If you haven’t been keeping up with these “Best of” reviews for Portland, Maine, then perhaps it will come as a surprise that there are enough eateries with spectacular burgers to fill an entire article.
But if you are familiar with Portland’s exploding dining scene, then this fact alone won’t be news to you. Hopefully, though, I’ll be able to introduce you to a few new burger destinations—ones you may have heard of, for instance, maybe for some other specialty, but had no idea they served up a kick-butt burger, as well.
Map of Portland Burger Joints
These Portland burger locations are well-worth visiting, and this map has all restaurants from our list:
Nosh Kitchen Bar
The fact that Nosh has a separate menu heading for burgers is your first hint that burgers are a house specialty. Part of the specialness is the Nosh Patty itself—the cornerstone of every burger variation on the menu.
Just your all-natural, pasture-raised, grass-fed, grain-finished cows and pigs, here, folks…er, well, that’s what they were. Post-existence, they’re beef chuck, beef brisket, pork shoulder, and bacon, mixed with garlic and rosemary.
My favorite iteration is the Frito Pie Burger (Nosh Patty, extra American cheese, Mama’s meat sauce, Fritos, queso fundido, onion, jalapeño, and cotija on a sesame seed bun).
Oh, yeah—and you absolutely have to get the Nosh Fries with that. Trust me.
Location: 551 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Nosh Kitchen Bar
East Ender
This spot has made a name for itself, even without the help of its zesty Smokestack Lightning Burger—an apt name for two cold-smoked beef patties, blistered shishito peppers, gochujang ketchup, and American cheese (Down East Magazine declared it one of Maine’s 30 Best Burgers in 2017).
But the East Ender also has two other unique burger options for those that don’t beef: Alanna’s Chicken Burger (with or without bacon), or a Chickpea Patty Melt.
Location: 47 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: East Ender
Black Cow Burgers and Fries
The burgers here are diamonds-in-the-rough, visually. But Black Cow’s ramshackle “beef smash patties” are all part of the experience, and the flavor is everything but rough.
These are no preformed, cardboard-like patties by any stretch of the means—and they are grilled to perfection in all their gorgeous imperfection.
My favorite is the Mushroom Swiss Burger—although they’re all amazing—and the buns and sauces are all made in-house, as well.
Location: 83 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Black Cow Burgers and Fries
Butcher Burger Company
All of Butcher Burger’s patties are made of a magical mixture of beef and bacon, and are cooked all the way through (no pink to be seen).
With one other location in Bethel (and another opening soon in Old Orchard Beach), Butcher Burger starts off their menu with their namesake—burgers—and relegates the salad options to the end of the story, where they should be at a real burger joint (if they have any at all).
There are several burger options I’d happily dive into at any moment, but at the top of my list is the Surf & Turf Burger (house patty, hand-picked Maine lobster, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and mayo).
The Butcher Fries are extra—but believe me when I say the additional $4 is worth it for the quarter-pound of salty goodness.
Location: 7 Union St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Butcher Burger Company
Shay’s Grill Pub
When I order a burger, I never shy away from the—heavier, shall we say?—options. Because, really—if you’re going to have a burger, have a freaking burger, for the love.
So, at Shay’s, where the patties are all a ½ pound of Certified Angus Beef, it’s gotta be the Bleu Cheese BBQ Bacon Burger for me (bleu cheese crumbles, bacon, and spicy BBQ sauce).
You can even opt to add a fried egg to any burger, and substitute sweet potato fries for a couple of bucks extra (but since those seem a bit healthier, why would you?)
Location: 18 Monument Sq, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Shay’s Grill Pub
Rosie’s Restaurant and Pub
While seemingly of your basic garden-variety burgers, Rosie’s house-seasoned, grass-fed, locally-sourced beef patties are anything but.
The seasonings elevate even the Classic Burger to the next level—and while Rosie’s Nasty Habit Burger sounds innocuous (cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onion, and pickles), it actually contains some kind of dark magic (they call it “special seasoning,” but they’re not fooling me) that’ll knock your socks off.
Location: 330 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Rosie’s Restaurant and Pub
Becky’s Diner
Becky’s has popped up on several lists on this site, including for best breakfast, lobster rolls…and now, burgers.
Because let me tell you, people…you haven’t lived until you’ve had one of Becky’s Reuben Burgers (with homemade corned beef hash, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and truffle aioli). You’ll need a bib—this is one of those meals that causes what I call “napkin carnage.”
Location: 390 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: Becky’s Diner
Hot Suppa
Having recently been introduced to the phenomenon that is In-N-Out Burger whilst driving to LA, I know that Hot Suppa’s Double Double Burger is a nod to this West Coast icon.
And yes, it is an olfactory delight in unto itself—2 quarter-pound Maine beef patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, and dill pickles on a Kaiser bun)—but those in the know also ask for the fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce (from the secret-not-so-secret menu).
Location: 703 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Hot Suppa
The Highroller Lobster Company
Here’s another spot that popped up in my Best Lobster Rolls in Portland article—so it only stands to reason that they also have an astoundingly delicious Surf & Turf Burger (their 8-ounce brisket patty blend, chopped romaine, topped with butter-poached Maine lobster meat).
It’s an event, really—one that must be included in your Portland foodie tour. You can also do a top-your-own style burger; options include…well, a lot of stuff, like crabmeat, eggs, and avocado.
Location: 104 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101
Website: The Highroller Lobster Company
Chaval
Called “The Burger” on Chaval’s higher-end menu, this deceivingly simple combination of complicated flavors is a revelation. Two local beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato-mustard (who knew that was a thing?!), and garlic pickles on a black pepper brioche bun.
Their hand-cut fries are extra—but how can you have a burger without fries? Am I right? Spring for the $4.
Location: 58 Pine St, Portland, ME 04102
Website: Chaval
Woodford Food and Beverage
Another upscale spot, Woodford’s also dubs their patty offering as simply “The Burger,” but there is nothing simple about it, loves. Picture this: Woodford’s brisket patty, topped with smoked bacon, grilled sweet onion, dijonaise, cheddar cheese blend, house-made pickles, and aioli, all on a sesame seed bun, with fries.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough finger-licking cholesterol? For a couple of bucks more, they’ll toss a fried egg on the pile. Tuck in (and untuck, so you can unbutton your jeans)!
Location: 660 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Website: Woodford Food and Beverage
As I close out this meaty missive (ahem), I’ll leave you with a couple of extra recommendations. Because they only have a burger option during Sunday brunch, Terlingua has been relegated to this postscript—but make no mistake about it: it’s a show-stopper, with bacon-jalapeño jam and an optional fried egg topper.
And even though it’s a national chain, I had to mention
Elevation Burger’s South Portland location, for their Fiery Burger—another sassy, spicy option for those that like a pleasant, culinary kick to their burger experience.
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