Pack your appetite and hit the road! This is the ultimate foodie’s journey through cities where the burgers are juicy, the brews are cold, and the hotels serve up unforgettable flavors right on-site. Whether you prefer wagyu indulgence or backyard-style classics, there’s a bite (and a beer) for you at every stop. 

Here are the best burger-and-beer pairings across the Independent Collection.

Table of Contents 1. Northeast 2. Mid-Atlantic 3. South Florida 4. West Coast

Big-City Flavors Served with Swagger

New York, New York

Hotel 48LEX – Cognac Wagyu Burger at Brasserie Cognac

Brasserie Cognac makes burgers an art form. The signature Wagyu burger comes topped with French Emmental cheese and caramelized onions, while the Salmon Burger adds a kick with jalapeños, cilantro butter, and guacamole. For purists, the Dry Aged Burger brings it back to basics with Swiss cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Pair with: Kronenbourg 1664 Pale Lager

Aliz Hotel – Smash Patty Party at FARMTOBURGER

Smashburgers take center stage at Aliz Hotel’s FARMTOBURGER. This local joint sources its meat from small, grass-fed producers and pairs them with organic vegetables, housemade spreads, and freshly-baked buns. Order the classic double cheeseburger or a plant-based Millennial Burger. 

Pair with: Brooklyn Brewery East IPA 

Boston, Massachusetts

The Envoy Hotel – Para Maria Burger at Para Maria

Steps from the Boston Harbor, Para Maria has gathered a following for its classic Double Smashburger. Topped with aged cheddar, caramelized onions, pickles, and “special sauce,” this tempting creation comes from Para Maria’s executive chef, Tatiana Rosana, a two-time Chopped champion and Bar Rescue culinary expert.

Pair with: Sam Adams American Light Lager

The Whitney Hotel – Peregrine

Tucked inside the luxurious Whitney Hotel (recently named one of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best), Peregrine is a Beacon Hill favorite for fresh New England cuisine and coastal European flair. Go for their signature Peregrine Burger with zesty apple and onion jam, chimi aioli, and crunchy gem lettuce sandwiched between a buttery brioche bun. 

Pair with: Newport Craft Brewing Blueberry Ale

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Sea Crest Beach Resort – Tavern Burger at The Lantern Room

What’s more decadent than an oceanside burger? The all-new Lantern Room at Sea Crest Beach Resort offers jaw-dropping views with American faithfuls like the Tavern Burger. Stacked with an 8oz CAB patty, thyme-infused red wine glazed onions, white cheddar, signature sauce, and shredded lettuce, this one hits just right after a long day of lounging.

Pair with: Allagash White Belgian-Style Wheat

Bonus Bites

• Peter Luger Steakhouse (Brooklyn, NYC) – Legendary steakhouse and an iconic burger.
• J.G. Melon (Manhattan, NYC) – Simple, pub-style perfection.
• Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage (Cambridge, MA) – Harvard Square classic with cult-favorite burgers.
• KKatie’s Burger Bar (Hyannis, MA) – Cape Cod staple serving award-winning patties.

Where American Classics Meet French Cuisine

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Rittenhouse – Bone Marrow Cheeseburger at Lacroix

With an esteemed AAA Four Diamond Award and a Forbes Four-Star restaurant rating, Lacroix is a pillar of Philadelphia’s fine dining scene. Naturally, Lacroix’s signature burger is just as wow-worthy. Meet the bone marrow burger, an ultra-juicy work of art with aged Comte cheese, caramelized onion, aioli, and a brioche bun served with pommes frites and views of Rittenhouse Square. 

Pair with: Victory Prima Pils Pilsner

Washington, D.C.

The Morrow Hotel – Dry Aged Beef Burger at Sly Rooftop

Floating above the D.C. skyline, Sly is a brand-new rooftop lounge by culinary celeb Marcus Samuelsson. And with eight James Beard awards under his belt, this world-famous chef is sure to fulfill all your burger dreams. Come for sunset views, weekday happy hour deals, and more including the dry-aged beef burger with a pile of hand-cut fries. 

Pair with: Atlas Brew Works Ponzi IPA

Hotel Madera – Firefly Burger at Firefly

Firefly near Dupont Circle is all about American comfort foods – chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and yes, a big juicy burger. The namesake Firefly Burger keeps it simple, but the Parmesan truffle fries are anything but. Stop by for brunch with a local microbrew, or make it to Beer & Burger Night every Friday, when the Firefly Burger or Beyond Burger comes with a complimentary pint of the featured beer on tap.

Pair with: Devils Backbone Vienna Lager

Frederick, Maryland

Visitation Hotel – Tavern Burger at Wye Oak Tavern

One of Maryland’s best new restaurants, Wye Oak Tavern, is a special passion project for brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Here, the award-winning chefs put their spin on American favorites and up the ante with French techniques. We’re partial to the Tavern Burger made with all-natural, dry-aged beef from Maryland’s Roseda Farm, topped with ooey-gooey New School American cheese and a glace de viande drizzle. 

Pair with: Sly Fox Pikeland Pils

Bonus Bites

• Founding Farmers (D.C.) – Elevated comfort food and local brews.
• The Hamilton (D.C.) – Late-night spot with crowd-pleasing burgers.
• Barclay Prime (Philadelphia) – Upscale Wagyu burgers with truffle aioli.
• Standard Tap (Philadelphia) – Farm-to-table burgers and rotating taps.

Buns in the Sun, with a Side of Ocean Views

Miami Beach, Florida

Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club – Double-Smash Burger at Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill

Burgers and bikinis are the vibe at Bungalow Beach Bar & Grill in Miami Beach. Their Double-Smash Burger stacks up with American cheese, white onion, shaved iceberg, special sauce, and a soft potato bun. Pair it with a cold beer and ocean views for the ultimate beachside bite.

Pair with: Modelo Especial Lager

Key West, Florida

Parrot Key Hotel & Villas – Burgers Galore at The Grove

The Grove, the poolside restaurant at Parrot Key Hotel & Villas, serves up all-day eats just steps from the resort’s four private pools. Burger lovers can go classic with the Grove Angus Burger topped with Swiss or cheddar cheese on a brioche bun, or bold with the PK Black & Blue Burger layered with bourbon bacon, blue cheese crumbles, pickled red onions, and fresno slaw. For a meat-free choice, the char-grilled Beyond Burger is a winner.

Pair with: Selection of local brews by Islamorada Beer Company

Delray Beach, Florida

The Ray Hotel – Jalapeño Cheddar Smash Burger at Rosewater Rooftop

Perched above Delray’s Pineapple Grove District, Rosewater Rooftop is a breezy indoor-outdoor space made for lingering afternoons and sunset views. The Jalapeño Cheddar Smash Burger stacks a juicy patty with bacon, pickles, and spicy-sweet cherry pepper jam, delivering a playful kick with every bite. Take in the ocean breeze while enjoying a perfectly poured cold beer and the ultimate rooftop vibe.

Pair with: Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Bonus Bites

• LoKal (Coconut Grove) – Grass-fed beef with zesty Key lime mustard.
• El Rey de las Fritas (Miami) – Cuban-style burgers with crispy potato sticks.
• Blackfin Bistro (Key West) – Wagyu beef with rich flavors and a tender, upscale bite.
• Lindburgers (Delray Beach) – Gourmet patties with fresh toppings and crispy fries in a nostalgic, aviation-themed spot.

Big Flavors & Even Bigger Skies

El Paso, Texas

The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park – Ámbar Burger at Ámbar Restaurante

At Ámbar Restaurante, bold Mexican flavors and open flame transform the humble hamburger. Their namesake Ámbar Burger is a char-grilled masterpiece made with a half-pound of prime beef and topped with sotol-onion jam, ancho chile sauce, and herb-roasted tomatoes. It’s served with chili-lime dusted fries for a perfectly seasoned finish.

Pair with: Michelada beer cocktail 

Menlo Park, California

Hotel Nia – Nia Burger at Porta Blu

Even in high-tech Silicon Valley, sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics. The Nia Burger at Porta Blu delivers simple sophistication with a juicy beef patty, Swiss cheese, tomato, onion, and crisp iceberg lettuce on a buttery brioche bun. Served with a side of golden fries, it’s a standout on both the lunch and lounge menus.

Pair with: Freewheel Brewing Company K9 Kolsch

Monterey Bay, California

The Sanctuary Beach Resort – Brunch Burger at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette

Oysters are the star of the show at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, but meat lovers have much to enjoy from Monterey’s live-fire restaurant. Take, for example, the Dry Aged Burger, flame-grilled to perfection and dappled with aged white cheddar, house pickles, smoked mushroom aïoli, and dijon – a perfect pairing to the ocean breeze and heated patio seating. 

Pair with: English Ales Brewing Fat Lip Amber Ale

Bonus Bites

• Father’s Office (Santa Monica) – Gourmet burgers with no substitutions allowed.
• In-N-Out (Statewide) – A West Coast rite of passage.
• Toro Burger Bar (El Paso) – Bold, flavor-packed burgers with a local following.

Explore all of our hotel destinations across the U.S. and start planning your next road trip with Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts!