Burgär
Why you should go: Burgär is new to the Spartanburg scene bringing flavors you don’t typically find on burgers to everyone’s favorite bunned creation from right along Main Street downtown.
What you should get: El Southwest Burgar, topped with poblano pepper, pickled jalapeno, crispy onions, avocado, and chipotle sauce.
Burgers & Bakery
Why you should go: This homey burger spot on Spartanburg’s Westside features a host of specialty burgers, usually named after their creators, served up on scratch-made buns (including a fiery Hot and Spicy bun).
What you should get: The Big Tony, a double cheddar cheeseburger with a split grilled red link sausage, bacon, & pepperoni.
Buzer
Why you should go: Buzer specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, but offers a few specialty burgers from their Magnolia Street location, too.
What you should get: The Opa, a lamb and beef blend patty with spicy Feta cheese, Tzatziki, tomato, arugula, and red pickled onions.
Chef Ae’s
Why you should go: Chef Ae’s is proudly on the other side of the train tracks in Spartanburg. Chef Ae Zavala, born in Thailand, brings Thai and other unique flavors to burgers and sandwiches on her menu.
What you should get: The Bistro Burger, with double patties, gouda cheese, bacon jam, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and Japanese mayo on a brioche bun.
Claudio’s Bistro
Why you should go: This steakhouse-style bistro in up-and-coming Downtown Woodruff showcases a comfortable, family-style dining room, expertly-cooked beef and shellfish, and some truly delectable burgers.
What you should get: The Smash Burger, with crispy, Angus beef, bacon, provolone cheese, tomato, and Claudio’s special roasted-poblano aioli on a Brioche bun.
Cribbs Kitchen
Why you should go: This Downtown Spartanburg staple knows all about burgers, and has hosted an annual Burger Cook-Off for years, with each year’s winner being added to the menu.
What you should get: The Berry Poppin Smash, the 2023 Cribb’s Burger Cook-Off winner, with smashed beef patty, beer-whipped cream cheese, white American cheese, jalapeño, bacon, fried jalapeño, Rasp-beery sauce
Delaney’s Irish Pub
Why you should go: Spartanburg’s go-to spot for all things Irish has been a downtown staple for years, serving up popular meat-and-two and meat-and-three options.
What you should get: The Belfast Breakfast Burger, a steak burger topped with bacon, fried egg, and Jameson Irish Whisky mustard.
Dray Bar and Grill
Why you should go: In the center of the thriving Marketplace at historic Drayton Mills, Dray Bar & Grill offers a menu with modern takes on Southern classics and a list of handcrafted cocktails for all tastes.
What you should get: The Dray Burger, Angus beef with custom choice of toppings including adventurous options like Brie and blackberry jam.
FR8yard
Why you should go: FR8yard is a fully-outdoor biergarten with live music almost every night and a projector screen for sports and special events. Along with craft beers and their handmade “Yard Hooch,” FR8yard offers gourmet hotdogs, street meats and now, burgers.
What you should get: The Double Super Smash Bro (two patties topped with American cheese, shaved onions, Awesome Sauce and served on a King’s Hawaiian bun)
Grille 221
Why you should go: A longtime local favorite, Grille 221 has been serving up homemade burgers, “like your momma used to make,” to hungry diners in the southern part of Spartanburg County.
What you should get: The Half-Pound Cheeseburger, “All the Way” with chili, mustard and onions.
Ike’s Korner Grille
Why you should go: A classic Spartanburg spot, Ike’s is the ultimate dive bar, serving up delicious burgers, hand-cut fries, their popular bologna sandwich and cold drinks for more than 50 years.
What you should get: The Pimento Cheeseburger, with all the classic toppings and South Carolina pimento cheese.
Main Street Pub
Why you should go: Part bar, part barbecue restaurant, Main Street Pub is popular at all times of day for its cold beers, hot wings and customizable burgers and side options.
What you should get: Whatever you want! Burgers at Main Street Pub come with dozens of topping options so you can have it however you’d like.
New Groove Artisan Brewery
Why you should go: Started by two homebrewers chasing their passion, New Groove Artisan Brewery has established itself as a go-to hangout spot in Boiling Springs. As their beer offerings have grown, so too has their kitchen.
What you should get: The Smokehouse burger, topped with cheddar, barbecue sauce and crispy, fried onion.
Nu-Way Lounge & Restaurant
Why you should go: Proudly Spartanburg’s oldest bar, Nu-Way has been a staple for decades for its no-frills environment, delicious, overstuffed burgers and live music.
What you should get: The World-Famous Redneck Burger, Voted by Food Network as South Carolina’s Best Burger. Served with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup, mustard, homemade chili, and Pimento cheese.
Papa’s Breakfast Nook
Why you should go: Founded in 1988, Papa’s Breakfast Nook is open 24 hours a day, meaning its always there when your hunger pangs strike, whether you’re looking for a burger, pancakes, an omelet or anything in between.
What you should get: The Spartanburger (beef patty on Texas Toast with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayo, mustard, pickles, Swiss and American cheeses)
Rigsby’s Smoked Burgers, Wings & Grill
Why you should go: An upscale sports bar with some seriously delicious food, Rigsby’s Spartanburg location opened recently joining locations in Boiling Springs and Greer.
What you should get: The Rigsby’s Burger, sautéed onions and mushrooms, Pepper Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Chipotle ranch.
Rockers Brewing Co. & Restaurant
Why you should go: The pioneers of Spartanburg’s craft beer scene, Rocker’s Brewing co. also offer a crafted cookin’ menu serving up delicious seasonal entrees, showcasing them as a culinary hotspot for local foodies.
What you should get: Mark’s Smashburger, made with a Braveheart Black Angus Beef®️ patty, smash burger style, topped with cheddar, red onion, tomato, spring mix, and house made Rockers Sauce.
Southside Smokehouse
Why you should go: Helmed by former SC Chef Ambassador Sarah McClure, Southside Smokehouse in Landrum offers a seasonally-inspired menu of barbecue and Cajun favorites with specials daily and a bar featuring 30 tequilas and more than 120 bourbons.
What you should get: The FGT & Pimento Burger with fried green tomatoes, house-made Pimento cheese, lettuce, red onion and mayo, served on a Brioche bun.
Sugar-n-Spice
Why you should go: Opened in 1961 as a drive-in, Sugar ‘N Spice has only changed its menu once, to add souvlaki, a Greek, grilled chicken dish. Otherwise, this generational favorite is still serving up signature burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and salads.
What you should get: The Jumbo Cheeseburger, complete with two patties, cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce, served with fries or onion rings.
The Beacon Drive-in
Why you should go: A Spartanburg landmark, The Beacon has been featured on national TV more times than we can count for its “a-plenty” dishes, being served up for 70 years. If you have trouble finding it, just look for its signature red-and white-striped light tower, a, well, beacon of Spartanburg.
What you should get: The Beacon Burger (signature double cheeseburger topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato and cole slaw)
The Hare and Hound
Why you should go: Another popular restaurant, the vibes at The Hare and the Hound, a Downtown Landrum mainstay, can best be summed up by a sign in front of its door: “good food, good beer, good times.”
What you should get: BBQ Bacon Onion Burger topped with tangy BBQ sauce, bacon, fried onions, cheese, lettuce and tomato.
