Here are seven of the absolute best burger spots across Maryland to add to your dining bucket list.
1. Abbey Burger Bistro (Baltimore & Havre de Grace)
- The Vibe: Lively, neighborhood sports bistro with an incredible customizable menu.
- Why It's Essential: With locations across Baltimore (including Fells Point) and Havre de Grace, Abbey Burger Bistro is an absolute institution. They regularly top statewide lists thanks to their massive "build-your-own" burger menu, featuring everything from classic Angus beef to exotic meats and house-made spreads.
- What to Order: The Baltimore Burger, an Angus beef patty topped with rich Maryland-style crab dip, cherrywood bacon, and cheddar cheese on a classic toasted bun.
2. Sunshine General Store (Brookeville)
- The Vibe: Nostalgic, old-school countryside store with a hidden counter-service grill.
- Why It's Essential: Located between Olney and Damascus in Montgomery County, Sunshine General Store looks like a rustic gas station or 1980s roadside stop from the outside. Step inside, grab one of the few counter stools, and you'll find what locals swear is the absolute best burger in the state.
- What to Order: The Sunshine Burger—a massive, no-nonsense half-pound patty cooked to order and loaded with lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.
3. Steeze Burger (Gaithersburg)
- The Vibe: Sizzling, modern smash-burger haven with cult-favorite status.
- Why It's Essential: What started as a viral pop-up phenomenon has grown into an absolute powerhouse at their home in Gaithersburg. Steeze Burger sources local beef from Montgomery County farms and grinds it into a custom blend that includes bone marrow for absurdly rich flavor. Their patties are smashed thin on a blazing-hot griddle for maximum crust.
- What to Order: The Classic Double Steeze Burger, topped with steamed onions, pickles, and melted American cheese.
4. Surfin' Betty's Burger Bar (Ocean City)
- The Vibe: Relaxed, surf-inspired coastal gathering spot.
- Why It's Essential: An offshoot of the beloved beach bar that sat on the boardwalk for decades, Surfin' Betty's Burger Bar brings gourmet standards to Ocean City. They partner with Maryland-based Roseda Farms to source pasture-raised, grass-fed beef that is dry-aged for 2 to 3 weeks, giving their burgers an unmistakable steak-like flavor.
- What to Order: The Pasture-Raised Double Cheeseburger paired with their fresh-cut fries and a local Maryland craft beer.
5. Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes (Frederick)
- The Vibe: Energetic, retro-modern American diner right in historic downtown Frederick.
- Why It's Essential: Located on East Patrick Street, Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes focuses on elevating the classic American burger joint experience. Their patties are hand-crafted using locally sourced beef and paired with creative New American toppings, making it a standout downtown fixture.
- What to Order: Custom-build your own double patty burger, and make sure to pair it with one of their thick, hand-spun ice cream shakes.
6. Go To Burgers (Bowie)
- The Vibe: Fast, unpretentious counter-service comfort food.
- Why It's Essential: Located on Crain Highway in Prince George's County, Go To Burgers has built a fiercely loyal local following by doing the basics exceptionally well. They skip the novelty gimmicks and focus entirely on fresh, hot, seasoned burgers cooked to order that hit the spot every single time.
- What to Order: The Classic Bacon Cheeseburger with a side of crispy fries.
7. BurgerFi (Silver Spring)
- The Vibe: Eco-conscious, high-energy modern burger bar.
- Why It's Essential: While it's part of a larger boutique group, the Silver Spring location of BurgerFi on Fenton Street is a staple in the DC-Metro area for chef-crafted quality. They use 100% natural American Angus beef, with no steroids, antibiotics, or hormones, and sear their burgers to fast, juicy perfection.
- What to Order: The BurgerFi Cheeseburger (double Angus beef patties with secret sauce) or their award-winning quinoa-based VegeFi Burger.
Quick Maryland Burger Tips:
- Seafood Fusions: Maryland is famous for blue crab—if you've never had rich crab dip melted over a charred beef patty, Abbey Burger Bistro is the place to try it.
- Local Beef Difference: If you want to taste the difference that dry-aging and local Maryland pasture-raising make, prioritize Surfin' Betty's or Steeze Burger.
