50+ must-try burgers in metro Detroit

By Layla McMurtrie on Tue, Jul 16, 2024 at 2:37 pm

Michelle Gerard

Burgers are the name of the game at Detroit’s Mercury Burger Bar.

The humble hamburger is a staple of American food culture, and metro Detroit’s burger scene is sizzling with choices. When you’re in need of a greasy pick-me-up or searching for a hearty, delicious meal, sometimes a simple juicy burger will do just the trick.

The delicacy is served at places from gas station eateries to no-frills diners to high-end restaurants. Sometimes, it can be hard to know where to find the best bite. So, we compiled a list of 50 of our favorite burgers in the Detroit area that are packed with flavor. If you haven’t tried these yet, you’re missing out on some of the best things you can eat between sliced bread.

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Paul S, Yelp

Greene’s Hamburgers

24155 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington

Open since 1957, this spot oozes with nostalgic charm, from the jukebox to the simple menu of diner favorites. Don’t hold the onions!

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Google Maps

Grey Ghost

47 Watson St., Detroit; greyghostdetroit.com

While this restaurant is the epitome of trendy, the hype is warranted. The drinks are unique and the burger is delicious. The Detroit favorite was even featured on Yelp!’s annual Top 100 U.S. Restaurants list in 2022.

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Facebook, Gus' Snug Irish Pub

Gus’ Snug

38 S Main St., Clawson; 248-607-3631; gussnug.com

This Irish tavern’s burger offerings include a one-pound Pub Burger, a low-fat Piedmontese Burger, and a Waygy Bacon Cheese Burger.

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Facebook, Honest Johns

Honest John’s

488 Selden Street; honestjohnsdetroit.com

This bar is loved by many for its inviting atmosphere, good food and drinks, and overall vibe. The exceptional burgers are just the cherry on top.

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Facebook, HopCat (Detroit)

Hopcat

Multiple locations; hopcat.com

This Michigan-born chain serves up great food and drinks. On Thursdays from 3-6 p.m., you can get a burger alongside their famous Cosmik Fries and your choice draft beer for just $9. One fun option is the Hangover Helper, which is topped with two patties, garlic aioli, American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, a hash patty, and a sunny-side up egg served on a pretzel bun.

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Facebook, Hunter House Hamburgers

Hunter House

35075 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; hunterhousehamburgers.com

This spot won Best Sliders in the suburbs in the Metro Times 2023 Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Courtesy photo

Ice-Burg

22145 W. Outer Dr., Dearborn; iceburgdearborn.com

This spot has an extensive menu of juicy, halal burgers, like the HashBurger with a hash brown and beef patty topped with a fried egg on top and the IceBurger with Ice-Burg sauce.

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Facebook, Jolly Pumpkin Ann Arbor

Jolly Pumpkin

Multiple locations; jollypumpkin.com

The signature JP Burger comes with a hand-pattied house beef blend topped with cambozola cheese, smoked bacon, cremini mushrooms, and fresh tomato on a bakery roll.

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Tom Perkins

Kelly’s Bar

2403 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck

A pair of young new owners took over this long-standing biker bar in 2021, adding a smashburger to the menu that is among the best in the region: two thin patties smashed into the grill and charred to perfection.

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Facebook, Kozy Lounge

Kozy Lounge

150 E. 10 Mile Rd., Hazel Park; kozylounge.com

The Kat Burger at this spot is award-winning, topped with fresh jalapeños, crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, and honey. They’ve got many other burger options too, and they’re all delicious.

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theblessedfoodie/Instagram

Little Brothers Burgers

201 W. 4th St., Royal Oak; 248-414-4541; littlebrothersburgers.com

A tiny Royal Oak spot with mainly counter service that also happens to make great burgers, fries, and shakes. It recently opened a St. Clair Shores location that also serves frozen custard.

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Robert Widdis

Luxe Bar & Grill

115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459 | 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham | luxebarandgrill.com

This spot is beloved for its burgers, served on a house-made brioche bun.

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Instagram, @burgerobsessions

Marcus Hamburgers

6349 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-891-6170; marcus-hamburgers.business.site

The burgers here are served on hot dog buns for some reason, which is already enough to prove that the place is unique. The family restaurant has been open since 1929, so it’s basically a historical landmark to folks who have been visiting it for decades.

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Google Maps

Marrow

8044 Kercheval Ave., 313-513-0361; marrowdetroit.com

This restaurant is connected to a butcher shop, so it makes sense why its burger is so good. The Smash Bacon Burger comes with two well-done beef and bacon patties, American cheese, local greens, and house-made Kerch sauce.

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McVee's Pub and Grub/Facebook

McVee’s Pub and Grub

1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy; 248-817-2980; mcveespubandgrub.com

Voted Oakland County’s Best Burger by Metro Times readers in 2022, McVee’s “Famous Burgers” includes a signature style with sautéed onions, jalapeños, green olives, crumbled bleu cheese, and Grey Poupon.

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Facebook, Mercury Burger Bar

Mercury Burger Bar

2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; mercuryburgerbar.com

At this spot, burgers are the name of the game, so there’s many choices and they’re all delicious.

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Facebook, Miller's Bar

Miller’s Bar

23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-2577; millersbar.com

Some bars are the best secret food spots — and when it comes to burgers, many say that Miller’s takes the cake. Open since 1941, Dearborn residents got lucky with this one, with what some say makes the best burger in the area.

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Courtesy of Motor City Sports Bar

Motor City Sports Bar

21231 Mound Rd., Warren | 9122 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck

Founded by two Albanian brothers who quit their auto industry jobs to go into the bar business, this spot’s half-pound, char-grilled burger is considered among the best in Michigan.

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Facebook, Motz's Burgers

Motz’s Burgers

7208 W. Fort St., Detroit | 27010 Plymouth Rd., Redford | motzsburgers.com

In Southwest Detroit, this cozy spot is known for its mini burgers, chill atmosphere, and community focus. While there have been some name changes throughout the years, the restaurant has served the same famous sliders since opening in 1929.

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Facebook, Nemo's

Nemo’s

1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit; nemosdetroit.com

This spot opened in 1965 across the street from the former Tiger Stadium. While the old ballpark is long gone, Nemo’s has kept its customers thanks in large part to its famous burger made from a special blend from Dearborn’s Rex Packing for more than 50 years. It’s considered one of the best burgers in the city.

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