The 10 Absolute Best Burgers In Austin Right Now: A 2025 Definitive Guide

Austin’s burger scene is a culinary battlefield, constantly evolving with new food trucks, elevated dining experiences, and classic joints vying for the title of the absolute best. As of today, December 18, 2025, the competition is fiercer than ever, blending traditional Texas barbecue mastery with modern smashburger techniques and high-end ingredients. This guide cuts through the noise to bring you the definitive list of the current, must-try burgers in the 512, ensuring your next bite is nothing short of legendary.

Forget the old standbys—while a few classics remain, the top spots are dominated by innovative chefs and pitmasters pushing the boundaries of what a great burger can be. We've scoured the latest reviews and local buzz to curate a list that includes juicy, all-brisket patties, crispy-edged smashburgers, and unexpected gourmet creations that you truly won't find anywhere else outside of Austin. Prepare your appetite for the best of the best.

The 2025 Austin Burger Hall of Fame: Signature Spots and Must-Order Items

The landscape of Austin's best burgers is incredibly diverse, offering everything from food truck gems to upscale restaurant creations. Here are the top contenders making waves across the city right now, each with a unique profile and an unforgettable signature burger.

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• LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (The L&L Burger): Located at a popular food truck spot, LeRoy and Lewis is primarily a barbecue joint, but their L&L Burger is consistently cited as one of Austin's best. The patty is made from 100% brisket, giving it an incredibly rich, smoky, and beefy flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional ground beef. It's thick, juicy, and often served on a simple bun with classic toppings, letting the quality of the smoked meat shine. This is the quintessential "smoked burger" experience.
• JABS Burgers (The Smashburger Specialist): JABS is a newer spot that has quickly risen to smashburger stardom. Their focus is on the perfect smash—thin patties with incredibly crispy, caramelized edges (known as the Maillard reaction crust). It's a favorite for those who prioritize texture and a high meat-to-bun ratio, often featuring options with multiple thin patties.
• JewBoy Burgers (The Cult Classic): A unique establishment that blends the owner's Jewish-Mexican-El Paso heritage into their menu. Their burgers are known for being hearty, flavorful, and often featuring unexpected toppings that create a complex, savory experience. The vibe is as memorable as the food, cementing its status as a local cult favorite.
• Loro (The Loro Burger): A collaboration between two of Austin's most famous chefs, Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue). The Loro Burger reflects this pedigree, offering an elevated, smoky, and expertly crafted take on the classic. It’s a sophisticated burger found in a beautiful atmosphere, proving that barbecue smoke can enhance, not overpower, a gourmet burger.
• Casino El Camino (The Dive Bar Legend): A long-standing Austin institution known for massive, half-pound patties and a dark, moody atmosphere. The burgers here are huge, messy, and unapologetically classic in a dive bar setting. It’s a must-visit for those who prefer a thick, traditional patty over the newer smashburger trend.
• Pool Burger (The Tiki Bar Treat): Located in a repurposed shipping container next to a pool, Pool Burger offers a fun, tropical atmosphere alongside their delicious burgers. Their patties are often a mix of high-quality cuts, served on a sweet, toasted bun. It’s a perfect spot for a unique, laid-back Austin experience.
• Patty Palace (Smashburger Perfection): Consistently mentioned as a top-tier smashburger destination. Patty Palace focuses on simplicity and execution, delivering a classic, satisfying burger with perfectly rendered fat and a great crust. It's a top choice for smashburger purists.
• Dirty Martin's Place (The Historic ATX Burger): Operating for decades, Dirty Martin's is a piece of Austin history. It offers a nostalgic, old-school diner experience. While not a gourmet burger, it’s the quintessential classic ATX hamburger, beloved by locals for its consistency and tradition.
• Luck's Wagyu Burger Shoppe (The Speakeasy Experience): A truly unique concept, this "burger speakeasy" operates out of a sister restaurant, Zen Japanese Food Fast. They focus on high-end Wagyu beef, delivering a richer, more luxurious patty experience. It's a hidden gem for those seeking a premium, elevated burger.
• Plow Burger (The Plant-Based Powerhouse): For the growing number of plant-based diners, Plow Burger is the undisputed champion. They offer creative, savory vegan burgers that satisfy even the most committed carnivores, proving that Austin's burger scene is inclusive and innovative.

The Rise of the Austin Smashburger: Technique Meets Flavor

While the thick, grilled patty will always have its place, the current burger zeitgeist in Austin is dominated by the smashburger. This technique involves aggressively pressing a ball of ground beef onto a hot griddle, creating maximum contact and resulting in a thin, wide patty with a beautiful, deeply caramelized crust—the key to intense flavor.

Spots like JABS Burgers and Patty Palace have perfected this art. The appeal lies in the textural contrast: the crispy edges against the soft bun and the gooey, melted cheese. The thinness of the patty allows the toppings and condiments to play a more balanced role, making the entire package a symphony of flavors. It’s a high-fat, high-flavor experience that has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of Austin foodies. If you haven't tried a modern Austin smashburger, you are missing out on the city's hottest culinary trend.

Beyond the Beef: Unique Ingredients and Culinary Crossovers

What truly sets Austin’s burger scene apart is the willingness of its chefs to blend culinary styles, particularly with the city's famous barbecue culture. This fusion creates unique flavors that act as a powerful draw for locals and tourists alike.

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The most prominent example is the "smoked burger." LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue is the gold standard here, utilizing an all-brisket patty that carries a deep, smoky undertone. This approach transforms the burger from a simple grilled item into a true Texas experience. Similarly, the Loro Burger leverages the expertise of a BBQ pitmaster to introduce subtle smokiness and depth to a gourmet preparation, often using premium cuts and house-made sauces.

Other unique entites and ingredients that add topical authority to the Austin burger discussion include:

• Wagyu Beef: The emergence of dedicated spots like Luck's Wagyu Burger Shoppe highlights a trend toward more luxurious, higher-fat beef blends, offering a richer mouthfeel and flavor.
• Regional Fusion: JewBoy Burgers showcases how regional influences, like those from El Paso and the Southwest, can create a truly distinctive flavor profile that goes beyond standard American fare.
• Elevated Toppings: Many high-end spots, such as Clark's Oyster Bar or Launderette, offer their own take on the burger, often featuring gourmet cheeses, house-cured bacon, or unique aiolis, turning a simple sandwich into a fine-dining experience.
• Vegan Innovation: The success of Plow Burger demonstrates that the best burgers in Austin aren't limited to meat. Their ability to deliver a satisfying, flavorful, and craveable plant-based option is a testament to Austin’s overall culinary innovation.

Your Austin Burger Strategy: Classic vs. Modern

Navigating the best burgers in Austin requires deciding what kind of experience you're after. Your choice often comes down to a preference between the "Classic" and the "Modern" style.

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The Classic Burger Experience:

If you prefer a nostalgic, thick, and juicy patty that stands tall, look to institutions like Dirty Martin's Place for tradition or Casino El Camino for a hefty, dive-bar legend. These spots focus on the size and pure beef flavor of the patty, often served with simple, traditional toppings. They are the bedrock of the city's burger history.

The Modern Burger Experience:

For those seeking culinary innovation, texture, and complex flavor profiles, the modern spots are your best bet. This includes the smashburger specialists (JABS Burgers, Patty Palace) and the elevated, smoked options (LeRoy and Lewis, Loro). These burgers are often about the perfect crust, the blend of smoke and beef, or the unique ingredients that create a truly Austin-specific dish. Whether you're craving the crispy edges of a smashburger or the deep flavor of an all-brisket patty, Austin’s 2025 burger scene is ready to deliver an unforgettable meal.