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A double patty cheeseburger in front of a beer.
The wagyu burger at Bistronomy.
Andrew Cebulka

The Best Burgers in Charleston

Order fancy burgers in French restaurants or classic cheeseburgers in dive bars

by Erin Perkins Updated
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The wagyu burger at Bistronomy.
| Andrew Cebulka
by Erin Perkins Updated

There’s something to be said about an eatery that strives to do the humble hamburger justice — which explains why it finds its way onto the menus of both dive bars and fine dining establishments. There’s purists looking for the classic ground beef with yellow American cheese, but many restaurants mix it up the burger blends with short rib, brisket, and even bacon. There are always new places popping up in Charleston, but these are the 12 Lowcountry establishments that have and continue to serve the best burgers in town.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Tattooed Moose

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Dive bar with famous food Tattooed Moose offers a classic example of two thin patties, onions, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and special sauce between toasted kaiser rolls. Don’t leave without ordering a side of duck fat fries.

4845 Chateau Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 277-2990
(843) 277-2990

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Edmund's Oast

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Edmund’s Oast chef Bob Cook knows his meats, so it should be no surprise that he puts out not one but two superior burgers. Cook brings the Artisan Meat Share burger, from his former restaurant, with a slightly sweet bacon jam and spicy jalapenos for a fun balance. The Edmund’s Oast version is the classic bread and butter pickles, special sauce, onion, and tomato with patties and bun.

1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1145
(843) 727-1145

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Herd Provisions

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Herd Provisions is a Wagener Terrace neighborhood favorite. The regular menu offers an all-American burger with pickles, lettuce, onion, plus secret sauce, but on Mondays, the restaurant tries out new versions, like a recent special with barbecue sauce, crispy onions, arugula, pickled peppers, provolone, and burger patty mixed with Neuske’s ground bacon.

106 Grove St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 637-4145
(843) 637-4145

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Moe's Crosstown Tavern

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Moe’s has flipped burgers for over 20 years, making this dive a go-to destination any time a craving strikes. The well-worn griddle puts out expertly seared thick beef patties at an astonishing pace. The menu offers a ton of topping variations — try the goat cheese and poblano combo or the more traditional fried green tomato BLT option.

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0469
(843) 641-0469
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern

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Maison

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During most days of the week, Maison puts out stunning plates of classic French flavors, but on Wednesdays, chef Vandy Vanderwarker releases a burger that is simply a work of art. The kitchen builds everything from scratch, including the duck fat bun. This burger is house-ground beef, house-made duck sausage, melty caramelized onions, a rich Gruyere sauce, and a bordelaise that takes the umami levels up to 100. After the first bite, you will need a knife and fork to finish this masterpiece.

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 990-9165
(843) 990-9165

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Home Team BBQ

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The smoke masters at Home Team BBQ always have a burger on the menu, topped with harissa mayo and a King’s Hawaiian roll, but you should look out for the on-off burgers, usually posted on Instagram. A recent special included a thick, pit-smoked patty with bacon and jalapeno mayonnaise.

1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-7427
(843) 225-7427

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Bistronomy By Nico

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Spring Street restaurant Bistronomy by Nico offers a French take on the burger on Monday nights. Made in limited numbers, the patties are formed from North Carolina-raised wagyu beef and topped with a generous amount of Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and cornichon ketchup. It’s best enjoyed with a glass of French red wine.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

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Tully's

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Tully’s offers the ideal version of a late-night burger. It’s got all the definitive markers of a classic: sesame bun, griddled patties, shredduce (shredded lettuce), American cheese, and thinly sliced tomato and onions. Find the walk-up window on the side of the Music Farm.

32 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403
(704) 641-1094
(704) 641-1094

Ted's Butcherblock

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Customers only have one chance to devour the celebrated Ted’s burger each week. Stop by on Saturday for this Charleston staple, which is made using Painted Hills natural beef and grilled in the Big Green Egg. It’s one of the thickest patties on the peninsula.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
(843) 577-0094

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The Living Room at The Dewberry

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Posh hotel the Dewberry isn’t the first place you’d look for a big meaty burger, but its stunning midcentury modern bar, the Living Room, offers a great example of the usually humble offering. The high-quality beef is topped with onions, bordelaise, Emmenthal cheese, a potato bun, and a tiny cornichon on top. Pinkies up.

334 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 872-9063
(843) 872-9063

Big Gun Burger Shop & Bar

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Dive bar/punk rock venue Big Gun specializes in burgers and excels at the classic with American cheese, onion, pickles, and special sauce. It’s an easy stop to squeeze in on the way to, or from, the bars on King Street. Though, if you want to stay put at Big Gun, check out the extensive collection of craft beers and whiskeys.

137 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-3821
(843) 789-3821

Oak Steakhouse

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Battle the South-of-Broad crowds for a seat at the bar at classic steakhouse Oak if you want to try a prime example of a burger made with Certified Angus Beef. The patty is a combination of New York Strip, filet, and brisket (which could be why it rings in at $21). The burger is topped with Nueske’s bacon and served with truffle fries. Feel extra fancy and start the night with a dirty martini and oysters before tucking into the burger.

17 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-4220
(843) 722-4220

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The Tattooed Moose

4845 Chateau Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Dive bar with famous food Tattooed Moose offers a classic example of two thin patties, onions, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and special sauce between toasted kaiser rolls. Don’t leave without ordering a side of duck fat fries.

4845 Chateau Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 277-2990
(843) 277-2990

Edmund's Oast

1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403

Edmund’s Oast chef Bob Cook knows his meats, so it should be no surprise that he puts out not one but two superior burgers. Cook brings the Artisan Meat Share burger, from his former restaurant, with a slightly sweet bacon jam and spicy jalapenos for a fun balance. The Edmund’s Oast version is the classic bread and butter pickles, special sauce, onion, and tomato with patties and bun.

1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 727-1145
(843) 727-1145

Herd Provisions

106 Grove St, Charleston, SC 29403

Herd Provisions is a Wagener Terrace neighborhood favorite. The regular menu offers an all-American burger with pickles, lettuce, onion, plus secret sauce, but on Mondays, the restaurant tries out new versions, like a recent special with barbecue sauce, crispy onions, arugula, pickled peppers, provolone, and burger patty mixed with Neuske’s ground bacon.

106 Grove St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 637-4145
(843) 637-4145

Moe's Crosstown Tavern

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Moe’s has flipped burgers for over 20 years, making this dive a go-to destination any time a craving strikes. The well-worn griddle puts out expertly seared thick beef patties at an astonishing pace. The menu offers a ton of topping variations — try the goat cheese and poblano combo or the more traditional fried green tomato BLT option.

714 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 641-0469
(843) 641-0469
Moe’s Crosstown Tavern

Maison

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

During most days of the week, Maison puts out stunning plates of classic French flavors, but on Wednesdays, chef Vandy Vanderwarker releases a burger that is simply a work of art. The kitchen builds everything from scratch, including the duck fat bun. This burger is house-ground beef, house-made duck sausage, melty caramelized onions, a rich Gruyere sauce, and a bordelaise that takes the umami levels up to 100. After the first bite, you will need a knife and fork to finish this masterpiece.

708 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 990-9165
(843) 990-9165

Home Team BBQ

1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407

The smoke masters at Home Team BBQ always have a burger on the menu, topped with harissa mayo and a King’s Hawaiian roll, but you should look out for the on-off burgers, usually posted on Instagram. A recent special included a thick, pit-smoked patty with bacon and jalapeno mayonnaise.

1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-7427
(843) 225-7427

Bistronomy By Nico

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

Spring Street restaurant Bistronomy by Nico offers a French take on the burger on Monday nights. Made in limited numbers, the patties are formed from North Carolina-raised wagyu beef and topped with a generous amount of Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and cornichon ketchup. It’s best enjoyed with a glass of French red wine.

64 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-6221
(843) 410-6221

Tully's

32 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403

Tully’s offers the ideal version of a late-night burger. It’s got all the definitive markers of a classic: sesame bun, griddled patties, shredduce (shredded lettuce), American cheese, and thinly sliced tomato and onions. Find the walk-up window on the side of the Music Farm.

32 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403
(704) 641-1094
(704) 641-1094

Ted's Butcherblock

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401

Customers only have one chance to devour the celebrated Ted’s burger each week. Stop by on Saturday for this Charleston staple, which is made using Painted Hills natural beef and grilled in the Big Green Egg. It’s one of the thickest patties on the peninsula.

334 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 577-0094
(843) 577-0094

The Living Room at The Dewberry

334 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403

Posh hotel the Dewberry isn’t the first place you’d look for a big meaty burger, but its stunning midcentury modern bar, the Living Room, offers a great example of the usually humble offering. The high-quality beef is topped with onions, bordelaise, Emmenthal cheese, a potato bun, and a tiny cornichon on top. Pinkies up.

334 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 872-9063
(843) 872-9063

Big Gun Burger Shop & Bar

137 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401

Dive bar/punk rock venue Big Gun specializes in burgers and excels at the classic with American cheese, onion, pickles, and special sauce. It’s an easy stop to squeeze in on the way to, or from, the bars on King Street. Though, if you want to stay put at Big Gun, check out the extensive collection of craft beers and whiskeys.

137 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 789-3821
(843) 789-3821

Oak Steakhouse

17 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401

Battle the South-of-Broad crowds for a seat at the bar at classic steakhouse Oak if you want to try a prime example of a burger made with Certified Angus Beef. The patty is a combination of New York Strip, filet, and brisket (which could be why it rings in at $21). The burger is topped with Nueske’s bacon and served with truffle fries. Feel extra fancy and start the night with a dirty martini and oysters before tucking into the burger.

17 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-4220
(843) 722-4220

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