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The best burgers in Charlottesville

Riverside Lunch leads our ranking for burgers in Charlottesville. It is named most often by local critics and food writers. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint and Citizen Burger Bar come next.

  1. 1Riverside LunchReaders' choice
  2. 2Jack Brown's Beer & Burger JointReaders' choice, 2026
  3. 3Citizen Burger BarReaders' top three, 2026

14 burger spots are open in and around Charlottesville. The top 6 are ranked first; the rest follow.

Ranked by Guide2 from readers’ polls, critics and local food writers (how we rank). Edited by Lauren Critzer. Updated October 11, 2026. No restaurant pays to be listed or ranked.

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How we rank

Nobody at Guide2 scores the food. The ranking adds up what Charlottesville’s own judges have said in public: readers’ polls count most, then critics’ standing lists, then local press and food writers. Every point is numbered and listed under Sources below. The full method.

When our editor has eaten at these herself, her picks and notes appear at the top of this page.

What changed

Questions

What is the best burgers in Charlottesville?
Riverside Lunch. Won Best of C-VILLE for burgers, voted by readers; Runner-up in Best of C-VILLE 2026 for burgers, voted by readers. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint and Citizen Burger Bar come next.
How many burger spots are in Charlottesville?
14 are open in and around Charlottesville as of October 2026, including Burger King, Citizen Burger Bar, FIREFLY Charlottesville, Five Guys, Hogwaller Brewing and 9 more. Within a half-hour drive there are 9 more, in Orange, Ruckersville, Waynesboro, Gordonsville, Crozet and Palmyra.
Where can I order burgers online in Charlottesville?
4 have online ordering on their own websites: Five Guys, Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint, Selvedge Brewing and Timberwood Tap House.
Is Zinburger Burger & Wine Bar in Charlottesville still open?
No. Zinburger Burger & Wine Bar has closed. For burgers nearby, see the list above.

Sources

  1. 1Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2025: Best Burger. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  2. 2Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2026: Best Burger, 2026. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  3. 3CvilleRightNow, Why Riverside Lunch Is Still the Best Burger in Town - Cville Local Deals, October 2025. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  4. 4charlottesville.guide, The Six Best Burgers in Charlottesville, November 2024. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  5. 5C-VILLE Weekly, Top ten hamburgers in Charlottesville, VA, August 2012. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.

See something wrong? Read our corrections policy.

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