every burger arrives fresh off the grill, still sizzling and ready to satisfy.
A pub and a burger joint have never felt more at home together. See what your taste buds have been missing.
Thrifty Scotsman Drive In | Best for Belly-Busting Classics
Have you ever braved the legendary Big Papa? Three juicy patties, layers of cheese, bacon and ham all piled on a signature poor boy bun will level even a healthy appetite.
This beefy monstrosity is slathered in mayo so liberally your cardiologist might stage an intervention. Fresh lettuce, tomato and onion hold their own between that rectangular bun. Each bite shows why this place has held court since the era of wood-paneled dining rooms and neon signs.
Stepping inside feels like rolling back to 1980, complete with vintage vinyl booths. Portions are so generous you’ll consider unbuttoning your jeans before heading home.
If towering stacks feel too intense, options like the Super Bacon or classic Scotsman Burger deliver all the flavor without requiring a belt extension. Hand-cut fries crisp every morning and practically beg to be dunked in a creamy milkshake. Call in your order or cruise the drive-thru and decide for yourself why no one does drive-ins like this anymore. Go investigate their full menu for yourself.
Wild Sage Bistro | For When You Want Fancy
Expect gourmet quality with a playful twist at this downtown gem. Their half pound Kobe beef patties arrive on a house-made onion bun stacked high with house-pickled toppings and a side of handcut fries so crisp you’ll momentarily forget every drive-thru you’ve ever known. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen, so you can actually pronounce everything on the menu.
Despite the elegant setting, this place never feels stuffy. You can rock your favorite jeans or dress up for date night. There’s a cocktail list that delivers just the right buzz to match your perfectly seared burger.
Whether you’re celebrating an award or just craving an elevated take on America’s favorite sandwich, this spot serves up quality that demands a slow-drip Instagram story. Enjoy a burger that’s both down-to-earth and refined all in one bite. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Wooden City Spokane | Upscale Burger Playground
This menu feels like a homecoming for anyone tired of flavorless fast food. House-baked buns arrive pillow-soft yet sturdy enough to cradle every succulent patty.
The Tavern Burger sticks to timeless cheese, lettuce and tomato but somehow outclasses its humble roots. The Fancy Burger shatters restraint with onion jam, artisanal cheese and every ingredient you crave. It’s proof that more really can be more when done right.
Warm wood tones and glowing Edison bulbs set the mood between date-night and group hangout. Space is plentiful but reservations keep you from lingering in the parking lot.
Hand-cut fries arrive golden and addictive, making cinnamon rolls jealous of the attention. Even sides like jerk cauliflower prove you won’t miss mystery sauce packets anywhere else. Start here and thank me later.
Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe | Best Burger for Plant-Based Adventurists
Don’t be surprised if this spot convinces you that plant-based can outshine beef. Their in-house vegan patties and dairy-free cheese hold up under over-the-top creations like the Smokehouse Burger. Those looking for a serious side know the handcut fries are far from an afterthought. Specials change regularly, so every visit feels fresh and exciting.
You’ll find vegans, omnivores, and curious grandparents gathered around mismatched tables. Kids can marvel at the mac and cheese pizza, which somehow hits every note of nostalgia. And if you think vegan desserts are a letdown, wait until you try the chocolate avocado mousse.
This café doesn’t just dodge the limp salad trope. It redefines plant-based comfort food with creativity, bold flavors, and a crowd that proves you don’t need meat to make everyone at the table happy. Order here and prepare to have your burger worldview gently rearranged.
Frank’s Diner – Downtown Spokane | Burgers in a Vintage Railcar
Riding through a presidential railcar from 1906 while tackling an elk burger may sound like a dream. At this retro diner, history seeps from the shiny chrome lunch counter and cozy booths. Their Hunter’s Elk Chop Steak Burger features locally sourced elk in a smoky, peppery sauce that feels just adventurous enough. If fire is more your style, the jalapeño Pepper Jack Burger delivers crisp bacon and spicy punch in every bite.
Don’t snooze on the fries—they’re handcut and perfectly crisp. Wash it all down with a rich malt or an over-the-top milkshake that could double as a small child.
This spot is classic diner charm turned up to eleven. It’s a taste of nostalgia and local pride rolled into one unforgettable meal just a few blocks from downtown’s modern bustle. Ready for a burger that doubles as an experience? Check out the menu that’s been keeping Spokane full since 1931.
Indigenous Eats | Burgers on Frybread, Enough Said
If you’ve never tried a burger wrapped in pillowy frybread instead of a regular bun, now is your chance. The 1/3 pound Angus patty in their signature Powwow Burger is crowned with a huckleberry relish sauce that turns every bite into a mild explosion of sweet and savory. Don’t miss Grandma’s Spamwich for a playful twist. Each option is a nod to local flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Pair it with the tangy huckleberry lemonade and you’ll feel like you’ve truly committed to the experience.
Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. Local art lines the walls and a soundtrack of Native music weaves through the space, making even the fries taste a little better. There’s full service if you want it or a walk-up counter if you prefer to keep things quick.
With two locations—one perfect for a stroll downtown and another easier to reach by car—this spot belongs on every burger lover’s list. Come for that award-winning frybread and stay for the surprising flavor combinations that keep Spokane guessing. Get your frybread burger fix here.
RÜT Bar & Kitchen | Best Plant-Based Indulgence
Think you know vegan food? Think again. Here, burgers pile Impossible or Beyond patties high with jalapeño relish, house-made seitan “bacon,” and garlicky aioli that will challenge any meat lover’s convictions. Even the buns come from a local bakery, ensuring every bite tastes of Spokane at its best.
The dining room is bright and full of greenery with local artwork adding personality to every corner. Sides shine too—you might go for dirty fries drizzled with truffle oil or classic sweet potato fries if you’re feeling virtuous.
Bring your vegan crew, your omnivore friend, or the whole family. The kids’ menu keeps little ones happy, and the craft cocktail list will satisfy even the pickiest grown-up. This is plant-based cuisine without apologies. Take a stroll on the RÜT side.
Italia Trattoria | Gourmet Burger for Foodies
You don’t pull up to Italia Trattoria expecting a drive-thru special in a paper bag. Here, the burger is elevated—Kobe beef meets gorgonzola aioli, pepperonata, and dijonnaise on a pillowy milk-and-butter bun that’s baked in-house. Every bite feels like a little celebration of flavors you didn’t know could coexist so perfectly.
Perched in charming Browne’s Addition, this spot is run by a James Beard semifinalist who’s just as serious about inventive Italian fare as they are about reinventing the burger. And yes, you can wash it down with a cheeky Red Margarita without judgment. It’s a collaboration of high-end ingredients and a laid-back vibe that makes you wonder why every burger can’t be this indulgent.
The outdoor patio is a people-watcher’s dream, complete with seasonal menus that keep the experience fresh. You’re even welcome to bring your dog—because if your pup appreciates impeccable buns, who are we to argue? Skip the greasy grab-and-go and treat yourself to a genre-bending masterpiece that proves Italian flare and classic comfort food can be best friends. Poke through their menu here.
Frugals | Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Classic
You will find this counter service spot inside what used to be a beloved diner. Frugals carries forward the nostalgia but swaps in fresh patties and a signature sauce that calls back to simpler days.
Every burger is built on never frozen beef with only the most classic toppings. The original Frugals Burger sets the standard but do not sleep on the monthly specials. Past features have included a tangy BBQ burger and a robust mushroom Swiss version. They rotate so often you might find a surprise spin every time you visit.
The décor channels the 1950s complete with chrome trims vinyl stools and hand spun shakes in chocolate strawberry or vanilla. You will not see artful flavor fusions here just straightforward goodness at prices that feel like a time machine ticket.
Staff move with practiced efficiency responding to the Gonzaga crowd with genuine smiles. If you have ever wondered why you paid more for a fancy burger drenched in truffle oil this place will set you straight. See what’s on this month’s menu.
O’Doherty’s Irish Grille | Pub Burgers With a Gaelic Twist
Old-school charm and hearty flavors define every visit to this Irish-inspired spot. Dark wood booths and a chorus of draft taps make you forget the rest of the world.
The Hula Burger takes your taste buds on a mini vacation with smoky ham, tangy pineapple and melted Swiss. Imagine sweet and savory dancing on sourdough. It’s oddly comforting in the best way.
The Shamus Bacon Burger doubles down on cheddar and crispy bacon until your fork can’t keep up. Every bite feels like a celebration of two champions coming together.
McGinnity fries pile on shredded cheese and crumbled bacon until you question your life choices. Pair them with a cold pint for the complete experience.
No fuss, just warm welcomes and familiar flavors that keep families coming back. consider your next dinner plans sorted.
1898 Public House | Gourmet Burgers with a View
On a bright afternoon you can gaze out over the fairway while your burger sizzles. Located inside the private country club this spot blends elevated dining with a relaxed pace.
The star here is the burger with a hand pressed patty that sits proudly on a house made roll. Every slice of bacon is cured in house so even the simplest bacon cheeseburger feels like a chef’s experiment.
The menu balances dad friendly staples with inventive twists you will not find at your local drive through. Toppings and sauces arrive in combinations that deserve their own Instagram hashtag. The fries are cut in house too and the kid’s menu will keep little ones satisfied. Behind the bar you can find craft cocktails and regional beers that validate calling a rideshare home.
Upscale interior lighting gives way to a breezy patio you can reserve. Parking is free and easy. Go ahead and shuffle your favorite burger list because this place just made things interesting. Book a table and scope out what’s new on the menu.
Outlaw Kitchen & Catering | Gourmet Burgers with a Southern Twist
When you are torn between barbecue and a classic burger this place steps in. They build each patty from beef brisket and toss crab dip on top because rules are meant to be broken.
The XL Outlaw Burger arrives piled sky high and demands a nap after every bite. Pair it with hand cut fries or push the limits with pickle fries served golden brown. Either choice will test how many napkins you can use.
Inside you get casual Southern hospitality backed by outlaw country tunes and playful discussions on whether the Bay Burger belongs in a cookbook or should start its own fan club. You will not find candlelit mason jars or posed photo walls here.
Sit at a communal table inside or grab a seat on the patio. Kids will find their own specials and the Huckleberry Lemonade can be kicked up with rum or vodka if you are so inclined. For a culinary road trip without leaving town there is ample parking waiting to welcome you. Scope out their unrepentant menu here.
Cascadia Public House | Gourmet Burgers, No Attitude
Picture yourself digging into a burger slathered with Sriracha aioli crowned by fire roasted jalapeños. Every bite here feels like you are testing the limits of flavor.
The menu is structured like a choose your own adventure novel. Beef chicken or plant based patties all get the same careful treatment and arrive under a bun fresh from Alpine Bakery. Even your friend with the gluten free manifesto will walk out beaming.
Inside the dining room the atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. Head for the patio if you want fresh air or bring your dog who can sit tight for their very own plate of fries. Specials rotate so often you might taste a new creation every visit. The drink list spans local craft brews impeccable cocktails and sparkling sodas. Mac and cheese brings a hit of curry for an unexpected twist. If you have been hunting for a spot that feels custom built for your cravings this joint is it. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
The Milk Bottle | Spokane’s Iconic Time Machine
When you spot the giant bottle standing tall you know you are somewhere special. Inside the retro diner the stainless counters gleam with nostalgia and a counter full of booths beckons you to sit down.
Every burger gets treated like a small masterpiece. The patties are hand formed and rest on homemade buns that should not be measured up against any fast food assembly line. Then there is the Hawaiian burger. Imagine sweet crushed pineapple mingling with nutty Swiss cheese salty ham and tender grilled onions. It feels like you have been invited to a Hawaiian luau through your taste buds.
The fries are hand cut and still warm when they hit your plate. Shakes arrive thick and creamy you can go classic or embrace huckleberry if you want that Pacific Northwest twist. It is the very definition of family friendly; kids and grandparents will leave smiling. Put down your phone save the photo for later and indulge in a real human moment. see what makes their menu a Spokane staple.
The Elk | Patio Perfection and Burger Bliss
There’s a reason this neighborhood fixture has outlasted the trends since 1999. The leafy patio under twinkling lights sets the scene for a burger feast. Grill aromas swirl around a sandwich nearly too big to hold.
The Moon Burger feels like a rite of passage with its char-grilled patty, sharp cheddar and caramelized onions that balance sweet and savory. Prepare for taste buds to take notice.
If more is always better, the Smash Burger doubles up on beef and double-cheese thrills. Politeness flies out the window with each glorious, messy bite.
Weekly specials and house-made sauces keep regulars guessing and excited. Kid-friendly options mean little critics leave with smiles, too.
Free parking and a spot in Spokane’s walkable historic neighborhood are the kind of details that seal any deal. Pull up a chair with a cold pint and taste a bit of local legacy. see if you can snag a patio table yourself.
