The Best Burgers in Delaware (2026)

The best burgers in Delaware are concentrated in and around Wilmington, with a classic boardwalk stop at the beach. Start with the Charcoal Pit, a 1950s roadside diner on Concord Pike, then try Farmer and the Cow and Kid Shelleen's in Wilmington. Finish with MadMacs in Newark and a griddled burger at Gus & Gus Place on the Rehoboth boardwalk.

Delaware is small, so you can drive from Wilmington to Rehoboth Beach in under two hours and hit the whole list in a weekend. Every spot below was operating in recent coverage, but hours change and beach businesses can be seasonal, so check before you go.

What makes a Delaware burger?

Delaware doesn't have one signature style the way New Mexico has green chile or New Jersey has sliders. What it does have is a strong old-school streak: char-grilled burgers, soda-fountain milkshakes and family-run counters that have been open for decades. Expect:

• Flame and charcoal: two of Wilmington's best-known spots cook over fire, which gives the patty a smoky crust.
• Shakes on the side: diners and drive-ins here pair burgers with thick shakes and sundaes.
• Boardwalk griddles: at the beach, the burgers are thinner and cooked fast on a flat-top. Our griddle burger guide explains why that crust is so good.

Wilmington

• Charcoal Pit: a roadside diner at 2600 Concord Pike that has served flame-broiled burgers since around 1956. It has a soda fountain, a 1950s-style dining room, fries, shakes and sundaes. It's also widely known as a longtime favorite of Joe Biden. If you only have time for one Delaware burger, make it this one.
• Farmer and the Cow: a burgers, bourbon and shakes spot that moved to a roomier location at 801 N. Market St. downtown. It's the place for creative toppings and boozy milkshakes, and it has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
• Kid Shelleen's Charcoal House & Saloon: a Trolley Square institution at 14th and Scott Streets, open since the early 1980s. Burgers come off the charcoal grill, and the covered patio is a good place to eat one. Weekend brunch is very popular, so expect a line at those times.

Wilmington is also an easy drive from Philadelphia and Baltimore. If you're road-tripping the I-95 corridor, see our Philadelphia burger guide and Baltimore burger guide.

Northern New Castle County

• 2 Fat Guys American Grill (Hockessin): a casual grill known for large burgers and hand-spun milkshakes. It's a good family stop in the Brandywine Valley.
• MadMacs (Newark): a lively spot on South College Avenue near the University of Delaware. Mac and cheese is the specialty, and the burgers lean into it, with mac piled on top. It's a fun, filling pick if you're visiting campus.

Rehoboth Beach

• Gus & Gus Place: a family-run stand at the corner of the boardwalk and Wilmington Avenue that has operated since 1956. You order burgers, fries and hot dogs at the window, and there's a small dining room with booths. It's also known for fried chicken. It has a reputation for being cash-only, and summer lines can stretch across the boardwalk.

What to order

If it's your first visit to any of these spots, keep it simple and order the house classic before moving on to the specials:

• At the Charcoal Pit: a flame-broiled cheeseburger, fries and a shake or sundae from the fountain.
• At Farmer and the Cow: one of the creative specialty burgers plus a milkshake, since that's what the place is built around.
• At Kid Shelleen's: a charcoal-grilled burger on the patio, or go for brunch if you don't mind a wait.
• At MadMacs: a burger topped with mac and cheese. Come hungry.
• At Gus & Gus: a griddled cheeseburger and fries at the window, eaten on the boardwalk.

Not sure how you like your burger cooked? Our burger temperature guide explains each level of doneness.

How to plan a Delaware burger trip

1. Start in Wilmington. The Charcoal Pit, Farmer and the Cow and Kid Shelleen's are all within a short drive of each other.
2. Add Newark or Hockessin. Both are about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Wilmington.
3. End at the beach. Take Route 1 south to Rehoboth Beach for Gus & Gus, ideally between late spring and early fall.
4. Split orders. Portions at several of these spots are large, so share a burger if you plan to eat at more than one place in a day.

Want to see more of the region? Our best burgers in Pennsylvania roundup covers the state just over the border.

Make a Delaware-style char-grilled burger at home

To get close to the Charcoal Pit or Kid Shelleen's, grill over charcoal. Our charcoal vs. gas grill guide covers the trade-offs, and how long to grill burgers gives times by thickness. For the classic diner version, follow our classic backyard cheeseburger recipe and serve it with a thick shake. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness, and check it with an instant-read thermometer rather than by color.

Know a Delaware burger we're missing? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

What is the most famous burger spot in Delaware?

The Charcoal Pit on Concord Pike in Wilmington is the best-known. It has served flame-broiled burgers and shakes since around 1956 and is widely associated with Joe Biden, who was a regular.

Where can I get a burger in Rehoboth Beach?

Gus & Gus Place on the boardwalk at Wilmington Avenue has been serving griddled burgers, fries and fried chicken since 1956. Bring cash and expect a line in summer.

Is there a good burger near the University of Delaware?

MadMacs on South College Avenue in Newark is a popular pick, especially if you like mac and cheese on your burger.

Does Delaware have its own burger style?

Not a single defined style. The common thread is old-school, char-grilled burgers with milkshakes at long-running diners and family restaurants.