Six places in Greater Boston to celebrate National Burger Month

Does it seem like a lot of restaurants have been offering hamburger specials lately? Perhaps it's because May is National Burger Month and May 28 is National Hamburger Day.

But what makes a really good burger? Wicked Local scouted restaurants in Boston, Cambridge and some suburban towns to research this question.

It’s such a simple concept to create, but the quality of the meat, the size of the patty, the way it’s cooked, the type of bun and the toppings are key components to a successful end result, which is a mouth-watering, satisfying hamburger.

Wicked Local found the following six restaurants that make really good hamburgers.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage

1246 Massachusetts Ave. (Route 2A), Cambridge; mrbartley.com

Since 1960, this Harvard Square legend has been a go-to spot for burger enthusiasts, receiving accolades from the Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and even celebrities like Adam Sandler, Johnny Cash, Matt Damon, Bob Dylan, Jacqueline Onassis and Al Pacino.

The casual restaurant is decorated like a dorm room, with celebrity posters, bumper stickers and signs. A prominent blackboard inside has this message from the restaurant’s founder, Joe Bartley, written in colorful chalk: “We originated the idea of grinding choice chucks of beef to turn out the finest hamburgers in the world. All excess fat is trimmed and nothing added. An excellent product made with painstaking care.”

There are 16 types of hamburgers on Mr. Bartley’s menu or you can build your own. The simplest is the “Joe Bartley,” an American cheeseburger for $16. If you want to be more adventurous, try the “Halouminati,” which is topped with fried Haloumi cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, tomato, red onion and drizzled with house hot honey for $22.

To complete your Mr. Bartley’s experience and leave feeling very indulged, be sure to order a milkshake and side of fried pickles.

The Banks

406 Stuart St., Boston; thebanksboston.com

For an elevated hamburger experience in Boston, The Banks features a Brandt all-natural burger. Brandt is a top quality brand of beef made at a family-owned, sustainable ranch in Southern California. The juicy, lean meat, combined with The Banks' housemade brioche sesame bun, topped with cheddar cheese and spicy aioli makes this $26 hamburger a winner.

The Banks opened in 2021 and is named for the famed fishing grounds of generations of New England fisherman. Its atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace on the first floor and large windows overlooking Boston's Back Bay on the second floor.

Baleia

Baleia, 264 East Berkely St., Boston; baleiaboston.com

Customers are clamoring for seats at the bar at Baleia in Boston’s South End to order its Portuguese-inspired hamburger, only available at the bar, for $19. It’s an all-beef patty topped with caramelized onions, quejo de ovelha cured cheese fondue and pickled piparra peppers sandwiched between a Portuguese sweet roll.

Baleia, which means “whale” in Portuguese, is a modern Portuguese-inspired restaurant rooted in Atlantic coastal cooking and the global influence of Portuguese cuisine. Baleia's menu draws from both Portugal and New England's maritime heritage in a chic and inviting space. 

Alden & Harlow

Alden & Harlow, 40 Brattle St., No. 3, Cambridge; aldenharlow.com

Alden & Harlow continues to prove why its famed “Secret Burger” for $19 remains one of Greater Boston’s most iconic burgers more than a decade after its debut. Known for its perfectly charred patty, balanced flavor, salted onions, house bread and butter pickles, and signature Cabot cheddar crisp, chef Michael Scelfo’s cult favorite still draws devoted fans and frequently sells out. Served on a fortified Parker House roll built to handle every juicy bite, the Secret Burger remains a must order for National Burger Month, especially alongside one of Alden & Harlow’s standout cocktails.

Alden & Harlow is a subterranean Harvard Square restaurant known for its dark, moody, speakeasy‑like atmosphere, with exposed brick, low lighting, and an open hearth that anchors the kitchen.

The Block at Woods Hill

The Block at Woods Hill, 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston; theblockatwoodshill.com

If you like your burgers smashed, venture into Boston's Seaport District and try the Block Burger at The Block at Woods Hill for $24. The meat blend is dry-aged flat iron, dry-aged ribeye, dry-aged pork loin, saucisson sec, finocchiona, chorizo seco, duck prosciutto, short ribs, and brisket from The Farm at Woods Hill in Bath, New Hampshire. The patty is topped with Giardiniera, XO aioli, arugula, fontina cheese on a house made sesame bun.

This Block Burger is only available at the bar and in limited quantities.

Diners at The Block at Woods Hill have open views into the butcher's room and illuminated dry-aging chamber. The Block also includes a curated market selling charcuterie, cheeses, broths, and pantry items.

MEZŌ

551 High St., Dedham; mezodedham.com

For a less traditional hamburger with a Mediterranean twist, enjoy the MEZŌ Greek Burger for $12.50. Served on a soft brioche bun, the burger is layered with cool, homemade tzatziki, sharp feta cheese and crisp red onion — delivering a bright, tangy contrast to the rich, savory patty.

MEZŌ's intimate space feels like a little Greek oasis, decorated with coastal colors like tan, blue and white. It contains hanging bright pink bougainvillea flower vines often seen in Greece, real olive trees and ceramic pottery.