The Best Burgers in Austin

Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, and for good reason: it's the birthplace of the legendary ACL music television series and the SXSW music festival. If there’s one thing that rings true, those musicians love their food, especially burgers. From veggie burgers to burgers topped with more meat, there’s plenty of options in ATX. But which restaurants are serving up the freshest and most exciting burgers? We’ve tapped our local tastemakers, the people who know the ins and outs of eating in Austin, to find the top spots they recommend. Here’s where to eat when you’re hankering for the best burger in this Texas town.

The OpenTable Team

18 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	Dai Due, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin, True Food Kitchen - Austin…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	American, Steakhouse…
Neighborhoods:	East Austin, Downtown…

Dai Due

$$$$

American

East Austin

4.8

1822 reviews

Ranked as one of the best restaurants overall by OpenTable customers, Dai Due is lauded for having "Texas-centric" cuisine. And that means meat, meat, and more meat! But one won't just get a standard "hamburger" here. Rather, Dai Due is known for its wild boar burger, which comes with pimento cheese, bacon, and bread-and-butter pickles on a cemita bun. While this place is sure to deliver the best burger in Austin, make sure to save some room for dessert, as the cheesecake with fig preserves and candied orange is to die for!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Downtown Austin

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown

4.6

8136 reviews

Looking for a fancy night out? Have a special occasion on the calendar? Perry's Steakhouse and Grill, located in downtown Austin, is just the place to go, and an additional location is soon to come in the trendy Domain Northside district. Perry's Butcher's Blend burger is a delicious mix of brisket, chuck, and short rib meat served with a side of regular or sweet potato fries.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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True Food Kitchen - Austin

$$$$

American

Downtown

4.7

2201 reviews

The True Food Kitchen — set to open in the Domain district in the spring of 2019, though there are other locations throughout Austin — wins with its healthy food choices. In addition to the grass-fed meat burger, True Food Kitchen offers a turkey burger, an inside-out quinoa burger (which is both vegan and gluten-free), and a TLT (a vegan version of the BLT made with tempeh, lettuce, and tomato). All True Food Kitchen burgers come with a choice of either sweet kale salad or sweet potato hash, making it a prime location for the best burgers in Austin.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Salty Sow

$$$$

Gastro Pub

East Austin

4.8

3382 reviews

The Salty Sow touts itself as an American gastropub that's "mindfully sourced." With a catchy tagline of "swine, wine, and beer," The Salty Sow is far from a hipster-type joint, and is in fact as "all American" as one can get. Patrons come here to enjoy the Sowburger, which is a basic all-American burger that's lauded for its side of duck fat fries. The burger is made from 100% house-ground patty, and can come with pork belly, avocado, bacon, or egg as a topping for a nominal fee.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Fixe

$$$$

Regional American (Southern)

Downtown

4.7

2650 reviews

Fixe markets itself as having the "soul of the South," while taking a modern twist on Italian cuisine. And that's thanks to the influence of Chef James Robert and his team, who are well aware of Robert's strong and steep Italian heritage. So, when they prepare the Fixe burger with the so-called "Fixe special sauce," diners know they're getting one of the best burgers in Austin. And, with its casual atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a girl's night out or even a hot date!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Josephine House

$$$$

American

Central Austin

4.8

948 reviews

The trendy, cost-efficient Josephine House is the so-called "sister" restaurant to the upscale Austin hot spot, Jeffrey's, making it the perfect choice for the budget-conscious. No meal here is over $30! And the same goes for the Josephine House Burger, made with Grafton cheddar, harissa aïoli, and grilled red onion on a housemade bun, and finished with a side of fries. This is perfectly paired with one of the housemade sodas (the cucumber and basil soda is amazing).

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Geraldine’s

$$$$

Unspecified

Downtown

4.6

1955 reviews

Geraldine's is a restaurant with views that are just as notable as its menu. It overlooks the gorgeous Lady Bird Lake (named for former First Lady "Lady Bird" Johnson) and provides a stellar view of the ever-changing downtown Austin skyline. But don't forget Geraldine's menu curated by Executive Chef Steven Bonin, which features a burger with five aged cheddars and a side of pickles on a fresh brioche bun. Sometimes, the best burgers in Austin feature something simple, and there's no better proof of that than here at Geraldine's. Come for the atmosphere and stay for the live music!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Stella San Jac

$$$$

Unspecified

Downtown

4.3

1308 reviews

The only thing more popular than burgers in Austin is craft drinks, and Stella San Jac makes their own "spirited" cocktails in this vein. In addition to complete lunch, dinner, and brunch menus, Stella San Jac offers a scrumptious Stella Burger that's considered one of their signature dishes. Located just steps away from the Warehouse District, Stella San Jac is a must-see in Austin.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Juniper

$$$$

Italian

East Austin

4.7

2147 reviews

Juniper is a restaurant that one has to see to believe. In addition to offering "all-American" fare, Juniper is pleased to provide a modern twist on old-world Italian cuisine. They also have the same dedication to food craftsmanship that the so-called "Old World Italian" chefs have. And that includes their twist on the old-fashioned burger called the beef tartare, which is served on polenta (cornmeal) crackers. Because this is one of the most popular restaurants in Austin, reservations are strongly recommended.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Parkside

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown

4.3

1680 reviews

The rise of the gastropub has revitalized the entire Austin culinary scene, and there's no better example of that than the Parkside Grill. Specializing in contemporary American and French fusion food, chef/owner Shawn Cirkiel offers the best burgers in Austin solely during Happy Hour, which takes place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. Enjoy half-price beer, wine, and spirits during this time as well.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

III Forks - Austin

$$$$

Steak

Downtown

4.7

3475 reviews

This award-winning steakhouse is considered the "Crown Jewel of American Dining," and for good reason. III Forks is located in downtown Austin, at the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard, and it makes perfect sense that a street named after a revolutionary would take a revolutionary approach to burgers as well. Choose from the III Forks classic, Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese, Truffle Miso-Glazed Salmon, or Short Ribs on a Biscuit Slider (and add fries for an extra $5). There's also a full entree-sized burger on the regular menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Caroline

$$$$

American

Downtown

4.4

863 reviews

Of all the restaurants on this list, Caroline Restaurant has, perhaps, one of the most extensive burger menus in Austin. Whereas most restaurants only offer a burger for lunch — and sometimes only sliders — Caroline has a full list of burgers to choose from, including a turkey burger and a crispy halibut burger. One of the best burgers in Austin can be found here, and that's the Prime Cheeseburger, which features lettuce and tomato and a choice of either aged cheddar, Wisconsin Swiss, or pepper jack cheese.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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ALC Steaks (Austin Land & Cattle)

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown

4.7

2278 reviews

ALC stands for "Austin Land and Cattle," and it's a restaurant that definitely lives up to its name. Featuring a wide array of seafood, poultry, and chicken dishes, ALC is perhaps best known for its steaks and wide assortment of proprietary, made-on-the-premises steak sauces. Their twist on the classic American burger is a "chopped steak," — chopped meat sauteed and served with mushrooms, onions, and a choice of a side. If steaks are preferred, come by on Sunday night when there's a slow-cooked Prime Rib price-fixed menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Ranch 616

$$$$

Regional American (Southwestern)

Downtown

4.7

1243 reviews

One might not expect to have a Mexican fusion restaurant in the heart of Austin to have a full burger menu, but not only does Ranch 616 have a delectable choice of burgers to choose from, they all feature a Tex-Mex flair. The Daddy-O burger is named after a friend of the restaurant and served with tartar sauce (and it's quite good). The Dirty Birdy, meanwhile, features 8 ounces of Angus steak served with ranch chili, ranch cheese, fried jalapenos, and a fried egg. But the standout offering, which is also one of the best burgers in Austin, is the Mexi-Burger, a half-pound Angus beef patty served with an enchilada of the day, tomatillo sauce, ranch cheese, and a fried egg.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bob's Steak & Chop House - Austin

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown

4.7

2031 reviews

A more elegant offering on this list, Bob's Steak and Chophouse features some of the finest dining in all of Austin. In addition to an extensive steak, seafood, and prime meats offering, Bob's Steak and Chophouse offers its twist on the classic American burger — the beef carpaccio — which is perfect for the gluten-sensitive, the adventurous diner, or just people who want to try something new! Don't forget to pair the carpaccio with one of their finest house red wines.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

June's All Day

$$$$

Contemporary American

South Austin

4.8

817 reviews

Restaurateurs from the McGuire Moorman Hospitality team consider June's All Day Restaurant their luckiest restaurant ever, as it's the seventh in their portfolio. And, even though it's only technically open until midnight, there's no shortage of choices on this extensive, carefully curated menu. June's Charbroiled Burger is considered one of the best burgers in Austin for good reason: it comes with grilled onions and jalapeños, American cheese, pickles, and french fries. There's no way a patron can leave this restaurant feeling hungry!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue

$$$$

Barbecue

Downtown

4.7

1930 reviews

Consider a stop at Lambert's Downtown BBQ for one of the best burgers in Austin. Located in the 2nd Street district and housed in a beautifully restored historic building, Lambert's has been featured in Food & Wine, The New York Times, and Conde Nast Traveler, and voted the fourth-best new restaurant in Texas by Texas Monthly. Part of the reason for these accolades has to do with the restaurant's wood-grilled cheeseburger, which is served with iceberg lettuce, red onion, jalapeno, house bacon, barbeque sauce, and Dijonaisse. Don't forget to pick a side!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Chez Zee

$$$$

American

Northwest

4.7

3999 reviews

What happens when a Paris bakery meets an American bistro? Chez Zee, of course! Casual, comfortable, and affordable, Chez Zee believes in simplicity over trendy, and that's evident in their classic grilled cheddar cheeseburger. Considered one of the best burgers in Austin because of its simplicity, the Chez Zee classic grilled cheddar cheeseburger comes on a toasted bistro bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion. Sides are as varied as french fries, kettle chips, new potato salad, sweet potato fries, Sharon's cole slaw, fruit cup, and black beans.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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The Best Burgers