Originally published May 2015, updated 05/01/2019
If your burger cravings requires more than the simplistic drive-thru sandwich wrapped in cheap colorful paper, filled with 2nd rate “meat” and a shriveled bun, you’re most likely looking for something better than what your friendly neighborhood fast food chain has to offer.
No offense to our favorite local fast food chains, but If you prefer ingredients like hand-crafted brioche buns, aioli, frisée, locally farmed bacon, Kobe, wagyu or dry-aged beef topped with artisanal cheeses, you’ll probably accept nothing less than the finest burgers in Austin. See our list below for the very best of what Austin has to offer.
Geraldine’s
605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
Geraldine’s launched their revamped lunch menu created by Executive Chef Stephen Bonin on Friday, May 12 featuring seasonally-inspired dishes, highlighting flavors that embody the city. The burger is beautifully loaded a local Akaushi burger, 5-year aged cheddar, baby green leaf, fresh heirloom tomato, sweet onion, dill pickle and bacon mayo.
Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue \ Chef David Bull! is a baller. That’s pretty much all you need to know. His masterpiece of a gourmet American burger is made with ground brisket and chuck, pork belly, shallot confit, gruyère, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, house-made horseradish pickles and topped off with a fried egg. It’s so delicious and full of insane flavor, you’ll rethink your existence in the universe and change your religion to David Bull-ism.
Leroy & Lewis
121 Pickle Rd. | Named one of the best burgers in Austin by Texas Monthly, the L&L Burger features a Heartbrand Akaushi smoked patty, American cheese, grilled onions, bread & butter pickles, and aioli. Available during dinner at the new school barbecue truck, the burger is smoked then seared directly in the firebox, giving it a signature and distinctly smokey flavor with a perfect crust. Pro tip: be on the lookout for the addition of house-made Peaceful Pork bacon.
Loro
2115 S Lamar Blvd. | Loro’s burger features a patty made from a mix of prime brisket and smoked bavette, topped with jam made from caramelized red onions and brisket ends, Muenster cheese, jalapeno aioli, pickles and butter on a brioche bun. Photo credit: Hayden Walker
Parkside
301 E 6th St. | Shawn Cirkiel should be given a status of nobility with his non-stop winning creations! His cheeseburger is inspired from his grandmother’s old school hamburger steak combining two types of rich beef topped with white cheddar, adding to the rich flavor. It’s just that simple, and apparently delicious enough to make us bow in Shawn’s presence. Chef, the burger gods salute you! Photo: Hayden Walker
TRACE
W Austin, 200 Lavaca St. | The Butcher Burger is an adventure for the avid culinary enthusiast that appreciates a great atmosphere and the flavor to match. This burger is absolutely high class all the way with tillamook Cheddar, crispy house-cured bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. Photo: Cultivate PR
Clark’s Oyster Bar
1200 W 6th St. | Clark’s burger is a mountain of beauty, beef and cheese. Nearly cooked as perfect as a juicy petite filet, it arrives covered in Gruyere cheese. Throw in a side of their famous shoestring fries and a pile of brussel sprouts and you’ll still be trendy enough for the West Austin society ($16 with fries or slaw; half-price from 3-6 Mon-Fri). Photo: LAURA SKELDING / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Holy Roller
509 Rio Grande St. | Callie Speer’s new downtown diner, Holy Roller serves brunch all day (and into the late night). The menu is comprised of nostalgic food that’s whipped up with a bit of whimsy, and that goes for her Bombshell Burger too. The burger has shaved ham, American cheese, hashbrowns, house ketchup and a fried egg on top and goes exceptionally well with a house made float. Insider tip, pair it with “Big Red & Cake Batter” or straight up order some soft serve to dip those fries in. Photo Credit: Cultivate PR
Bartlett’s
West Anderson Plaza, 2408 W Anderson Ln. | If you journey up to North Austin to visit Bartlett’s don’t be surprised if it becomes your favorite burger in the city. The daily ground in-house beef, shredded cheddar, on a buttery toasted bun and crispy shoestring french fries will make you a believer in Co-Owner and Executive Chef Arik Williams’s righteous creation. Photo by Courtney Pierce.
Soursop
440 E St Elmo Rd g2. | Named one of Austin’s best burgers by the Austin American-Statesman, Soursop’s SopBurger is truly a thing of beauty. The burger features a HEAPING double patty burger with adobo glazed beef and topped with shoestring potatoes, achara special sauce, swiss cheese, and bacon roasted onions. Pair with any of St. Elmo’s brews – like a crushable Carl Kolsh (or three). Beloved by chefs, locals and visitors alike, there’s a reason it was named reader’s choice for “Best Food Trailer” by Austin Monthly.
Roaring Fork
North Austin: 10850 Stonelake Blvd | Downtown: 701 Congress Ave. Holy moly! If there was ever an appropriate name for a burger, it would be this one! The Big Ass Burger is exactly that and it’s incredible! Stacked with poblano pepper, cheddar, smoked pepper bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, & french fries it’s as big and bad-ass as it sounds! Be prepared to tap out and beg for mercy, this burger is bold and delicious but it takes no prisoners.
Vince Young Steakhouse
Downtown: 701 Congress Ave. | The Wagyu Brisket Burger, is made using USDA grade beef topped off with house-made pickles and two-year-aged Vermont white cheddar cheese on a soft brioche bun. At $23, nearly all other steakhouse burgers are put to shame after it’s creation. The beef so flavorful and juicy, as it melts in your mouth the way you’d expect choice Wagyu meat to taste. Photo by Courtney Pierce
Swift’s Attic
315 Congress Ave. | If burger-porn was ever considered to be a real thing, it would exist at Swift’s! Featured as one of Thrillist’s 33 top burger spots in the country, Swift’s Attic’s is a burger lover’s dream come true! “Artisan” doesn’t even begin to describe the level of burger greatness Swift’s has to offer, as Monday nights at 9 pm have become legendary featuring a new big ass burger every week. Show up early to secure your burger! Photo: Natalie Paramore
Garbo’s Restaurant
14735 Bratton Ln. | Garbo’s makes a burger? You betcha! Garbo’s who’s been serving fresh lobster rolls straight from the shore to your door blew us away with Executive Chef Will Foden and Owner Heidi Garbo’s version of a burger stacked with grilled with gorgonzola, arugula, aioli & fries. Don’t be shocked, but you’ll love it! Photo by Hayden Walker
Hopdoddy
West Anderson Plaza, 2438 W Anderson Ln. | South Austin: 1400 S Congress Ave. | Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably familiar with the infamous local favorite! Hopdoddy is notorious for it’s long lines, but it’s rightfully so for a reason! Every burger is generously prepared to order with nearly any topping you could ever want. From beef, salmon and bison, Hopdoddy will have you coming back just so you’ll try everything in the menu. If you’re a serious burger lover, you’ll do just that!
Stella San Jac
310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701 \ The Stella Burger with White Cheddar, White BBQ Crispy Onions is not only delicious but it’s an Instagram dream waiting to happen.
Oasthouse
8300 N FM 620 e, Austin, TX 78726 | In Chef Hajimaleki’s Umami Burger, he blends oyster mushrooms with high-quality Texas Wagyu beef for the patty. Once cooked, the patty is placed on a Hawaiian bistro bun and topped with the chef’s special Japanese Island Sauce and pickled bok choy, sliced cucumberand Delice de Bourgogne cheese from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop. Photo by Hayden Walker