🍔 Denver’s Best Burgers (Finally) Ranked — Plus, Coffee Wars Begin
🍔 Denver’s Best Burgers — The Real Rankings
Happy Monday, Denver ! 🧩🎉
Ben here — and listen… our Best Burger poll got exactly one vote. Just one. But that brave soul pointed to Cherry Cricket, and honestly? They weren’t wrong. So instead of calling it a day, I went full detective mode and cross-checked your poll picks with Google ratings to build an actually legit Top 5 Burgers in Denver.
Consider this the poll results you meant to send in.
🌼 Looking for more things to do in Denver? Dive into Things to Do in Colorado, Kid-Friendly Hikes, or discover our favorite Colorado Day Trips.
What kind of Denver coffee drinker are you?
Click an option to vote
🍔 Denver’s Best Burgers — Your Votes + Google Agree
Okay… so technically only one person voted in our Best Burger poll (hey, I appreciate that one passionate human 🫶).
BUT instead of letting the results be “Cherry Cricket: 100%,” I cross-checked your picks with Google ratings + review volume to build a legit Top 5.
Here’s the final, newsletter-worthy ranking:
Rating: ~4.5 ★ | Reviews: 8,000+
A Denver institution. Messy, customizable, and the burger that locals will defend like it’s their firstborn. Your single vote AND the internet both crowned it king.
🥈 2. 5280 Burger Bar
Rating: ~4.4 ★ | Reviews: 3,000+
Creative toppings, consistent patties, and their Colorado Proud ingredients always score big. Plus… that truffle aioli? Unreal.
🥉 3. My Brother’s Bar
Rating: ~4.6 ★ | Reviews: 3,900+
Denver’s oldest bar serves up one of its most iconic burgers. No TVs, no nonsense, just a soft bun and a perfectly seasoned patty that’s survived decades of trend cycles.
⭐ 4. Twan’s Burger Joint (Denver)
Rating: ~4.8 ★ | Reviews: 400+
Small but mighty — one of the best-reviewed burger shops in the city. Locals rave about the smash burgers and the crispy edges that should be illegal.
⭐ 5. Illegal Burger – Writer Square
Rating: ~4.4 ★ | Reviews: 1,900+
A downtown favorite for quick, flavorful burgers and absurdly good fries. Great for lunch, pre-game fuel, or a “why am I still at the office?” dinner.
☕ Next Up: The Best Coffee in Denver (Round 2!)
Last time we ran this poll, my inbox exploded with “BUT YOU MISSED THIS SPOT!!!” messages.
So… we’re doing it again. Bigger. Better. Caffeinated.
☕ Who’s Brewing the Best Coffee in Denver?
From tiny espresso bars to roasters hidden behind bakeries, Denver’s coffee scene is a full-on caffeine jungle. We’re putting your favorite spots head-to-head to find the city’s ultimate cup of joe — the one worth waking up early for. ☕⚡
🌆 Mile High Happenings
Monday, December 1
Tuesday, December 2
Where are you heading this week? Tag us in your adventures! 🚀
Local Happenings
City Activates Cold Weather Shelters as Temperatures Plunge
Denver has activated its cold weather shelters again this weekend, as dangerously low overnight temperatures push unhoused residents into life-threatening conditions.
Advocates say relying on emergency-only shelter openings isn’t enough — noting the city opened cold weather shelters 67 nights last winter, serving about 600 people per night.
Shelters activate when temps drop to 25°F or below.
Advocates say tents downtown show people are desperate for protection.
City enforces a camping ban, making tents rare and quickly removed.
Overnight cold remains the biggest danger for unhoused residents.
Demand underscores need for “stable, permanent solutions,” advocates say.
Denver will continue activating shelters during extreme cold, but pressure is growing for year-round, reliable options.
🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?
Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs.
🧠 Need a brain break?
Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend.
See You Wednesday, Denver!
Thanks for rolling with me today — even if our burger poll turnout was… let’s call it “intimate.” 😂 I’ll take this as a sign that everyone was too busy actually eating burgers.
Don’t forget to vote in the Best Coffee in Denver showdown. I’m fully expecting more than one vote this time — mostly because Denver takes its caffeine way too seriously to let this one slide.
💬 Got ideas for making What’s Happenin’ Denver even better?
I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply — I read every message and always respond when I can.
Catch you Wednesday with fresh results, new events, and maybe a little caffeine buzz of my own.
— Ben
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