Best Burgers in Orlando
Orlando's best burgers are found well beyond the theme parks, from College Park and SoDo classics to creative grills on Restaurant Row and Colombian-style burgers.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in Orlando
Most visitors know Orlando for its theme parks, but the city has a burger scene that rewards anyone willing to leave the resort corridors. You will find old neighborhood bars that have been flipping burgers for years, chef-driven grills with long creative menus, a growing number of smash burger counters and a strong Colombian influence that shows up in some of the city's most interesting burgers.
A few areas are worth knowing. Downtown and Thornton Park, around Lake Eola, are walkable and full of bars and restaurants. SoDo, just south of downtown, is a mix of local businesses and longtime hangouts. College Park, northwest of downtown, has a small-town main street feel. Restaurant Row along West Sand Lake Road in Dr. Phillips is close to the International Drive hotels, and MetroWest sits a short drive away. Every spot below appears on the cards above, and you can browse more cities in our restaurant directory.
Best burgers in Orlando by style
Classic local favorites
The Tap Room at Dubsdread in College Park is a longtime pick for a classic sit-down burger, and Orlando Weekly readers named it a Best Burger finalist in 2025. In SoDo, Johnny's Fillin' Station is a neighborhood bar whose burger has won local awards and still gets named by locals today. Beth's Burger Bar keeps things casual at two locations, including one on Universal Boulevard near the parks. For more spots in this style around the country, see our best classic burgers page.
Gourmet and creative burgers
The Whiskey on Restaurant Row builds its burgers on a short rib, brisket and chuck blend and loads them up with toppings like poached pears and brie or pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes. Teak Neighborhood Grill in MetroWest has one of the longest burger menus in town, including The Brazilian with ham, egg and potato strings. Its sibling, RusTeak Thornton Park, is a little more polished and sits right by Lake Eola. Browse our best gourmet burgers page for more in this lane.
Smash burgers
Papi Smash'd Burger on Pine Street downtown is a small, focused shop that ranks among the area's highest-rated burger spots by diners. If you are new to the style, read smash burger vs. regular burger to see how a thin, crusty patty differs from a thick one, and check our best smash burgers picks for other cities.
Colombian-style burgers
Orlando's large Colombian community has given the city a burger style of its own. Junior Colombian Burger on South Kirkman Road is a frequent local recommendation for big, loaded burgers. Downtown, Super Rico Colombian Restaurant & Bar started as a food truck and serves a burger on a thin arepa instead of a bun.
Local burger traditions
Orlando does not have one signature regional burger the way some cities do. What makes it distinctive is the mix. Colombian-style burgers, usually piled high with sauces and toppings, sit alongside Southern touches like pimento cheese and fried green tomatoes, and the city's restaurant groups have pushed creative burger menus into the mainstream. The best way to understand it is to try one of each: a Colombian burger, a creative grill burger and a straightforward bar burger.
If you want to recreate any of these at home, our guide to burger toppings and burger sauces are good places to start.
Tips for visiting
- Plan around traffic. Orlando is spread out, and I-4 can be slow at rush hour, so group stops by area: downtown and Thornton Park together, Restaurant Row and Kirkman Road together.
- Get out of the tourist corridor. A short drive from International Drive puts you at local favorites like Junior Colombian Burger and The Whiskey.
- Check hours and locations before you go. Several restaurants on this list have more than one location, and schedules can change.
- Order a double at smash burger spots. A second thin patty adds more crispy edges, which is the point of the style.
- Cooking at home? Our burger temperature and doneness guide covers the USDA-recommended 160°F for ground beef.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best classic burger joints, gourmet burgers, cheap burgers in Orlando.
FAQ
What is the best burger in Orlando?
It depends on what you want. For a classic sit-down burger, try The Tap Room at Dubsdread or Johnny's Fillin' Station. For a creative burger, The Whiskey, Teak Neighborhood Grill and RusTeak are strong picks. For something only Orlando does this well, try a Colombian-style burger at Junior Colombian Burger or Super Rico.
Where can I find a cheap burger in Orlando?
Johnny's Fillin' Station, Papi Smash'd Burger, Beth's Burger Bar and Junior Colombian Burger are all casual, counter-style or bar spots that keep things simple.
Where can I get a good burger near the theme parks?
The Whiskey on Restaurant Row and Beth's Burger Bar on Universal Boulevard are both close to the International Drive area, and Junior Colombian Burger on South Kirkman Road is a short drive away.
What is a Colombian burger?
It is a burger loaded with toppings and sauces in the style of Colombian street food. In Orlando, Junior Colombian Burger and Super Rico are two of the best-known places to try one.