Best Burgers in Philadelphia: Beyond Cheesesteak

The best burgers in Philadelphia grow out of a cheesesteak city, and many borrow from it. Start with the bistros and bars around Rittenhouse Square in Center City, then work through Fishtown, Northern Liberties, East Passyunk Avenue in South Philly and University City. Reading Terminal Market, the food hall under the old Reading Railroad train shed, open since 1893, is the place to compare sandwich and griddle counters side by side.

Philadelphia’s griddle culture shapes its burgers. Cooper Sharp, the sharp American cheese prized by many cheesesteak shops, turns up on local burgers too, and griddled onions are a near-default. The cheesesteak still gets the tourists and the arguments, which leaves the burger to the neighborhood bars of Fishtown and South Philly, where it is ordered with a local beer. Around Rittenhouse Square, it is more often a bistro lunch.

Burgers in Philadelphia: key facts

• Neighborhoods to explore: Rittenhouse Square and Center City, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, East Passyunk and University City.
• Local cheese: Cooper Sharp, a sharp American cheese common on cheesesteaks and burgers.
• Food hall: Reading Terminal Market, open since 1893 in Center City.
• The cheesesteak link: griddled onions and melted cheese carry over from the city’s signature sandwich.
• Getting around: SEPTA’s Market-Frankford subway line links Center City with Fishtown and University City.
• Currency: US dollar (USD); Philadelphia charges a local sales tax on top of Pennsylvania’s, before the tip.

Every guide we publish on Philadelphia is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For other cities, browse all our burger restaurant guides.