Harrisburg’s food scene flies under the radar, but locals know there are some seriously satisfying burger spots tucked between the Capitol, Midtown, and the West Shore. From craft‑beer joints to old‑school bars, these five places get mentioned over and over when residents talk about the best burgers in the area.
1. The Millworks
In Midtown, right by the Broad Street Market, The Millworks is known for its farm‑to‑table menu, rooftop beer garden, and art studios—but the burger is what a lot of locals quietly come back for.
The Millworks Burger is built like a chef’s version of a classic: local grass‑fed beef, cooked properly (you can actually get a true medium‑rare), with melty cheese, house pickles, aioli, and a soft, slightly toasted bun. Toppings rotate with the seasons—bacon, caramelized onions, or special sauces—so it never feels boring.
Add in hand‑cut fries and one of their house‑brewed beers or PA‑heavy draft list, and you’ve got a burger experience that feels a step up from your average pub without being fussy.
2. Rubicon
Rubicon, just off the Capitol complex, is a brasserie‑style spot better known for cocktails and French‑leaning dishes—but Harrisburg locals know to order the burger here.
Their burger is thick, juicy, and clearly chef‑driven: high‑quality beef, often topped with Gruyère or another good melting cheese, plus crisp lettuce, tomato, onion, and house aioli or special sauce on a rich brioche‑style bun. You can usually add bacon or an egg if you want to go bigger.
It’s the kind of burger you get with a martini or a nice glass of wine and knife‑and‑fork your way through, and a lot of regulars claim it as one of the best “nicer” burgers in town.
3. Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC Harrisburg)
ABC is mostly known as a brewery, but the food menu is stacked with hearty pub staples—especially burgers.
The Brew Pub Burger and its many variations are big, juicy, and built for pairing with a pint. Expect a well‑seasoned patty, American or cheddar cheese, bacon options, sautéed mushrooms, and BBQ or house sauces. The Black & Bleu style (blackened patty with blue cheese) is a favorite with regulars, as is anything involving their beer cheese.
Portions are generous, sides are classic (fries, chips, slaw), and the vibe is laid‑back—perfect for a casual burger and beer night.
4. Midtown Tavern
A true neighborhood bar with a loyal crowd, Midtown Tavern is one of those places that doesn’t look flashy but gets constant praise for its burgers.
Patties are thick and well‑seared, toppings are straightforward but plentiful—think cheddar, bacon, jalapeños, grilled onions, mushrooms, and house sauces—and the buns hold up under all of it. Their Tavern Burger with bacon and cheese is the go‑to, while the occasional specialty burgers (BBQ, spicy, or mushroom‑Swiss style) are regular crowd‑pleasers.
If you want that “locals at the bar, burgers on the grill, game on the TV” atmosphere, this is the Harrisburg burger hang.
5. 1700° Steakhouse
Inside the Hilton, 1700° is a classic special‑occasion steakhouse—but if you’re a burger person, the dining room burger is absolutely worth the splurge.
It’s typically a blend of high‑end beef, cooked to temp, topped with aged cheddar or another upscale cheese, caramelized onions, and house condiments on an artisan bun. Fries or truffle fries round it out.
Locals who love “fancy burgers” swear this is one of the best in the region: rich, ultra‑beefy, and as carefully prepared as their steaks.
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