Tucked along the lively streets of Boulder, Colorado, The Sink has been serving up legendary burgers since 1923. This funky, family-owned landmark at 1165 13th St has earned a rock-solid 4.5-star rating from thousands of loyal fans who keep coming back for more.
From its award-winning Sinkburgers to its eclectic, art-covered walls, this place is unlike any other diner you have ever visited. Whether you are a local or driving in from across the state, the cheeseburgers here are absolutely worth every mile of the journey.
The Classic Sinkburger Experience
Some burgers are just food. The Sinkburger, though, is a full-on experience that has kept people coming back to The Sink for over a century.
The beef is thick, juicy, and packed with bold flavor that hits you from the very first bite.
Colorado is known for having some of the best beef in the country, and The Sink takes full advantage of that. Each patty is cooked with care, giving you that perfect balance of crispy edges and a tender, juicy center.
Guests who have visited rave about the history baked into every bite. You can tell this kitchen has been perfecting its craft for a very long time.
If you only order one thing during your visit, make it the classic Sinkburger — it is the heart and soul of everything this beloved Boulder landmark stands for.
Straw Burger with Crispy Onion Straws
Picture a thick, juicy burger crowned with a glorious pile of golden, crunchy onion straws — that is exactly what the Straw Burger at The Sink delivers. It is one of those menu items that makes you stop mid-sentence just to stare at it before eating.
Reviewers have called out this burger specifically, noting that the onion straws add an incredible crunch that takes the whole thing to another level. Paired with melted cheese and fresh toppings, every bite has a satisfying mix of textures and flavors.
The Sink has been building its burger reputation since 1923, and the Straw Burger is a shining example of why locals and travelers keep returning. Order it with a side of their house-made pickles for an extra punch of tangy flavor.
Trust the process — your taste buds will thank you later.
Tres Fuego Burger for Spice Lovers
Heat seekers, this one is calling your name. The Tres Fuego Burger at The Sink brings serious fire to the table, layering bold, spicy flavors that build with every single bite.
It is not just hot — it is flavorful hot, which makes all the difference.
Reviewers have praised this burger for its well-balanced kick, noting that the heat comes through without drowning out the quality of the beef. The pepper jack cheese melts beautifully over the patty, adding a creamy richness that softens the spice just enough to keep you going back for more.
The Sink has been recognized as serving the best burger in Boulder, and the Tres Fuego is a big reason why. Cool it down with one of their local Colorado microbrews on tap.
Spicy food plus cold beer in a legendary diner — that is a combination hard to beat anywhere.
Bacon Jammin Burger with House-Made Pickles
Bacon and jam on a burger sounds unexpected — but at The Sink, it is pure genius. The Bacon Jammin Burger blends sweet, savory, and smoky into one incredible handheld meal that loyal customers rave about constantly.
One reviewer called it a must-order after sharing it with their husband on a recent visit.
What really sets this burger apart are the house-made pickles. Tangy, crisp, and packed with flavor, they cut through the richness of the bacon and jam beautifully.
It is that kind of thoughtful detail that reminds you why The Sink has been a Boulder institution since 1923.
The combination of flavors feels bold yet surprisingly balanced. Grab a seat in their lively dining room, surrounded by decades of hand-painted murals and graffiti art, and enjoy every layer of this creative masterpiece.
Some burgers are memorable — this one is unforgettable.
Award-Winning Best Burger in Boulder Recognition
Winning the title of Best Burger in Boulder is no small feat in a city full of fantastic food options. The Sink has earned that recognition, and it wears the title proudly.
With over 3,290 reviews averaging 4.5 stars, the numbers back up the reputation in a big way.
What makes a burger award-winning? At The Sink, it comes down to quality beef, consistent cooking, creative toppings, and decades of practice.
Customers who have visited from across the country — including folks from Illinois and Colorado Springs — consistently agree that these burgers stand out above the rest.
Even the owner responds to reviews with genuine excitement and gratitude, which tells you a lot about the culture behind the food. Great burgers come from kitchens that truly care.
At The Sink, that passion has been simmering since 1923, and it shows up clearly on every single plate.
The Rich History Behind Every Patty
Opening your doors in 1923 and still packing them in over 100 years later — that is not luck, that is legacy. The Sink is one of Boulder’s oldest and most beloved restaurants, and its history is woven into every corner of the building.
The walls are literally covered in stories, murals, and graffiti from generations of fans.
Customers have noted that watching the video board inside the restaurant, which shares stories from The Sink’s long history, gives the place a wonderfully homey feel. It is rare to eat somewhere that makes you feel connected to something bigger than just a meal.
Even the burgers carry that sense of history. Reviewers consistently mention that you can taste the experience in every bite — like the kitchen has been quietly perfecting the same recipe for decades.
At The Sink, the past and present share the same plate.
Funky Atmosphere and Eclectic Wall Art
Walking into The Sink feels like stepping into a living art gallery that also happens to serve incredible food. Every inch of the walls and ceiling is covered with hand-painted murals, graffiti, and drawings contributed by visitors and artists over the decades.
It is visually chaotic in the best possible way.
One reviewer perfectly summed it up by calling it a cool underground interior filled with a ton of artwork. The low ceilings add to the cozy, intimate feel — though tall visitors have been warned to watch their heads!
The energy inside is upbeat, loud, and electric.
The atmosphere alone makes The Sink worth visiting, but pair it with a legendary cheeseburger and a cold Colorado microbrew and you have yourself one seriously memorable night out. Plenty of restaurants look cool or serve great food — very few manage to do both as effortlessly as The Sink does.
Colorado Craft Microbrews on Tap
A great cheeseburger deserves an equally great drink alongside it, and The Sink delivers on that front too. The bar pours a rotating selection of local and regional Colorado microbrews that pair beautifully with their bold, hearty burgers.
Boulder is practically the craft beer capital of Colorado, so the options are always exciting.
Reviewers have praised the drink menu, highlighting espresso martinis, margaritas, and lavender cocktails alongside the impressive beer lineup. One guest noted that the food and drinks were only surpassed by the incredible atmosphere — which is saying a lot given how good the food is.
After a long drive to Boulder, settling into a booth at The Sink with a cold brew and a freshly made cheeseburger in front of you feels like a reward well earned. The Sink is open until 10 PM most nights and until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, giving you plenty of time to enjoy every sip.
The Legendary Chili That Steals the Show
Nobody expects the side dish to outshine the main event — but at The Sink, the chili has a way of doing exactly that. One reviewer from Illinois described it as being up there with the best chilis he had ever tasted in his life, adding that he was seriously tempted to ask if they could freeze and ship it to him.
High praise indeed.
Rich, thick, and loaded with flavor, the chili at The Sink is the kind of thing that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over. It pairs naturally with a classic cheeseburger, making for one of the most satisfying combo meals you can order in Boulder.
Sometimes the unexpected gems on a menu become the reason people return. At The Sink, the chili has quietly built its own fan club.
Order it as a side, and do not be surprised if it ends up being the highlight of your entire visit.
Friendly Service That Feels Like Home
Great food tastes even better when the people serving it actually care about your experience. At The Sink, the service has been consistently praised across hundreds of reviews.
Staff members like Mason, the bartender, have been called out by name for being exceptional — the kind of attentive, personable service that turns first-time visitors into regulars.
Even the manager, Andrew, has been spotted checking in on tables personally, which speaks volumes about the culture at this Boulder institution. When leadership shows up on the floor, it sets a tone that filters through the entire team.
Visitors traveling from out of town especially appreciate how welcoming the staff feels. Whether you are a Boulder local grabbing a quick lunch or a road tripper stopping in for the first time, The Sink makes sure you leave feeling like you belonged there all along.
That kind of warmth is genuinely rare.
Dog-Friendly Patio Perfect for Summer Visits
Bringing your four-legged companion along on a road trip to Boulder? The Sink has you covered.
The restaurant features a dog-friendly patio where you and your pup can enjoy the Colorado sunshine together while you dig into one of their legendary cheeseburgers. One reviewer specifically mentioned how respectful the staff were toward their dog during a patio visit.
Boulder itself is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the entire country, so it only makes sense that one of its most iconic restaurants would follow suit. The patio offers a relaxed, breezy setting that feels worlds away from the lively buzz happening inside.
Warm weather visits to The Sink are especially magical when you can grab an outdoor table, sip a cold Colorado brew, and watch the foot traffic roll by on 13th Street. Add a happy dog to that picture and you have got yourself a perfect Colorado afternoon.
Brisket Mac and Cheese Worth Every Calorie
Not everyone at the table wants a burger, and The Sink knows that. The Brisket Mac and Cheese is one of those dishes that makes non-burger-eaters feel just as lucky as everyone else.
Smoky, tender brisket piled over rich, creamy macaroni — it is comfort food cranked up to eleven.
One reviewer was left nearly speechless after trying it, calling the flavors excellent and the overall experience outstanding. Another visitor drove all the way from Colorado Springs and still talks about how the mac and cheese was one of the best dishes they had anywhere.
The Sink also offers a Burnt Ends Mac and Cheese variation that has earned its own devoted following. Both versions showcase the kitchen’s ability to go beyond the burger and deliver bold, satisfying flavors across the entire menu.
At The Sink, every dish feels like it was built with the same love and attention as their iconic cheeseburgers.
Why The Sink Is a Must-Visit Boulder Landmark
Over a century of feeding hungry students, travelers, and locals — that is the kind of track record that earns a restaurant legendary status. The Sink at 1165 13th St in Boulder is not just a place to eat.
It is a destination that people plan entire trips around, and for good reason.
From award-winning cheeseburgers and creative comfort food to craft beers and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, everything about The Sink adds up to an experience that is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else. The art on the walls, the buzz in the room, the smell of fresh burgers coming off the grill — it all works together perfectly.
Rated 4.5 stars across more than 3,290 reviews, The Sink has clearly mastered the art of making people happy. Open daily from 11 AM, with late hours on weekends, there is always a good time to make the trip.
Go once and you will already be planning your return.