Best Burgers in San Diego
San Diego's burger scene runs from beach-town classics in Ocean Beach and Crown Point to North Park smash burgers and a golf-course clubhouse burger in La Jolla.
Where to Eat
How to eat burgers in San Diego
San Diego's burger scene follows the coast. Some of the city's best-known burger spots sit a few blocks from the sand in Ocean Beach, Crown Point and Mission Beach, where a burger and a beer after a day outside is practically a ritual. Head inland and you'll find North Park, a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars that's home to two of the city's most talked-about burgers. Up the coast in La Jolla, a golf resort serves a burger that locals plan trips around.
Because the best spots are spread between the beach neighborhoods and the inland ones, it helps to plan by area. Every spot below is also on the cards above, and you can browse more in our restaurant directory.
Best burgers in San Diego by style
Smash burgers
The Friendly in North Park is the city's best-known smash burger stop. Its crispy-edged patties come with garlic aioli, American cheese and buttery onions, and the kitchen doesn't take modifications, so order it as it comes. If you're curious about the style, read smash burger vs. regular burger and see our best smash burgers page for more spots around the country.
Classic beach burgers
Hodad's in Ocean Beach is a San Diego institution, known for oversized burgers, homemade fries and a surf-grunge setting. It also has locations downtown and at Petco Park. Rocky's Crown Pub in Crown Point has been around since 1977 and keeps things simple with a straightforward burger and a no-frills bar setting. Find more joints like these on our best classic burgers page.
Gourmet and chef-driven burgers
The Wise Ox in North Park comes from a meat-focused restaurant group and serves a dry-aged cheeseburger, with a butcher shop next door. To learn what dry aging does to beef, read our guide to dry-aged beef burgers. The Grill at Torrey Pines at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla is famous for its Drugstore Burger, a lunch-counter-style cheeseburger served in a resort setting. See our best gourmet burgers page for more like these.
Sliders
Rosemarie's Buns & Brews in Mission Beach specializes in sliders, with island-style and sloppy-style options, and it has a second location in Ocean Beach. It's a fun choice for a group that wants to try a few different burgers. Want to make your own? Our guide to how to make sliders walks you through it.
Local burger traditions
The beach bar burger is San Diego's closest thing to a signature style. Places like Hodad's and Rocky's Crown Pub have stayed focused on big, simple burgers for decades, and they're as much a part of their neighborhoods as the surf shops and taco stands around them. These spots are casual by design, and you can often walk in straight from the beach.
North Park represents the newer side of the city. It's where you'll find The Friendly's crispy smash burgers and The Wise Ox's dry-aged cheeseburger, both of which show how far San Diego's burger scene has moved beyond the beach. If you're in the area, it's easy to try both in one outing.
Tips for visiting
- Pair stops by neighborhood. The Friendly and The Wise Ox are both in North Park, and Rocky's Crown Pub and Rosemarie's are both close to Mission Bay.
- Expect lines at popular beach spots, especially on weekends and during summer. Going early or on a weekday helps.
- Plan parking near the beach. Spaces in Ocean Beach and Mission Beach fill up fast on sunny days.
- Some bars are 21 and over, so check before bringing kids.
- Check hours before you go, since small spots and bar kitchens can change their schedules.
- Craving one at home? Try our ultimate smash burger or bacon cheeseburger.
Browse by style
Want just one kind of burger? See our shortlists of the best gourmet burgers, cheap burgers in San Diego.
FAQ
What is the best burger in San Diego?
It depends on the style you want. For a beach classic, start with Hodad's or Rocky's Crown Pub. For a smash burger, go to The Friendly. For a dry-aged cheeseburger, try The Wise Ox.
Where can I find a cheap burger in San Diego?
The Friendly and Rocky's Crown Pub are both casual, no-frills spots that keep things simple. Rosemarie's sliders are also a good way to try a few burgers without committing to one big one.
Where can I get a burger near the beach in San Diego?
Hodad's in Ocean Beach, Rosemarie's Buns & Brews in Mission Beach and Rocky's Crown Pub in Crown Point are all close to the water.
Is the Torrey Pines burger worth the trip?
If you're in La Jolla, The Grill at Torrey Pines is a fun stop. Its Drugstore Burger shows up on many local best-burger lists, and the resort setting makes it feel like a special outing.