The Rankings
#1 Pasjoli — The Bar Burger Santa Monica (Main Street)Dave Beran is a James Beard Award winner who built Pasjoli into one of the most respected French restaurants in LA. After a brief remodel in early 2026, Pasjoli returned with a more casual bistro concept — and the bar burger became its crown jewel. This isn't a burger that's trying to be fancy. It's a burger made by someone who understands French technique so deeply that every decision — the sear, the seasoning, the bun — is calibrated to make beef taste like the best version of itself. The result is a burger that feels effortless but tastes like years of mastery.
Why it's #1: When a Michelin-recognized chef turns his attention to a burger, you get something that redefines the category. Pasjoli's bar burger is the rare case where fine dining pedigree actually makes a casual dish better, not more pretentious.What to order: The bar burger, no modifications needed. Pair it with their excellent wine list — this is Santa Monica's Main Street, after all. Insider tip: Sit at the bar for the full experience. The kitchen energy is part of the meal.
#2 Petit Trois — Le Burger Sherman Oaks, Hollywood, Downtown LAClassic French bistro meets California casual at Petit Trois, where they've reimagined the burger as a bistro staple. Le Burger arrives with gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, and a fried egg — a nod to French gratinée tradition — on a brioche bun. It's indulgent without being heavy, familiar yet sophisticated. This is the burger you'd eat if you could transport yourself to a Left Bank bistro with LA sunshine.
Why it ranks #2: Two French-inspired burgers at the top of our list isn't a coincidence — it's a statement about what LA does best. Petit Trois proves burgers don't have to choose between casual and elegant. The fried egg adds richness; the gruyère brings sophistication.What to order: Le Burger paired with their addictive fries. The Sherman Oaks location has the best patio. Insider tip: Arrive before 7 PM on weekdays to avoid the crowd.
#3 Burger She Wrote Highland ParkHighland Park's hottest burger spot is a lesson in restraint and execution. Burger She Wrote takes the smash burger formula and executes it with the precision of a bespoke tailor. Their signature burger starts with fresh beef (never frozen), smashed onto a screaming hot griddle, and finished with American cheese, pickles, and onions on a soft potato bun. The magic is in the crust — that caramelized, lacy edge that makes burger devotees weep.
Why it's #3: Cult-favorite status isn't accidental. Burger She Wrote has achieved what most burger joints chase but never catch: a burger that tastes both simple and refined. The lines prove it. If Pasjoli and Petit Trois represent the French bistro school, Burger She Wrote is the valedictorian of the American smash.What to order: The Burger She Wrote burger (yes, that's the official name) with a side of their housemade aioli and perfectly salted fries. Insider tip: Go early — they sell out, and closing time comes fast.
#4 NADC Burger Westwood (Broxton Ave)NADC — "Not a Damn Chance" — is the collaboration between pro skateboarder Neen Williams and Michelin-starred chef Phillip Frankland Lee, and the name is the answer to anyone asking if they'd ever compromise on ingredients. The formula is tight: two 3-ounce patties of 100% Wagyu beef, American cheese, secret sauce, onions, pickles, and slightly tamed jalapeños. That's it. The Wagyu brings a richness that regular beef can't touch — you taste it in the first bite. The beef tallow fries are cooked in the same spirit: no shortcuts, no apologies.
The newcomer to watch: NADC opened in Westwood in early 2026 and immediately made noise. When a Michelin-starred chef and a skater with impeccable taste team up on a Wagyu-only concept, the result is a burger that's both indulgent and unpretentious.What to order: The NADC burger with beef tallow fries and a brown butter chocolate chip cookie. Hours: Open daily 11:30 AM to midnight, making it one of the better late-night burger options on the Westside.
#5 Goldburger Los Feliz, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Silver LakeThe consistency across Goldburger's multiple locations is genuinely impressive. Each spot fires out smash burgers with the same commitment to quality. Their technique is almost scientific: thin patties, heavy griddle contact for maximum crust development, minimal toppings that respect the beef. The results are predictably delicious, which is exactly what makes a neighborhood burger worth defending.
The strength: Goldburger represents reliable excellence across multiple neighborhoods. You're never having a bad burger here, and you're never waiting forever either.What to order: The Classic Goldburger with cheese. Add bacon if you're feeling indulgent. Pro tip: Hit the Silver Lake location for the vibe; Los Feliz for speed.
#6 Father's Office — The Office Burger Culver City, Santa MonicaFather's Office's Office Burger is the burger with a non-negotiable manifesto: no substitutions, no pickles, no ketchup. Instead, you get a careful composition of caramelized onions, Gruyère and Cheddar cheeses, arugula, tomato confit, and aioli on a crusty roll. It's an opinionated burger, the kind that forces you to trust the chef. And honestly? The chef is right. The Office Burger is why you don't need your burger made your way—sometimes the chef knows better.
The stance: Father's Office famously refuses special requests. This confidence is refreshing in an age of customization. The burger that comes is the burger you're supposed to eat.What to order: The Office Burger. That's it. That's the only right choice. Note: The Santa Monica location is more spacious; Culver City is more intimate.
#7 Apple Pan Westside (Pico Boulevard)Since 1947, Apple Pan has been serving the same burger to the same counter seats, and there's something beautiful about that kind of consistency. Their burger is simple: beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, on a white bread bun. No pretense, no deconstruction, no molecular gastronomy. Just an old-school counter burger that tastes like it did in 1950. The Westside institution feels frozen in time—and that's the entire point.
Why it endures: Apple Pan is a time capsule. You're not just eating a burger; you're experiencing LA history. The red counter, the focused menu, the no-nonsense service—it all works because it's never changed.What to order: The Hamburger (or Cheeseburger if you swing that way) with their excellent apple pie for dessert. Tip: Counter seating only—and that's non-negotiable.
#8 Hawkins House of Burgers WattsHawkins House of Burgers is legendary in Watts for reason: they've been slinging quality burgers since 1949, and they're not about to stop. Their burgers feature fresh beef, grilled to order, topped with crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and a tangy special sauce. It's straightforward burger construction, but the quality of ingredients and care in preparation elevates it well above fast food. Hawkins represents the soul of South LA's food culture.
The legacy: Over 70 years of family-owned operation. Hawkins House isn't just a burger spot; it's a pillar of the community. That longevity comes from doing burgers right.What to order: The Hawkins burger with a side of their crispy fries. Cultural note: This is a genuine South LA institution—please show respect and support.
#9 Hinano Cafe Venice (Washington Blvd)Hinano Cafe has been a Venice institution since 1962, and their cheeseburger is the reason half the neighborhood walks through the door. The burger is simple in a backyard kind of way: heavily charred patties, American or Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, mustard, and relish on a toasted sesame seed bun. It comes with a bag of chips and pickled peppers on the side. There's no pretension here — just a dive bar that happens to make one of the most satisfying burgers on the Westside.
The dive bar standard: Hinano proves that the best burgers don't need a concept or a branding agency. They need a hot grill, decent beef, and a bartender who's seen it all. The frosty mugs of beer don't hurt either.What to order: The cheeseburger with a cold beer. Add a hot link if you're feeling bold. Vibe: Cash-only, no frills, pure Venice — the old Venice, before the juice bars moved in.
#10 Amboy East Hollywood (at Far East Plaza, DTLA originally)Chef Alvin Cailan built Amboy's reputation on a burger that borrows from Filipino flavors without being gimmicky about it. The smash burger is textbook excellent — crispy lace edges, properly melted American cheese, soft bun — but the specials and rotating menu items bring Cailan's heritage into the mix with things like garlic vinegar aioli or banana ketchup. It's a burger spot that proves cultural identity and classic American form aren't in conflict; they make each other better.
The chef angle: Cailan also created Eggslut, so the man understands how to build a cult following. Amboy is his more personal project — and the burgers benefit from that intimacy.What to order: The Amboy Burger. Check their socials for specials — the rotating creations are often the best thing on the menu. Heads up: Hours and location have shifted over the years, so confirm before you drive.
#11 Cassell's Hamburgers Koreatown (6th Street)Cassell's has been making burgers in LA since 1948, and their approach hasn't changed because it didn't need to. They grind their beef fresh daily, form thick hand-pressed patties, and cook them on a broiler that gives a char you can't fake on a flat-top. The result is a burger that tastes like beef — really, genuinely like quality beef — in a way that makes you realize how many burger joints are compensating with seasoning and sauce. The potato salad on the side is legendary in its own right.
The OG: Cassell's was doing "fresh-ground, hand-pressed" before it was a menu buzzword. 75+ years of daily grinding. That's not a marketing angle; it's a philosophy.What to order: The Original Burger with their house-made condiments. The potato salad is non-negotiable. Location note: Now inside the Hotel Normandie in Koreatown — the setting has changed, but the burger hasn't.
#12 Monty's Good Burger Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Downtown LA (multiple locations)Monty's Good Burger is doing something increasingly important: proving that vegan smash burgers can compete with beef. Their vegan smash burgers use a plant-based patty that crisps beautifully on the griddle, developing a lacy crust that rivals traditional smash burgers. The toppings—American cheese (vegan), pickles, onions, special sauce—are thoughtfully chosen. This isn't a "vegan burger for vegans"; it's a good burger that happens to be vegan.
The credential: Monty's earned its spot because they've cracked the code: a vegan smash burger that doesn't apologize and doesn't need to.What to order: The Monty's Good Burger. The fries are cooked in the same oil as the burgers, so always ask if they're vegan. Win: Everyone gets a delicious burger here.
How We Picked the Best Burgers in LA
This ranking wasn't algorithmic or democratic. It was built on years of eating, tasting, comparing, and debating within the LAeats community. Here's what we considered:
- Burger quality first: The burger itself was the primary criterion. Not the ambiance, not the hype, not the social media presence—the actual burger had to be excellent.
- Consistency: We favored places that deliver the same quality every time. A burger that's perfect once and mediocre the next doesn't make the cut.
- Beef quality: We considered sourcing, freshness, and how the beef is handled. Frozen vs. fresh patties matter. Blend matters. Cook technique matters.
- Technique: Whether it's a smash, a grind, or a hand-formed patty, the technique used to create the burger had to be intentional and well-executed.
- LA relevance: We prioritized LA institutions, neighborhood staples, and places that have shaped the city's food culture. Every spot on this list is independent and locally owned.
- Diversity of styles: We included smash burgers, classic griddle burgers, chili burgers, French-inspired burgers, and plant-based options. LA's burger scene is diverse; our ranking reflects that.
- Accessibility: We included places across LA neighborhoods. You shouldn't have to drive an hour for a great burger.
This ranking will evolve. New spots will open. Old spots will close. We'll update this guide as LA's burger scene changes, but the criteria will remain: great burgers, executed with care and skill.