The first Burger Beast’s 25 Best Burgers list happened in December 2013. I later created one to celebrate National Burger Month in May 2017 and another for the Miami Herald in May 2018.
How do I select which burgers make the “25 Best Burgers in Miami” list? I spend the entire year scouring Miami and beyond, looking for the best burgers in town.
This 25 Best Burger in Miami list was not created by a group of people but by someone (that would be me) dedicated to creating an ultimate Miami burger list for burger fans.
This list is fluid, so I will update it as I see fit throughout the year.
Here are the 25 Best Burgers in Miami
Best 25 Burgers in Miami Rules
It’s important to note that all burgers on this list are fresh beef; no frozen patties are allowed. I then put together a list based on what I’ve eaten and then start to cut out burgers.
The list shrinks down to 30. Then the hardest part comes, deciding five to cut. From there, it’s a matter of figuring out which burger I would prefer to eat when comparing the two.
To be 100% clear, I have eaten every single burger on this list and taken every picture. If you’re looking for burger list shenanigans, go elsewhere.
The Best 25 Burgers in Miami
All of the burgers are listed in alphabetical order; if not, you’d only try the Top 5.
Apocalypse BBQ
Burgers weren’t on the original Apocalypse BBQ; it was strictly ‘que with a badass chocolate chip cookie. Jeff’s (Apocalypse BBQ owner) initial foray into beef patty sandwiches was a smash burger.
Since then, he’s settled into a thicker patty that is turning heads and even went on to win my Hamburger House Party this past March 2023.
Apocalypse BBQ
9980 SW 104th Street
Miami, FL
ARE YOU HUNGRY? Grill
I ate Are You Hungry? Grill’s Wagyu Beer Cheese Burger (jalapeño beer cheese, IPA bbq & garlic cilantro sauce with potato stix) and could not wrap my brain around enjoying a burger on a pretzel bun. I still can’t, but I do know, it’s phenomenal.
They started as a pop-up, then transitioned to a food truck, and now they’ve got a restaurant location. At last, AYHG’s full menu is available, and in air conditioning at that!
Are You Hungry? Grill
12486 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
Babe’s Meat & Counter
After a long run at the Pinecrest Farmer’s Market, where they sold under the name, Babe Froman Fine Sausages, Babe’s Meat & Counter opened their butcher shop in Palmetto Bay. They were able to expand their selection of meats, and now a tasty, tasty burger would find its way onto the permanent food/sandwich menu.
So what’s on this tasty, tasty burger? Their house-ground beef patty is topped with American cheese, housemade pickles, and Sriracha mayo on a toasted bun.
I’ve been known to eat one in my car before leaving the parking lot with another for consumption later in the day. It’s the only sensible thing to do when you know the smell will drive you nuts.
Babe’s Meat & Counter
9216 SW 156th Street
Palmetto Bay, FL
Blue Collar
The original version of Blue Collar’s Dry Aged Cheese Burger had a pretty standard but tasty brioche bun. Chef Danny Serfer would later change the bread to its now burger-iconic Portuguese Muffin, or P-Muff for short.
It’s probably one of the first things you will notice when looking at it. Also important to note, this is the only burger to be on every incarnation of my Best Burger list since the first one in 2013.
Blue Collar
6730 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL
Chefs On The Run
Let’s take a moment to take in the majesty of the Chef La Burger (Provolone cheese, grilled red onions, hot pastrami & creole mustard) from Chefs on the Run.
It should be a crime if you’ve never had one. And because of that, I have now officially deemed it a crime against burgers if you haven’t. So, get ta steppin’, or you’re going straight to Burger Beast jail!
Chefs on the Run are winners of the 2017 Hamburger House Party People’s Choice Award.
Chefs on the Run
10 E Mowry Drive
Homestead, FL
Chug’s Diner
“The Chug Burger is a double patty topped with American cheese, pickles, and Ariete Sauce. It is the ideal version of what a well-constructed burger with superior ingredients is. You can add bacon, but I wouldn’t taint it.“
I wrote those three sentences for the Miami Herald back in May of 2018 when I named the Chug Burger the Best Burger in South Florida. I still stand by every word I wrote; it is an incredible burger.
Chug’s Diner
3444 Main Highway
Coconut Grove, FL
Farmhouse BBQ
How do I know Farmhouse BBQ is not playing games? Well, we dropped in for some beers and barbecue but, found croquetas and a smash burger on the menu.
The smash burger was perfectly executed in looks and taste. I’m surprised no one else has mentioned how great it is….wait…I just did!
Farmhouse BBQ (inside of Beat Culture Brewery)
7250 NW 11th Street
Miami, FL
Hate Mondays Tavern
I love everything about Hate Mondays Tavern. They’re best known as a bbq joint with great comfort food dishes.
Karl (chef/owner of HMT) has stolen my patty melt heart. Sure, he’s bending some of the patty melt rules, but at the end of the day, all that matters is that it tastes great. Right? Right!
Most importantly, Hate Mondays Tavern won the 2018 Hamburger House Party People’s Choice Award for their Mondays Remedy Burger, pictured above.
Hate Mondays Tavern
12461 SW 130th Street
Miami, FL
iBurger
Right down the street from Mignonette is iBurger. What I especially love is the burger patty’s crust.
Then add some caramelized onions, super melty cheese & toasted bun, and you’ve got a winner. iBurger can expect multiple visits from me.
iBurger
275 NE 18th Street
Miami, FL
KUSH
Eating a chili burger in California is pretty much the equivalent of croquetas in Miami. Ok, so that might be a tad of an exaggeration, but my first experiences with chili burgers were at Original Tommy’s and Jay’s Jayburgers (R.I.P.).
The only place in Miami with a killer chili burger is KUSH in Wynwood. KUSH‘s house-ground burger brings their New Mexico-style chili, shredded jack cheese, and roughly diced white onions. Part of the beauty of eating this burger is scooping up all the droppings from the burger.
*Even though this burger is not on the menu at KUSH‘s sister restaurant LoKal in Coconut Grove, you can indeed order one there.
KUSH
2003 N Miami Avenue
Miami, FL
La Birra Bar
The selection of burgers at La Birra Bar can be overwhelming on your first visit. They grind beef in-house to make their burgers, and they bake the fluffy, slightly sweet buns, so they mean serious business.
The Royale with Cheese (American cheese, diced onion, ketchup, yellow mustard) reminds me of something I’d eat when I was a kid. And while I’m far from a kid anymore, I absolutely loved it.
La Birra Bar
14831 Biscayne Boulevard
North Miami Beach, FL
Le Chick
I was mesmerized looking at pictures of the Le Chick cheeseburger. After eating it, I can confirm it’s even better than it looks — and that’s saying something.
The housemade roll complements the special sauce and cheddar cheese. The two patties are cooked with plenty of love. Take home an extra one for a late-night craving.
Le Chick
310 NW 24th Street
Wynwood, FL
Masa Craft
Masa Craft has a super solid array of hamburgers on its menu. Not all of the burgers are smashed, and I’ve tried their chargrilled burgers, which are just as good, if not better.
You could probably get away with asking for one when they’re not packed. In the meantime, sit back, relax, and enjoy an awesome burger with a cold brewski.
Masa Craft (inside of MIA Brewery)
10400 NW 33rd Street
Doral, FL
Mimi’s
Mimi’s is located in the Edgewater neighborhood near Downtown Miami. It’s not a part of town that I normally frequent.
The 6 oz burger patty is covered with American Cheese, and sherry caramelized onions with a smoked pickle mayo on the bottom of its beautiful bun. It is phenomenal.
Mimi’s
2501 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL
Off Site
What I like about Off Site is that they’re taking iconic comfort food dishes like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken wings to the next level. Every single thing at this comfy spot has been well thought out.
These folks are putting in work, and the burger is no different. Do you know how hard it is to make something taste incredible when it looks like an everyday burger?
It takes a great talent to do that, and these folks are magicians.
Off Site
8250 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL
Pinch Kitchen
Once I sat down at Pinch Kitchen, I’m so obnoxious that I don’t even look at the menu. I came here for the Pinch Burger, and I needed no distractions.
At 8 ounces, it’s a husky half-pound beef patty featuring a custom blend. This charmer comes with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and aioli on a brioche bun with some salt flakes on its crown.
Yes, you read right; I ate this burger with lettuce and tomato. So what? We’re amongst friends, and you guys aren’t planning on telling anyone, are you?
PINCH Miami
8601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL
PINCHO
9251 W Flagler Street
Miami, FL
Pipo Burgers
10808 NW 58th Street
Doral, FL
SliderKing Burgers
SliderKing makes double-smashed cheese sliders with onions similar to Jersey-style sliders like White Manna and White Rose.
If you loved the award-winning Jersey Dawg food truck, these hamburgs are brothers from another mother. It’s a shame they’re only available via Uber Eats in the Coral Gables area.
Smoke & Dough
4013 SW 152nd Avenue
Miami, FL
Social 27
Social 27 is brought to you by the same folks who created the amazing Doce Provisions just a few blocks away. While Social 27 is predominantly a dinner spot, there will be a lunch menu very soon.
What I’m trying to tell you is that the Social 27 Burger is amazing and will be available when they start opening up for lunch. When is that? Soon, very soon.
Social 27
2555 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
The Food Truck Store
I’ve been following The Food Truck Store and its owner Rodo online for years. He mentioned in passing that he was considering opening up a location in Miami; he’s from Argentina.
I filed that info away in my need to get back to that file. The next thing I knew, he was inviting me to a friend and family soft launch party.
I’ll spare the rest of the story, but I will tell you this, eat the Wisconsin (Butter Burger) or Oklahoma (Fried Onion Burger). I’m all about Regional Burger Styles, and they nail both of those.
By the way, I know what you’re thinking…is there a food truck? I have no idea.
The Food Truck Store
13448 Biscayne Boulevard
North Miami, FL
Ted’s Burgers
An invitation to participate in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival lead to a well-deserved victory at the 2021 Burger Bash event. Now with a Judge’s Best Burger win under his belt, the only left to do is open a permanent spot for all his legions of fans (coming late 2023).
And how’s the burger? Ted’s Burger is really freakin’ good. Some might actually say really fuckin’ good. On second thought, let’s go with the latter.
Thank You Miami
I met Alex, Thank You Miami‘s owner, many moons ago when he owned the Mr. PB&J food truck. I’m not much of a PB&J guy, so I never ate at his truck.
Later on, he added a burger to Mr. PB&J’s menu. I wonder if this beauty, the Baby Blue Burger is from that time.
The BBB has blue cheese crumbles, bacon & grilled onions, an incredible combo. Then you add the burger with a great sear and a toasted bun; you’re money!
Thank You Miami Cocina & Beer House
1701 W Flagler Street Suite 101
Miami, FL
USBS
8300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL
Super Duper Honorable Mention
Cheeseburger Baby
How does Cheeseburger Baby end up with an honorable mention? Two things.
Well, they are a landmark restaurant in Miami Beach, open since 2001.
And their 1/2 lb cheeseburger with ultra-crispy bacon is a picture-perfect classic burger. But unfortunately, I have not eaten one in almost three years.
Cheeseburger Baby
1505 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
How about veggies burgers? I hate the ones that turn into mush
There’s no such thing.
The SWOLF burger from Clutch is. One of the best I’ve had.
Have you even tried Juanchi’s near 5 points? Apparently not, because if you had they would be on the list.
What about Palm Beach County? Any recommendations up here?
There is a Broward-Palm Beach Best Burger List coming in 2 weeks.
Thank you! I have been searching for that! I hope you check out Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach – best smash burger (and amazing collards and bakes beans!) Sweetwater in Boynton Beach is another great burger and fries are great too
I love Tropical Smokehouse.
I rarely ever comment on these matters but Hillstone in Coral Gables has the best burger in Miami. They source Allan Brothers beef. They make their brioche buns in house. They make their ketchup in house. The shredded iceberg lettuce is perfect. And it is hardwood grilled. No competition. However, it is an out of town chain so I understand what you did here.
Your last list did not disappoint. I visited a few spotsand were really happy with it!
Babe Froman’s was definitely among the Top 3, probably because of the good company…
Yes, that was a great lunch!
Babe’s is at the top of my list right now. It’s absolutely awesome.
Super solid burger, definitely in my Top 2!
How could You all leave out Fuddruckers❓️❓️…unless this list focused on only local burger joints…
You answered your own question.