Best Burgers in San Diego (Top 10)

I’ve tried over 70 hamburgers in just San Diego alone. I’ve filtered through the OK burger so you can go ahead and enjoy the best. 

So here you go, San Diego’s Best Burgers (joints).

  1. Canada Steak Burger (Normal Heights)
  2. Nicky Rottens (Downtown San Diego)
  3. Classic Malt Shop (Sports Arena Area)
  4. Rocky’s Pub (Crown Pt./Pacific Beach)
  5. Burger Lounge (Kensington, Little Italy & Coronado)
  6. The Waterfront (Airport Area Downtown)
  7. Red Robin (Carmel Mountain, La Jolla)
  8. Phil’s BBQ Burger (Sports Arena Area)
  9. Hodad’s (Ocean Beach)
  10. Tioli’s Crazee Burger (North Park)

I am a San Diego native and stand behind this list, and I’m willing to bet other local, burger enthusiasts can much agree with the list presented. So go to one of these places and have one of the most delicious burgers you’ve ever had.

Honorable mentions: Remember, these are still very GOOD burgers. They’re just not one of the top 10 burgers in all of San Diego.

  1. Bareback Grill (Pacific Beach)
  2. Lefty’s Chicago Pizzeria (Mission Hills)
  3. Dirty Birds (Pacific Beach) 
  4. Boll Weevil (Clairemont)
  5. Blazin’ Grill (N. Pacific Beach)
  6. Bub’s Dive Bar (Pacific Beach)
  7. Beaumont’s (Bird Rock, La Jolla)
  8. Western Steakburger (North Park)
  9. The Corner (Downtown San Diego)
  10. Corvette Diner (Point Loma Liberty Station)

OTHER GOOD BURGERS - Beach Break Café, McGonagle’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks, Wave House – North Shore Café, A & W All-American Food, Alfonso, Alpine Inn, Angelo’s Burgers, Arizona Café, Aunt Emma’s Pancakes, Bullseye Burger & Brew, Canada Steak Burger, Danny’s Palm Bar & Grill,  Mr Peabody’s Burgers & Ale, Joe’s Crab Shack, World Famous, Bully’s, Fat Burger, BJ’s Pizza & Brewery, Boomerang’s

OKAY BURGERS :|

  1. Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern (Pt. Loma/Harbor Island)
  2. Smash Burger (La Jolla)
  3. Fudd Ruckers (Mission Valley, Grossmont)
  4. Station Tavern & Burgers (Golden Hills)
  5. Kahunas (Crown Point PB)

Worst Burgers in San Diego

  1. Charlies’s Famous Burgers (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley)
  2. Beef n’ Bun (El Cajon)
  3. Rock Bottom (La Jolla)

I had to try many of these places several times before I could make a decision, based on various reasons. i.e.: bad experiences, consistency, total votes from you guys, to try a different burger on the menu, try on another stomach 


If you don’t see a burger on this list that you feel should be here, AND you can’t find it anywhere on this site, chances are it’s mediocre or I never had it.

If you have a picture of a burger you would like to represent, please submit it here. YES, I do take others’ votes into consideration when determining the “best”.

Also, this list does not include Kobe beef burgers. If you are looking for the best Kobe Beef Burger, the top recommendation goes to La Prada in Balboa Park.