New Orleans is famous for po-boys, gumbo and Creole cooking, so burgers don't always get top billing. That's a mistake. The city has a deep bench of burger spots, from dark old bars and tiny diners to modern burger shops and chef-run restaurants, and a few local habits you won't find anywhere else, like a baked potato on the side instead of fries.

The French Quarter and the nearby Faubourg Marigny are home to some of the most famous burgers, and they're easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. Uptown has a mix of bistros and casual spots, with Freret Street as a burger hub. Mid-City, along Canal Street and North Carrollton Avenue, has neighborhood bars and newer smash burger shops, and Carrollton, near the end of the St. Charles streetcar line, has a classic diner. Every spot below also appears in the cards above, and you can browse more in our restaurant directory.

Best burgers in New Orleans by style

Classic bar and diner burgers

Port of Call on Esplanade Avenue is one of the city's best-known burger bars. It grinds its half-pound patties fresh daily and serves them with a baked potato and butter instead of fries, with extra toppings like cheddar or mushrooms. The Camellia Grill on South Carrollton Avenue is a classic counter-service diner with griddled burgers, including one with Swiss and sautéed mushrooms, plus a double-patty hamburger po-boy. Clover Grill is a tiny, old-school French Quarter diner on Bourbon Street and a natural stop after a night out. Beachcorner Bar and Grill on Canal Street in Mid-City is a neighborhood bar known for 10-ounce burgers with toppings like jalapeño, blue cheese and bacon, plus a rotating burger of the month. Browse more on our best classic burgers page.

Smash burgers and modern burger shops

The Company Burger on Freret Street is the go-to for a modern double: two thin patties of house-ground beef with bread-and-butter pickles, red onion and American cheese. It also offers turkey, lamb and falafel burgers. Bub's Burgers, now operating as Bub's NOLA, serves smash burgers on buttered brioche from its Banks Street shop in Mid-City. For more around the country, see our best smash burgers page.

Chef-driven and steakhouse burgers

Toups' Meatery on North Carrollton Avenue makes a Wagyu burger with pickled squash, sharp cheddar, bacon and Creole aioli. La Petite Grocery is a Michelin Guide-listed Uptown bistro on Magazine Street whose LPG burger has a loyal following. Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse in the French Quarter is a classic New Orleans steakhouse that has long offered a burger made from steak trimmings; check the current menu before you go. Our best gourmet burgers page has similar spots in other cities.

Local burger traditions

A few New Orleans habits make its burgers stand apart. The first is the baked potato. Port of Call is the most famous example, but pairing a burger with a loaded baked potato instead of fries has long been common around town. The second is the hamburger po-boy, which puts a burger patty on French bread instead of a bun; The Camellia Grill offers a double-patty version. And if you're asked whether you want your burger "dressed," that's local shorthand for lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo, the same way po-boys are dressed. For more on regional burgers across the country, read American burger styles explained.

Tips for visiting

The St. Charles streetcar is a scenic way to reach Uptown and Carrollton, including The Camellia Grill.
Pair stops by neighborhood: Port of Call and Clover Grill are both near the French Quarter, and The Company Burger is on Freret Street, an easy hop from Magazine Street.
Several of these spots are bars, and some may be 21 and over. Check the age policy before bringing kids.
Small shops can change their schedules, so check the official site or social media before you make a special trip.
Steakhouse and bistro burgers may only appear on certain menus, such as lunch or the bar menu, so check before you go.

Browse by style

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

FAQ

What is the best burger in New Orleans?

Port of Call is the city's most iconic burger stop. For a modern double, try The Company Burger, and for a chef-driven take, go to Toups' Meatery.

Where can I find a cheap burger in New Orleans?

Casual spots like The Camellia Grill, Clover Grill, Bub's Burgers and The Company Burger are good, affordable options.

Where can I get a burger in the French Quarter?

Clover Grill on Bourbon Street and Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse are in the Quarter, and Port of Call sits on Esplanade Avenue at the edge of the Quarter.

Why does Port of Call serve a baked potato with its burger?

It's a long-standing house tradition, and the burger-and-baked-potato combo shows up at other New Orleans spots too. Know a burger we missed? Suggest a spot.