Best Burgers in Buffalo
Buffalo's burger scene runs from giant suburban bar burgers and stuffed burgers to smash burgers and casual counters, in the city and along Transit Road.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in Buffalo
Buffalo is famous for wings and beef on weck, but burgers have a strong place in Western New York too. The region's burger scene leans toward big, generous portions, stuffed burgers and classic counters, and many of the best-known spots sit in the suburbs rather than downtown. A newer crop of smash burgers has joined the mix.
A few areas are worth knowing. University Heights, along Main Street near the University at Buffalo's South Campus, is a student-friendly strip. Downtown and the West Side are close to Niagara Street and the waterfront. Northern suburbs like Amherst, Williamsville and East Amherst run along Transit Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard, and Cheektowaga and Tonawanda are just outside the city line. Every spot below appears on the cards above, and you can browse more cities in our restaurant directory.
Best burgers in Buffalo by style
Big classic burgers
Grover's Bar & Grill in East Amherst is the area's most famous burger stop, serving the 12-ounce Grover Burger. It is cash only. In the city, Burger Authority on Main Street is a casual favorite near UB's South Campus, and Ted's Hot Dogs is a local counter-service classic that serves burgers alongside its hot dogs. If you like this style, our best classic burgers page has more.
Stuffed burgers
Western New York has a soft spot for stuffed burgers. Rock Burger, which started in Niagara Falls, stuffs its half-pound patties and has several area locations, including Cheektowaga. In Lockport, Stooges Stuffed Burger Bar goes even further with The Krazy, stuffed with mac and cheese. If you want to try the idea at home, see whether a stuffed burger press is worth it.
Smash burgers
Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs on Kenmore Avenue is a hot dog shop with a cult-favorite smash burger, the Double Joker. For more on the style, read smash burger vs. regular burger or browse our best smash burgers picks.
Sit-down and plant-based
NEAT on Transit Road in Williamsville serves double-patty specialty burgers and topped a 2025 local radio ranking of the region's best cheeseburgers. Downtown, Strong Hearts on Niagara Street is a vegan cafe with plant-based burgers. See our best gourmet burgers page for more ideas.
Local burger traditions
The stuffed burger is the closest thing Buffalo has to a signature burger style. Rock Burger has built a local following around it, and Stooges has turned it into an over-the-top specialty. Ordering at Rock Burger has its own local language too: you ask for your burger with pink or no pink.
The other tradition is the classic counter. Western New York has a long line of hot dog stands and burger counters, like Ted's, where a quick burger and fries are an everyday meal. If you want to understand how regional burger styles compare, our guide to American burger styles is a good place to start.
Tips for visiting
- Plan to drive. Many of the best burger spots are in the suburbs along Transit Road, Union Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard.
- Bring cash for Grover's Bar & Grill.
- Make a day of it. Stooges in Lockport pairs well with a visit to the Erie Canal locks, and Rock Burger has a location in Niagara Falls.
- Check hours before you go. Several spots on this list keep limited or changing schedules, especially in winter.
- Cooking at home? Our burger temperature and doneness guide covers the USDA-recommended 160°F for ground beef.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best classic burger joints, gourmet burgers, cheap burgers in Buffalo.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Buffalo?
Grover's Bar & Grill and its 12-ounce Grover Burger is the classic answer. For something different, try a stuffed burger at Rock Burger or the Double Joker smash burger at Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs.
Where can I find a cheap burger in Buffalo?
Burger Authority, Frank Gourmet Hot Dogs and Ted's Hot Dogs are casual, counter-style spots.
Where can I get a stuffed burger near Buffalo?
Rock Burger has several area locations, including Cheektowaga, and Stooges Stuffed Burger Bar in Lockport is known for The Krazy, stuffed with mac and cheese.
Is there a good vegan burger in Buffalo?
Yes. Strong Hearts on Niagara Street is a vegan cafe with plant-based burgers, and NEAT in Williamsville has a veggie burger.