Atlanta's burger scene is spread out, and that's part of the fun. Some of the city's most talked-about burgers come from a gas station, a bakery, a butcher shop and a century-old corner grocery, while others are served in polished Midtown and Buckhead dining rooms. Thin, crisp-edged smash burgers dominate the conversation, but there's room for char-grilled patties and thicker, chef-driven builds too.

A few areas are worth knowing. Decatur, just east of the city, has a cluster of standout burger shops within a few minutes of each other. The in-town neighborhoods east of downtown, including Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, Grant Park, Inman Park and Kirkwood, are packed with casual spots along and around Memorial Drive. Midtown, Buckhead and the Westside have sit-down options, and Dunwoody to the north has one of the city's most unusual burger counters. Every spot below also appears in the cards above, and you can browse more in our restaurant directory.

Best burgers in Atlanta by style

Smash burgers

Che Butter Jonez in Decatur builds its ODB with two thin, crisp-edged patties, chimichurri, ají verde and smoked gouda, a big two-handed burger with a lot going on. Nearby, Smiley's Burger Club keeps things more classic, with crunchy-edged patties, a tangy-sweet secret sauce, pickles and melty cheese. NFA Burger in Dunwoody serves thin, well-seasoned smash patties from inside a Chevron station, which only adds to its reputation. Sugar Loaf Bakery & Cafe in Reynoldstown smashes its patties with American cheese and shaved Vidalia onions; get it as a double. For more picks nationwide, see our best smash burgers page and the smash burger vs. regular burger explainer.

Classic burgers

Holeman & Finch Public House on Peachtree Street in Midtown is a gastropub whose burger has long been an Atlanta favorite. It's a classic build with beef ground daily, a housemade bun and tangy pickles. Fred's Meat & Bread at Krog Street Market in Inman Park makes a juicy double with cheese, mayo and pickles on a sesame bun baked daily by TGM Bread. The Chastain in Buckhead serves the TC Cheeseburger, two thin patties with housemade pickles and caramelized onions, in a sit-down setting. Browse more on our best classic burgers page.

Cheap and casual

Little's Food Store in Cabbagetown is a small grocery store that has operated since the 1920s, with a grill turning out small, juicy burgers on fluffy buns. Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Memorial Drive in Grant Park grills its burgers to a crunch, with a classic American cheese version and Southern options such as pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes. LOL Burger Bar on the Westside is a fast-casual counter with housemade patties; its signature adds gouda, spicy mayo and grilled peppers. Our best cheap burgers in Atlanta page has more.

Chef-driven and worth the trip

Wahoo Grill in Decatur makes a char-grilled burger topped with house-cured bacon, Gruyère cheese sauce and cranberry-onion jam. Evergreen Butcher + Baker in Kirkwood sells its two-patty burger with American cheese, onions, pickles and aioli only on Sundays, in limited quantities, so plan ahead and arrive early. See our best gourmet burgers page for similar spots in other cities.

Local burger traditions

Atlanta doesn't have a single regional burger style, but a few local touches show up again and again. Southern ingredients like pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes and Vidalia onions, grown in south Georgia, find their way onto burgers across the city. Bakeries and butcher shops play a big role, too: several of the best burgers here come from places that bake their own buns or grind their own beef. And Atlanta is happy to find great burgers in unexpected places, from a gas station in Dunwoody to a neighborhood grocery in Cabbagetown. For more on how regional styles differ, read American burger styles explained, and if you want to try the cheese at home, our guide to the best cheese for burgers is a good start.

Tips for visiting

Atlanta is a driving city. Group your stops by area, such as Decatur or the Memorial Drive corridor, to cut down on traffic time.
Food halls like Krog Street Market are handy for groups because everyone can order something different.
Small counters and limited-run burgers can sell out. Check the official site or social media before you make a special trip.
Some sit-down spots, such as The Chastain, take reservations, so book ahead on busy nights.

Browse by style

Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best smash burgers, classic burger joints, gourmet burgers, cheap burgers in Atlanta.

FAQ

What is the best burger in Atlanta?

For smash burgers, Che Butter Jonez and Smiley's Burger Club in Decatur are the top picks. For a classic, sit-down burger, go to Holeman & Finch Public House in Midtown.

Where can I find a cheap burger in Atlanta?

Little's Food Store, Grindhouse Killer Burgers and NFA Burger are all casual and affordable. See our cheap burgers in Atlanta page for more.

Where can I get a burger near downtown Atlanta?

The neighborhoods just east of downtown are your best bet: Little's Food Store in Cabbagetown, Sugar Loaf Bakery & Cafe in Reynoldstown, Grindhouse Killer Burgers in Grant Park and Fred's Meat & Bread in Inman Park.

Is the burger at the Dunwoody gas station really worth it?

NFA Burger's thin, crispy smash patties are a genuine local favorite, so yes, it's worth the drive north. Know a spot we missed? Suggest a spot.