Boulder and great burgers go together like Flatirons and sunrise. This town might be famous for endurance athletes and healthy living, but when Boulderites want a burger, they want it done right. With students back in town, locals filling dining rooms, and visitors exploring the city’s food scene, the search for the best hamburger in Boulder never stops. Whether you’re cruising Pearl Street or wandering up toward Gunbarrel, Boulder offers a lineup of burger spots that continue to hold their place year after year.
For travelers getting to know the area, resources like the Boulder Convention & Visitors Bureau dining guide and the Colorado.com Boulder page help showcase the food culture that makes this city so popular.
Below is the definitive lineup for Boulder’s burger lovers, featuring six standout spots you can count on.
Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery
A Boulder classic. Mountain Sun’s lively energy, local vibe, and big, juicy pub-style burgers make it one of the most dependable favorites in town. Their house Mountain Sun Burger is known for its perfect balance: flavorful beef, fresh toppings, and that unmistakable Colorado comfort. This spot hits especially hard with students and long-time locals who crave something hearty.
The Sink
The Sink is Boulder history. Sitting on The Hill since 1923, it delivers one of the city’s most recognizable burgers. The Sink Burger, paired with its funky atmosphere and walls covered with decades of stories, remains a go-to for visitors and CU Boulder fans. Its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives cemented its legacy, but locals already knew what made it special.
Dark Horse
If Boulder had a burger hall of fame, Dark Horse would be the first inductee. With its movie props, rugged bar vibe, and a burger menu that never goes out of style, Dark Horse delivers a timeless Boulder experience. Students, families, and night owls all gather for one reason: the burgers are consistently fantastic.
Avery Brewing Co.
Known for world-class beer, Avery also delivers some of the most underrated burgers in Boulder. Their brewpub in Gunbarrel features a signature burger that’s thick, flavorful, and crafted with the same precision that goes into their brewing. It’s the ultimate pairing: world-famous beer and a seriously good burger.
Rayback Collective
While the food trucks rotate, Rayback itself remains one of Boulder’s most popular gathering spots. There’s almost always a truck serving a gourmet burger, letting visitors enjoy the city’s best rotating creations with picnic tables, yard games, and mountain views. Rayback isn’t a single burger… it’s a continuous celebration of Boulder’s food truck talent.
The West End Tavern…