The Best Burgers in Indiana: Indianapolis and Beyond (2026)

The best burgers in Indiana are easiest to find in Indianapolis, where a tavern that dates to 1919 still turns out some of the state's most praised burgers. Start with Workingman's Friend for thin griddled classics, then try Flamme Burger for wood-fired burgers and Smash'd Burger Bar for a crispy smash burger. Near Purdue, Triple XXX in West Lafayette is a statewide classic.

This roundup is built from the spots in our Indianapolis burger guide, grouped by style, plus one drive-worthy stop. Check hours before you go.

How Indianapolis does burgers

Indy's burger tradition is the thin, griddled tavern burger, and the city has kept it alive while adding big, loaded burger bars and a wave of smash burger shops. Mass Ave and Fountain Square anchor the nightlife picks, Broad Ripple has a family-friendly favorite, and the north and east sides hide some of the highest-rated spots.

The classic: Workingman's Friend

The tavern on North Belmont Avenue dates to 1919, and its thin, griddled burgers have been recognized by Food & Wine as Indiana's best and by First We Feast among the country's best smashburgers. Order a cheeseburger with a side of onion rings. Plan ahead: it's cash only and you must be 21 or older to enter.

Smash burgers

• Smash'd Burger Bar: a small, independent east side spot in Irvington that ranked third on a 2025 list of the area's highest-rated burger restaurants. Order a double.
• Roots Burger Bar: singles, doubles or triples, so you choose how much crust you want. The 71st Street location serves the northeast side, and there's another in Carmel.
• Baby's: a smash burger spot on North Talbott Street with a playground, outdoor seating and kids' meals. It's the easiest pick with children.

Learn the technique in our guide to cooking burgers on a griddle, or browse our best smash burgers picks.

Big, loaded burger bars

• Kuma's Corner: the Chicago heavy metal burger bar brought its huge, band-named burgers to Fountain Square. The Iron Maiden Burger is a signature, and monthly specials rotate. It has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
• Bru Burger Bar: one of the city's most-reviewed burger restaurants, on Massachusetts Avenue. The menu runs to about 18 burgers, with beef, bison, turkey, black bean and Impossible options.
• Flamme Burger: a north side spot near Keystone that grills fresh-ground Angus over a wood fire. The signature Flamme Burger is a four-time Indy Burger Battle champion, and the shakes are made with housemade gelato.

More in this style is on our best gourmet burgers page.

Family-friendly and plant-based

• 317 Burger: a locally owned Broad Ripple restaurant with cooked-to-order burgers, lots of toppings and dipping sauces, and poutine on fresh-cut fries. The bar next door handles cocktails.
• Burgeezy: a vegan burger shop near downtown using Beyond or Impossible patties. It's one of the easiest full burger meals in town without meat.

Worth the drive: Triple XXX in West Lafayette

Triple XXX Family Restaurant, near Purdue on North Salisbury Street, dates to 1929 and calls itself Indiana's first drive-in. Its burgers are made from sirloin ground in-house, which the restaurant calls chop steak. The famous order is the Duane Purvis All-American, a sirloin cheeseburger topped with peanut butter and named for a 1930s Purdue football star. It has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. West Lafayette is roughly an hour northwest of Indianapolis by car, and it's an easy add on a Purdue game day. Check Visit Indiana's Triple XXX page for more.

How to plan an Indianapolis burger crawl

1. Bring cash for Workingman's Friend. It's cash only and 21 and up, so plan it for an adults-only lunch or dinner.
2. Pair Mass Ave and Fountain Square. Bru Burger Bar and Kuma's Corner are short hops apart and both work for a night out.
3. Go north for wood fire. Flamme Burger near Keystone is a good stop if you're shopping or staying on the north side.
4. Explore Irvington. Smash'd Burger Bar is a good reason to visit one of the city's historic neighborhoods.
5. Add West Lafayette if you're heading to Purdue. Triple XXX makes the drive worthwhile.

What to order

• Workingman's Friend: a cheeseburger and onion rings.
• Kuma's Corner: the Iron Maiden Burger, or the monthly special.
• Flamme Burger: the signature Flamme Burger and a gelato shake.
• Smash'd Burger Bar: a double.
• 317 Burger: any burger with a side of poutine.
• Triple XXX: the Duane Purvis All-American.

Make an Indiana-style burger at home

For a tavern-style burger, press thin patties onto a very hot pan and keep the toppings simple. Our ultimate smash burger recipe is a good start, and if you want to try the peanut butter idea, a thin layer on a hot cheeseburger is all it takes. Plant-based eaters can try our plant-based smash burger. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.

Know a great burger in Fort Wayne, Bloomington or South Bend? Suggest a spot.

FAQ

What is the best burger in Indiana?

Workingman's Friend in Indianapolis is the classic pick, recognized by Food & Wine as Indiana's best. Triple XXX in West Lafayette is the other statewide icon.

Is Workingman's Friend cash only?

Yes. It's cash only, and guests must be 21 or older.

What is the Duane Purvis All-American?

It's Triple XXX's sirloin cheeseburger topped with peanut butter, named for a 1930s Purdue football star.

Where can I get a smash burger in Indianapolis?

Smash'd Burger Bar in Irvington, Roots Burger Bar on the northeast side and Baby's on North Talbott Street all focus on smash burgers.

Where can I get a vegan burger in Indianapolis?

Burgeezy is an all plant-based burger shop near downtown, and Bru Burger Bar has Impossible and black bean options.