The best burgers in Missouri start in Kansas City, a barbecue town with a deep burger history of its own. Go old-school at Town Topic Hamburgers and Winstead's Steakburgers, then try the new wave of smash burgers at Cosmo Burger, Disco Burger and The Campground. On the other side of the state, Carl's Drive-In in Brentwood, near St. Louis, is a Route 66 classic.
This roundup is built from the restaurants in our Kansas City burger guide, grouped by style and neighborhood, plus one St. Louis-area pick. Check hours before you go, especially at small counters.
Quick picks
- Most nostalgic: Town Topic or Winstead's.
- Best smash burger: Cosmo Burger, Disco Burger or The Campground.
- Biggest bar burger: Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill.
- Most chef-driven: Pigwich.
- Best Route 66 stop: Carl's Drive-In.
Kansas City's burger traditions
The steakburger is Kansas City's closest thing to a signature burger, and Winstead's has built its name on it for generations: a thin patty cooked on a hot griddle and served simply. Town Topic's griddled patties come from the same era of small, quick hamburger counters. The newer smash burger shops are, in many ways, a return to that idea: thin patties, high heat and simple toppings.
A few areas help with planning. The Crossroads, just south of downtown, has a historic diner and a newer smash burger shop within a short walk. The River Market sits north of downtown on the streetcar line. Westport and the Country Club Plaza are classic places for a night out, Brookside is a walkable neighborhood farther south, and North Kansas City is just across the Missouri River.
Old-school diners
- Town Topic Hamburgers: part of Kansas City since 1937. Its Crossroads counters still serve thin, griddled patties to a mix of regulars and visitors.
- Winstead's Steakburgers: near the Country Club Plaza, serving steakburgers in a diner that opened in 1940.
Smash burgers
- Cosmo Burger: started as a pop-up in a Waldo bar and now has a full shop in the East Crossroads, with house pickles, tots and milkshakes.
- Disco Burger: went from a River Market kiosk to a Brookside location in 2026, serving lacy West Coast-style patties and crinkle-cut fries.
- The Campground: in the West Bottoms, it serves just one burger, a double smash with American cheese, pickles, red onion and aioli.
- Tay's Burger Shack: in North Kansas City, it chars its patties hard and offers sizes up to a full pound.
Not sure which style you prefer? Read smash burger vs. regular burger.
Bar burgers and butcher-quality burgers
- Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill: the place for a thick bar burger. The Flea Market Burger is a 10-ounce patty, and the condiment bar lets you dress it yourself.
- Pigwich: a River Market sandwich counter whose dry-aged beef burgers, including the Pig Mac, have earned a following.
Worth the drive: Carl's Drive-In near St. Louis
Carl's Drive-In sits on Manchester Road in Brentwood, a suburb of St. Louis, along the old Route 66 corridor. The building dates to 1918, when it was a service station, and it became a food stand in the 1940s. Today it's a tiny counter with 16 stools, known for burgers, onion rings and its own root beer. It doesn't take cards, so bring cash, and arrive early because seats fill fast. It's a natural stop on a Route 66 road trip.
How to plan a Kansas City burger day
- Start in the Crossroads. Town Topic and Cosmo Burger give you old and new within a short walk.
- Ride the streetcar to the River Market. Pigwich is a good second stop.
- Head to the West Bottoms. The Campground's one-burger menu makes it quick.
- Finish in Westport or on the Plaza. Westport Flea Market and Winstead's are easy evening picks.
- Cross the river if you want a big one. Tay's Burger Shack is in North Kansas City.
Want to understand how steakburgers, smash burgers and pub burgers fit together? Read our guide to American burger styles, and browse more on best classic burgers and best smash burgers.
What to order at each stop
- Winstead's: a steakburger, served simply.
- Town Topic: thin griddled patties at the counter.
- The Campground: the only burger on the menu, a double smash.
- Westport Flea Market: the 10-ounce Flea Market Burger, dressed at the condiment bar.
- Carl's Drive-In: a burger, onion rings and the house root beer.
Make a Kansas City steakburger at home
A steakburger is a thin patty on a very hot griddle, served simply. Our guide to how to cook burgers on a griddle covers the technique, and our ultimate smash burger recipe gets you the crisp edges of the new wave. Cook ground beef to 160°F for USDA-recommended doneness.
Know a great burger in St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia or the Ozarks? Suggest a spot.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Missouri?
In Kansas City, Winstead's and Town Topic are the classics, and Cosmo Burger and Disco Burger lead the smash burger wave. Near St. Louis, Carl's Drive-In is a Route 66 favorite.
What is a Kansas City steakburger?
A thin patty cooked on a hot griddle and served simply. Winstead's has built its name on the style for generations.
Is Carl's Drive-In cash only?
Recent reports say it doesn't take cards, so bring cash. It has just 16 stools, so arrive early.
Where can I get a smash burger in Kansas City?
Try Cosmo Burger in the East Crossroads, Disco Burger in Brookside, The Campground in the West Bottoms or Tay's Burger Shack in North Kansas City.
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