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Three of Bar Toti’s Mexican hamburguesas on white plates in front of two cooks. Bar Toti

21 Very Great Burgers in Austin

Charcoal-grilled classics, new-wave sensations, plenty of cheeseburgers, and everything in between

by Nadia Chaudhury Updated
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by Nadia Chaudhury Updated
Bar Toti

Austin's burgers might not ever be as closely associated with the city as tacos or barbecue, but there are still plenty of options both old and new to celebrate, available in the city right now.

With that in mind, here is Eater’s guide to the city’s essential burgers. There are beloved upscale cheeseburgers from Salt & Time, the cheesy meaty dry-aged cheeseburgers from Dai Due, fast-casual takes from P. Terry’s and Dan’s Hamburgers, brisket-based ones from LeRoy & Lewis, vegetarian options, and much more.

For similar eats, check out the best sandwiches in town.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Top Notch

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A trip to Top Notch, opened by Ray and Frances Stanish in 1971, is a trip back in time when burgers were still charcoal-grilled. It might look familiar as the joint from Dazed And Confused. Orders can be placed online for pickups, in-person, or over the phone for to-go orders through its carhop; there are indoor dine-in services.

7525 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2181
(512) 452-2181

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Buddy's Burger

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The North Austin fast-casual drive-thru spot serves up excellent smash burgers based on recipes from co-owners twins Zain Fidai and Isha Fidai, and cousin Saad Fidai. The result is Angus beef patties layered with lettuce, tomatoes, and a house sauce on a potato bun. There are also spicy and cheese variations. Takeout orders can be placed through the drive-thru or online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754
(512) 401-3325
(512) 401-3325
Two cheeseburgers in a stack next to a plastic glass of orange liquid.
Burgers from Buddy’s Burger.
Buddy’s Burger

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Dan's Hamburgers

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The burgers at the 50-year-old local chain Dan's are quick and solid and are paired with great curly fries. To-go orders can be placed through the drive-thrus, over the phone, or in person. The locations have indoor dine-in services.

5602 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 459-3239
(512) 459-3239

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JewBoy Burgers

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For his Allandale Jewish-Tex-Mex food truck-turned-restaurant, owner Mo Pittle draws on his El Paso upbringing for the unkosher menu, resulting in beef patties (onions are grilled onto the patties), plus additions such as hatch green chiles, grilled pastrami, and, yes, latkes. To-go orders can be placed in person or online; the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dine-in service.

5111 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 291-3358
(512) 291-3358

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Hopfields

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For a burger slathered in camembert cheese and mustard, look no further than the French gastropub’s lunch and dinner Pascal burger. There’s also a solid veggie burger made with a black bean patty. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services available.

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
(512) 537-0467

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Crown & Anchor Pub

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The cheeseburger at Crown & Anchor is a reader favorite, and who can disagree? There is real greatness in burger simplicity. Takeout orders can be placed in person. There are indoor and patio dine-in areas — dogs are welcome at the latter.

2911 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 322-9168
(512) 322-9168

Posse East

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Another very simple yet great burger, the campus-area bar’s cheeseburger is perfection, especially paired with a beer. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111

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Dai Due

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The New Texan Cherrywood restaurant is so good it’s now available daily (as opposed to weekly). It comes with a patty made up of nilgai antelope and aged wagyu topped with asadero cheese, mushrooms, fried and pickled onions, and a black garlic mayonnaise. There are indoor and patio dine-in services.

2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-0688
(512) 524-0688

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Bar Toti

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Head this way to get La Smashburgerista — with escabeche, white American cheese, ham, and two smash patties plus chipotle mayo, it’s unliked any other in town. Service is available in and outdoors.

2113 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78722
(512) 522-4047
(512) 522-4047

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Pool Burger

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The West Austin burger spot offers a variety of burgers, including the juicy Blue Hawaiian which comes with a thick griddled pineapple slice. Pickup orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Double burger from Pool Burger.
Chad Wadsworth

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Cuantas Hamburguesas

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This burger truck spawned from the popular Cuantos Tacos truck to cook up Mexican-style smashburgers layered with a tortilla and gooey melted cheese. It serves four types of burgers anchored with Angus patties and fries. Service is outdoors.

1108 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

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Better Half’s cheeseburger is a solid, simple one: a high-quality beef patty layered with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, Dijonnaise, and, yes, cheese. There are chicken and veggie versions too. It’s available for pickups placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Find more burgers at next-door sibling spot Hold Out Brewing, with smashed patty iterations.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

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Delray Cafe

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The Detroit-style food trailer parked at favorite bar Nickel City is slinging those classic sliders (don’t let the name mislead you: the sliders aren’t small) are available, plus a double-patty version, and for those who want more, a three-pack order. Pickup orders can be online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 987-4294
(512) 987-4294

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Casino El Camino

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Huge messy burgers in an unfussy space? That’s where the downtown bar comes into play. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-9330
(512) 469-9330

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Salt & Time

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Salt & Time's Butcher's Burger is an essential: a massive hunk of house-ground beef sourced from leftover steak trimmings of the day, plus beef-fat fries. Add the house-made bacon for maximum meat. Pickup orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1912 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1383
(512) 524-1383

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P. Terry's

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No discussion of Austin burgers is complete without touching on this beloved home-grown chain. With numerous locations around town and in Texas, Austinites have easy access to an affordable and quality fast-food burger. Takeout orders are available through all drive-thrus and respective online stores. All locations feature indoor and outdoor dining areas.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

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Sandy's Hamburgers

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Sandy's is a Barton Springs Road icon, serving no-frills burgers and great frozen custard made with a hearty helping of nostalgia. Orders can be placed in-person for to-go orders, and it only accepts cash.

603 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

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Odd Duck

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The New Texan restaurant’s stellar dry-aged wagyu burger often changes its accompaniments, which are currently mushroom al pastor, peach escabeche, tostada, and chevre cheese. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
(512) 433-6521

Also featured in:

Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

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Jacoby’s sources its meats straight from the family ranch in Melvin, so the burger is very fresh. It comes with a half-pound of beef, topped with cheese and optional bacon, avocado, mushrooms, or a fried egg. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

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Frazier's Long & Low

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The Riverside bar offers a good bar burger south of the river. The Little (OG) burger comes with a smashed grilled beef patty plus the works. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2538 Elmont Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 527-3082
(512) 527-3082

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The Little Darlin'

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The perfect outdoor bar in far south Austin also serves up a perfect cheeseburger, especially with its red-eye mayonnaise. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

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Top Notch

7525 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757

A trip to Top Notch, opened by Ray and Frances Stanish in 1971, is a trip back in time when burgers were still charcoal-grilled. It might look familiar as the joint from Dazed And Confused. Orders can be placed online for pickups, in-person, or over the phone for to-go orders through its carhop; there are indoor dine-in services.

7525 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-2181
(512) 452-2181

Buddy's Burger

9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754

The North Austin fast-casual drive-thru spot serves up excellent smash burgers based on recipes from co-owners twins Zain Fidai and Isha Fidai, and cousin Saad Fidai. The result is Angus beef patties layered with lettuce, tomatoes, and a house sauce on a potato bun. There are also spicy and cheese variations. Takeout orders can be placed through the drive-thru or online. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas.

9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754
(512) 401-3325
(512) 401-3325
Two cheeseburgers in a stack next to a plastic glass of orange liquid.
Burgers from Buddy’s Burger.
Buddy’s Burger

Dan's Hamburgers

5602 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

The burgers at the 50-year-old local chain Dan's are quick and solid and are paired with great curly fries. To-go orders can be placed through the drive-thrus, over the phone, or in person. The locations have indoor dine-in services.

5602 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 459-3239
(512) 459-3239

JewBoy Burgers

5111 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

For his Allandale Jewish-Tex-Mex food truck-turned-restaurant, owner Mo Pittle draws on his El Paso upbringing for the unkosher menu, resulting in beef patties (onions are grilled onto the patties), plus additions such as hatch green chiles, grilled pastrami, and, yes, latkes. To-go orders can be placed in person or online; the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dine-in service.

5111 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
(512) 291-3358
(512) 291-3358

Hopfields

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

For a burger slathered in camembert cheese and mustard, look no further than the French gastropub’s lunch and dinner Pascal burger. There’s also a solid veggie burger made with a black bean patty. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services available.

3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
(512) 537-0467

Crown & Anchor Pub

2911 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705

The cheeseburger at Crown & Anchor is a reader favorite, and who can disagree? There is real greatness in burger simplicity. Takeout orders can be placed in person. There are indoor and patio dine-in areas — dogs are welcome at the latter.

2911 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 322-9168
(512) 322-9168

Posse East

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705

Another very simple yet great burger, the campus-area bar’s cheeseburger is perfection, especially paired with a beer. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 477-2111
(512) 477-2111

Dai Due

2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

The New Texan Cherrywood restaurant is so good it’s now available daily (as opposed to weekly). It comes with a patty made up of nilgai antelope and aged wagyu topped with asadero cheese, mushrooms, fried and pickled onions, and a black garlic mayonnaise. There are indoor and patio dine-in services.

2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-0688
(512) 524-0688

Bar Toti

2113 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78722

Head this way to get La Smashburgerista — with escabeche, white American cheese, ham, and two smash patties plus chipotle mayo, it’s unliked any other in town. Service is available in and outdoors.

2113 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78722
(512) 522-4047
(512) 522-4047

Pool Burger

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703

The West Austin burger spot offers a variety of burgers, including the juicy Blue Hawaiian which comes with a thick griddled pineapple slice. Pickup orders can be placed online; there are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

2315 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 334-9747
(512) 334-9747
A burger in a paper wrap and fries in a tray on a blue picnic table.
Double burger from Pool Burger.
Chad Wadsworth

Cuantas Hamburguesas

1108 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

This burger truck spawned from the popular Cuantos Tacos truck to cook up Mexican-style smashburgers layered with a tortilla and gooey melted cheese. It serves four types of burgers anchored with Angus patties and fries. Service is outdoors.

1108 East 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78702

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703

Better Half’s cheeseburger is a solid, simple one: a high-quality beef patty layered with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, Dijonnaise, and, yes, cheese. There are chicken and veggie versions too. It’s available for pickups placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services. Find more burgers at next-door sibling spot Hold Out Brewing, with smashed patty iterations.

406 Walsh St, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 645-0786
(512) 645-0786

Delray Cafe

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702

The Detroit-style food trailer parked at favorite bar Nickel City is slinging those classic sliders (don’t let the name mislead you: the sliders aren’t small) are available, plus a double-patty version, and for those who want more, a three-pack order. Pickup orders can be online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1133 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 987-4294
(512) 987-4294

Casino El Camino

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

Huge messy burgers in an unfussy space? That’s where the downtown bar comes into play. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

517 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-9330
(512) 469-9330

Salt & Time

1912 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

Salt & Time's Butcher's Burger is an essential: a massive hunk of house-ground beef sourced from leftover steak trimmings of the day, plus beef-fat fries. Add the house-made bacon for maximum meat. Pickup orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1912 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-1383
(512) 524-1383

Related Maps

P. Terry's

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

No discussion of Austin burgers is complete without touching on this beloved home-grown chain. With numerous locations around town and in Texas, Austinites have easy access to an affordable and quality fast-food burger. Takeout orders are available through all drive-thrus and respective online stores. All locations feature indoor and outdoor dining areas.

404 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 473-2217
(512) 473-2217

Sandy's Hamburgers

603 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Sandy's is a Barton Springs Road icon, serving no-frills burgers and great frozen custard made with a hearty helping of nostalgia. Orders can be placed in-person for to-go orders, and it only accepts cash.

603 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704
(512) 478-6322
(512) 478-6322

Odd Duck

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

The New Texan restaurant’s stellar dry-aged wagyu burger often changes its accompaniments, which are currently mushroom al pastor, peach escabeche, tostada, and chevre cheese. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
(512) 433-6521

Jacoby's Restaurant & Mercantile

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

Jacoby’s sources its meats straight from the family ranch in Melvin, so the burger is very fresh. It comes with a half-pound of beef, topped with cheese and optional bacon, avocado, mushrooms, or a fried egg. To-go orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
(512) 366-5808
(512) 366-5808

Frazier's Long & Low

2538 Elmont Dr, Austin, TX 78741

The Riverside bar offers a good bar burger south of the river. The Little (OG) burger comes with a smashed grilled beef patty plus the works. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

2538 Elmont Dr, Austin, TX 78741
(512) 527-3082
(512) 527-3082

The Little Darlin'

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745

The perfect outdoor bar in far south Austin also serves up a perfect cheeseburger, especially with its red-eye mayonnaise. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

6507 Circle S Rd, Austin, TX 78745
(512) 814-0999
(512) 814-0999

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