Best burgers in Calgary you need to try at least once
Affectionately known by some as Cowtown, it’s no surprise that Calgary has an unmatched burger scene.
Nothing hits the spot quite like a juicy, perfectly topped, fresh-off-the-grill burger, and the city has every kind of burger you could dream of, covered in cheese or layered with bacon, from smashed patties to hidden gems.
Lucky for you, we’ve made our way through our fair share of spots to narrow down all the best places for when those burger cravings hit.
So while there are plenty of exceptional burgers to try out, here are some of the best burgers in Calgary.
Class Clown Hamburgers
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You’d be hard-pressed to find a YYC burger that comes more highly recommended than Class Clown, and it’s for a good reason. Its burgers are made from a combination of pasture-raised Alberta chuck and brisket before being smashed to perfection on the grill. The concise menu has something for everyone.
Address: 1711 4th St. SW #106, Calgary
Lil’ Empire
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With four locations across the city, Lil’ Empire is a must-visit for burger lovers. Made with house-ground Alberta beef patties, each burger is topped with its special burger sauce, pickles, cheese, fried onions, and lettuce.
Address: 4321 1st St. SE, Calgary
Address: 1105 1st Ave. NE, Calgary
Address: 1839 20th Ave. NW, Calgary
Address: 1103 4th St. SW, Calgary
Boogie’s Burgers
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Dating back to 1969, Boogie’s Burgers is an iconic Calgary burger joint, and it still holds up as one of the best in the city. While there are plenty of classic burgers, the spot never shies away from the weird and wacky, serving up patties stacked with hot dogs, mac & cheese wedges, and more.
Address: 908 Edmonton Tr. NE, Calgary
Address: 2129 33rd Ave. SW, Calgary
Bastion Burger
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Starting its life as a food truck in 2024, Bastion Burger has swiftly climbed Calgary’s burger rankings and gained a solid fan base in the city. Diners can now find Bastion’s classic smashburgers at Pin Bar full-time.
Address: 501 17th Ave. SW, Calgary
Clive Burger
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A classic spot to head to in YYC for a quality burger, be sure to eat it while it’s hot and get all the Clive sauce you can handle on the side.
Address: 736 17th Ave. SW, Calgary
Peters’ Drive-In
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You can honestly never go wrong with Peters’ Drive-In. This spot serves fresh hamburger patties on slow-rising sponge dough topped with secret-recipe Peters sauce and fixings. Plus, there are so many milkshake options here.
Address: 219 – 16th Ave. NE, Calgary
Rosie’s Burgers
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Hailing from Ontario, Rosie’s Burgers has been a welcome addition to YYC’s burger scene. The popular spot offers eats such as smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, poutine and onion rings. Don’t even think about skipping out on the banana pudding for dessert.
Address: 1509 8th St. SW, Calgary
Iyycburg
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Iyycburg is an excellent spot for no-fuss smash burgers and milkshakes, and you need to head in to grab some grub if you haven’t already.
Address: 19 Sunmills Dr. SE, Calgary
Address: 220 129 Sage Valley, Sage Hill Common NW, Calgary
Address: 234 19th St. NW, Calgary
Address: 9620 Elbow Dr. SW, Calgary
Pigot’s Burger Club
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Technically a pop-up, Pigot’s Burger Club’s smash burgers have also been served in Toronto and Vancouver. They’re available for take-out, delivery and also at CRAFT locations.
Address: 345 10th Ave. SW, Calgary
Alumni Sandwiches
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This spot is known chiefly for sandwiches, but the burger is technically a sandwich, right? It doesn’t matter because Alumni has one of the most underrated burgers in Calgary. That’s what happens when the other menu items are just as good.
Address: 725 17th Ave. SW, Calgary
Model Milk
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Many of the Concorde Group spots have fantastic burgers on the menu, and the Model Milk option might be our favourite. It’s topped with maitake mushroom and cheese curd fondue, as well as melted onions.
Address: 308 17th Ave. SW, Calgary
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