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!

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

These guys have been a local favorite, but their reputation keeps spreading: Rosemarie’s landed at #46 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2025. With locations in Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Encinitas, there are now more chances to get your hands on one.

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 glossy website, no overcomplicated menu, and a burger people keep talking about. The Friendly’s dirty flat-top smash burgers have built a serious following in San Diego, and the low-frills, order-it-as-is vibe is part of the appeal.

Hodad’s

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

Neighborhood

Think smash patties, bacon onion jam, roasted garlic aioli, arugula, bleu, and gruyere cheese. Or go classic with The Young American: smash patties, pickles, onions, fancy sauce, and American cheese.

Swagyu Burger

A burger made from Wagyu?! How could that NOT make the list? Swagyu Burger brings Chef Steve Brown’s Wagyu obsession to the smash burger world, with locations including East Village/Downtown, Imperial Beach, Poway, Westfield UTC, Newport Beach, and Garden Grove.

Rombomb Burgers

We love the story behind this burger pop-up as much as their fans love the burgers. Just plan ahead: Rombomb is more of a preorder/pop-up situation than a traditional daily burger counter.

Best Late Night Burger

When the night in Gaslamp is going strong, Gaslamplighter has you covered.

They’re open late, the burgers are served all night, and it’s exactly the kind of place you want when cocktails, karaoke, and questionable dance moves turn into “we need food immediately.”

The perfect way to end a big night out downtown!

There you have it…some of the best burgers in San Diego, according to the people who know this city best: hungry locals with strong opinions.

From classic neighborhood institutions to smash burger favorites, Wagyu creations, pop-ups, and late-night Gaslamp saves, this list proves San Diego is a seriously underrated burger town.

Now the only thing left to do is plot your course, bring your appetite, and start checking them off one by one.

And if we missed your favorite? Let us hear about it. We’re always willing to do more burger research.

See you there, San Diego!