Best burgers in Florida? Forget the chains — 11 local restaurants worth the road trip
From sizzling smash patties to wild topping combos (yes, peanut butter is involved), these places are earning serious buzz from Pensacola to Palm Beach.
Whether it's a beloved island institution or a rising food truck phenom, each restaurant on this list is drawing crowds and dishing out burgers worth bragging about. So if you're hungry for the best burger in Florida, now's the time to hit the road — or maybe just discover a hidden gem in your own hometown.
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Details: 4810 N. Kings Highway, Fort Pierce; 772-588-4087; beardedbrotherstaphouse.com
Bearded Brothers Taphouse & Eatery opened in 2024 in the Indrio Crossings Shopping Center in Lakewood Park, north of Fort Pierce. Brothers Gaetano and Liborio Traina were inspired to open the new restaurant by their Italian heritage, their family's culinary legacy and their passion for flavorful brews. They were brought up in the restaurant industry, learning from their father, Francesco Traina, who owned pizzerias across Palm Bay.
Its menu features four smash burgers: "All-American" with mayo, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions and pickles; "Black and Bleu" with blackened beef, bacon and blue cheese crumbles; "My Pregnant Wife's" with American cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles and peanut butter; and "Mushroom Swiss" with sautéed mushrooms and onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce and mayo. — Laurie K. Blandford, TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers
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Details: 2435 N. 12 Ave., Pensacola and 6820 Caroline St., Milton; 850-380-1519; brownbaggerfoodtruck.com
While Pensacola loves and defends its old-school favorites, Brown Bagger food truck has been sparking rumors of the best burger in the Panhandle since opening in January 2021. Brown Bagger is a collaboration between Pensacola locals Tim Thompson and Ellis O'Neal, who opened the business with the mission to serve 'exceptional food consistently" and have since fostered a reputation for their fun-loving service and playful rotating burger specials.
They have grown to offer two flourishing permanent locations outside Alga Beer Co. and Milton's Gulf Coast Garage Patio Bar, where diners can enjoy their mouthwatering burger while washing down a pint of Pensacola beer and chatting it up with a local. While there are many interesting varieties to try, we recommend experiencing the food truck's namesake, The Bagger Burger, which comes loaded up with a quarter-pound Waygu beef patty, American cheese, grilled onions, and is topped with their signature Bagger Sauce on a potato bun. It is hard to beat. Don't forget to add the Bangin Brussels or the truffle parm fries on the side. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
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Details: 311 S. Washington Ave., Titusville; www.burgerrobshq.com
Family owned and operated, BurgerRobs specializes in gourmet hot dogs and double smash burgers. The Hawaii 5-OHHH burger has teriyaki sauce, pepper jack cheese, pineapple, scallions and red bell pepper with a house-made honey sriracha mayo sauce. Feel free to add another patty or two, they don't mind.
Owned by Rob and Shelby Buffaloe, BurgerRobs was recently crowned the winner of our 'Best Burger in Brevard' award, as voted by our readers. Fans can't get enough of their mouthwatering smash burgers, flavorful toppings and the flexibility of enjoying their favorites either at the cozy restaurant or via the convenient food truck. BurgerRobs keeps its loyal following updated on food truck stops throughout the week via their Facebook page. — Amber Olesen, FLORIDA TODAY
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Details: 310 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-872-3298, facebook.com
This burger staple of more than a decade has earned itself a reputation for its funky sandwich concoctions served in quite the character-rich setting. From its infamous 'wall of shame' calling out no-tippers to chalkboard walls scribbled with animations from patrons past, Daytona Taproom's burgers certainly won't be the only thing to leave an impression.
While you can choose from the classic smash patty lineup, it's the offbeat array of 'munchie-inspired' burgers that give this place its edge. Try a Krispy Kreme Belly Buster ($14.99) — as simple, yet unlikely as it sounds — sandwiching two quarter-pound patties and bacon jam between two warm glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts; or The Fat Elvis ($14.99) — a double smash patty bite layering smooth peanut butter and grape jelly with bacon jam, crispy bacon strips and sliced pickles all between two deliciously-gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. Whether opting for a mac and cheese-stuffed Big Richard or a three-tiered, full-pound Belly Buster, two things are certain — each dish is made to order and well worth the wait. — Helena Perray / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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Details: 5310 NW Eighth Ave; 352-575-5788; toasttab.com/djscastironburgers
This popular Gainesville food truck seems to have found a quasi-permanent home about a mile and half east of I-75 at Newberry Road in front of CYM Coffee. The burger patties are extremely thin (DJ'S recommends ordering a double) and, as its name suggests, are cooked on cast iron planks, which makes for a great outer crust and a juicy inside. Among DJ's most popular items is the Oklahoma Onion Burger, which includes a double patty, charred onions, DJ's sauce and bread and butter pickles. The new location can be a bit awkward to park, but most cars seem to find a spot in the grass. A few tables are setup for those who wish to dine before they dash. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
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Details: 5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach; 941-778-2501; duffystavernami.com
Located on Anna Maria Island just south of Tampa Bay, Duffy's Tavern has been a beloved West Coast Florida icon since 1971, proudly run by the Geyer family gals. Cincinnati native Pat Geyer bought the original Duffy's, which dates back to the 1950s, 'to keep her five daughters off the streets and out of trouble.' All five — Patti, Pam, Peggi, Penni, and Polli — put in time behind the bar and grill, with Peggi and Polli most often at the helm today.
Cash-only and full of character, Duffy's lives up to its slogan: 'world-famous burger and coldest beer in town.' The star is the diner-style cheeseburger, seasoned to perfection and served 'all the way' with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a swipe of mayo ($8.80). Other favorites include the Brie & Caramelized Onion Burger, Tex Burger (cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce), Bacon Cheeseburger, and the fiery Fresh Jalapeño & Havarti Cheeseburger. No fries here — but the homemade chili and navy bean soup more than make up for it. And yes, you'll want that beer in a frosty mug. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Details: 4480 Fowler St., Suite 110, Fort Myers; 239-245-7145; and 1402 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 4, Cape Coral; 239-471-7128; burgers.inc
When this old Florida-flavored restaurant opened two locations within the last year, it brought frog legs, blue crab fritters and golden-fried gator bites in homemade swamp sauce to Southwest Florida. More importantly, though, creative and crafty gourmet burgers that pay homage to the Sunshine State came along too. There are 15 or so to choose from, including the two-patty Alligator Alley, the Swamp Stomper with thick-cut slabs of bacon, a Big Cypress Dip with au jus, a beer-battered mushroom-topped Florida Scrub and the spicy Black Rambo with alligator sausage and blackened crabmeat. You'll find fried eggs, BBQ pork, beer-battered lobster, blueberry jam and peanut butter on others.
Enjoy it all surrounded by oversized fish tanks with baby gators swimming around, stuffed rattlesnakes and squirrels scattered here and there, wild boar heads mounted on walls and python skins stretching from floor to ceiling. Welcome to old Florida. — Robyn George, The News-Press
New Fort Myers restaurant full of old Florida flavor, from gourmet burgers to frog legs
Details: Popup burger stand in Southwest Florida; instagram.com/onlydbls or onlydoubles.com
It's hard to imagine you're an auditor at a surgical supply company and in a matter of years you're cranking out delicious Wagyu smash burgers.
But that's what happened to Kyle Cravo, whose Only Doubles popup burger stand has become so popular in Southwest Florida that Naples Daily News readers in 2024 crowned it the best burger in Collier County. Fans especially rave about the signature dressing on Only Doubles' burgers.
Only Doubles on its Instagram lists where it will be each week. ― Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News
Details: 4812 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-623-7471 and 3421 S. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-233-4094; palmbeachmeats.com
Michelin Guide recognition? Check. Tapping into the beef tallow self-care trend? Absolutely, with refrigerated jars for sale to use in cooking and/or moisturizing.
From Frito pie to hot dogs and burgers, Palm Beach Meats is all things wagyu beef. West Palm Beach's location is a Bib Gourmand winner, a designation the Michelin Guide salutes as "friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices." An anonymous Guide inspector shared such destinations are often where inspectors go on their own time.
Beautifully cooked and presented, the wagyu patty seemingly has a finer grind than other burgers, making for a softer, smoother experience bite after bite sans detectable yucky gristle. Though the burger itself is hot, the lettuce, tomato and onion are perfectly cool and refreshingly crisp. Think of it as a high-end McDLT from the 1980s. — Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, The Palm Beach Post
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Details: 3550 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-364-5938; shakespearesenglishpub.comTucked in a nondescript strip mall near world-famous Siesta Beach, Shakespeare's has been serving Sarasota's best burgers for more than two decades. The setting is a charming English pub, but the real draw is the burgers — hand-formed, eight-ounce patties of Black Angus beef, seasoned well and cooked to order. I prefer mine medium, and they consistently arrive with a smart sear and charred exterior giving way to a juicy, tender, perfectly pink center. Each burger comes on Shakespeare's famous toasted rosemary Kaiser bun, an ideal companion to the pub's various signature creations.
Of the many burger options, none are more impressive than the caramelized onion and brie burger ($15.95). The umami-rich patty, sweet balsamic caramelized onions, and creamy, nutty brie make for an indulgent combination that every burger enthusiast should try. Pair it with fries and a pint of Guinness, and you'll feel transported — far from the Florida heat and just a few bites away from bliss. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Best burger restaurant in Sarasota? My favorite for food, drinks, and a fun setting
Details: 2520 W. Tharpe St. Tallahassee; 850-224-9766; woodchucks-cafe.com
They say some of the best food places are hole-in-the-wall spots and this would ring true for Woodchuck's Cafe. Located next to the Sunoco gas station on West Tharpe Street, this hidden gem decorated in woodchuck decor might take you by surprise. They tote a generous list of burgers, including the "King Kong" a double stack burger topped with 2 slices of cheese, stuffed with golden French fries ($12.75). The "Breakfast Burger" is made with an egg (prepared as guest choice) and crispy bacon piled between two pancake buns ($12.75). Pro tip, this burger deliciously pairs with funnel cake fries ($1.50). For the last 13 years Woodchuck's Cafe has offered a casual dining space with an abundant selection of specialty breakfast items, sandwiches, desserts and more. — Kyla Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat
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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Best burgers in Florida? 11 local restaurants worth the road trip
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