Best Burgers in Utah

2025 Update

Of course Utahns love a good burger. Visitors do, too. And after many decades of exploring the state from Logan to St. George, I’ve learned that a list of the best burgers in Utah is one of those impossible endeavors.

Everyone has their own opinion. I’ve also learned two truths. Utah’s burger scene keeps evolving. And some legends never fade. Several of the originals on this list have gone out of business.

It’s hard to keep up but here’s my fresh, newly-researched and field-tested (at least some of them) list of the best burgers in Utah. I originally wrote a very average version of this article … I’ll admit it … a long time ago.

With more than 400 pages on this site, it’s difficult to go back and update every one of them. But I noticed that my page “Best Burgers in Utah” kept getting a lot of hits. Despite its mediocrity.

So I figured it was time to write a page that was at least up-to-date. It blends new standouts with old favorites. Plus a few regional picks. So no matter where you’re road-tripping, you can hunt down a great burger without guesswork.

A quick note on how this article was written. Flavor first, then bun integrity, fresh toppings, value, and that “I’d drive out of my way for this again” factor. Atmosphere doesn’t hurt. And, of course, using other burger aficionados’ opinions helps cover all the bases.

For those who prefer a keto or carnivorish burger, which ones do bunless or lettuce wrapped? Well, almost any of these will do that for you. Yes, it’s a thing. Just ask.

Some of them won’t even look at you with that “Are you kidding me right now?” look. Extra credit for Utah personality (hello, pastrami and fry sauce) and places that feel like … well, Utah.

Salt Lake City & the Wasatch Front

Lucky 13 Bar & Grill (SLC)

Still a Salt Lake City icon and a consistent awards magnet. Lucky 13 turns out smoky, beefy monsters stacked with house-smoked bacon. One of the best bites in the state when you want a full-throttle burger and a cold drink.

It’s been around for a couple decades and is usually busy for a good reason. The place routinely lands “best burger in Utah” nods from local outlets. It also has fantastic customer reviews.

Where: 135 West 1300 South, SLC, UT

The Cotton Bottom (Holladay) - Garlic Legend

Utah’s most famous garlic burger got a second life after a renovation and expansion a few years back. This place has an interesting history if you care to search online for it.

It still has the same old-style bar vibe. The Bar X Group bought it and kept the beloved recipe. They also made the hangout bigger and brighter. It’s just down the road from where I live.

Order the garlic burger, find a patio spot (if you can find one) and taste a 50-year tradition done right. Take your chances as we consistently show up to a full parking lot and patio.

Where: 2820 East 6200 South, Holladay, UT

Crown Burgers (Multiple Locations) - Pastrami Royalty

Utah’s signature is the pastrami burger and Crown Burger popularized it. The “Crown” stacks shaved pastrami over a juicy patty with thousand-island style sauce. It’s messy in the best possible way and a rite of passage for burger lovers visiting SLC.

When I was working in the transportation industry, I remember being asked multiple times by out-of-town visitors to take them to Crown for lunch. They just had to try one.

Crown does an awesome lettuce wrapped (bunless) burger for those who don’t want the buns or bread. I know. What’s a burger without a bun? Pretty darn good I think

Check online for locations.

Proper Burger Co. (SLC)

Creative without being fussy. Try anything “Proper Style” (cheese, caramelized onions, house sauce) or go for their Johnny Utah with turkey pastrami - fun, flavorful, and very SLC.

Bonus: easy to pair with a Proper beer next door.

Where: 865 Main Street, SLC, UT; Avenues – 376 8th Ave., SLC, UT; 1053 East 2100 South, SLC, UT

Hires Big H (SLC & Midvale) – Fry Sauce Classic

A retro Utah staple credited with spreading the gospel of fry sauce. The quarter-pound ground-chuck Big H with a side of those crisp fries is pure nostalgia.

I remember this place literally from back when I first arrived in Utah as a college athlete from Canada. A long time ago! But still good value.

Where: 425 S 700 E, SLC, UT; 835 Fort Union Blvd, Midvale, UT

Northern Utah

Burger Bar (Roy) - The Big Ben

Family-owned since 1956 and as old-school as it gets. Order the Big Ben (or a seasonal wild-game special if they’re running one), snag a stool, and enjoy a little Utah burger history that’s still very much alive.

Where: 5291 S 1900 W, Roy, UT

Morty’s Café (Logan)

Laid-back college-town favorite near Utah State with reliable classics and fun one-offs. Great stop if you’re cruising Cache Valley or headed to Bear Lake.

Where: 780 E 700 N, Logan, UT

Utah County

Seven Brothers (Provo) - Island-Style Indulgence

Born on Oahu, thriving in Provo. The Paniolo/Cowboy-style stacks crispy onion rings, grilled pineapple, bacon, and BBQ sauce for a sweet-smoky bomb that somehow stays balanced. Family-friendly and consistent.

Where: 4801 N University Ave #220, Provo, UT

JCW’s The Burger Boys (American Fork, Lehi, Provo, more)

Local chain, big menu, and generous portions. It’s the kind of place where everyone in the car finds something they want - burgers, onion rings, and shakes are all recommended.

Where: There are multiple locations – American Fork, Lehi, Provo, Herriman, South Jordan. Go here to get the locations.

Heber Valley & Park City

Dairy Keen - Home of the Train (Heber City)

A beloved Heber institution (since the late 1960s) that just grabbed a stack of 2025 Best of State awards including “local burgers.” Literally one of the best burgers in Utah.

Get the Train Burger and an over-the-top shake before or after a ride around the valley. Whenever we come back from fishing at Strawberry, this is a favorite stop.

Where: 199 S Main St, Heber City, UT

No Name Saloon & Annex Burger (Park City) - Buffalo Burger

Park City’s most famous burger is actually bison. And bison burgers are incredible if done right. They can be dry if not treated correctly.

Half-pound, juicy, and perfect after a day on the trails or the slopes. If you’ve got kids in tow, Annex Burger next door is the under-21 option.

Where: 447 Main Street, Park City, UT

Moab & Southern Utah

Milt’s Stop & Eat (Moab) - Roadside Perfection

A vintage drive-in with grass-fed burgers, green-chile add-ons, and that Moab sun on your shoulders. It’s a rite of passage enroute to Slickrock or Arches. The line moves faster than you think.

Where: 356 S Mill Creek Dr, Moab, UT

Morty’s Café (St. George)

Same Morty’s attitude down south - casual, quick, and ideal after a red-rock hike or a round of golf. Keep an eye out for fun seasonal specials (their “Thank You Thursday” deals are a local favorite).

Where: 702 E St George Blvd, St. George, UT

Tooele Area

Dairy Delight (Tooele) - Old-Fashioned Classic

A Tooele staple with small-town charm and a big, beefy payoff. Order the Old-Fashion Burger (their signature) and a thick shake. Then grab a booth and watch the steady stream of locals roll through.

My son will attest to the tastiness of these burgers as he has been there several times. It’s exactly the kind of place Utah road trips were made for: affordable, unpretentious, and reliably satisfying.

Where: 46 W 100 S, Tooele, UT

New(ish) & Novel

Craving something off-beat? West Valley’s horror-themed Burgertory leans into “gore-met” puns with jalapeño-habanero sauces and garlic-forward creations. The vibe is campy fun and the portions are large.

Where: 3197 S Redwood Rd Suite 9, West Valley City, UT

Honorable Mentions (Because I Can’t Help Myself)

Apollo Burger - For drive-thru pastrami fix statewide.

Annex Burger (Park City) – Mentioned above. For under-21 families who still want the No Name energy and burgers.

Final Bites About
The Best Burgers In Utah

I’m still partial to a backyard burger on a summer night. Smoked and temperature-checked on my Traeger. But these Utah spots keep my wife and me happily “researching” year-round.

If you’ve got a can’t-miss burger I need to try … especially in smaller towns … send it my way, and I’ll try to keep this page fresh. I’ll even take a special road trip to try it out.

Also, please be aware that these spots were last verified in September of 2025. Eating establishments come and go and sometimes they go quickly.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Wasatch Mountains

Lake Powell

Zion National Park

Arches National Park

Great Salt Lake

Monument Valley