Burger cravings don’t just happen—they strike with reckless abandon, and Lincoln, NE is ready to answer the call. Whether you’re looking for a classic, a wild flavor experiment, or a side of live music with your patty, the Star City’s burger scene serves up something unforgettable at every turn. Ready to sink your teeth into Lincoln’s best? Let’s dive in.
Piedmont Bistro by Venue | Creative Comfort Burgers
When you’re ready to trade fast-food fatigue for something crafted, Piedmont Bistro by Venue delivers. Their half-pound house-ground beef arrives on a buttery brioche, making every bite feel deliberate.
For an unexpected twist, try bison for a taste of prairie fresh air. Vegetarians won’t feel slighted: a black bean and chickpea patty topped with mint pesto holds its own against meatier rivals.
Bar snacks lean upscale with beet fries and a creamy spinach gouda dip that set you apart from the mozzarella stick crowd. A curated selection of craft beers, wines, and cocktails keeps happy hour buzzing, and outdoor seating brings coastal vibes to Nebraska.
Little ones get special treatment with their own menu, and free, plentiful parking means nobody misses out. This isn’t just another burger pit stop—it’s a taste of Lincoln’s culinary evolution. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Engine House Cafe | Best Burger in a Former Firehouse
Pull into Engine House Cafe and you’ll find yourself dining inside a historic firehouse that feels like a community clubhouse. Retro wood ceilings and firefighter gear covering the walls set the stage.
Stick to straightforward goodness: a third-pound beef patty on a Kaiser roll, or dive into a chili burger that scoffs at fancy greens. If you prefer a patty melt, you’re in excellent company.
Choose from classic sides such as fries or tots, or keep things light with a fruit cup or veggies. Prices remain wallet-friendly, which is rare when nostalgia is on the wall.
Casual attire is welcome—roll in straight from your day and settle at a table. Early birds will spot breakfast offerings, and generous parking means stress stays in the engine room. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Woodees | The Cozy Diner Throwback
Imagine a no-frills nook where burger odysseys start with hand-cut fries and a side of genuine warmth. At Woodees, seating is a bit cozy, so brace for chatter all around.
Their right-sized smashable patties have earned local legend status alongside breakfast specials that disappear faster than your morning alarm. Adventurous diners can tackle gizzard baskets, but plenty stick to beef burgers solid enough to brighten any midday slump.
Staff members greet you like long-lost kin, which makes ordering feel like a catch-up rather than a transaction. Weekday lunch and the quick Wednesday and Friday dinner rushes bring out daily surprises.
Kids get their own menu, and road-trippers often claim a booth as home base. Pack an appetite, a little patience for crowds, and maybe an extra fork if you plan to share anything adventurous. See if they’re serving your new favorite burger today.
LeadBelly | The Adventurous Burger Fix
At LeadBelly the burger menu reads like a dare, and the Full-Leaded Jacket tops the list. A juicy patty of your choice—beef, chicken, portobello or veggie—perches on a cinnamon roll dripping with brown sugar glaze. Each bite juggles sweet and savory with cheeky confidence.
The Raspberry Beret takes the ride even higher. Jerk ginger peanut butter meets jalapeño raspberry jam for a mashup that sounds bonkers but lands gracefully. Cheese melts over jammy bread like a secret handshake between flavors.
Sides refuse to play it safe. Poutine drenched in candied bacon summons squeaky cheese curds. Fries cut in-house disappear before you can debate ordering more. House-made pickles and creative sauces round out the action.
Set in a 130-year-old Haymarket building, the space feels part cozy pub and part culinary laboratory. Local brews line the taps, and handshaken cocktails tip a hat to Lincoln producers. Whether you crave comfort or crave a challenge, every mouthful here proves why LeadBelly keeps locals coming back. see what’s cooking at LeadBelly.
Honest Abe’s – Downtown | Wildly Creative Patties
Downtown traffic might circle you, but Honest Abe’s rewards the hunt with standout flavor pairings. Forget limp lettuce and bare buns here.
One bite of the “Hammer of Thor” burger, and you’ll cheer for bacon cozied up to griddled Brussels sprouts and pepper jack melting into chipotle cream cheese. Even pickled apples and smoky honey mayo join the party without apology.
House-made fries get a facelift, too—imagine them bathed in truffle oil or piled with Parmesan. Indecisive? Ask for tots. Wash it down with a Birthday Cake shake or a crisp hard cider for the full experience.
Parking might require a little patience, but this corner spot puts you steps from the city’s buzz. Consider it warm-up for a meal that refuses to be labeled basic. Go on, make your next cheat day count.
Screamers Family Restaurant | Burgers With a Side of Broadway
If Netflix and takeout stopped cutting it, Screamers Family Restaurant will upstage your usual dinner plans. Servers stroll from table to table, belts primed and ready to serenade your order—resist the urge to clap and lose your napkin.
The Disco Inferno Burger commands attention with Angus beef, a jalapeño popper, bacon, smoked Gouda, and Cookie’s BBQ sauce packed between a pretzel bun. Topped with a mountain of haystack onions, it’s a feast that tests your coordination and desire to share.
You’ll find Wisconsin cheese curds alongside roasted Brussels sprouts if you’re pretending to stick to a diet. A fully stocked bar pours everything from local drafts to classic cocktails.
Kid-friendly options and Broadway-style performances throughout the evening turn a simple meal into a memory. With nods to the Scarlet & Cream Singers echoing off the walls, every bite feels like an encore you won’t mind begging for. Take a front-row seat and see what all the noise is about.
Hi-Way Diner | Where Grease Meets Nostalgia
Neon glow spills across the booths at Hi-Way Diner, where burger dreams take shape on a sizzling griddle. Forget artisanal frills: here the classics shine. Mid-century signage and warm vinyl seats set the stage for your greasy masterpiece.
The Gorilla Burger towers over the menu. Two thirds of a pound of beef beckon with layers of bacon and melted American cheese. Each bite carries that hand-formed irregularity that screams homemade. Tackle it if you dare, or share with a friend and declare victory together.
Fries cut in-house burst with potato flavor and crunchy edges. Shakes and malts land thick and sweet, unapologetically rich down to the last drop. The simple menu flirts between straightforward cheeseburgers and specials that pull you in for round two at midnight.
No patio, no problem. Free parking and an authentic retro clock prove that burger time never stops. Round up picky toddlers or the hungriest guests and get ready for a neon-lit feast. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
The Green Gateau | Gourmet Euro Bistro Vibes
Step inside the Green Gateau and you’ll swear you’ve landed in a French country inn, one that happily doubles as a burger haven with half-pound Angus patties and golden house potato pancakes. Soft piano notes fill the air as laughter drifts between tables. Natural light washes over rustic wood and stone, while cocktails built to linger arrive in delicate glassware.
Burgers here stand out with artful toppings, meticulously crafted sauces and beef that never saw a freezer. A single bite reveals layers of flavor you didn’t know you craved. Even the bread feels freshly baked in-house.
There’s a menu for kids, so little eaters feel like VIPs. Meanwhile brunch fanatics can dive into steak and eggs or tackle a croque madame with dreamy béchamel. Custom mac and cheese earns nods from even the pickiest palates.
Perched near downtown chaos, the patio offers a quiet refuge and a front-row seat to city life. Since opening in 1992 this spot has fine-tuned the art of blending comfort and sophistication in every mouthful. Mosey over to the menu here.
Big Red Restaurant & Sports Bar Lincoln East | Epic Burger Feats & Game Day Energy
Buckle up for the Big Red Challenge Burger, a three-patty, bacon-laden spectacle that dares your appetite to keep up. Each beef layer and crisp ribbon of bacon adds heft until you’re left no choice but to grin through the carnage. It’s the kind of meal you’ll brag about long after the last bite.
For a different kind of feast, the Anytime Burger marries a crisp hash brown patty with country gravy. It reads like breakfast crashing a tailgate party, yet it still feels perfectly at home on this stacked menu. Fries and tots complete the scene, arriving golden and ready for dunking.
Inside, TVs occupy every wall and an 11-foot screen dominates the room. Cheers echo at every score and friendly banter drifts past every table. Kids stay entertained with their own menu and special deals, so the whole crew can join in.
An outdoor patio offers fresh-air seating when the weather cooperates. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a big game watch party, this spot nails the go-big-or-go-home spirit. See why Big Red is a local favorite.
Runza Restaurant | Classic Nebraska Nostalgia
Runza may be famed for its namesake sandwich, but its burgers deserve equal billing. The Swiss Mushroom Burger and the Spicy Jack both pack a punch of flavor, each nestled in a daily-baked bun that proves fresh bread matters. These patties never see a freezing cycle, so every bite feels honest and hearty.
The vibe is no-nonsense fast food with a friendly Midwestern grin. Parking is plentiful, and the kids’ menu keeps little ones occupied while you focus on that Frings combo—half fries, half onion rings, 100 percent bliss.
If you have room, grab a seasonal shake and linger in a spot that still remembers what a real burger should taste like. Reliable, welcoming, and unpretentious, Runza is a Lincoln staple for anyone craving comfort food done right. See what the fuss is about right here.
The Eatery Restaurant | Classic Burger, Ultimate Options
Some days you crave a burger and a salad bar lineup that reads like a buffet of endless possibility. At this Van Dorn Plaza gem you will find a half pound of hand formed beef or a meatless Chik’n patty that both arrive on demand and meet your expectations. No frills, just a solid foundation of quality at its core.
The standout Midwestern Burger highlights regional pride with your choice of bacon or ham, a gargantuan homemade onion ring, sharp cheddar and a smear of tangy barbecue sauce. It is the kind of burger that demands you forget any diet plans. Pair it with golden fries cut in house or dare to unleash the legendary salad bar with your own tongs.
Parking never feels like a chore and the atmosphere stays casual all day. Families fit right in, and for those who want a midday breakfast fix, the kitchen will happily oblige at four in the afternoon. If you want a straightforward burger done right with plenty of room for other cravings, this place has your back. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Don & Millie’s | Old-School Burger Bliss
When a classic cheeseburger is your north star, Don & Millie’s delivers without a hint of pretension. Order the half-pound Double Don and watch juicy beef, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and smoky bacon unite under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s pure Americana on a bun, no frills required.
The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between retro diner flair and today’s laid-back counter service. Neon signs glow above free parking, and even the grumpiest teen can’t resist the nostalgic buzz.
Pair your burger with golden fries or crispy onion rings. And if you need an excuse to celebrate any night of the week, those $1.39 margaritas have your name on them. Don’t skip the Cheese Frenchee unless you have a sworn aversion to fried cheese—seriously, are you okay? Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Patty’s Pub | Best for Cozy Comfort Food
Patty’s Pub is where your favorite local watering hole decided to step up its game. Here, burgers are the real stars, gloriously simple or layered with inventive toppings and housemade sauces that show someone cares. The Beef & Bacon might steal the show, but the creative twists keep things fresh.
The space feels lively without being overwhelming, with plenty of room to settle in and a bar that pours until late. Hand-cut chips are an absolute must; dip them in anything and everything.
Open until 2 AM most nights, Patty’s is proof you can have great food and great times long after the rest of town calls it quits. Free parking is the cherry on top of a wallet-friendly menu designed for regulars and first-timers alike. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Rosie’s Sports Bar & Grill | Late-Night Burger Haven
Late-night hunger pangs get a knockout at this beloved Lincoln sports bar that feels as genuine as it gets. Far from any chain, this place serves half pound beef patties piled high with toppings like spicy mushrooms and jalapeno slices or any of the creative combos on the menu. Every burger arrives with fresh toppings, no wilted lettuce or sad tomato in sight.
House made sauces add bright flavor and the fries are faithfully cut by hand so you know they are real potatoes. The team moves with sports bar energy but greets you with the warmth you might expect from a hometown cook. It somehow feels both vibrant and cozy.
Outside you will find a fire pit perfect for gathering around after trivia night or when the kids insist on mini burgers of their own. There is plenty of room to stretch out. Cold drinks flow freely and parking is a breeze.
Most nights the kitchen keeps humming until two AM on weekends. If you need a burger fix well past dinnertime, this spot never lets you down. Decide if the Mushroom Jalapeno burger is genius or madness.
Toast | Gourmet Burgers & Chill Vibes
If your burger radar includes creativity plus a bun that actually earns its name, Toast should be on your hit list. The Jalapeno Ranch Burger turns up the heat on anyone who insists burgers must be boring, while the Heartland Burger feels like a cozy love letter with barbecue sauce, crispy corn fritters, and enough creamy slaw to make you swoon. Every bite feels thoughtfully composed.
Inside, it’s the kind of place where you can settle into a cushy booth or grab an outdoor table when the weather behaves. The vibe is both warm and modern, making you forget you’re only an exit away from the daily grind. Hand-cut fries, craft cocktails, and local brews complete the picture.
Pro tip: anything featuring the housemade jalapeno ranch or those Guinness-braised onions will change your life. Full service means you never hunt for ketchup, and the parking situation is shockingly painless. Throw in weekend brunch and rotating specials, and you’ve found a neighborhood gem that checks every box. See what’s getting toasted this week.
The Press Box Sports Bar & Grille | Where Weird Toppings Actually Work
Think you know burger innovation? This Lincoln grill redefines it. Start with beef ground and shaped fresh each day, then explore delights like the Pears Burger, where bacon, peanut butter and American cheese mingle without apology. It will challenge everything you thought you knew about sweet and savory.
If you crave something more classic yet over the top, try the cheddar carnivore stack with onion tanglers and that house made steak sauce you will want to bottle up. Even the macaroni and cheese shows up in unexpected places when most menus would stick to the usual sides.
The fries come fresh cut and crisp and the onion rings are made from scratch. Fans unable to choose can opt for wing fries that deliver two fried favorites together. This place is a sports bar first but welcomes quieter dinners or families with a kids selection.
At night, beers and cocktails pour until late as TVs flood the room with every game imaginable. Lighthearted, loud and unapologetically fun, it never takes itself too seriously unless a burger demands perfection. Take a gamble on peanut butter as a burger topping here.
Buzzard Billy’s | Cajun-Creole Burger Adventure
If your idea of a burger calls for a little heat and a lot of character, this casual Haymarket spot has you covered. Classics are solid but the real showstopper is the Swamp Thing, a burger swamped in coleslaw, jalapeno bacon, muenster cheese and drizzled with Creole honey mustard all inside a jalapeno bun. It feels a bit wild and absolutely delicious.
They also do a proper Nebraska buffalo burger, six ounces of locally raised meat that never tastes like a hockey puck. Vegetarians will find satisfaction in a black bean patty that holds its own on the grill. Sweet potato waffle fries make for a perfect companion when you want to veer off the usual path.
Sip cocktails on tap in a setting that nods to Southern charm. It is ideal for people watching before a show downtown or for rewarding yourself after pretending to enjoy live jazz. The atmosphere has enough swagger to feel adventurous but remains family friendly for those who dare to bring little ones.
If you have been craving a burger that pushes the boundaries of safe choices, this place delivers without asking for your restraint. See what spicy sorcery they’re cooking up.
Parker’s Smokehouse | Where Carnivores Rejoice
Here the burger arrives cloaked in smoke and barbecue flair. Half-pound Angus patties hit the fire grill until each edge crackles with char. No half-measures allowed in this temple of taste.
The Signature Smokehouse Burger shows up dripping with house BBQ sauce, playful Pepper Jack heat and crisp bacon slices. Craving even more indulgence? Try the Smoked Brisket Burger, a molten mountain of tender chopped brisket crowned with melted cheddar.
Vegetarians aren’t sidelined—grab a boldly seasoned black bean burger that stands tall when you douse it in one of the many house-made sauces. Sweet potato fries arrive dusted with just a hint of cinnamon for a playful contrast.
Family-friendly vibes round out the experience, with generous portions and gluten-free options so no one misses out. Planning a barbecue for the whole crew? They even cater events, bringing that smoked goodness wherever you roam. Drool over the menu here.
Culver’s | Midwest Comfort, Fast
Imagine a burger bun kissed with butter in every bite. That is the essence of this Midwestern chain famed for its ButterBurger. They insist on fresh meat over frozen and you will barely notice because each mouthful bursts with American cheese melting into the soft, toasted bun. It might seem simple but the result is almost genius.
For a non beef option, the Harvest Veggie Burger delivers a hearty mix of fire roasted vegetables and cheese that holds its own on a menu famous for cattle country. When you tire of burgers, cheese curds tapped from Wisconsin will remind you why this place has loyal fans. Each bite is crisp, salty and just right.
The pace feels like home with friendly staff and the buzz of families at the counter or in the drive thru line. A hand pressed malt or the flavor of the day custard makes for a perfect nostalgic finish. No need to dress up; this is fast casual done better than most. see if butter really does make everything better.
