If we learned one thing during our search for the best burgers in town, it’s that the Birmingham restaurant scene really knows how to dress up a patty. From classic to creative, we’ve munched our way through Magic City’s best burger joints to curate a list of must-try burgers in Birmingham.
FIVE
744 29th Street S., Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 868-3841
Hours: Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In a world of restaurants with 400 menu items and 1,000 different wine selections, FIVE keeps it simple. With five dinner selections, five brunch selections, five wines, and five signature cocktails, there’s no need to offer more when what’s being served up keeps locals coming back to this hip diner on a weekly basis.
One of these must-try, irresistible menu items is the Breakfast Cheeseburger. Served at FIVE’s Jazz Brunch, this indulgent weekend burger features a double patty, a fried egg, and American cheese and is topped with a smoky, sweet bacon relish.
The Breakfast Cheeseburger at FIVE’s Jazz Brunch. Image: Facebook
Chez Fonfon
2007 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205 • (205) 939-3221
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
When you have a chef who has received a James Beard Foundation Award, been inducted into Esquire magazine’s Restaurant Hall of Fame, and has lived and cooked in the South of France, you better believe you will find one of the best burgers in town. Chef Frank Stitt combines his fondness for Southern ingredients with his adoration of French cuisine to deliver comforting French fare in a charming bistro.
The Hamburger Fonfon is an absolute must-try with its French comté cheese, grilled onions, and pickles, providing the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy.
The Hamburger Fonfon at the charming French bistro, Chez Fonfon. Image: Facebook
HERO Doughnuts
Homewood: 3027 Central Avenue, Homewood, AL 35209 • (205) 623-1017
Parkside: 1701 1st Ave S. Suite 135, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 558-8011
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For HERO Doughnuts, it all started with their signature two-day-process brioche-style dough. Used in their doughnuts and buns, this dough has paved the way for award-winning burgers.
That’s just one of the reasons why Hero Burger is on our must-try list. Their double cheeseburger has the classics—American cheese, onions, and pickles, but it’s the pillowy buns and the zesty “cracked sauce” that make this burger so satisfying and one-of-a-kind.
The award-winning Hero Burger is made with brioche-style dough. Image: Angie Mosier
Back Forty Beer Co.
3201 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35222 • (205) 407-8025
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Tuesday
If there were ever a perfect pair, it would have to be burgers and beer. Back Forty Beer Co. offers as many as 25 beers on tap to complement its menu of gourmet pub food, including a hearty cheeseburger you won’t want to miss.
The Back40 Cheeseburger has two patties, American cheese, dill pickles, aioli, and onions for a well-rounded, satisfying burger with all the essentials. Enjoy it in Back Forty’s expansive beer garden!
The Back40 Cheeseburger on Back Forty Beer Co.’s sunny patio. Image: Back Forty Beer Co.
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
2811 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 • (205) 718-7892
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Jack Brown’s likes to keep things interesting with a burger special each day, including options like a burger topped with house-made spinach-artichoke dip, one with sweet heat Asian slaw, and even one with glazed doughnuts for buns.
We have no doubt you’ll become a regular at Jack Brown’s in order to try each of these creative buns, but our must-try burger at this festive joint is the Greg Brady. Consider this the ultimate comfort food—a burger topped with house-made Mac N’ Cheese and Martin’s BBQ potato chips.
The Greg Brady is perfectly crunchy and creamy with potato chips and mac n’ cheese. Image: Facebook
The Standard
Downtown Birmingham: 1821 2nd Ave N #188, Birmingham, AL 35203
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Sunday
Vestavia Hills: 700 Montgomery Hwy Suite 164, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
With a classic diner feel, The Standard serves up hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and fries in a fun and lively food hall atmosphere. A lengthy list of add-ons, including fried egg, pimento cheese, pickled jalapeños, and more, offers a chance for you to get as creative as you’d like. This friendly spot also features a Black Bean Veggie Burger for our vegetarian friends.
For your first visit, we recommend starting with the Double Bacon Cheeseburger, topped with American cheese, “Standard Sauce,” lettuce, tomato, and pickles — an impressive classic with just the right fixings.
A classic and impressive Double Bacon Cheeseburger at The Standard. Image: Instagram
Saw’s Juke Joint
1115 Dunston Ave, Birmingham, AL 35213 • (205) 745-3920
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Founded by North Carolina-born Mike Wilson, Saw’s has a long history of smoking meat and crafting sauces. The menu features Carolina-style smoked pulled pork, chicken, and ribs, served with one of three styles of sauce. Sides include baked potatoes, beans, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, and banana pudding.
Saw’s also happens to have one of the best burgers in Birmingham, unsurprisingly called the Carolina Burger. This cheeseburger is topped with mustard, onions, pickles, chili, and slaw for ultimate Southern comfort.
The Carolina Burger is messy and not for the faint of heart | Image: Instagram/@burgersofbham
MELT
Mountain Brook: 1011 Jemison Lane, Birmingham, AL 35223 • (205) 917-5000
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Monday
Hoover: 5219 Peridot Place Suite 3, Hoover, AL 35244 • (205) 988-2022
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What started as a food truck has evolved into a favorite neighborhood restaurant giving classic comfort foods a modern twist. As proud Alabama locals, their motto is: Eat Local. Drink Local, Live Local. Be Local. Guests will immediately feel at home in this family-friendly atmosphere.
While the menu offers an enormous variety of ways to enjoy melted cheese, MELT’s Cheeseburger is an absolute must-try. It features two Angus beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, and “Matilda” sauce on thick buttery Texas toast.
Hungry yet? Grab your friends and family and plan your next dinner date to one of these drool-worthy spots!
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To explore more of the Birmingham culinary scene, visit our archives.
