Are you in search of the best burger restaurants in the Lake Norman area? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
There’s never a shortage of options when it comes to burgers. Every neighborhood has at least one good burger joint, while others have closer to fifty. When all you’re craving is a juicy good one, trying to decide where to eat can be overwhelming.
To save you from hours of hangry DoorDash scrolling, we’ve hand-picked 10 of the best burgers in Lake Norman.
Here are the 10 Best Lake Norman Burger Restaurants for 2023!
Address: 500 S Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
There’s something about blue skies and fresh air that just makes food taste that much better. Maybe that’s the secret to The Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden’s award-winning fare. Surrounded by the rustic beauty of Merino Mill, this restaurant’s charm comes first and foremost from its spacious outdoor seating and lush greenery.
The space is pet and family-friendly, so you can enjoy a day out with both your furry friends and your little rugrats! As The Barcelona’s name might suggest, their specialty is hand-pressed, certified Angus beef burgers (and beer, of course).
Inspired by the extraordinary cuisine of Spain, these burgers are topped with anything from caramelized onion and cabrales cheese to peppadew peppers and salsa verde; to match, they’re also serving up a Best of LKN favorite, truffle fries.
Wash down your burger with a specialty beer, and finish it all off with some homespun cannolis and tiramisu. Your sunny daycation awaits you on S. Main Street in Mooresville.
Get to know the owner of The Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden in episode 62 of The Best of LKN podcast and our blog article.
Address: 9818 Gilead Rd STE 101B, Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 727-0142
Down in Huntersville off of Gilead Road, you’ll find the Lake Norman location of one of Charlotte’s favorite burger places. Pinky’s Westside Grill Huntersville was opened in 2013 and in 2022 underwent a remodel.
Pinky’s isn’t just famous locally. The restaurant was featured on the popular TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with Guy Fieri. Featured twice, actually. While the menu has several different types of sandwiches and entrees to choose from, most people visit for the burgers.
The Triple-G Burger was inspired by Guy and stands tall with three 5–ounce all-beef patties, and can be built to spec with the toppings of your choice. Or, order what Guy ordered: Greg’s Pickles (fried dill pickles), Corn Dog Shrimp (8 deep-friend jumbo shrimp), and the Asian Pork Burger (ground pork patty, Korean BBQ sauce, and cilantro-honey slaw).
Address: 246 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: (704) 664-7253
If a good, old-fashioned smash burger is what you seek, Bae’s Burgers in downtown Mooresville is the place to go. Owners Claire Connolly and Fabian Elmes moved to Charlotte in 2020 from Miami. Bae’s Burgers began as a food truck and is named after the affectionate nickname the couple has for each other.
After a successful 2-year run in the Lake Norman area with their food truck, Claire and Fabian decided to park it permanently and open their first brick-and-mortar location. Their menu is small – just a few burgers to choose from – but mighty.
The mission at Bae’s is to produce the best possible version of the classic smash burger. Ingredients are sourced locally from Gibson Farms and include a dry-aged grass-fed beef blend of chuck, short rib, and brisket. You’ll also find local craft beers on tap here which are the perfect compliment to these amazing smash burgers!
Address: 138 Village View Dr #107, Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: (980) 689-4390
How about a great gastropub? Scratch Kitchen is a concept developed by the team at Ghost Face Brewing Company (also in Mooresville). As the name implies, it’s all about fresh ingredients and scratch-made menu items here.
The burger menu is one of the best in the area, and it’s the Scratch Signature burger that caught our attention. To begin, Scratch Kitchen gives you a choice of protein: ½ pound grass-fed beef, Impossible Burger (plant-based), and grilled or fried chicken breast. When going with beef, you have the option of adding another beef patty to make it an even one-pounder.
Other reasons to visit Scratch Kitchen include its outstanding cocktail program, a vast selection of paninis, salads, and flatbreads, as well as its indulgent dessert menu.
Address: 16609 Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 237-4387
Another spot that prides itself on being locally owned and operated, Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse is an old-school pub that stays true to tradition by grilling up the classics.
Here, you’ll find burgers are topped with timeless favorites like fresh lettuce and tomato, applewood smoked bacon, and smoky cheeses. If you’re feeling particularly good saucy, you can order the Chorizo Burger, topped with pepper jack cheese, grilled onion, and chipotle mayo, piled high on a sweet onion roll.
Of all the joints on this list, Duckworth’s offers the largest selection of drinks, with an astounding 388 beers on tap across their five locations! Enjoy your meal in front of the big screens, which broadcast the latest sports games and races. Cheer on your favorite teams while you dine at the Huntersville location on Statesville Road.
Address: 8625-A Lindholm Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 237-4055
If you’re into the build-your-own-burger scene, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is the place for you. With a wide variety of meats, buns, and dozens of toppings, even the craziest burger creations can be yours for devouring.
Too many choices got you feeling lost? Don’t fret–Bad Daddy’s also offers some funky combinations of their own: the Sam I Am ham and egg burger, a BBQ-inspired Smokehouse burger, and their signature Bad Ass Burger, complete with two beef patties, buttermilk fried bacon, and horseradish mayo.
The diverse menu and laid-back vibe make for a great gathering spot, perfect for families and large groups. With convenient locations all over NC, including Birkdale Village (Huntersville) and Mooresville, there’s no excuse for skipping out on the badass flavors at Bad Daddy’s.
Address: 215 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: (704) 237-3246
For an authentic taste of NC cuisine, you can’t go wrong with Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse. Their locally-sourced ingredients make for fresh, farm-to-table flavors that simply can’t be beat.
Headlining Flatiron’s burger menu is the Taphouse Burger, which features Wagyu-grass fed beef blend, bacon jam, melted cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and pickles served on a brioche bun with housemade fries.
Looking for more environmentally-conscious options? Flatiron also offers a multitude of plant-based burgers, so there’s something on the menu for everyone. In addition, you’ll be able to pair your burger with a wide selection of hand-crafted cocktails and beers from some of NC’s finest independent breweries.
Head over to Main Street in Davidson for a unique dining experience.
Flatiron Kitchen and Taphouse was featured in Episode 16 of The Best of LKN podcast!
Address: 18418 Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Phone: (704) 997-6069
Looking for a place to kick back and relax for a while? At Boatyard Lake Norman, you can do just that. This local eatery doubles as an entertainment venue, with a massive outdoor stage that showcases live music every weekend.
We know that there’s no good music without good food, so while you jam out, we recommend you try a Smash Burger. Topped with veggies, cheese, and house-made pickles, you can’t go wrong with these babies.
The menu is also packed with an assortment of refreshing beers, wines, and seasonal cocktails. When the weather gets warmer, take our advice and seize the day by attending one of Boatyard’s events.
BoatYard Lake Norman was featured in Episode 49 of The Best of LKN podcast! BoatYard Lake Norman also made our list of the most popular restaurants in Cornelius.
Address: 16710 Birkdale Commons Pkwy, Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (980) 689-2990
Being a classic NC-style BBQ joint, you already know that Midwood Smokehouse knows how to handle its meats. Since their original Midwood location opened up in 2011, they’ve been serving up classic comfort foods in an equally cozy ambiance.
We can guarantee that you’ll love their oven-baked mac n’ cheese, Brunswick stew, and BBQ rub-rimmed Bloody Mary. But the real star of the show is the Roadhouse burger, a patty crafted with premium Angus chuck and brisket.
If not ordering the barbecue at Midwood makes you feel like a criminal, don’t worry; just ask to get your burger topped with brisket or pork (or both). Have we got your mouth watering yet? Head to Birkdale Village and try this belly-busting burger for yourself.
Address: 21726 Catawba Ave STE B Cornelius, NC 28031
Phone: (704) 897-7320
As chef Anthony Bourdain often used to say, good food is simple food. There’s no better example of this than CRAFTY BURG’R N’ Tap, whose menu is chock-full of comforting classics like traditional hamburgers, house-made fries, and cold beer.
For those more adventurous diners out there, you can also find crafty burgers topped with bacon jam, chili, slaw, pulled pork, and even mac n’ cheese! The homestyle cooking is complemented by an inviting atmosphere and a cost-effective price point, which makes it another great location for family outings. If an easygoing dine-out is calling your name, you can find CRAFTY BURG’R in Cornelius.
Crafty Burg’r & Tap is also one of the most popular restaurants in Cornelius.
Bonus 1.0: Hello, Sailor
Address: 20210 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Phone: (704) 997-5365
Located along the Lake on Henderson Road, this trendy waterfront establishment is known for its great view and delicious, freshly caught fish. But don’t be fooled by its seafood-driven menu—Hello Sailor makes a mean Skillet Burger, topped with their signature magic sauce and served with beef-fat french fries.
Trust us when we say that you’ll want to ask for extra napkins for this bad boy. You can make the most out of your visit to this stylish joint by pregaming your burger with perfectly fried hush puppies and pickles, as well as creative cocktails.
Meet Hello, Sailor owners Joe & Katy Kindred in Episode 31 of The Best of LKN podcast!
Hello, Sailor is also one of the top 5 waterfront restaurants on Lake Norman.
Bonus 2.0: Flock Bistro
Address: 129A Marketplace Ave, Mooresville, NC 28117
Phone: (980) 444-0275
It’s tough to order a burger at Flock Bistro. Why? Because the menu has so many excellent entrees to choose from! But, if you’re in Mooresville and you’re in the mood for a burger like no other, I highly recommend stopping by Flock.
Chef Nick’s take on a classic American cheeseburger is something to behold. Hand-pressed Kobe beef patty, topped with smoked bacon, provolone & cheddar cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, and house-made mayo, on an excellent brioche bun. This burger is in a category of its own. Bon appétit!
Meet the Flock Bistro team in episode 142 of The Best of LKN podcast!
Whatever kind of burger you’re after, there’s a place on this list for you to chow down at. Lake Norman is a culinary hotspot with an endless stream of eateries, so after you’ve finished adding a few lines to your foodie bucket list, consider checking out some of the other LKN restaurants we’ve covered.
Cheers, Lake Norman!
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