Inspiration, Website Examples
15 Innovative Hamburger Menu Website Designs
The hamburger menu might be one of the most debated design features. Love it or hate it, this little icon has become a staple of modern web design, especially on mobile. It’s small, simple, and gets the job done. But let’s be honest – how many times have you come across a menu that’s just three boring lines sitting in the corner of a website? Probably too many.
Here’s the thing: the hamburger menu design doesn’t have to be boring. It can be fun, bold, elegant, or even interactive. When designed thoughtfully, it can enhance the overall user experience, reflect a brand’s personality, and make navigating a website more enjoyable.
In this article, we’re going to explore 15 incredible examples of websites that took the hamburger menu and gave it their unique twist. These designs will show you just how creative this little icon can get and will have you rethinking what a hamburger menu can do.
So, let’s check out these hamburger menu examples and get inspired by some of the most innovative hamburger menu website designs out there!
1. Oggy Story – Whimsical Hamburger Menu for an Illustrated Tale
Oggy Story is a vibrant storytelling that brings quirky illustrations to life through an interactive web experience. The hamburger menu on their site is a visual treat. It features the classic three-line icon in a vertical position with a slightly curved, hand-drawn feel to match the brand’s whimsical theme. When you click the hamburger icon, colorful rectangles slide in from the left, each representing a different part of the story. These rectangles act as links to various sections, and the menu slides open with smooth, animated transitions. It feels more like a fun interaction than just opening a standard menu. The bright, bold colors of the rectangles contrast with the soft pastel background, adding a layer of excitement and keeping the user engaged.
👌 What we like:
- Playful triple bar icon with a hand-drawn aesthetic
- Colorful rectangles that slide in from the left, each linking to different sections
- Smooth, interactive animations that add a sense of fun
- Bold color contrasts that keep the design lively
2. Cantina Del Sol – Vibrant Hamburger Menu for a Mexican Restaurant
Cantina del Sol is a Mexican restaurant offering authentic dishes bringing the flavors of Mexico to a contemporary dining experience. The hamburger menu is uniquely designed with a red dot featuring a “+” inside, positioned next to the word “MENU” on the left. When clicked, the text changes to “CHIUDI,” and the menu transforms into an eye-catching red circle that emerges from the right corner, mimicking the sun. The links inside the menu are animated to radiate outward, like sun rays, for a playful effect. As the links are hovered over, they subtly darken and stop animating, therefore, adding a fun and interactive element to the website.
👌 What we like:
- Red dot with “+” and “MENU” for a unique, attention-grabbing icon
- Text changes to “CHIUDI,” creating an intuitive, bilingual experience
- A circular red menu design emerges from the corner, resembling a sun
3. Bertani – Elegant Hamburger Menu for an Italian Winery
Bertani is an iconic Italian winery known for crafting premium wines with a rich heritage. Their hamburger menu opts for a sleek and minimalist style, featuring the classic three-line icon. The lines are thin and spaced evenly, exuding sophistication. When clicked, the menu smoothly expands into a full-screen overlay with a subtle fade-in effect. The background is beige, while the white navigation links are displayed in a stylish serif font, aligned on the left. There’s no unnecessary clutter – just simple, clean links to essential sections like “About us” and “Wines”, social media, and smaller links for privacy and cookie policies.
👌 What we like:
- Classic three-line icon with an understated, clean design
- Smooth full-screen overlay with a soft fade-in animation
- Minimal layout with no distractions
- Elegant serif font that complements the brand’s premium feel
- Large tappable links with a cool circle mouse effect
4. Vise Versa – Trendy Hamburger Menu for a Portuguese Restaurant & Bar
Viseversa is a trendy restaurant and bar located in Portugal, offering an innovative dining experience with a modern twist. Their hamburger menu is a sleek, minimalistic orange dot positioned on the right in the header. When clicked, the menu drops down into a bold, vibrant orange background that immediately grabs your attention. The menu items inside feature captivating hover animations, with smooth transitions and eye-catching effects. At the bottom of the drop-down menu, users can switch between languages or easily access the restaurant’s Instagram page, making it not only visually striking but also functional.
👌 What we like:
- Orange dot icon for a clean, modern look
- Bold grabbing attention dropdown menu
- Captivating hover animations on the links
- Access to the restaurant’s Instagram for social engagement
5. Wonder Dot – Dynamic Hamburger Menu for Empowering Women Community
Wonder Dot is a vibrant community that empowers and connects women through a supportive space. The hamburger menu icon stands out with its unique button design, featuring three lines of varying lengths that create a modern look. When clicked, the menu opens into a full-screen white background, making the large black links pop against the minimalistic design. Between each link are thin black lines, adding structure and elegance to the layout. The menu also features a dynamic hover effect including a large dot for a mouse cursor.
👌 What we like:
- Hamburger button with three differently sized horizontal lines
- Full-screen white background menu
- Large, bold black links for easy navigation
6. Strive Foundation – Minimalist Hamburger Menu for a Non-Profit Charity
next, we have a non-profit charity focused on empowering communities and providing resources for those in need. The hamburger menu for Strive Foundation is minimalistic and modern, featuring two white lines of different lengths, offering a sleek and subtle appearance. When clicked, the menu expands to a full-screen layout, with a colorful background that matches the vibrant, welcoming aesthetic of the website. On the left, five large navigation links are displayed clearly, while on the right, images dynamically change based on the link being hovered over. This clever interaction enhances the visual appeal, offering an engaging experience for users as they explore different sections of the site.
👌 What we like:
- Simple two-line hamburger icon with varying lengths
- Full-screen menu with a colorful background
- Dynamic image swaps on hover
7. Seth Hampton – Fun Hamburger Menu for an Actor and Producer
Seth Hampton is an actor and producer showcasing his creative projects, including films, television, and other artistic ventures. The hamburger menu for this website has a simple design with three black lines as the burger icon, keeping things clean. When clicked, a full-height menu slides in from the right side, covering about one-third of the page’s width. The menu is bold and dynamic, with six large black anchor links, each preceded by colorful numbers which add a fun, playful touch. These links lead to different sections of the site, allowing users to easily navigate through the content.
👌 What we like:
- Six large, bold anchor links.
- Colorful numbers preceding each link, adding a fun, unique twist
- Engaging design matching the creative personality of Seth.
8. Faubourg – Cinematic Hamburger Menu for a VFX Studio
Faubourg is a Parisian boutique film studio that specializes in creating visually stunning narratives. The hamburger is unique and features a retro-styled “menu” button in the center at the top of the page. When clicked, an irregularly shaped black dropdown menu appears, giving the site an edgy vibe. The menu is filled with large white links, which reflect the studio’s artistic focus. Each link features a cool hover animation, giving the menu an interactive feel. Additionally, the “menu” text transforms into “close” once the dropdown is opened.
👌 What we like:
- Retro-styled “menu” button positioned at the center
- Irregularly shaped black dropdown menu
- Cool hover animations that add an interactive and modern touch
9. Elders Project – Thoughtful Hamburger Menu for a Community Initiative
The Baldwin-Emerson Elders Project celebrates the untold stories of activists, storytellers, and community builders who’ve shaped American public life. The hamburger menu features four thin black lines. When clicked, a full-height black menu slides in from the right with large white menu options, each marked with a small number at the top left. On hover, a colorful arrow appears alongside a vibrant line above the link. At the top of the menu we see a search bar for easy navigation.
👌 What we like:
- Full-height black menu
- Small numbers at the top left of links for structure
- Colorful hover effect with arrows and dynamic lines
- Search bar at the top for quick access
10. Enpower Trading – Simple Hamburger Menu for an Energy Trading Platform
Enpower Trading empowers South Africans by energizing the merchant market and providing utility-scale green energy solutions. The hamburger menu features a simple button with two lines. When clicked, it opens a dropdown menu with black squares for the links, each turning white on hover. The clean and straightforward design reflects the brand’s focus on simplicity and efficiency in the trading and energy sectors.
👌 What we like:
- Simple two-line hamburger icon for a minimalist look
- Dropdown menu with black squares for a bold, modern design
- Links turn white on hover for easy interactivity
11. Outdated Browsers – Classic Hamburger Menu for a Browser Detection Service
Outdated Browsers is a time-saving tool for developers that detects outdated browsers and advises users to upgrade to the latest version. The hamburger menu features a classic three-line icon. When clicked, it reveals rectangular, grey-gradient links below, offering easy access to various sections of the website. There’s also a language toggle at the top, allowing users to switch between languages seamlessly. The simple design ensures a smooth and efficient user experience, fitting the practical nature of the VPN service.
👌 What we like:
- Classic three-line burger icon
- Rectangular grey-gradient links for a sleek, modern look
- Language toggle for easy switching between languages
12. The Directors Bureau – Quirky Hamburger Menu for a Filmmaker’s Space
The Directors Bureau is a creative space for filmmakers, offering a platform to showcase their innovative projects and collaborations. The hamburger menu has a fun, retro design with a white and blue square featuring a “+” button. When clicked, it opens a dropdown with large blue and white links for the main sections. Smaller, colorful links for social media and additional features are also included, giving the menu a lively, playful vibe. The quirky design matches the creative spirit of the filmmakers’ space, making navigation both interactive and visually interesting.
👌 What we like:
- Retro-inspired white/blue square with a “+” button
- Dropdown menu with large bold links
- Smaller, colorful links for social media and other features
13. Alex’s Fabulous Site – Hamburger Menu for a Personal Portfolio
Alex’s Fabulous Site is a quirky, personal designer’s portfolio. The hamburger menu features a simple white vertical square with three gray lines, positioned on the right side of the page for a clean look. When clicked, a dropdown reveals white rectangular links stacked on top of each other, ranging from small to large. The links have a vibrant orange hover effect that adds a fun and interactive touch to the design, enhancing the user experience as visitors navigate the portfolio.
👌 What we like:
- Dropdown with stacked white rectangular links
- Vibrant orange hover effect on links
- Simple menu design
14. Faktory – French Restaurant Modern Hamburger Menu
Faktory is a chic French restaurant blending traditional flavors with modern dining. The hamburger menu is stylish and minimal, featuring a large orange “MENU” link in the top-right corner. When clicked, it reveals a simple black dropdown menu with additional orange links in smaller font sizes. This sleek design keeps the focus on clarity and elegance, perfectly complementing the restaurant’s modern aesthetic.
👌 What we like:
- Bold orange “MENU” link for an eye-catching entry point
- A drop down menu with a simple black background for contrast
- Smaller orange links maintain a cohesive color scheme
15. Yanne Sidibe – Artistic Hamburger Menu for a Creative Portfolio
Yanne Sidibe’s website shows a creative portfolio with a wide range of artistic projects, blending design, art, and storytelling. The menu starts as a fully visible navigation bar but transforms into a hidden menu when the user scrolls, appearing as a hamburger button for a cleaner look. Clicking the button opens a full-screen black menu with large, centered white links that make navigation simple and bold. Smaller links for social media and additional features are positioned at the bottom, adding functionality without cluttering the design.
👌 What we like:
- Expanded menu that adapts into a hamburger button upon scrolling
- Bold full-screen black menu
- Artistic and functional design
To Use or Not to Use a Hamburger Menu ❓
The hamburger menu is everywhere these days, and for good reason. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. So, when should you throw one on your site, and when should you maybe skip it?
Why Hamburger Menus Are Awesome 👍:
- Space Saver: They’re perfect for mobile devices or when you want a clean, minimalist vibe.
- Decluttering: No one likes a cluttered page. A hamburger menu keeps things tidy and focuses on the good stuff.
- Fits a Lot: Got a ton of links? No problem. It can handle all your submenus like a pro.
- Stylish Touch: It just looks sleek, especially for modern or creative websites.
Why They Can Be a Buzzkill 👎:
- Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Hiding your navigation might mean users don’t find all the cool stuff on your site.
- More Work: Clicking to open the menu is an extra step – some people aren’t into that.
- Not Everyone Gets It: Believe it or not, some users don’t recognize the three little lines as a menu.
So, Should You Use One?
If you’re designing for mobile-first or going for a minimalist look, the hamburger menu is a solid choice. It’s also great for creative or trendy brands. But if your site is heavy on navigation or caters to a less tech-savvy audience, consider alternatives like a visible menu or a mix of both.
Best Practices for Hamburger Menus
So, you’ve decided to go with a hamburger menu? Nice! If you want your menu to actually enhance your user experience, there are a few tricks to keep in mind. Let’s break it down:
1. Make It Obvious ✨
Sure, we all know what those three little lines mean, but don’t assume everyone does. Consider adding the word “Menu” next to or under the icon – especially if you’re catering to an older audience. On the desktop version, think about using a more visible or descriptive navigation element if you’ve got the space.
2. Prioritize Speed and Smoothness ✨
Users love a menu that feels slick. Add subtle animations, like sliding or fading, but don’t overcomplicate it. The goal? Make it fast and snappy. Nobody’s sticking around for a clunky, laggy dropdown.
3. Optimize for Mobile ✨
Let’s be real – hamburger menus shine on mobile. So test it on different screen sizes to ensure it’s responsive and thumb-friendly. Bonus points if the button’s big enough to tap without awkward finger gymnastics.
4. Don’t Overstuff It ✨
Yes, hamburger menus are great for tucking away links, but keep it organized. Divide content into categories or sections if you have a lot of pages. Overwhelming your users with too many options will defeat the whole purpose of the menu.
5. Use Visual Cues ✨
Help users feel like they know where they’re going. Add hover effects, animations, or icons next to links. For example, a small arrow or underline can show where a link will lead or highlight important sections.
6. Focus on Accessibility ✨
Not everyone interacts with menus the same way, so make sure your hamburger menu is keyboard and screen-reader-friendly. Use clear labels for navigation elements and avoid text that’s too small to read or click.
7. Keep Navigation Hierarchy Simple ✨
If your site has a lot of content, don’t make users click through 10 layers of submenus to find what they’re looking for. Stick to one or two levels, max. Users should feel like navigation is intuitive, not a scavenger hunt.
8. Blend It Into Your Branding ✨
Your hamburger menu should feel like part of your website, not just an afterthought. Match the colors, typography, and style to your overall design. This makes the menu feel cohesive and polished.
9. Add a Little Flair ✨
Why not have fun with it? Creative animations, unique shapes, or playful colors can make your menu stand out and align with your brand personality. Just keep the balance – make sure it’s still functional and not a distraction.
10. Always Include the Essentials ✨
Some links deserve VIP treatment. If you’ve got crucial pages like “Contact,” “Shop,” or “About Us,” make sure they’re accessible right away – even outside the menu. Pro tip: add a sticky navigation bar or a call-to-action button for these must-see sections.
Conclusion
As you can see, the hamburger menu can take on many different forms, and it’s clear that no two brands approach this simple navigation tool in the same way. Whether it’s a bold slide-in, a smooth fade, or playful animations, these websites prove that you don’t have to settle for a basic design. The hamburger menu can be a central part of your site’s identity, adding both style and function. By experimenting with different animations, layouts, and color schemes, you can create an interactive and engaging experience for users.
So, which hamburger menu stood out to you the most? With these examples, we hope you’re inspired to rethink your own site’s design and consider how the hamburger menu can elevate your user experience!
For more design inspiration, you can check out some of our other articles here: