Great Berkeley Burgers
Where to Find Great Burgers in Berkeley
It’s not hard to find burgers in the Bay Area. They’re everywhere. Even our fast-food options are great with places like In-N-Out and The Habit. But if you’re looking for a seriously good burger near campus there are a few spots that stand out above all the others.
So give this list a try. You won’t be sorry.
Barney’s Gourmet Hamburgers
Barney’s is home to the most diverse selection of delicious burgers in town. If you’re looking for something beyond the standard meat, cheese, and bread you’ll find what you’re after here. Their spicy Voodoo burger, their French bread blue cheese burger, and their tangy Western burger are local favorites. They’re also one of the few locations in Berkeley that sell curly fries as well. If you’re with someone that can’t eat red meat they can substitute any of their great burger combinations with turkey, chicken, salmon, or a garden burger. If it’s at all possible, get their ground beef because it’s fantastic.
Bongo Burger
Bongo Burger is everywhere in Berkeley. They’ve got spots on the North, South, and West side of the campus so there’s always one in walking distance. Their burgers are a perfect combination of freshly grilled, not too heavy, and sufficiently filling. This makes them a good choice to avoid the post-lunch drowsiness that can be a pain to deal with in afternoon classes. For an affordable, simple, no-mess, and satisfying burger try Bongo the next time you’re out.
Eureka
Eureka is a newcomer to Berkeley but they’ve done a fine job of standing out in a short amount of time. While not as much variety in burger styles as Barney’s, Eureka makes up for it by being very good at the types of burgers they make. Their Cowboy burger is astounding as is their Blues burger. For an added bonus you can get your burger with their sweet potato fries that have a deliciously sweet flavor that almost puts them in the dessert category. Another added benefit is that Eureka is open late which makes them perfect if you’re finishing up a Saturday evening activity downtown or find yourself hungry for burgers late at night.
Saturn Cafe
The Saturn Cafe makes the list because it does something nobody else on this list can: it can make one heck of a veggie burger. Saturn is a vegetarian/vegan paradise in downtown Berkeley. With dishes so good it’ll have even the most hardcore carnivores thinking a life without meat is possible. If you’re looking for the best place for a veggie burger or some great milkshakes (even vegan ones) then put Saturn on your to-do list.
Phil’s Sliders
Phil’s is a little different than the rest of this list because they don’t make your standard burger. Phil’s specializes in sliders (or miniature burgers). While the portions are small that doesn’t mean the taste and quality are less than a normal burger. These perfect little meat and cheese creations pack quite a punch and will do a great job of filling you up. The quality of the meat shines through in the dense little patties of their sliders. With their special sauce added on it takes them to a whole other level. If you want just the right amount of burger (or a sample of both burger and fried chicken sliders) then pay Phil’s a visit next time you’re in downtown Berkeley.
Smokehouse
The Smokehouse has been serving up perfectly grilled burgers on Telegraph for ages and they’ve only gotten better with time. If you’re in need of a cheap, quick, and reliably good burger that reminds you more of a backyard barbecue than a fast food snack you can’t do much better than The Smokehouse. They’re also another great option if you’re out late and looking for something good. You can never go wrong with their double cheeseburger.
Time to Dine
No matter what your budget, taste, or dietary restriction you’re sure to have your burger needs covered with this guide in hand. Need to reference it while you’re out? You can find a copy of it on the Gojurn app (available for iOS and Android). If you come across another great burger spot in Berkeley we’d love to hear about it. Let us know here.