A burger craving is not one to mess with, so when you’re seeking satisfaction, we have you covered on where to go for the best burger! In addition to creative savors and tried-and-true basics, you’ll find excellent toppings, sides, and more. Vegetarians will also appreciate the list of tastiest veggie burgers. Here are Nashville Guru’s top burger joints in Nashville.
The Best Burger Joints in Nashville
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Neighborhood: Germantown | Edgehill
If you love craft beer as much as you love burgers, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint is your one-stop shop. In addition to more than 100 local and international brews, you’ll find burgers made with all-natural Wagyu beef—from straightforward classics to creative takes like The Elvis (topped with peanut butter, mayo, bacon, and cheese). Daily specials and a neighborhood feel keep customers hooked.
Emmy Squared
Neighborhoods: Germantown| Green Hills | Gulch
Emmy Squared is not only known for their Detroit-style pizza but also their delicious burger! Stop in and try their Le Big Matt burger which includes two grass-fed beef patties, American cheese, Sammy sauce, greens, and pickles all on a pretzel bun. Take your burger to the next level with an order of crispy waffle fries.
Germantown Pub
Neighborhood: Germantown
Germantown Pub is a neighborhood bar and restaurant that’s been compared to the bar from Cheers, bringing together regulars, neighbors, and sports fans. The laid-back environment is suitable for lunch or dinner but be prepared for crowds on game days. The Nashville Hot Burger (homemade pickles, pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese, and a fried jalapeño) is a must-try.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Neighborhood: East Nashville
As its name suggests, The Pharmacy is much more than a burger joint. Grab a seat outside in the Biergarten, which is full of picnic tables and string lights, for the perfect casual meal—also a great spot to bring groups! The burgers are solid, and you might as well wash yours down with a root beer float since this place has its own soda shop, just like every good pharmacy should.
Burger Up
Neighborhood: 12 South
Burger Up is a local favorite for burgers served in a sophisticated atmosphere. Try the Woodstock (bacon, white cheddar, and Jack Daniel’s ketchup) or Ramsey Pimento Cheeseburger (truffle aioli, bacon, and a jalapeño bun) with a side of sweet potato fries. Burger Up takes care of their customers by sourcing pasteurized raised beef with no hormones and no antibiotics.
Burger Republic
Neighborhood: Gulch
Burger Republic definitely serves a mean burger. From the Tennessee burger (Jack Daniel’s honey glaze, cheese, smoked ketchup, bacon, and crispy onions) to the West Coast burger (two thin pressed patties, cheese, special sauce, and grilled onions), you’ll find your favorite in no time. A harder choice might be figuring out which spiked shake to order. Frozen Evil S’mores? Spiked Reese’s Malt? Maple Bourbon? You may have to try them all.
Hugh-Baby’s
Neighborhood: East Nashville | Sylvan Park
Cheap eats aren’t always delicious, but a visit to Hugh-Baby’s will satisfy both your appetite and your wallet. This popular burger spot, created by the man behind the beloved Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, keeps it simple with a streamlined menu of Southern classics—including the slugburger, a Depression-era staple made with deep-fried ground pork and soy meal.
Dino’s
Neighborhood: East Nashville
No dive bar is complete without a greasy burger on its menu, and no “best burger joints” list is complete without Dino’s. East Nashville’s original late-night hangout got a makeover, but its no-frills menu remained intact—just the way regulars like it. Another thing that hasn’t changed—the burger tastes even better with a basket of Velveeta-covered fries.
Grillshack
Neighborhood: Germantown | East Nashville
Grillshack has been serving up delicious burgers and fries since 2012. This local favorite has locations in Germantown and East Nashville. Guests can expect juicy burgers made with grass-fed, local beef from Bear Creek Farm and crispy, thick-cut fries.
Brown’s Diner
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
Founded in 1927, Brown’s Diner has been around almost as long as the cheeseburger itself, and that’s what you must order here. From the outside, this place isn’t much to look at—it’s a trailer-turned-diner—but amazing things happen in the kitchen. The best part is that Brown’s prices haven’t seemed to change much since it opened nearly a century ago.
M.L. Rose
Neighborhood: Sylvan Park | Capitol View | Melrose
M.L.Rose is the go-to burger joint in Nashville. Menu items like the Taproom (two patties, bacon, Swiss cheese, and horseradish sauce) and The Southern Belle (pimento cheese, Belle Meade Bourbon bbq sauce, served on a sweet potato bun) keep things interesting. Also one of the city’s best neighborhood bars, M.L.Rose has dozens of rotating craft beers on draft—plus bottles, cans, and cocktails—to pair with your burger.
Joyland
Neighborhood: East Nashville
Joyland is a fast-food inspired burger joint created by award-winning Chef Sean Brock. The burgers at Joyland are simple, classic, and mouthwatering. The most popular burger, JoyBurger Deluxe, is made with Bear Creek Private Label Beef, Joy sauce, pickles, onions, American Cheese, and served on a potato roll (gluten-free roll available).
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
Neighborhood: Hillsboro Village
This Austin-based chain branched out to Nashville, scoring prime real estate in Hillsboro Village. Hopdoddy not only focuses on fresh ingredients (daily ground meat, scratch-made sauces) but also directly supports local causes—one dollar from every Goodnight/Good Cause burger goes to local neighborhood charities and organizations.
Nashville’s Best Veggie Burgers
Plant-based and vegetarian burgers are all the rage these days, making them priority menu items. This list of veggie burgers includes some of the best in Nashville.
- Burger Up‘s Troyathlon
Quinoa and black bean patty with lettuce, tomato, yellow cheddar, Jack Daniel’s maple ketchup, jalapeño, and avocado - Joyland‘s Impossible* Burger
Impossible meat patty, Joy sauce, pickles, onion, American Cheese, potato roll - Hopdoddy Burger Bar‘s Beyond Vegan
Beyond patty made entirely from plants, topped with vegan gouda cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and veganaise on our vegan wheat bun. - Grillshack‘s Veggie Burger
housemade veggie patty, grilled Charpier’s bakery roll, cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles - The Pharmacy‘s Falafal Burger
Housemade vegetarian chickpea patty with yogurt raita, goat cheese, tomato, and onion - The Pharmacy‘s Black Bean Burger
Housemade vegetarian black bean patty and choice of three toppings - Wild Cow‘s Veggie Burger
Soy-free black bean patty with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles - Wild Cow‘s Beyond Burger
Secret sauce, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles - Burger Republic
Get any of their signature burgers with a housemade veggie patty - Sunflower Café
Get any of their signature burgers with a housemade veggie patty—almost everything is vegan at this spot in Berry Hill - Brother’s Burger Joint
Get any of their burgers made veggie for no extra charge - M.L.Rose
Get any of their signature burgers with the Impossible Burger patty
Also See:
These are all great joints. I have to think that the Pour House on 8th is on it’s way to elite burger status in Nashville soon. Sunday brunch is where it’s at!