Where to Get the Best Burgers in San Diego

We asked our readers to tell us their pick for the best burgers in San Diego so we’ll know where to go when we’re in need of one…NOTHING beats a good burger when you’re craving one!

The mouth-watering list below is the result.

One takeaway from putting this list together: San Diego has some damn good burgers!

Yeah, yeah…we know “(insert your favorite place that isn’t on this list here) actually has the best burger in town,” so go ahead and let us hear it. We want to try them all!

The Balboa (#1)

The Balboa won first place for the best burger in San Diego by a good margin, so we are giving them the credit they deserve (the others are not specifically ranked as their votes were pretty close).

The Balboa scared the hell out of every burger-lover when they initially announced a permanent closure in the depths of the pandemic, but lucky for us, they pulled through. We plan on eating enough of their burgers to ensure that they won’t have to worry about closing ever again!

Rosemarie’s Burgers

Rosemarie’s won Best Burger 2024 in San Diego Magazine’s Critic’s Pick & Reader’s Pick awards. And we can’t lie…these are a go-to for the ThereSanDiego team.

Rocky’s Crown Pub

You guys love a Rocky’s Crown Pub burger—that’s for sure. We heard you loud and clear!

Next to The Balboa, Rocky’s burgers definitely seemed to have the most passionately supportive and vocal fan base.

The Friendly

No website, no inside seating, and no modifications on your order—we love it! And you do, too…The Friendly’s smash burgers consistently come up as some of the best in San Diego. Sadly, the founder of The Friendly, Brandon Zanavich recently died at just 41 years old).

Hodad’s

Of course, these guys made the list…Hodad’s is an institution!

Neighborhood

After a major renovation, they still have an amazing burger on the menu. Think smash patties, bacon onion jam, roasted garlic aioli, arugula, and cheese. Pro tip: make it ‘extra hood.’

Swagyu Chop Shop

A hamburger made from Wagyu?! How could that NOT make the list?

Swagyu Chop Shop is a Wagyu-focused butcher shop by Chef Steve Brown featuring the best Wagyu in the world from the US, Australia, and Japan. He’s got locations in Newport Beach, Imperial Beach, Poway, and UTC Westfield, so you can get your burger fix anytime!

You can also enjoy delicious Whataburger items.