Looking for the best burgers in Breckenridge? On a cold day at 9,600 feet, few things hit like a properly griddled patty, a toasted bun, and a pile of hand cut fries. The good news: this little mountain town punches well above its weight on burgers, from a dedicated burger house on Main Street to family pubs and craft beer taverns that take their grind seriously. Here is where locals and returning visitors go for the best burger in Breckenridge, plus an honest note on where to head if your group is split between a burger and something else entirely.
Empire Burger: the Main Street classic
If you ask around town for the best burger in Breckenridge, Empire Burger (500 S Main St) is the name that comes up first. It is a genuine burger specialist, so the whole menu is built around getting a burger right: griddled patties, house sauces, and a long list of build your own options alongside signature stacks. It is a busy, casual, order at the table spot that works just as well for a family lunch as it does for a post hike refuel. Good to know for celiac and gluten sensitive diners: Empire offers a gluten free bun, which makes it one of the more accommodating Breckenridge burgers stops. Expect a wait during peak ski season and summer weekends.
Downstairs at Eric’s: the family pub favorite
Downstairs at Eric’s (111 S Main St) is a Breckenridge institution and a reliable pick for a big, satisfying burger in a lively, kid friendly basement setting. Think a wall of TVs, an arcade in the back, a huge beer list, and a menu that spans burgers, pizza, and pub classics. It is one of the easiest places in town to please a mixed group, and the burgers hold their own against the specialists. If you are traveling with kids, this is often the path of least resistance for a fun dinner.
Kenosha Breck: burgers, BBQ, and craft beer
Kenosha Breck (formerly Kenosha Steakhouse, 301 S Main St) leans into a hearty, Western menu of burgers, barbecue, and craft beer. If your table wants a burger but a couple of people are angling for smoked meats or a bigger plate, this is a smart compromise. The saloon feel and the corner Main Street patio make it a comfortable spot to settle in for a while.
The Canteen Tap House and Tavern
The Canteen Tap House and Tavern (208 N Main St) pairs pub food with a deep tap list, which makes it a natural choice when the burger is really about the burger and beer combination. It is a solid, unfussy tavern option on the quieter north end of Main Street, and a good bet when the south end spots are slammed.
Breckenridge Brewery and Pub
For a burger with a house brewed beer, Breckenridge Brewery and Pub (600 S Main St) is the obvious move. The pub menu covers burgers and mountain comfort food, and the brewery history gives it a classic apres feel after a day on the slopes or the trails. It is a dependable, crowd pleasing stop at the south end of Main.
Craving something other than a burger? Tin Plate is a short walk away
Here is the honest part: we are a pizzeria, not a burger joint, so we are not going to tell you Tin Plate makes the best burger in Breckenridge. What we will say is that when a group is torn, or when one person is quietly over burgers, Tin Plate Artisan Pizza is right in the historic district at 110 S Ridge St, a block off Main. Our thing is craft: a 72-hour cold fermented sourdough crust, house made mozzarella, and a braised short rib pizza that started life as 12-hour braised short ribs. Good pizza takes time. The best pizza takes time and quality ingredients. We are walk in only for the main dining room, no reservations needed, with a west facing patio under bistro lights and Ten Mile Range views. If your crew lands on pizza instead, take a look at the Tin Plate menu, and for the full pizza landscape see our guide to the best pizza in Breckenridge.
How to choose your Breckenridge burger
For a pure burger destination, go to Empire Burger. For a fun, family friendly night with an arcade and a big menu, Downstairs at Eric’s is hard to beat. If half your table wants barbecue, Kenosha Breck bridges the gap; if it is really about the beer, The Canteen or Breckenridge Brewery deliver. Nearly all of these are casual and walk in friendly, which is exactly how a mountain town burger should be. For more ideas across every cuisine, our complete Breckenridge dining guide maps out the whole town, our best family restaurants in Breckenridge guide is handy if you are feeding kids, and gluten free diners can check our gluten free restaurants in Breckenridge roundup (Empire’s gluten free bun makes an appearance there too).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get the best burger in Breckenridge?
Empire Burger on South Main Street is the most popular dedicated burger spot in town and the usual answer for the best burger in Breckenridge. Downstairs at Eric’s, Kenosha Breck, The Canteen, and Breckenridge Brewery are all strong alternatives depending on whether you want a family pub, barbecue, or a craft beer pairing.
Are there gluten free burger options in Breckenridge?
Yes. Empire Burger offers a gluten free bun, so you can order most of its burgers gluten free. For a wider list of celiac and gluten sensitive friendly spots around town, see our gluten free restaurants in Breckenridge guide.
Are Breckenridge burger spots family friendly?
Very. Most of the top burger places, especially Empire Burger and Downstairs at Eric’s, are casual, walk in, and welcoming to kids. Downstairs at Eric’s even has an arcade, which makes it a favorite for families.
Do I need a reservation for a burger in Breckenridge?
Usually not. Breckenridge burger spots are mostly casual, walk in restaurants, though popular ones like Empire Burger can have a wait during peak ski season and summer weekends. Going a little early or a little late helps.
Come in for pizza after your burger tour
Once you have worked your way through the best burgers in Breckenridge, save a night for a different kind of craft. Tin Plate Artisan Pizza is a family owned pizzeria in a restored 138-year-old mining cabin at 110 S Ridge St, serving 72-hour cold fermented sourdough pizzas, house made mozzarella, and in house cocktails on a patio with Ten Mile Range views. Walk in, no reservations needed. Take a look at the menu and come find us a block off Main.