With the lightly toasted bun, cascade of melty cheese nirvana spilling over the sides and the crisp, refreshing crunch of fresh veggies, burgers might just be the perfect food. And while Virginia Beach may be known for its seafood, the city’s burger scene is jam-packed with flavor, too. Here are a few local burgers we never get tired of sinking our teeth into.
Aloha Snacks
The Artery District
With two perfectly juicy beef patties, Virginia swiss, Huli-Huli Sauce, crispy Spam and grilled pineapple, Aloha Snacks’ Hawaiian Cowboy Burger is a must-eat when hanging in the Oceanfront region. Why not add a few apps from the Hawaii-themed menu to your meal, too? The pork belly-filled lumpia (Filipino egg roll, of sorts) and the pork and cabbage dumplings are a great way to start, while a malasada (large Portuguese donut) is a fantastic way to end the meal.
You’re more than welcome to enjoy your burgers — and the bonus fixings and sides — at one of the many sit-down tables, or you can ride your beach cruiser (or car) through their pick-up window to take your burgers to go.
Lager Heads
Oceanfront
Beers and burgers — can you name a more classic pairing? Lager Heads in the Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront delivers on both fronts, with the Hangover Burger in particular being a crowd favorite. This 80/20 premium ground beef burger is topped with bacon, American cheese, the classic burger veggies and a sunnyside egg, all on a soft brioche bun. It’s all of the best things about a burger, in one bite.
One of the biggest perks of dining at Lager Heads, though, is the location. Situated right on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, it offers stunning Atlantic views while you savor one of the best burgers in town.
Barrel 17
ViBe Creative District
You really can’t go wrong at this all-Wagyu ViBe Creative District burger joint, but the Whiskey Burger has claimed its longstanding spot on the menu for a reason. Topped with fried pimento cheese, bacon, onion and BBQ sauce, it delivers subtle, smokey deliciousness.
Want to customize your burger a bit? Barrel 17 also has a lengthy list of toppings to further level up your burger — from queso and fried onion straws to jalapeno bacon jam.
Oceanfront
If you haven’t seen the infamous video of David Hasselhoff eating a cheeseburger, then you may never fully understand the bliss that a good cheeseburger can inspire. Fortunately, Eat: An American Bistro’s tribute — called The Hasselhoff — will get you pretty close. One bite of this burger, with Wagyu beef, pickles, lettuce, tomato, delectable truffle mayo and a smothering of melted Cotswold double Gloucestershire cheese, and you’ll be hooked on the Hoff.
Eat: An American Bistro
Inland
J&K Style Grill has been a gem of an addition to the Virginia Beach culinary scene, and they now have two locations. Despite being voted as having the “Best Wings in Virginia Beach,” their main claim to fame is the Waffle Burger, which is exactly what it sounds like: A six-ounce Angus beef patty with bacon, grilled onions and a fried egg — served between two Belgian-style waffles. It’s a tasty ode to breakfast with every bite. And if you’d prefer, you can get the Waffle Burger as two sliders for the same price.
Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer
Inland
While Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer, one of our favorite pizza joints, might seem like a weird place to get burgers in Virginia Beach, they serve must-try burgers once a week at the event simply named Thursday Nights: Smash Burgers. A 60/40 blend of ground ribeye, chuck and house-cured bacon, shaved red onion, bibb lettuce, their “fancy” sauce and bread and butter pickles, all on a homemade brioche bun, this in-demand burger is a burst of flavor.
As if that weren’t enough, Hearth also has a beer menu filled with great local and regional brews. No wonder their Smash Burger nights are packed with Virginia Beach locals.
Repeal Bourbon & Burgers
Oceanfront
A local favorite for burger and bourbon aficionados alike, this speakeasy-style joint in the Oceanfront does not disappoint in either department. Start your visit to Repeal Bourbon & Burgers with an expertly crafted Old Fashioned, with your choice of whiskey, bitters and garnish, before sinking your teeth into the main course. Sticking with the mood of the evening, order The Prohibition, a perfectly made beef burger topped with Surry County bacon, cheddar and Swiss cheeses, a classic assortment of fresh veggies and topped with a free-range over-easy egg.
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Written by Sarah Etinas
As a full-time freelance travel writer and editor, Sarah Etinas is always on the lookout for her next adventure. With a passion for exploring new destinations, she's covered everything from the vibrant food scene in Hawaii to the stunning outdoor landscapes of Florida. Her work has been featured in renowned publications like TimeOut, TripAdvisor, Thrillist, and Lonely Planet. When she's not writing, Sarah practices what she preaches by hiking to beautiful waterfalls, visiting local markets, and dining on the most unique dishes she can find.
