BURGERLICIOUS: BEST BURGERS IN WILMINGTON,NC
- May 18
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Every month is #burgermonth. And while burger love is truly a subjective thing, we've selected our 5 favorite burgers in Wilmington, NC, done brilliantly. The combination of ground beef plus a toasted bun is so deeply entrenched in our dining culture that there's always a new creation to taste in and around the Port City.
From rich in-house ground Wagyu blends layered with smoked gouda and bourbon pancetta jam to Southern-inspired smashburgers topped with homemade pimento cheese, crispy bacon, and beer-braised onions, Wilmington’s burger scene is bringing serious flavor this May. Add in toasted pretzel buns, craft cocktails, pickled jalapeños, and creative weekly specials, and Burger Month is shaping up to be one of the most delicious times of the year. Here are our top picks from around the Cape Fear region.
G-PRIME BURGER
What makes the G-Prime burger unique?
The G-Prime Burger is a celebration of premium ingredients and timeless flavor. At its heart is a 10-ounce house-ground beef patty with an expertly balanced fat ratio, high-heat broiled to seal in its natural juices and deliver a rich, satisfying bite. Layered with melted Muenster cheese, heirloom tomato, house-made Persian dill pickles, crisp onions, and butter Bibb lettuce, it’s finished with a classic secret sauce and served on a butter-toasted brioche bun. The result is a nostalgic yet elevated burger experience that showcases quality in every bite.
Signature Sip
Old Soul Cocktail with Woodford Reserve bourbon, fig jam, demerara, and orange bitters.
Three Songs to Munch to?
CHOPPED CHEESE STEAK BURGER
The Burger
The Chopped Cheese Steak Burger features an 8 oz. steak blend patty topped with caramelized onions, white cheddar, chopped cheese steak, shredduce, tomato, and Kewpie mayo, all served on a housemade challah roll.
What makes the True Blue Butcher & Barrel burger unique?
As both a restaurant and butcher shop, True Blue Butcher & Barrel’s signature dishes are often born out of necessity. Earlier this year, the team launched Sunny Day Sandwich Shoppe as a surprise pop-up concept within the True Blue family of restaurants. During that venture, they discovered an excess supply of a specific cut of beef that proved to be the perfect ingredient for their classic chopped cheese sandwich.
The sandwich quickly became a standout success, and when the Sunny Day pop-up came to an end, the team knew they wanted to bring it back to True Blue Butcher & Barrel. After all, they believe the best way to elevate a sandwich is simple: add more beef.
Signature Sip
Nothing beats an ice-cold beer…more specifically, the True Blue Pilsner brewed from the only Michelin-star brewery, Moody Tongue, out of Chicago, Illinois.
Three Songs to Munch to?
What's Happening at True Blue Butcher & Barrel?
Selling from June 1-21st, True Blue is launching our “Father’s Day DIY Box”: the perfect gift for your steak-loving Dad! It consists of 2 prime ribeyes, 2 3oz crab cakes, potato roasties, farm vegetables, Caesar salad kit, take & bake 8 chocolate chip cookie dough & steak secret weapons (scallions, steak rub & cooking instructions).
THE AMONTILLADO BURGER
The Burger
The Amontillado has guacamole, chipotle sour cream and topped with Jalapeño Jack Cheese and Pico de Gallo. All of Poe's Tavern burgers come with lettuce, tomato, fried onion garnish and choice of side.
What makes the Sugo burger unique?
Poe's Tavern burgers stand apart thanks to their signature double-ground, hand-pattied beef, crafted for exceptional flavor and texture. Each burger is cooked to your preferred temperature and paired with an endless variety of creative topping combinations.
Inspiration for the burger specials can come from anywhere—seasonal ingredients, global flavors, customer favorites, or a spark of creativity. There is a talented and imaginative team whose passion and innovation keeps the burger selections exciting and always worth exploring.
Signature Sip
Tropical Lightning Craft Beer is hard to beat.
Three Songs to Munch to?
THE SUGO WAGYU BURGER
SUGO ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
The Burger
An in-house ground Wagyu blend topped with melted Smoked Gouda, house-made pancetta jam, crisp Bibb lettuce, and served on a warm soft pretzel bun with hand-cut Ranch Seasoned French fries.
What makes the Sugo burger unique?
The Sugo Wagyu Burger starts with our signature Wagyu blend, ground fresh in-house daily for exceptional flavor and a rich, juicy bite. We layer it with melted Smoked Gouda and our house-made Bourbon Pancetta Jam, which brings the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory. Local NC Crisp Bibb lettuce adds freshness and texture, while the soft pretzel bun ties everything together with a buttery finish. Every component was designed to complement the next, creating a burger that feels elevated while still delivering the comfort and satisfaction of a classic burger experience.
Signature Sip
The Smoked Ides of March: Built with Elijah Craig Rye, mezcal, Montenegro, Kahlua, orange, and Aztec mole bitters, the cocktail brings smoky depth, subtle sweetness, and warm spice that complement the richness of the Wagyu and pancetta jam beautifully.
Three Songs to Munch to?
What's Happening at Sugo?
Burger Month is always a fun season for us because it gives guests a chance to experience a more playful side of Sugo while keeping the quality and attention to detail we’re known for. Alongside the burger, guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails, patio dining, late spring energy in Wilmington, and a few new surprises rolling into summer. It’s one of the best times of year to grab friends, order a cocktail, and stay awhile.
THE MARKET BURGER
What makes the Pine Valley burger unique?
The Market burger is a staple on the menu, served daily as the restaurant’s classic offering. Served on a fresh baked brioche bun from Neomonde Bakery in Raleigh — baked to order and delivered fresh throughout the week — the burger starts with quality ingredients and plenty of creativity. In addition to the signature version, the team frequently features inventive burger specials that serve as a platform for bold and unexpected flavor combinations. One standout creation transformed the burger into a Reuben-inspired masterpiece, complete with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and corned beef. Over the years, toppings have ranged from tater tots and jalapeño poppers to chips and countless other additions, proving that the possibilities are virtually endless.
The philosophy behind each creation is simple: if it fits on the burger, fits in your hands, and tastes incredible, it’s worth trying. Several years ago, the restaurant embraced the smashburger trend, a move that improved both consistency and kitchen efficiency. Each burger is cooked on a flat-top griddle and pressed to create a flavorful crust on both sides. The patties are seasoned with the restaurant’s signature Barber’s seasoning — also available for purchase and known for enhancing just about anything it touches. Melted cheese is layered on top before two patties are stacked together, creating the perfect canvas for whichever flavor combination comes next.
Signature Sip
The location on college road is primarily a locals lunch place so during the week it’s likely a sweet tea but there is nothing better than a great burger and an ice cold beer.
Three Songs to Munch to?
THE 1836
REBELLION
The Burger
The 1836 is our main burger and has been since our inception in 2014. The 1836 is a reference to the street address of our first location located in Washington, DC.
What makes the Rebellion burger unique?
Rebellion has worked closely with their primary food purveyor, Cheney Brothers Inc., to develop a custom signature beef blend crafted specifically for their burgers, creating a distinctive flavor profile that sets their offerings apart.
Signature Sip
THE S.O.P. Old Fashioned made with our Maker's Mark Private Select OF COURSE!
Three Songs to Munch to?
What's Happening at Rebellion?
Burgers are ALWAYS (except holidays) 50% off on Mondays.
THE PIMENTO BURGER
The Burger
The Pimento Burger is a bold Southern-inspired smashburger built around house-made flavors and scratch kitchen ingredients. It features two smashed beef patties topped with our original recipe homemade pimento cheese, crispy bacon, beer-braised onions slowly cooked in our craft beer, and pickled jalapeños on a brioche bun. What really makes it stand out is the balance of flavors. The creamy richness of the pimento cheese, the smoky saltiness of the bacon, the tang and heat from the jalapeños, and the deep savory sweetness from the beer-braised onions all come together in a combination that hits salty, sweet, smoky, and umami notes in every bite. It’s comforting, a little indulgent, and packed with character, exactly the kind of burger worth slowing down and savoring. As Wilmington’s first brewery, we’ve spent over 30 years creating approachable comfort food and craft beer in the heart of downtown Wilmington.
Signature Sip
Front Street Brewery Original Pilsner. Its crisp, clean finish cuts through the richness of the burger perfectly and keeps the flavors balanced from first bite to last.
Three Songs to Munch to?
What's Happening at Front Street Brewery
Burger Month is always one of their favorite times of year because it gives people another reason to head downtown, support local restaurants, and experience the vibrant food scene in Wilmington. Front Street Brewery also recently introduced a new summer menu and are excited to welcome guests in to experience it. Alongside longtime Front Street favorites, the updated menu features a variety of fresh seasonal additions and thoughtfully refreshed offerings they are proud to share heading into the summer season.
THE BREWPUB BURGER
The Burger
The Brewpub Burger is served with your choice of cheese, and a side. Their favorite way to enjoy it is topped with pimento cheese, with avocado and bacon.
What makes the Wrightsville Beach Brewery burger unique?
Every week WBB features a burger of the week with a special preparation. We try to keep things interesting; it could be anything ranging from smoked gouda with bacon jam, bacon, and malt mayo to pepper jack cheese, bacon, a fried hashbrown patty and tabasco mayo, or even a burger topped with peanut butter, bacon, grape jelly and pretzels! (You can probably sense we are big on bacon around here). Be sure to check out our social media every Monday to see what the special is that week.
Signature Sip
Airlie Amber Ale as the companion to your burger, or Piping Plover Pilsner if you like something a bit lighter.
Three Songs to Munch to?
What's Happening at Wrightsville Beach Brewery?
Sunday Jam is back on the 4th Sunday of the month 4-7pm May through October. You can also count on WBB for live music Thursday nights 6-9pm, and Saturdays 2-5pm.
THE MARKET BURGER
What makes the Pine Valley burger unique?
Pine Valley Market starts with high-quality beef and uses the classic smash burger technique on a flat-top grill, creating a perfectly caramelized crust that delivers both texture and flavor in every bite. Each burger is layered with cheese on both patties and topped with fresh ingredients, including locally sourced produce whenever it’s in season. For the ultimate finishing touch, they highly recommend adding a couple strips of crispy bacon to elevate the flavor even further.
Signature Sip
Big Daddy mimosa goes well with everything! And any local drafts in a cold mug are tasty as well.
What's Happening at Pine Valley Market in Wrightsville Beach?
Pine Valley Market and Wrightsville Beach are offering Tuesday smashburger specials featuring $6 smashburgers paired with $2 off draft beers — the perfect midweek excuse to enjoy great food and local flavor.
THE TRIPLE SMASH BURGER
What makes the Marina Grill burger unique?
Marina Grill’s burger is the ultimate summer indulgence by the water — three juicy, crispy-edged smashed patties layered with perfectly melted cheese and their signature house-made burger sauce. Packed with bold flavor in every bite, it’s the kind of burger best enjoyed with sunshine, waterfront views, and an ice-cold drink in hand.
Signature Sip
Pair it with one of Marina Grill’s ice-cold draught beers, with 25 crisp selections on tap to perfectly complement a sunny day by the water.
Three Songs to Munch to?
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