On Spring Garden Street in Greensboro’s College Hill neighborhood, Hops Burger Bar has been quietly building one of the most impressive burger reputations in the entire Southeast since it first opened its doors in May of 2013.
Founded by owner Chris Martin with an uncompromising commitment to quality, this locally-owned Greensboro burger bar serves only Certified Angus Beef, locally grown produce, locally sourced cheese, and 17 rotating craft beers on tap — a formula so simple and so well-executed that national publications have taken notice more than once.
A salt-of-the-earth restaurant with a world-class product — that’s the Hops promise, and it’s one the kitchen has never once broken. 🌿🥩
How Hops Burger Bar won Greensboro’s hearts
Hops Burger Bar didn’t chase trends or gimmicks to earn its reputation — it built something lasting by obsessing over the fundamentals: the best possible beef, the freshest local ingredients, and a creative menu that gives regulars something new to love every single week.
From day one, Chris Martin’s philosophy was clear: use only the finest ingredients, never cut corners on the beef, and let the food speak for itself — a stance that earned Hops the distinction of being rated the #1 burger restaurant in the nation on one major travel platform, and the only burger joint in North Carolina to make the list. 🏆
The weekly featured burger program has become a beloved institution unto itself — a rotating creative special that keeps even the most loyal regulars on their toes, generating the kind of excited anticipation that most restaurants can only dream of inspiring week after week.
Hops has been featured as a top 10 burger destination in the country by several publications on more than one occasion — a track record that speaks not to a single lucky review but to sustained, consistent excellence over more than a decade of cooking. 📰
The best burger in Greensboro conversation ends quickly among locals — Hops isn’t just the answer, it’s the reason the question is worth asking in the first place, with out-of-town visitors frequently calling it the best burger they’ve had anywhere in the country.
What has truly cemented Hops in the hearts of Greensboro residents is the consistency — the knowledge that every burger, every basket of fries, and every cold pint will be exactly as good as the last one, visit after visit, year after year.
Food Highlights
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North Carolinian Burger: A Superior Angus beef patty topped with applewood bacon, a crispy fried green tomato, a farm-fresh fried egg, pimento cheese, and lettuce. 🍳🍅
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Spicy Goat Burger: Angus beef topped with creamy pepper-crusted goat cheese, house-made pepper jelly, and fresh arugula. 🐐🌶️
- The Hops Classic Burger: The no-frills, pure-beef benchmark — a perfectly cooked Certified Angus Beef patty with classic toppings that lets the quality of the meat do all the talking. 🍔
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Diablo Burger: Angus beef layered with pepper jack cheese, fresh guacamole, sliced jalapeños, grilled onions, and jalapeño bacon — a spicy, punchy burger built for heat seekers. 🔥🥑
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French Onion Burger: A rich, deeply savory Angus patty loaded with slow-cooked caramelized onions, nutty Gruyère cheese, roasted garlic, and thyme aioli, served with a cup of French onion gravy on the side for dipping. 🧅🫕
- College Hill Blues Burger: Named for the neighborhood it calls home, this Angus patty is topped with bold blue cheese crumbles, crispy bacon, and a tangy house sauce. 🧀
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The Hawaiian Burger: Angus beef with a sweet and spicy chili sauce, blue cheese, and a thick slice of caramelized grilled pineapple — a sweet-savory combination. 🍍
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Cuban Cow Burger: A Cuban sandwich riff on an Angus beef patty — all the classic flavors of slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard reimagined between a bun. 🥩🥒
Atmosphere
Hops Burger Bar on Spring Garden Street has the bones of a true neighborhood institution — a warm, cozy, low-key space with exposed beams, large windows that flood the room with natural light, and three oversized chalkboards covering the walls with beer specials, weekly burger features, and dessert picks. 🍺
The bar takes up a generous portion of the restaurant, making it equally comfortable as a solo craft beer stop or a group dinner destination, and the pub-height tables give the whole space a casual, unhurried energy that feels exactly right for the food being served.
The crowd is a loyal mix of College Hill regulars, UNCG students, downtown workers on lunch runs, and out-of-state food pilgrims who made the trip specifically for the burgers — a cross-section of Greensboro that speaks to how broadly and deeply Hops has embedded itself in the city’s food culture. 🏙️
Bottom Line
Hops Burger Bar is a nationally recognized, locally owned Greensboro institution that has been delivering the finest Certified Angus beef burgers, creative weekly specials, legendary hand-cut fries, and an exceptional craft beer lineup since 2013.
If you’re anywhere near Greensboro, this is a non-negotiable stop! 🏆
Address:
2419 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, NC 27403
🕔 Sun–Thurs 11:00 AM–10:00 PM | Fri–Sat 11:00 AM–11:00 PM