Winston‑Salem is known for Moravian cookies and craft beer, but its burger scene is just as serious. From downtown gastropubs to roadside grills, these five spots are constantly name‑checked by locals.
1. Cin Cin Burger Bar
Cin Cin is probably the most obvious answer when you ask a Winston‑Salem local for a great burger. It’s a retro‑inspired burger bar with a lively atmosphere and a menu that goes way beyond “cheeseburger or not.”
Burgers here are thick, juicy, and stacked with creative toppings: pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, bourbon‑bacon jam, avocado, or spicy aioli. You can build your own or pick from their house creations, many of which nod to Southern comfort flavors.
Milkshakes (boozy and non‑alcoholic), loaded fries, and onion rings round it out. It’s where you go when you want a burger to feel like an event.
2. Small Batch Beer Co.
Small Batch is a craft brewery downtown that also takes its burger game very seriously.
The burgers are usually on the thick side, cooked to order, with brioche or potato rolls and toppings like smoked bacon, cheddar, blue cheese, and house sauces. Since it’s a brewery, the burgers are engineered to pair perfectly with a pint—rich, salty, and satisfying.
The vibe is casual‑industrial: exposed brick, long bar, and a mix of regulars, beer nerds, and folks just in it for the burger and fries.
3. Foothills Brewing (Downtown)
Foothills is best known for its beer, but a lot of Winston‑Salem locals will tell you the burger is one of the best in town.
Expect a thick, well‑seasoned patty, quality cheese, bacon if you want it, and toppings that feel more “gastropub” than fast‑food: caramelized onions, roasted peppers, or specialty sauces. The buns are sturdy enough to hold the whole thing together, even with a medium‑rare center.
Pair your burger with their flagship Jade IPA or People’s Porter and you’ll see why regulars treat this as a burger spot as much as a brewery.
4. Local Drive‑Ins & Grill Shacks
Winston‑Salem still has a few classic, no‑frills grills and drive‑ins where the burgers are legendary among locals.
Here, the patties are thin and smashed, the cheese is American, and the toppings are classic: mustard, chili, slaw, onions, and pickles if you want a true Carolina‑style burger. The charm is in the simplicity and the fact that the flat top has decades of seasoning.
These places don’t need hype—they’ve had the same regulars for years. If someone grows up here, chances are they’ll name one of these spots as their “real” best burger.
5. Upscale Bistros with a “Secret” Burger
A couple of Winston‑Salem’s nicer bistros and New American restaurants have a burger on the menu that regulars quietly swear is one of the best in town.
These are usually thick, loosely packed patties cooked medium or medium‑rare, topped with sharp cheddar or blue cheese, maybe some bacon or caramelized onions, and served with hand‑cut fries. Often they’re only on the lunch menu or a bar menu, which makes them feel like a bit of a hidden gem.
Ask a foodie local, and you’ll often hear something like, “Yeah, Cin Cin is great—but have you had the burger at ___?” That’s when you know you’ve crossed into secret‑menu territory.
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