Columbia is a serious college town with a big appetite, and burgers are one of its specialties. From long‑running student favorites to locally sourced gastropubs, these are the spots CoMo locals talk about when burger cravings hit.
1. Booches Billiard Hall
Booches is legendary—opened in the 1800s, still serving simple, amazing burgers wrapped in wax paper.
These are small, thin, griddled patties served on soft buns with cheese, pickles, and onions. You order a couple (or more), sit at the bar or one of the old tables, and soak up the no‑frills, old‑school atmosphere.
Locals love that nothing about it feels modern or fancy; it’s just a classic Missouri burger that’s all about the meat, the sear, and nostalgia.
2. Broadway Brewery
Broadway Brewery is the spot for Columbia’s farm‑to‑table crowd—and their burger is a must.
They use locally raised beef, usually cooked to a perfect medium, topped with sharp cheddar or another quality cheese, seasonal toppings (bacon, greens, pickled onions), and a house aioli on a good bun.
Paired with their house‑brewed beers and hand‑cut fries, the burger here is the definition of a chef‑crafted pub burger and is regularly named among the best in town.
3. Room 38 Restaurant & Lounge
Room 38 leans cocktail lounge/small plates, but their burger has a serious fanbase among locals.
It’s usually a thick, juicy patty with gourmet touches—think smoked gouda or blue cheese, bacon, arugula instead of iceberg, perhaps a truffle or garlic aioli. The bun is soft but upscale (often a brioche‑style).
It’s the burger you order on a date night or for a nicer evening out when you still just really want a burger.
4. Flat Branch Pub & Brewing
Flat Branch is one of Columbia’s cornerstone brewpubs, and the burger menu is deep.
You’ll find several variations: a classic cheeseburger, BBQ bacon burgers, mushroom‑Swiss, and often a spicy option with jalapeños or pepper jack. Patties are flavorful and juicy, buns hold up well, and toppings feel generous rather than skimpy.
Locals love sitting on the patio or in the cozy brick‑lined interior with a house beer and a burger—it’s one of those “this is Columbia” experiences.
5. CJ’s in Tiger Country
Better known for wings and sports, CJ’s also serves a surprisingly solid burger that hometown fans swear by.
Thick patties, gooey cheese, and a straightforward build—lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon if you want it—served with fries or tots. It’s not sophisticated; it’s game‑day food done right.
If you’re in town for an MU event and want a burger in a full‑on college‑sports atmosphere, CJ’s is exactly what locals will point you toward.
Get the All-American Travel Secrets!
Don't miss out on America's hidden gems!
