Best burgers in Austin

210 people recommend, 55 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin, r/texas

Most people recommend the P. Terry's chain, and this listing is its MLK Boulevard outlet, which one commenter names; the praise covers the chain across Austin. Several name the veggie burger, and a few rank Short Stop above it. One calls it solid, and one found the chicken burger dense but real and tasty. Caveats: one found a cheeseburger mostly salty, one found the food cold and bland, and one dislikes the nuggets.

MLK

132 people recommend, 12 warn against itcounted across its outletsvia r/austinfood, r/Austin, r/texas

Most people recommend Dan's Hamburgers, a local chain with several Austin outlets; this listing is the Airport Boulevard one, which commenters name, while another mainly visits the Ben White and Manchaca outlet. Two diners order a double cheeseburger with curly fries, one calls it one of the city's three signature burger institutions, and one calls it the top quick-service burger in the city. Some commenters steer a visitor elsewhere.

Airport

132 people recommend, 24 warn against itvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

Most people recommend Casino El Camino, and many name its burger when asked where to get one. A few describe a thick, loaded burger, and many rank it at or near the top of their burger lists; some single out the Amarillo burger. The recurring caveat is doneness: several found the burger rarer than they like. One calls it average, and one prefers smashburgers to this thick style.

78 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend the Short Stop chain for its plain cheeseburger; this listing is the Manchaca and William Cannon outlet, which commenters name. Some rank its burgers above P. Terry's, though some concede it is not the best burger around. Two describe the place as run-down, one liking that and one wanting a refresh.

Manchaca

67 people recommend, 24 warn against itvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

Opinion is divided on JewBoy Burgers, though more people recommend it than warn against it. This listing is the Airport Boulevard restaurant, which commenters name. Many call the burgers good; one describes an intensely beefy burger on a pretzel bun with queso, one points to the menu item named for El Paso with green chile sauce, and one likes that it also serves latkes. Many others find it underwhelming or overhyped, and some rank the sliders above the burgers. One calls it a quaint spot with quirky decor.

Airport

58 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Moreno BBQ's burgers, and many praise the smash burger. This listing is the Southpark Meadows restaurant, which one commenter names; another says the Manchaca location serves only burgers. One thinks the smoked burger edges out the smash, and one says a smoked burger was big enough to share. Caveats: one finds the smash a bit too smoky, one found it too greasy, and one found it disappointing while wondering if it was an off day.

Southpark Meadows

56 people recommend, 9 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin, r/texas

Most people recommend Top Notch Hamburgers, and many praise its charcoal-grilled burgers. One calls it essential to Austin, one rates it a clear runner-up behind Dan's, and one says the old-school spot will outlast the smash trend. One says it will not cook burgers medium rare, and a few find the burgers bland or ordinary.

50 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Patty Palace for its smash burger. This listing is its South Austin restaurant in the St. Elmo area, which commenters name. Some praise the caramelized onions, the onion petals or the patty melt. Caveats: one finds it greasier than Sour Duck's, one says it comes close to the crispy edges they want but not fully, one feels portions have shrunk, and another has found later visits less impressive than earlier ones.

St Elmo

47 people recommend, 10 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people who weigh in recommend Leroy & Lewis, a barbecue restaurant, for its burger, and several rank it at or near the top in Austin; one calls the smoked brisket burger the best they have had, and one describes it as very thick. One grabbed the smoked burger as a walk-up instead of waiting for barbecue, and one says it can be ordered from the bar. Caveats: some prefer Moreno's burger, some would rather have a smashburger, one found the patty crumbly and overly salty, and one found the seasoning too spicy.

46 people recommend, 7 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Sour Duck Market, and many call its burger a favorite or a top pick. Many praise the smash burger, and many mention its happy hour burger. Caveats: one found the burger unremarkable, one found the happy hour burger skimpy, one says the bun is too bready, and one wonders if quality has changed after seeing a thin patty in a photo.

43 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Buddy's Burger, and many count it among Austin's top burgers. A few name it for smash-style burgers, some call it overlooked, one says it is far better than P. Terry's, and one says lunch visits have been best. One says it is not fully consistent, one finds it decent rather than great, and another calls it the nearest match to the places being asked about but not in the same class.

43 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Hill-Bert's, a local burger spot with more than one Austin outlet; this listing is the Cameron Road one, which commenters name, while others mention the Burnet Road branch. Several name the chili cheeseburger and several single out the onion rings. One calls it a good burger within the fast-food category, one suggests the wings, and one found the cheeseburger had unmelted cheese.

Cameron

38 people recommend, 7 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Crown & Anchor, a pub near the UT campus, and many pair a burger with beer there. One regular praises the toasted bun, a few name the veggie burger, though one calls it a deep-fried garden-style patty, and a few say the burger beats Dirty's. Several are less convinced: two say it is good but do not see why it keeps showing up on best-of lists, one thinks the burger is poor, and one found a dense, tough patty.

32 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Bartlett's, and many name it when asked for a burger, with a few answering a burger-and-martini request. Many name its veggie burger as their pick, one recommends the burger cooked medium rare, and one calls it a personal favorite. Caveats: one found the veggie burger mushy and bland on a past order, one remembers it as acceptable but not impressive, and one guesses it is love-or-hate.

31 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Many people recommend Billy's on Burnet, and several praise its veggie burger, with one noting a full vegetarian bar-food menu. Several list it among their favorite dive-bar or non-smashed burgers, and one calls the frito chili burger spot-on. One notes the veggie patty is a standard Garden Burger, and one thinks the burger is poor.

31 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Buddha Burger, which operates from a gas-station trailer; this listing is the Metric Boulevard one, which one commenter names. Many rate its burgers highly, one praises the double patty, and two point to the buttery grilled-cheese-style buns. Fans also name the chicken strips and Cajun fries, and one suggests adding fried jalapeños. Caveats: one found the flavor lacking and the buns soggy, one finds the seasoning heavy, one finds the burger very rich, and one rates it well below Moreno.

Metric

29 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

Opinion is mixed, though most people who weigh in recommend Sandy's Hamburgers, an old-school stand on Barton Springs Road. A few rank it above Whataburger, one calls it an old Austin institution with thin, big burgers that feel homemade, and one raves about a burger with spicy ketchup. Some others find it bland, mediocre or dry, and one prefers Whataburger.

Barton Springs

25 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

Most people recommend Phil's Ice House, a local business with more than one Austin outlet; this listing is the one a few commenters name by its zip code, while one favors an outlet in a different zip code. Many name its veggie burger, a couple name its chili cheeseburger, one credits the jalapeño cheddar bun at that outlet for making the burger, and a couple call it consistent. A couple find the buns too sweet, and one finds the burgers mediocre.

78704

25 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Clark's Oyster Bar for its burger, and many praise it, with several calling the happy hour version a standout. One says the burger has held steady over the years, and one ranks the place among their top three favorites. Caveats: one calls the happy hour version more slider than burger, another says the burger was small from the start, one found the gribiche burger under-seasoned, some dislike the fries, and one sees little reason to order the burger.

25 people recommend, 20 warn against itcounted across its outletsvia r/austinfood

Opinion is split on Mighty Fine Burgers, a chain with several Austin outlets; this listing is the Arbor Walk outlet, which one commenter names, while one mentions the Brodie Lane outlet and another the Domain one. Many say the burgers are good, and one likes that the burger is leaner than the greasy styles. Several say quality has slipped over time, two say burgers came out overcooked or dry, two say quality varies, and two say they will not go back.

Arbor Walk

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood

Most people who weigh in recommend Frazier's, a bar, and several name the OG burger or the Lil OG as a favorite. A few recommend its patty melt, one calls the Lil OG a better take on a classic fast-food cheeseburger, and one thinks its burger beats Casino El Camino for bar-style burgers. Two are less impressed: one calls it just fine and one was unimpressed.

17 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

People lean toward recommending Jack Allen's Kitchen, a restaurant with more than one outlet; this listing is the Oak Hill one, which one commenter names, while another mentions the 360 branch. Several praise the Fat Jack burger, several like the pimento cheese topping, and one says the buns make the burger. Caveats: two do not care for pimento on burgers, two say the bacon looks limp rather than crisp, one finds the sweet buns not to their taste, and one finds the food dependable rather than great. Another calls the burger good and above average but not the best in town.

Oak Hill

15 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

People recommend the burger at Bill's Oyster, and many praise it as excellent. One says it has the best smash burger, one thinks it may be the top burger in town, one calls it an under-the-radar standout, and one calls a meal of oysters and a burger perfect. One found the Caesar salad too heavily dressed.

14 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Hold Out Brewing, a brewery, for its burger, and several praise it, with one calling it their favorite in Austin and another ranking it above better-known picks. One loves the veggie smash burger, and one calls it underrated. Another says the whole menu is excellent.

14 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Mission Burger Co., a vegan burger spot, and several name it as their veggie burger pick. One who ate there was surprised by the quality, one calls the BBQ burger surprisingly good, and a couple note it has moved from an earlier location. A few do not like the vegan cheese, one calls the patty soy mush, and one finds the sides small.

14 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Opinion is mixed, though most people who weigh in recommend the Odd Duck burger, a tall stack that many call messy or hard to eat. Many praise it, and several rank it among the best in town, with one calling it life-changing. One felt it was overloaded with toppings, one found the meat mushy while wondering if the visit was unusual, and one who loves the restaurant says a single order was enough.

13 people recommendvia r/austinfood

Many people recommend Busty's, and some praise its smash burger; one orders it as a double with bacon and jalapeños. Some also enjoy the margaritas. A couple mention kids, with one suggesting waiting until they are older and another noting the teens disliked the wall decor.

13 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

People recommend Bouldin Creek Cafe for its veggie burger, and several call it the best or their favorite in Austin. Some single out the Veggie Royale, a few praise the pesto, and one meat eater calls it clearly the best option.

12 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Most people recommend Arlo's, a spot with vegan burgers and more than one outlet; this listing is Arlo's Junior, which one commenter names, and another praises the one at Cheer Up Charlie's. Several name it for veggie burgers, one picks the vegan cheeseburger, one points to the messy chili cheese burger, and one omnivore says they still love it. One recalls the vegan bacon cheeseburger as the standout years ago and implies it has since slipped.

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

Many people recommend Nickel City for its burgers. One praises the Delray smash sliders, one ranks it second in their top three, one calls its burgers among the best they have eaten, and one calls the burger excellent and better than NADC's. One says it is consistently strong, and one strongly rejects the suggestion.

10 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend the burger at Dai Due, and a few call it the top burger in town or their favorite; one who sampled it calls it outstanding. Caveats: a few say the burger is tall and messy or hard to eat, one did not love it, and one thinks it looks silly with too much meat and no vegetables.

9 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

Many people recommend Workhorse Bar for its burger; one calls it their go-to Austin burger for over a decade, and one says the burger is grill-cooked. A couple name it as a top dive-bar burger, one names it for veggie burgers, and one says it used to be the top pick but is now inconsistent.

9 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend The Silver Medal, a dive bar, for its burgers. Two single out the smash burger, one names the chili cheeseburger, and one ranks it among the best burgers they have eaten. Another suggests it for patty melts, though they admit it may not be the top pick.

9 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Wholly Cow Burgers. One counts it among their top burger spots in Austin and rarely sees it mentioned, one thinks it might have the best burger beef in town, and one calls it a reasonable alternative.

8 people recommendvia r/austinfood

Many commenters recommend Hopfield's for burgers, and a couple name it among their favorites. A couple recommend the Pascal burger, one says it has a good bar-style burger, and one says it will cook a burger exactly as ordered, though it is not smoky.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Smashed N Sauced, which has more than one Austin outlet; this listing is the 620 and Lake Creek one, which two commenters name. Several praise the burgers, one likes the onions pressed into the patty, one says the burger impressed them enough to eat it before photographing it, and one says the wings were good too. Caveats: one found the burgers hit-or-miss and occasionally too greasy, one disliked both burgers and fries, and one liked their burger but said the chicken makes it hard to consider a burger.

620 and Lake Creek

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend Roaring Fork, a restaurant; this listing is the Stone Lake one, which commenters name. One rates the Big Ass Burger as excellent, one reports a young child called a burger the best they had had, and one likes the place but says it is easy to forget because it is tucked away. One rates the burger low, saying it is bad unless you dislike seasoning, and one finds it fine but not impressive.

Stone Lake

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/austinfood

People recommend The Bon Aire for its burger, and a couple point to the half-pound burger. One says it evokes backyard cookouts, one puts it in their top S tier, and one names it among their top brewpub burgers. Caveats: one says it is always cooked well done and oversalted, one calls it low-end and advises going elsewhere for a better burger, and one says the toppings are limited though it pairs with menu items like toasted ravioli.

7 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Golden Tiger for burgers. One prefers it when they want a double cooked to medium, a couple say they love it or call it great, and one calls it pretty solid though it has been years since their last visit.

7 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Turnstile, and two call the patty melt good. One often grabs a burger and a drink there after exercise, one names it as the top pick, one recommends it for the patio when the weather is good, and one notes few families seem to go there.

7 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Little Darlin'. One calls the burger one of the best in town and suggests it for a burger-and-cocktail night, one says they think about the burger often, one calls the grilled burger amazing, and one names it for veggie burgers.

7 people recommendvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

People recommend Counter Cafe for burgers; one commenter prefers its outlet near campus over the Eastside one. A couple name it as a veggie burger pick, one names it as their top burger pick, and one loves swapping the fries for a salad and adding it to the burger.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

People recommend Hank's. Some single out the veggie burger, with one calling it incredible, a couple call the burger quite good, and one mentions margaritas on tap. One strongly disagrees, saying it falls well short of top quality.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/austinfood

Most people recommend 5280 Burger & Taphouse. One calls it the best nearby burger spot and praises the Perfect Burger and the homemade ketchup, one says it makes excellent burgers, and one lists it as a favorite non-smashed burger spot. One says a recent burger seemed pre-cooked and reheated.

6 people recommendvia r/austinfood, r/Austin

People recommend Hyde Park Bar & Grill, a bar and grill in Hyde Park. A few like the veggie burger, one praises its house-made patties, and some praise the fries. One found the BBQ bacon cheeseburger nostalgic and says the bar-style burger hits even for someone who loves smash burgers. One calls it a go-to but is annoyed that the classic with Gruyère and caramelized onions was removed.

6 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Posse East for burgers. One says a cheeseburger with a beer hits the spot, one calls its patty melt excellent and an overlooked gem, and a few simply name it as a burger option. One has long preferred it to Crown & Anchor, though they say it has been decades since they visited either.

6 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Péché for its burger. One rates it A-tier, one says it is still excellent, one suggests its classic burger, and two simply name it as an answer. Commenters say little beyond the burger, so the rest of the menu is not described.

6 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Hillside Farmacy. One calls its burger the top one in town and near perfect, another says it is much better than NADC's, and one says it is pretty good rather than perfect, with the rest of the food good too. One says it is an overlooked spot that will handle the requested doneness, and one says the burger is solid.

5 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar for its burgers, and some single out the cheeseburger, with one calling it very meaty; and a commenter guesses it suits a thick, medium-rare burger with grill flavor. A couple point to the smash burger, though one believes it is only at the Domain location. Another appreciates Loro and suggests sharing the cheeseburger with lighter sides.

Domain

5 people recommendvia r/austinfood

People recommend Jimmy's Big Burger. One calls the burger enormous and among the top in town, a messy diner-style stack, and another says a cheeseburger list without it is not credible. Commenters name the Stassney and Congress location; one calls it the best burger on the south side, and one found the burger tasty and plans to return.

Stassney and Congress

5 people recommendvia r/Austin, r/austinfood

People recommend 24 Diner, mostly as a veggie burger pick, and several name it with no further detail. One says the veggie burger is good, though they have not been in some time.