As the temperatures drop and things settle here on The Coast, we're cooking up something delicious for burger lovers abound. Newport Burger Bender returns Friday, February 13 - Sunday, February 22, 2026 with some of the biggest, savoriest burgers competing for the title of "Best Burger" around town.

Newport Burger Bender is a best burger competition where local restaurants toss their best burger(s) into the gauntlet in hopes of being crowned the winner. Then, you try one, some, or all (we don't judge) and vote for your favorite.

All burgers will be added on a continuous basis, more juicy details to follow.

 

TO VOTE

On February 13th head to the Newport Burger Bender website and pick your favorite burger. The burger with the most votes at the end of the 10 days will be crowned the winner.

Voting takes place throughout the entirety of the contest, February 13 - February 22, 2026. 

Newport Burger Bender Class of 2026

Perro Salado Two all-beef smash burger patties topped with melted fundido cheese with jalapeño bacon bits, crispy pickled jalapeños, Perro sauce, and citrus slaw, served on a jalapeño cheddar bun.

Forty 1° North Pat Lafrieda dry aged Black Angus beef, bourbon bacon jam, Brie cheese, arugula, bone marrow aioli, served on a brioche bun with seasoned fries.

The Red Parrot Restaurant 8 oz. pan-seared, seasoned all-beef burger, topped with American cheese, sautéed spinach, and a teriyaki-marinated grilled pineapple slice, house-made sauce of yellow mustard, diced dill pickles, and Pineapple Punch hot sauce by Flavor & Flames, served…

Jo's American Bistro Tender, ancho chili braised short rib served over an 8 oz. hand-formed beef patty, topped with crisp Napa cabbage slaw, Cabot sharp orange cheddar, and sweet onion relish, accompanied by house-cut fries, and pickles

Annie's on Bellevue Seasoned beef burger, with sautéed spinach, and fresh tomato, fried egg topped with apple infused bacon jam, with hot honey Dijonnaise, served on a brioche bun.

The Love Shack 9 oz. ground beef patty, white cheddar cheese, with BBQ mayo, green apple slaw, and diced white onion, served on a toasted brioche bun, topped with Shack-smoked BBQ baby back ribs and house pickles.

Zelda’s Sirloin beef patty, topped with house-smoked pork, smoked cheddar, Low Country BBQ, and spicy onion ring.

Surf Club 8 oz. burger cooked medium with plum tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, paprika, wrapped in pizza dough served with burger sauce and sesame seeds on top.

Sprout and Lentil Blackened Oshi “Salmon” dilly slaw, caramelized onions, caper tzatziki, vegan feta, little greens, served on a classic pretzel roll or house-made gluten-free roll.

La Forge Casino Restaurant Fried Maryland Style Blue Crab patty, baby arugula, tomato, pickled red onion, chili mustard aioli, served on a brioche bun with fries.

Buskers Irish Pub House-ground burger mixed with a blend of panko, Dijon, red onion, parmesan cheese and herbs topped with Irish cheddar, house-brined Irish bacon and a fried egg.

Chomp Kitchen & Drinks American smash patty, shaved bulgogi ribeye, gochujang aioli, spicy sweet chili doritos, and soy scallion chimichurri.

Caleb & Broad Sirloin burger topped with a homemade giant dumpling, Chinese style boneless spare ribs, crispy pork egg roll and a chili soy aioli, served on a sesame roll with crab rangoon fries.

Brick Alley Pub Half pound chuck, short rib, brisket blend patty Cajun seasoned and topped with Vermont cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, crispy fried onions, scallions and drizzled with sriracha ranch sauce, served on a bed of Cajun dusted fries.

CRU Cafe Grilled Black Angus burger, topped with applewood smoked bacon, sliced dill pickles, tomatoes, and cheddar, served on a classic Kaiser roll with lettuce and Creole remoulade sauce.

Johnny's at the Wyndham Newport Seasoned all beef burger, mozzarella cheese, fried shallot strings, with a raspberry-habanero sauce, served on a toasted garlic-butter brioche bun.

Cluck House All American fried chicken patty, sliced cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato topped with a Cluck House secret “burger” sauce, served on a Martin’s potato roll.

Parlor Bar & Kitchen 8 oz. grilled short rib, brisket, and chuck burger, cheddar, crispy mushroom & bacon chili crisp, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli, house-made pickles, crispy shoestring truffle parm onion rings, served on a Bolo.

Flora at Gardiner House CAB chuck steak patty, caramelized shallots, Roncari blue cheese, shiitake croqueta, Ibérico corn-fed ham, tomato purée, and ganchego, served on a Flora Sourdough Bun, baked in-house, with truffle fries.

Skiff Bar at Newport Marriott Wagyu beef patty, bacon shallot jam, applewood smoked bacon, aged gouda cheese, sweet onion aioli, arugula, and sliced tomato, served on a pretzel bun.

The Beehive Cafe Double-smashed falafel patties layered with whipped feta, pickled red onion, crisp cucumber, arugula, and pomegranate aioli on a house-made potato bun.

JB's on the Water 1/2 lb. certified Angus beef burger topped with melted Brie cheese, caramelized onions, prosciutto, arugula, and fig jam spread, served on a grilled brioche bun.

Foglia House-made heirloom bean and local mushroom patty, tomato jam, garlic aioli, local lettuce, sliced red onions, served on house-made focaccia topped with an onion ring and house pickles.

Wally’s Wieners Double patty all beef smash burgers, garlic mayo, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, on a potato bun served with a side of Au Jus.

Stoneacre Brasserie Juicy patty, melty Gruyère, jammy caramelized onions, a swipe of tangy Stoneacre sauce slaw, crunchy pickles, all hugged by a soft pretzel bun.

Malt Char-grilled beef burger with bacon, Brie, jalapeño, onion & fig relish, and arugula, served on a brioche bun.

Giusto Double stack patties made from freshly ground beef shoulder, served with fontina cheese, house-made bread & butter pickles and nduja aioli, served on a Martin’s potato roll.

Boru Noodle Bar House-ground smash burger, topped with miso ranch aioli, candied bacon, blistered shishito peppers, shredded lettuce, American cheese, and bread & butter pickles, served on a toasted sesame bun.

Basil & Bunny Your choice of a house-made burger or Impossible patty layered with cheese, marinated jackfruit, crispy smashed plantain, fresh slaw, lettuce, pickled onions, finished with a house-made sofrito chipotle crema, served on a toasted brioche.

Localz Kitchen and Cocktails, Portsmouth Angus burger topped with caramelized onion, cheddar cheese, bacon jam and a fried egg, served on a brioche roll with fries and a pickle.

The Safari Room at OceanCliff Jonah Crab Katsu burger topped with Kaluga hybrid caviar, wasabi mayo, katsu ketchup, Napa cabbage, and pickled daikon, served on buttered brioche.

J.T. Commons 4 oz. Black Bird Farms beef patty, sweet soy glazed pork belly, Cooper Sharp Yellow American cheese, Chi Kitchen's kimchi slaw, and gochujang aioli, served on a sesame Martin's roll.

Gas Lamp Grille Two gochujang-soy glazed 4 oz. smashed burgers topped with smoked mozzarella, kimchi-mayo, and pickled Daikon radish, served on a potato roll with fries.

Yagi Noodles Grilled pork “rib” patty, yakiniku BBQ sauce, sunomono, fried onion, served on a sesame milk bread hoagie, with fries.

Diego's Newport Diego's loaded nacho burger with a grilled all-beef birria spiced patty, queso fundido sauce, shaved lettuce, Pico de Gallo and crispy tortillas, served on a warm Martin's potato roll served with fried potatoes and smoked tomato crema. Available on a gluten-free…

Applebee's All-beef burger topped with American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and spicy honey mustard, served in a sizzling skillet of molten queso and a blend of cheddar cheeses.

Tremblay's Bar and Grill 8 oz. sirloin burger smothered in creamy pimento cheese, layered with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, and crunchy pickles, served on a toasted potato roll with fries.

Carriage House at The Elms Hand-rolled and seasoned beef and pork meatball burger, aged provolone, house red sauce, served on a toasted ciabatta.

The Reef Applewood smoked bacon, aged cheddar cheese, reef sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle.

Pour Judgement Pour Judgement burger topped with bacon, creamy Gruyère, spinach and melted leek goo, with Jim Garnish of smokey ancho Dijonaise, served on a Bulkie with fries.

SALTwater Half-pound certified Angus beef steakburger topped with pepper jack cheese, grilled pineapple, grilled red onions, lettuce, tomato, sriracha mayo, and a tangy house-made Hawaiian sauce, served on a grilled brioche bun with fries.

Standards Jamestown 8 oz. of smashed Angus beef, stacked with melted Swiss, slow-caramelized onions, served on toasted sourdough.

Diego's Barrio Cantina A house-made smoked beef & pork burger dog in a grilled Martin's hot dog bun with cheddar cheese, house Big Mac sauce, crispy bacon, and diced jalapeño, served with fried potatoes and a side of Diego's aioli.

Little Clam at Wayfinder Newport Grass-fed beef, topped with smoked oxtail marmalade, tempura Rhode Island wild mushrooms, melted raclette cheese, truffle & black garlic aioli, and a pickled shallot relish, served on a brioche bun with french fries.

Tavern on Broadway 3 elk sliders, smoked Gouda, pork belly, bourbon sauce, tabbouleh, and toasted pine nuts.

La Vecina Taqueria Brisket and short rib smashed patty, served on a country roll with onions, fried asadero cheese, fried pickled jalapeños, and a morita lime aioli.

Localz Burger and Cocktails, Tiverton 4 Angus smash burgers, 4 slices of American cheese, smoked Applewood bacon, lettuce, and tomato, served on a potato bun with our localz aioli.

The Vanderbilt Two 4 oz. beef patties seasoned with black pepper and rosemary. Between the two burgers is a slice of clothbound cheddar Welsh rarebit sauced with beef gravy, served on a brioche bun, with English mustard spread on one side, horseradish cream on the other side, and…

Wharf Southern Kitchen All-beef smash burger, double patty stack, smothered in pepper jack cheese, smoked Spanish onions, house-made Baconnaise sauce, and Cajun tater tots with ranch dipping sauce. Available on a gluten-free bun.

The Quencher Italian seasoned beef & pork patty with melted mozzarella, house-made marinara sauce, lemon black garlic aioli, fried basil, and crispy truffle parmesan fries.

Torpedo Bar & Lounge Hand-crafted using a mixture of ground chuck, sirloin, and short rib, grilled with Cabot cheddar cheese, house-made pickled vegetables and aioli, served on a brioche bun with french fries.

Bar and Board Bistro Two 4 oz. special blend smashed beef patties, truffle cheddar, caramelized onions, fig jam, and arugula, served on a brioche bun, with shoestring fries.

22 Bowen's Wagyu burger, secret rub, candied wagyu bacon, bacon jam, and clothbound sharp cheddar, served on a black pepper brioche roll.

Boat House Dry aged beef patty, R.I. Mushroom duxelles, truffle bone marrow aioli, taleggio, and crispy prosciutto, served on a brioche bun.

"Meat" The Contenders

Pour Judgement

Check out this local hangout in the heart of Newport. Cheap bites, amazing craft beer selection and…

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Yagi Noodles

From Chef Basil Yu, Yagi Noodles menu is boldly American and inspired by Chinese and Japanese…

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Annie's

Annie’s is located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. We serve delicious food at a great…

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Bar and Board

We’re an eclectic blend of Newport vibes — from the historic bank vault behind our marble bar to the…

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The Beehive Cafe

The Beehive Cafe is a bustling cafe & restaurant in a small two-story space with cozy seating inside…

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Boat House

Proudly celebrating New England’s natural bounty: just-caught seafood, local produce, and nautical…

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Caleb & Broad

"The choices are eclectic and highlight the 'funky and fun' vibe." - Nicholas Politelli, Mercury…

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CRU Café

Local flavors, a variety of delicious foods, pastry items baked fresh daily and much more…

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Flora

Under the culinary direction of Chef Somoza, Flora’s menu captures the spirit of Mediterranean…

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Foglia

Elevated plant-based dining in the quaint, coastal Town of Bristol just minutes from Newport…

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Gas Lamp Grille

Seventeen Years of Serving The Freshest Foods, Creative Specialty Cocktails, Ample Craft Beer and…

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Giusto Newport

Giusto, Italian for “just right,” is the first independent restaurant concept from Chef Kevin…

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The Helmway

Just minutes from downtown Newport, we invite you to embark on an elevated yet comfortable, locally…

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J.T. Commons

A gathering place with a menu anchored by casual favorites & pizza — featuring two crafted takes…

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Little Clam

Little Clam is a New England coastal restaurant nestled within Wayfinder Newport, offering an…

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Pasta Beach

Founded in 2002, the original Pasta Beach location lies in the city’s historic district at 138…

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Perro Salado

The name Perro Salado – the “Salty Dog” – speaks to the spirit of this vibrant seaside…

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Skiff Bar

Savor local brews, handcrafted cocktails, classic appetizers, and a selection of top wines at Skiff…

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Surf Club

Located downstairs at Newport Bay Club, the newly opened Surf Club brings a warm charm to downtown…

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Zelda's

Zelda's is a neighborhood French American bistro with casual fine dining. Zelda's features…

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More To Explore

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