Minnesota might be famous for its lakes, but let’s be honest—if you haven’t sunk your teeth into a juicy, perfectly grilled burger here, you’re missing out on half the flavor of the state. From legendary Twin Cities staples to hole-in-the-wall finds that locals guard like secrets, Minnesota knows how to build a burger that hits all the right notes. After crisscrossing the state, chatting with locals, and tasting more patties than I can count, I’ve rounded up the 15 best burgers in Minnesota you absolutely need to try in 2025. These picks are all about quality ingredients, local love, and the kind of bite that sticks with you long after the last crumb is gone.
1. The Juicy Lucy – Matt’s Bar (Minneapolis)
- Best For: Iconic, molten-cheese-filled experience
- Location: 3500 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN
If you’re talking burgers in Minnesota and don’t mention Matt’s Bar, are you even trying?
Matt’s is home to the legendary Juicy Lucy, a burger with cheese stuffed inside the patty. Take one bite and molten American cheese oozes out in a glorious, greasy rush that’s burned more tongues than anyone will admit.
What makes Matt’s version different? It’s simple, no-frills, cooked on a well-seasoned griddle that hasn’t changed since 1954. The bun is basic, the fries are solid—but the burger? Unforgettable. Just remember: it’s cash only and expect a wait (but it’s worth it).
2. Revival Burger – Revival (St. Paul & Minneapolis)
- Best For: Southern-style burgers with serious flavor
- Location: Multiple locations
- Website: revivalfriedchicken.com
Revival might be known for its Nashville hot chicken, but their Revival Burger deserves equal fame. Made with two griddled patties, American cheese, house-made pickles, and a tangy comeback sauce on a perfectly toasted bun, this burger is indulgence on a plate.
It’s rich, balanced, and messy in all the best ways. What sets it apart is the use of local beef ground fresh daily, combined with chef-driven precision.
3. The Parlour Burger – Parlour (Minneapolis & St. Paul)
- Best For: Craft cocktail vibes with an elevated burger
- Location: 730 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
- Website: parlourbar.com
Parlour is the kind of place you go to for an old fashioned—but leave talking about the burger.
The Parlour Burger is buttery, luxurious, and deceptively simple. It features a house-ground blend of chuck, ribeye, and brisket—no fillers, just bold beef flavor. Topped with white American cheese and served on a soft egg bun, it’s melt-in-your-mouth magic.
This burger has a cult following for a reason. It’s everything you want from a high-end burger without the fuss.
4. The Nookie Supreme – The Nook (St. Paul)
- Best For: Classic Midwestern burger dive vibes
- Location: 492 Hamline Ave S, St Paul, MN
- Website: crnook.com
Nestled in the Highland neighborhood, The Nook is a local institution that’s packed on weeknights and packed-er on weekends. Their signature burger, the Nookie Supreme, features two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and special sauce.
But the star here is the execution. The patties are griddled to perfection, with just the right amount of crust. The bun holds up, the ingredients are fresh, and the vibe is pure Minnesota hospitality.
5. The Cheeseburger – Saint Dinette (St. Paul)
- Best For: A burger that eats like fine dining
- Location: 261 5th St E, St Paul, MN
Saint Dinette does something special—it elevates the humble cheeseburger into a work of culinary art without losing its soul. Their cheeseburger is made with double patties, gooey cheese, soft sesame bun, and a house-made dijonnaise that ties it all together.
The meat is perfectly seasoned, with just the right fat content to make every bite flavorful but never greasy. It’s rich, clean, and one of the most balanced burgers I’ve ever had.
6. The Tot Boss Burger – The Tot Boss Food Truck (Various Locations)
- Best For: Tater tot lovers who want their tots on the burger
- Location: Food truck – check current location on their site
- Website: totboss.com
You’ve had fries on a burger. Maybe even mac and cheese. But have you had tater tots on your burger?
The Tot Boss Burger is a messy, glorious creation that features a perfectly grilled beef patty stacked with crispy tater tots, melty cheddar, and a tangy signature sauce. It’s bold, it’s heavy, and yes, it’s completely addictive.
This food truck pops up at events, breweries, and street fairs around the Twin Cities—so keep an eye on their schedule.
7. Blucy – Blue Door Pub (Minneapolis & St. Paul)
Best For: Juicy Lucy with a twist
Location: Multiple locations
Meet the Blucy—a bold, playful take on the Juicy Lucy that comes in multiple wild versions. Blue Door Pub is the creative cousin in the Lucy family, stuffing their burgers with everything from mozzarella and pepperoni to peanut butter and bacon.
Fan favorites include the Bangkok Blucy (stuffed with coconut milk, red curry, and mozzarella) and the Luau (pineapple, Swiss cheese, and BBQ pulled pork).
These aren’t just gimmicks—they’re well-executed flavor bombs that locals love.
8. The Bacon Burger – Kings Place Bar & Grill (Miesville)
- Best For: Classic small-town burger done perfectly
- Location: 14460 240th St E, Miesville, MN
- Website: kingsplacebar.com
Sometimes, the best burgers are found off the beaten path. Kings Place in Miesville (population: under 150) is one of those spots.
Their Bacon Burger is simple—just thick-cut bacon, American cheese, and a hand-pattied burger on a toasted bun. But it’s all done so well that locals drive in from miles away just to get one.
The beef is fresh, the seasoning is just right, and there’s something about the no-fuss, small-town bar atmosphere that makes this burger feel like a warm hug.
9. The Pit Burger – Lions Tap (Eden Prairie)
- Best For: No-frills, high-quality, fast-grilled classic
- Location: 16180 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN
- Website: lionstap.com
Lions Tap has been slinging burgers since the 1950s, and they haven’t changed much—because they haven’t had to.
Their signature Pit Burger is all about juicy, grilled-to-order beef, a buttery bun, and their famous zesty sauce. The patties are smash-grilled to create a crisp edge while staying juicy inside. No fancy toppings, just pure burger bliss.
10. The Big Stag – Staghead Gastropub (Red Wing
- Best For: Small-town burger with big-city flavor
- Location: 219 Bush St, Red Wing, MN
Tucked away in the charming town of Red Wing, Staghead is a gastropub that surprises even seasoned Twin Cities foodies. Their Big Stag Burger features grass-fed beef from local farms, aged cheddar, arugula, caramelized onions, and smoked garlic aioli.
Everything is made from scratch, and it shows. The bun is sourced from a nearby bakery, and the entire burger feels curated—but still craveable.
11. The Big Kahuna – Blue Door Pub (Various Locations in the Twin Cities)
- Best For: Stuffed burgers with tropical flair
- Location: Multiple Twin Cities locations
A rival to the Juicy Lucy, Blue Door Pub is famous for its Blucys—stuffed burgers with bold fillings. The Big Kahuna Blucy is a tropical twist, packed with Swiss cheese, grilled pineapple, and Canadian bacon, then topped with a splash of teriyaki glaze.
12 . Truffle Burger – Red Cow (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester)
- Best For: Upscale flavor without the pretension
- Location: Multiple locations
- Website: redcowmn.com
Red Cow is practically burger royalty in Minnesota, and their Truffle Burger is one of the menu’s highlights. It’s made with Angus beef, fontina cheese, truffle aioli, arugula, and port wine onions on a soft, rich bun.
It’s the kind of burger you eat slowly—not because you want to, but because you don’t want it to end.
13. The Classic – King’s Place (Miesville)
- Best For: Old-school vibes and over 90 burger options
- Location: 14460 240th St E, Miesville, MN
- Website: kingsplacebar.com
A true Minnesota gem, King’s Place is a burger lover’s paradise. With over 90 different burgers on the menu, narrowing it down isn’t easy. But the Classic (lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, American cheese) is still one of the best.
They’ve been doing burgers right since the ’80s. It’s not fancy, but it’s real. And the portions? Generous.
14. The Whiskey Burger – The Lowry (Minneapolis)
- Best For: Brunch vibes with a boozy twist
- Location: 2112 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
- Website: thelowryuptown.com
Part diner, part tavern, The Lowry serves up a Whiskey Burger that’s bold, balanced, and a little boozy. It’s topped with whiskey-glazed onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, and a house whiskey sauce that gives it just the right kick.
Perfect for weekend brunches or late-night cravings, this burger packs serious umami and a little Minnesota attitude.
15. The Dirty Double – Revival (Minneapolis & St. Paul)
Best For: Southern-style smash burger with insane flavor
Location:
Minneapolis: 4257 Nicollet Ave
St. Paul: 525 Selby Ave
Website: revivalfriedchicken.com
Revival is famous for its fried chicken, but their Dirty Double Burger is a low-key legend. This Southern-inspired double cheeseburger features two smashed patties, American cheese, tangy “comeback sauce,” pickles, and onions on a perfectly toasted bun.
It’s greasy in the best way, full of umami, and totally satisfying. Locals call it a “hangover cure,” but honestly—it hits just as hard on a weekday lunch run.
Final Bites: Why These Burgers Made the Cut
I didn’t choose these burgers just because they’re popular—I chose them because they offer something distinct, whether it’s tradition, technique, or pure taste. Each burger on this list has a loyal following for a reason, and in 2025, these are the spots locals are still lining up for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the best burger in Minnesota in 2025?
The Parlour Burger is widely considered the best in Minnesota for its rich meat blend and simplicity. It’s a must-try for any burger lover.
2. Where can I find a good Juicy Lucy in Minnesota?
Try Matt’s Bar or Blue Door Pub in Minneapolis. Both offer delicious takes on this iconic stuffed burger.
3. Are there any great burgers outside the Twin Cities?
Yes! Check out King’s Place in Miesville or Staghead in Red Wing—they serve small-town burgers with big-time flavor.
4. What makes Minnesota burgers special?
Minnesota burgers often feature local beef, bold flavors, and creative toppings—like cheese-stuffed patties, whiskey onions, or truffle aioli.
5. Do these burger spots offer vegetarian options?
Most do! Red Cow, Staghead, and The Lowry all have tasty plant-based or beet burgers on the menu.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
