Macon is a great place for burgers. In fact, Maconites love burgers so much that there is even an entire week dedicated to celebrating them, known as Macon Burger Week since 2018. With toppings from cheese to garlic aioli and pico de gallo, this list explores the highest rated-burger joints in town. 

#4  Bearfoot Tavern 

Located on Second Street in Downtown Macon, Bearfoot Tavern is a gastro-pub & beer garden that’s been open since 2011.  Regarding the food itself, Betsy Delves wrote in a Google review, “Every bite is a culinary delight!!!” One of their signature items is their Presidential Burgers, which are named after former presidents of Mercer University. Bearfoot Tavern offers burger lovers a wide-range of unique flavor options, such as their Stuffed Kilpatrick burger, which is named after Mercer University’s late William Heard Kilpatrick, who served as the institution’s interim president from 1903 to 1905 whilst simultaneously working as a mathematics professor. This burger has swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island, and corned beef. Another unique option would be the Rufus burger, which is named after Mercer’s late Rufus Carrollton Harris, who served as the institution’s president from 1960 to 1979, when the institution became one of the first universities in Georgia to fully desegregate in 1963. The burger is topped off with garlic aioli, feta cheese, and caramelized onions.

#3 Famous Mike’s of Macon

Located on Poplar Street, Famous Mike’s is a beloved restaurant in Downtown Macon best known for its hearty meals and well-priced burgers. Their Famous Burgers are named after members and songs of the legendary Allman Brothers. The Duane burger is the most expensive burger on the menu. with a price of only $11. Named after Duane Allman, who was the lead guitarist and founder of the band, it’s a traditional double-bacon cheeseburger. Famous Mike’s also offers unique burger options like the Warren Burger, named after founding member and fellow guitarist of the band, Warren Haynes. This burger is topped off with chili, cheese, and slaw. To better describe Famous Mike’s of Macon, one reviewer on Google said that the restaurant is, “full of character and Southern charm,” as well as having a, “true All-American vibe.” 

#2 Ocmulgee Brewpub

Named after Macon’s Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park, the Ocmulgee Brewpub is located on Second Street in Downtown Macon and specializes in handcrafting great beers and burgers. Jamie Poe on Google best described the restaurant as having three things: “Great burgers!! Good beers!!! Excellent Service.”  They also won Macon Burger Week two times in a row in 2018 and 2019. The restaurant offers a unique range of burger options like the Smoke Stack burger, topped with smoked gouda, bacon, a fried onion ring, and pickled jalapeno. A spicier option would be their Blaze burger, which comes with pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, a fried egg, pickled jalapenos, and their pub sauce. As Mathew Millew described on Google, “Stepping into Ocmulgee Brewpub is always a great decision.” 

#1    The Rookery 

Located on Cherry Street, the Rookery has been serving Downtown Macon for 50 years, and there seems to be no stopping it. A reviewer on Google best described the Rookery as, “a true local gem that delivers on every front–food, atmosphere, and service. The burgers are absolutely amazing–juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, with creative toppings that set them apart from your average burger joint.” Another reviewer went on to say that, “If you’re hunting for the best burgers in Macon, Georgia, look no further than The Rookery—it’s a straight-up legend downtown. We rolled in super hungry and walked out five-star satisfied.” A big part of that success is the Headliner burgers, some of which are named after Southern music icons. A popular choice is the Rookery Burger, which features double-stacked patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, dill pickles, and their Rookery Burger sauce. Another favorite is the Jimmy Carter burger, named after the late president of the United States and Georgia native, which is topped off with apple-wood smoked bacon and peanut butter. One more unique flavor option would definitely have to be their Big “O” burger, which is named after the late-musician that was born and raised in Macon, Otis Redding. This burger features a fried onion ring, cheddar cheese, bacon, and BBQ sauce. 

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