9th Annual Newport Burger Bender Begins Today
The Most Participating Restaurants To Date
February 12, 2026 - The biggest burger contest in the region is back starting today with the 9th Annual Newport Burger Bender, taking place February 13 - 22, 2026. This year marks the most participating restaurants ever, at 60 restaurants, including 10 new restaurants. The 10-day battle of the burgers showcases the wildest, most creative burgers from restaurants throughout Newport and Bristol Counties.
Featuring three categories: beef, non-beef and plant based, the creativity is abundant throughout the region with burgers like JB’s On The Water ‘Fig & Prosciutto Burger’(Jamestown), Little Clam’s ‘Smoked Oxtail Burger’ (Newport), Basil & Bunny’s ‘Island Escape Burger’ (Bristol), Localz Burger and Cocktail’s ‘Stafford Burger’ (Tiverton), and many more throughout #TheClassicCoast.
“It is so fun to see this program grow, both in the number of participants and the scope of the region. We hit our highest number of restaurants this year, at 60 and 10 of those were new to the program, as well as from all over the region. From Jamestown, Portsmouth and Tiverton, the contest has truly evolved into a regional event,” stated Julie Grant, Discover Newport Senior Digital Marketing Manager and contest organizer.
Diners will vote for their favorite online at DiscoverNewport.org from February 13 - 22, 2026, or at participating restaurants using QR codes displayed on site. Winning restaurants are awarded the ‘Best Burger’ bragging rights, and can be considered in the running for the Newport Burger Hall of Fame, for burgers who win ‘Best Burger’ three times (non-consecutively) in the same category. Diners, chefs, and restaurateurs are all encouraged to interact throughout the event by using the hashtag #NewportBurgerBender on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and “X”. For an ongoing, real-time index of observations and images throughout the destination, users can include the hashtag #TheClassicCoast in their posts.
Visitors are also encouraged to check out all the fun at the 38th Annual Newport Winter Festival, running consecutive dates as Newport Burger Bender, from February 13 - 22, 2026.
View all the competing burgers at NewportBurgerBender.org. Images available upon request.
Newport Burger Bender is proudly sponsored by Discover Newport.
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ABOUT DISCOVER NEWPORT
Discover Newport is the official destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to promoting the City of Newport and the eight surrounding coastal townships in Newport and Bristol counties, Rhode Island. These include Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, and Warren. As a non-profit organization, Discover Newport partners with stakeholders throughout our tourism and hospitality industry to market the region as a premier destination for business and leisure travel. Learn more at DiscoverNewport.org
