Best Burgers in San Francisco

How to eat burgers in San Francisco

San Francisco's burger scene is spread across its neighborhoods instead of packed into one strip. You'll find crispy smash burgers in Cole Valley and the Sunset, an old-school drive-in near City College, a late-night counter in North Beach and some of the city's most famous restaurant burgers in Hayes Valley. Many of the best spots are small, so you may end up eating at a counter, at the bar or on the go.

A few areas are worth knowing. The Mission has several of the city's best burgers within walking distance of each other. Hayes Valley is home to two restaurant burgers that locals love. The Richmond and the Sunset, out toward Ocean Beach, have neighborhood burger shops that are worth the trip. Every spot below is also on the cards above, and you can browse more in our restaurant directory.

Best burgers in San Francisco by style

Smash burgers

Lovely's in Cole Valley serves crispy-edged smash burgers with melted American cheese on a sesame roll. Out in the Sunset, Maillards makes a double smash burger with lacy edges, caramelized shallots and a tangy house sauce. In the Mission, Fort Point Valencia is a beer bar whose thin, extra-crisp double patties come with American cheese on a buttered sesame bun. Learn more about the style in smash burger vs. regular burger, and find more spots on our best smash burgers page.

Classic burgers

Beep's Burgers in Ingleside is an old-school drive-in, and its burgers come with a tangy house sauce. Sam's in North Beach is a tiny counter serving a backyard-style burger with shredded lettuce, cheese, onion, tomato, ketchup and mustard, and it's a favorite for a late-night bite. Native Burger in the Richmond stacks big patties, and its namesake burger adds candied bacon. For more spots like these, see our best classic burgers page.

Loaded and creative burgers

Pearl's Deluxe Burgers in Lower Nob Hill is known for over-the-top specialty burgers, including one with a spicy barbecue pineapple sauce. The Rabbit Hole in the Mission tops its burger with pickled vegetables and a crispy sharp cheddar crust on a brioche bun. Side A, also in the Mission, serves a bone marrow cheeseburger topped with goat cheese.

Restaurant and bistro burgers

Zuni Cafe on Market Street is a San Francisco icon, and its burger comes on rosemary focaccia with pickled onions and aioli. It's served at lunch only and not every day, so check the restaurant's schedule before you go. Nearby in Hayes Valley, RT Bistro serves a rosy, juicy burger with a briny kick from dill pickled onions. Spruce in Presidio Heights is a fine-dining restaurant whose burger on an English muffin is served only in the lounge or at the bar. Our best gourmet burgers page has more burgers in this style.

Local burger traditions

San Francisco doesn't have a single regional burger style, but it does have a strong habit of restaurant burgers. Some of the city's most talked-about versions come from full-service restaurants and bistros, where the burger is one dish on a bigger menu and is sometimes only available at certain times or in certain parts of the dining room. Zuni Cafe and Spruce are the classic examples.

The city also loves its long-running neighborhood joints. Beep's and Sam's have stuck with straightforward burgers for years, while newer smash burger shops like Lovely's and Maillards have brought crispy edges and griddled onions to quieter neighborhoods. If you want to understand why those crispy edges taste so good, read our guide to cooking burgers on a griddle.

Tips for visiting

• Check the schedule for restaurant burgers. Zuni Cafe serves its burger at lunch only, and Spruce serves its burger only at the bar or in the lounge.
• Pair stops by neighborhood. Fort Point Valencia, Side A and The Rabbit Hole are all in the Mission, and Zuni Cafe and RT Bistro are both in Hayes Valley.
• Use transit when you can. Parking is tight in most neighborhoods, and Muni gets you close to most of these spots.
• Bring a layer. Even on sunny days, the fog can roll in, especially in the Sunset and the Richmond.
• Craving one at home? Try our ultimate smash burger or easy burger sauce.

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 San Francisco.

FAQ

What is the best burger in San Francisco?

It depends on the style you want. For a restaurant burger, start with Zuni Cafe or RT Bistro. For a smash burger, try Lovely's or Maillards. For an old-school experience, go to Beep's Burgers.

Where can I find a cheap burger in San Francisco?

Casual counters and neighborhood shops are your best bet. Beep's Burgers, Sam's and Native Burger keep things simple, and smash burger spots like Lovely's are good for a quick meal.

Where can I get a late-night burger in San Francisco?

Sam's in North Beach is the classic late-night stop. Check current hours before you go, since late-night schedules can change.

Where are the best smash burgers in San Francisco?

Lovely's in Cole Valley, Maillards in the Sunset and Fort Point Valencia in the Mission are three of the city's best bets for thin, crispy patties.