Ready to sink your teeth into the juiciest, wildest, and most craveable burgers Traverse City has to offer? Whether you’re in it for gourmet masterpieces, greasy-spoon nostalgia, or just need a mountain of fries with a view, we’ve nibbled our way through town to bring you the true local legends and hidden gems. Unbuckle that belt, friend—your Traverse City burger bucket list starts now.
Bergstrom’s Burgers | Gourmet Creativity Without the Pretense
If you dream of burgers assembled by a farm-to-table visionary who also doubles as a comfort food historian, this is your home base. Their 8-ounce Big Bergstrom arrives crowned with addictive house aioli on a brioche bun from a local bakery legend.
For an extra thrill, try the Cherry Bomb, dripping with melted raclette cheese and house-made cherry relish. Mushroom fans can dive into Great Northerns topped with wild mushrooms sautéed to earthy perfection. Even vegetarians and pescatarians earn bragging rights here with expertly crafted black bean or crab cake options that never feel like afterthoughts.
Hand-cut fries and crispy fried zucchini arrive in generous piles and disappear faster than you expect. Wash it all down with a milkshake so rich it sends your taste buds into orbit.
The walls are decked out with vintage album covers, adding to the cozy, family-run charm. Free parking and plenty of indoor seating make it hassle-free for everyone from die-hard burger fans to kids in tow.
Come hungry and bring your sense of adventure. See what’s coming off the grill this week.
Oaky’s Tavern | The Local Burger Upgrade
Oaky’s Tavern reinvented neighborhood comfort with serious grill skills and welcoming vibes. Their half pound Angus patties stand tall, whether you stick to a classic or take on the Olive Burger that feels like Midwest heaven.
The Smokehouse might just haunt your dreams and vegetarians get in on the fun with an Impossible Burger that holds its own. Every burger arrives with a mountain of hand cut fries or, for the truly decadent, loaded tater tots.
No judgment on your beer choice here but bartenders will happily steer you to a local craft pour or a cocktail with genuine personality. Free parking, a covered patio that hosts live music, and a kid friendly menu wrap up the package. You’ll come for the burgers and stay for the house made sauces. Start plotting your first order here.
Oakwood Proper Burgers | Gourmet Smashed Perfection
If you like burgers dripping with juice and sporting a perfect crispy edge, this spot will ruin all your other lunch plans. Their smash patties are crafted from fresh Michigan beef raised without hormones or antibiotics. Each burger comes wrapped in a pillowy bun from a local bakery that practically demands a standing ovation.
Signature creations like the Chili Queen layer candied bacon, creole olive salad, and house-made chili garlic ketchup in a way that obliterates ketchup packets once and for all. The Oliver Twist surprises you with oddball toppings that somehow taste entirely right.
The retro-inspired dining room feels like your cool uncle’s time-traveling basement, outfitted with neon accents and classic tunes on vinyl. There’s no tap list to distract you, since the hand-spun shakes steal the spotlight instead. Made with local cream and signature ice cream, these shakes are more than a dessert, they’re the designated driver on every visit.
Every ingredient celebrates local farms and small-scale producers. It’s a shrine to burger craftsmanship that never takes itself too seriously. You’ll want to clear your calendar for seconds. See what’s making everyone’s inner burger snob do a happy dance.
U & I Lounge | Late-Night Burger Haven
Open until 1:20 am, U & I Lounge is the late night solution for burger cravings. Each half pound Black Angus pattie is hand shaped and seared on a homemade bun that still feels fresh and sturdy.
Opt for the classic or brave the Black and Blu Burger with enough blue cheese to convert the staunchest critic. Hand cut fries arrive crisp and golden alongside a rotating craft beer list and cocktails that never feel pretentious.
The interior is warm with cozy booths, rustic wood accents, and a few high definition TVs for sports fans. Its unassuming buzz keeps regulars coming back and wallets intact. Bring the family, guard your fries, and resist the urge to ask for ketchup until you’ve had a taste. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Peegeo’s | Your Post-Adventure Refuel
Peegeo’s strikes the perfect balance between cozy cabin retreat and pizza-passionate sports bar. Here, the beef patties are thick, classic, and unapologetically meat-centric. Vegetarian? This place might just make you reconsider.
After tackling snowmobile trails or trudging through Michigan’s endless winter, one of Peegeo’s massive servings and an ice-cold beer feels like a celebratory reward. Locals and visitors mingle under warm lighting, swapping stories over melted cheese and golden buns.
When the sun finally peeks out, outdoor seating beckons surrounded by pine trees. The full bar keeps mules, margaritas, and Miller Lites flowing freely. You might even recognize half your neighborhood crowding around the bar, proving Peegeo’s is anything but a hidden gem. Plan your unofficial Traverse burger summit here.
J & S Hamburg South | The Family-Friendly Classic
Some burger spots chase trends with truffle aioli or mystery sauces, but here the focus is on fresh beef hand-pattied every morning. This place has stayed true to its roots for more than 40 years, complete with an airplane motif that somehow never feels forced.
The Plevalean Cherry Burger captures Traverse City in a single bite, stacking lean local beef above a smear of house-made cherry compote. Each juicy mouthful carries a story that stretches back as far as the counter stools. The menu keeps things simple and honest, think fries, onion chips, and milkshakes that taste straight out of your elementary school cafeteria memories.
You’ll find plenty of free parking and a kid’s menu that makes room for tiny appetites. The whole vibe encourages you to loosen your belt after round two.
Arrive on Friday nights for their legendary all-you-can-eat fish fry if you need a midweek shake-up. It’s comfort food at its most unpretentious best.
If experimental toppings aren’t your thing, congratulations, you’ve found the burger blueprint done right. Check out the menu that’s fueled locals for decades.
Glendale Burger Shop | Smash Burgers With A View
Crispy-edged smash burgers made with local beef find their ultimate form here, served in a spot that oozes retro soda-shop charm. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a front-row seat to West Bay, turning every bite into a mini-vacation. The must-order Patricia clings to Texas toast and sears mustard into every crevice, proving that a patty melt can outshine the classic.
The Oliver flips expectations by packing olives right into the patty, making an olive burger cool again. Creative twists like this are why fans keep coming back.
Fries are hand-cut and unapologetically indulgent, especially when you splash on a drizzle of truffle oil or dip into the house-made Hugo Sauce. Leftovers are optional but never guaranteed.
Once a scrappy food truck, this place now rocks a brick-and-mortar vibe without losing any speed or family-friendly warmth. Gluten-free buns and an Impossible ‘meatball’ option mean no one gets left on the sideline.
Shakes remain from the food-truck days, creamy, thick, and always a crowd-pleaser. A selection of retro sodas keeps the nostalgia train rolling.
They’ve even snagged Michigan’s Best Cheeseburger title, and it’s no fluke. Check the hours before you start dreaming about those Parmesan Truffle Fries.
Don’s Drive In | Vintage Roadside Nostalgia
Stepping into Don’s feels like hopping into a pink 1950s fever dream where neon signs blaze and roller-skate car-hops glide between pastel booths. Every inch of this classic stand whispers nostalgia, from the chrome counter to the drive-up window.
Burgers come in classic formats—sliders nod to childhood, quarter-pound patties satisfy grown-up appetites, and the hulking Big D double refuses subtlety. You won’t find locally milled buns here; instead you’ll savor crispy-edged beef patty perfection wrapped in a soft, squishy roll. Load on the toppings just the way you like them and prepare to chew blissfully.
Milkshakes push physics with their thick, icy texture that lingers long after your last sip. Flavors range from chocolate and vanilla to seasonal specials. If bay views matter, grab a picnic table on the patio to watch boats sail by. Or stay in your car and channel your inner teenager as you zip into a drive-in dining renaissance. Channel your inner Danny Zuko and check out their menu here.
Mulligan’s Pub & Grill | For Stuffed Burger Fans
At this pub and grill, burgers arrive half-pound and unapologetically stuffed with cheese and bacon. The Pebble Beach creation transforms pepper jack and smoky bacon into a molten core that threatens to spill over with every bite. Meanwhile, the Black N Bleu sports a Cajun seasoning rub and crumbled bleu cheese, proving spice and tang can coexist happily.
This is no stuffy golf club kitchen. Windblown golfers, road-trippers, and locals gather around hand-cut fries that join the main event hot and crisp. Rotating specials keep even regulars on their toes. Sauce options range from smoky barbecue to fiery chipotle aioli—pick one or try them all.
Bring the kids, the dog, or your golf buddies—this pub welcomes every guest with laid-back warmth. If you believe outdoors improves every burger, grab a seat on the sunny patio. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Randy’s Diner | Classic Greasy Spoon Throwback
Forget fancy plating or ingredient lists longer than your holiday shopping receipt. Nestled in a neon-glow corridor of Main Street, this classic diner transports you back to 1997, when the Titanic ruled theaters and simple, hearty burgers ruled dinner. Pick beef or plant-based and brace yourself for a juicy, straightforward patty built to conquer cravings.
The Jalapeño Popper Burger piles on jalapeño bacon and cream cheese until ketchup feels totally redundant. Hand-cut fries arrive piping hot and golden. Shakes arrive thick, frosty, and screaming ‘50s nostalgia with each sip.
Kids won’t feel like an afterthought here; they have their own menu of mini classics. The staff welcomes first-timers like old friends and cheerfully steers you toward a daily special that takes the edge off decision overload.
Parking is a breeze, so you spend more time with your burger and less time circling city blocks. Here, every visit feels like the Midwest’s perfect dinner solution, no pretension required. Spy the full, gloriously calorie-unconscious menu here.
Reflect Bistro | Best for Gourmet Hotel Vibes
When midnight in Traverse City calls for more than soggy vending machine snacks, this hotel hideaway steps up with a half-pound Angus patty and its signature sauce. It proves that hotel restaurants can thrill instead of merely fill seats.
The Swiss Mushroom Bacon burger swirls earthy mushrooms, crisp bacon, and melty Swiss in a masterpiece that never judges your vacation wardrobe. Michigan craft beers line the taps, local wines pour by the glass, and not a hint of tourist trap lurks here. Each bite feels tailored yet welcoming.
Fries are hand-cut and addictive; standard chips politely sit on the menu but don’t stand a chance. Beyond burgers, you’ll find seafood starters, creative apps, and a surprisingly smug kid’s section that might cure picky eaters. The room strikes that elusive balance between polished and laid-back, perfect for dates or a break from family reunions.
With outdoor seating overlooking city buzz and free parking just steps away, this spot runs from breakfast until last call. Casual meets refined in every savory mouthful. Get your hands on the menu here.
McGee’s 72 | For the Steakhouse Burger Fanatic
If you know someone who insists only filet mignon counts, McGee’s 72 will silence all doubts. Their custom ground blend of filet, strip, and prime rib trimmings makes each patty a full-blown steak moment. The Bacon White Cheddar and Blue Cheese Crusted creations leave those one-note pub burgers in the dust.
Slide onto the expansive deck and drink in northwoods views while you debate which specialty cocktail pairs best with your truffle fries. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between contemporary and laid back, just fancy enough to justify treating yourself. Kids are absolutely welcome with their own menu and plenty of room to roam.
Parking is free, and the kitchen dazzles beyond burgers. Skip down the menu for Risotto Tater Tots or rotating seasonal specials that keep the food snob in you fully satisfied. Prime rib nights on Friday and Saturday offer serious bragging rights for true carnivores. Size up their stellar burger lineup here.
Slabtown Burgers | The Neighborhood Classic
You know a burger joint is serious when they stack fresh cherries on your patty and still have fans coming back for more a second time.
Tucked into a historic house in Traverse City’s old-school district, this place feels like a living museum of local lore. Vintage memorabilia lines the walls, reminding you that this structure was around before Google was a thing.
Every burger is hand-pattied on the spot using beef, buffalo, or even black bean for friends who can’t choose. The Big Blue dives deep into flavor with bacon, blue cheese, and cream cheese piled high. The TC Cherry Burger brings local cherries and a dash of mustard together in a sweet-and-savory knockout.
Side orders lean into pure indulgence with golden fries, crispy onion rings, and fluffy tater tots. Wash it all down with a creamy shake or a fizzy Northwoods soda on the shady patio.
There’s plenty of room out back if you want to stretch your legs. Service runs at your pace, so linger as long as needed.
Bring napkins, bring the kids, and brace yourself, Slabtown Sauce doesn’t mind showing up on your shirt. See what’s on deck here.
Culver’s | ButterBurger & Custard Kingdom
It’s rare for a chain to feel like a hometown gem but Traverse City’s Culver’s nails it. Their signature ButterBurger showcases Midwest-raised beef, never thawed in a factory freezer, seared to order. A lightly toasted, buttered bun cradles the patty in simple perfection that ruins lesser buns forever.
If your taste buds wander, the Mushroom & Swiss or Sourdough Melt steps up without missing a beat. The staff greets every order with Midwestern cheer, patiently fielding the cheese curd versus fries debate for families who can’t decide. Nostalgic murals and friendly chatter fill the dining room, evoking a local hangout that feels born and bred here.
You’re legally obligated to sample the fresh frozen custard in cones or shakes that redefine sweet. There’s indoor comfort for cozy dinners and a drive-through that keeps winter chills at bay. Culver’s delivers familiar flavor and genuine Midwestern warmth every time the buzzer beckons. See why locals keep coming back, even when it’s not cherry season.
Francisco’s Market & Deli | Solid Burger Stop With Beer
Francisco’s Market & Deli sets the bar high with burger sidekicks that outshine many competitors. Every patty is hand shaped and topped with classics or adventurous zingers like the Angry Ancho.
Each burger is served with a proper old school deli pickle and the option to trade chips for fries or onion rings. There’s nothing fancy, just juicy beef cooked perfectly and finished with toppings from jalapeños to house garlic aioli.
Pair your sandwich with a Michigan craft beer, a strong coffee, or a comforting homemade soup if you’re chasing a balanced meal. The friendly staff moves orders quickly for takeout heroes, and the laid back space is a reliable favorite any day of the week. Check out the menu that’s making everyone loosen their belts.
