Florida's burger game is on fire with these 11 local restaurants worth a road trip
As the area's restaurants have proven time and again, Palm Beach County has plenty to offer any burger lover. We have burgers even a president could love from the local smash burger to one served up at a spot now recognized by the renowned Michelin Guide.
But headed into summer, you may find yourself traveling, and while Florida may be best known for its beloved waterfront restaurants, the Sunshine State's burger game is on fire. We've found 11 locally loved burger destinations that'll enhance — or even inspire — any summer road trip.
Whether it's a beloved island institution or a rising food truck phenom, each restaurant on this list is drawing crowds and dishing out burgers worth bragging about. So start plotting your summer adventures with these places in mind.
Best waterfront restaurant near you? 10 Florida favorites for great food, drinks and views
Details: 4810 N. Kings Highway, Fort Pierce; 772-588-4087; beardedbrotherstaphouse.com
Bearded Brothers Taphouse & Eatery opened in 2024 in the Indrio Crossings Shopping Center in Lakewood Park, north of Fort Pierce. Brothers Gaetano and Liborio Traina were inspired to open the new restaurant by their Italian heritage, their family's culinary legacy and their passion for flavorful brews. They were brought up in the restaurant industry, learning from their father, Francesco Traina, who owned pizzerias across Palm Bay.
Its menu features four smash burgers: "All-American" with mayo, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions and pickles; "Black and Bleu" with blackened beef, bacon and blue cheese crumbles; "My Pregnant Wife's" with American cheese, bacon, lettuce, pickles and peanut butter; and "Mushroom Swiss" with sautéed mushrooms and onions, Swiss cheese, lettuce and mayo. — Laurie K. Blandford, TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers
March Madness bracket 2025: See who won area's best burger in basketball-style rankings
Details: 2435 N. 12 Ave., Pensacola and 6820 Caroline St., Milton; 850-380-1519; brownbaggerfoodtruck.com
While Pensacola loves and defends its old-school favorites, Brown Bagger food truck has been sparking rumors of the best burger in the Panhandle since opening in January 2021. Brown Bagger is a collaboration between Pensacola locals Tim Thompson and Ellis O'Neal, who opened the business with the mission to serve 'exceptional food consistently" and have since fostered a reputation for their fun-loving service and playful rotating burger specials.
They have grown to offer two flourishing permanent locations outside Alga Beer Co. and Milton's Gulf Coast Garage Patio Bar, where diners can enjoy their mouthwatering burger while washing down a pint of Pensacola beer and chatting it up with a local. While there are many interesting varieties to try, we recommend experiencing the food truck's namesake, The Bagger Burger, which comes loaded up with a quarter-pound Waygu beef patty, American cheese, grilled onions, and is topped with their signature Bagger Sauce on a potato bun. It is hard to beat. Don't forget to add the Bangin Brussels or the truffle parm fries on the side. — Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
National Burger Month 2025: 10 essential burger spots to try in the Pensacola area in May
Details: 311 S. Washington Ave., Titusville; burgerrobshq.com
Family owned and operated, BurgerRobs specializes in gourmet hot dogs and double smash burgers. The Hawaii 5-OHHH burger has teriyaki sauce, pepper jack cheese, pineapple, scallions and red bell pepper with a house-made honey sriracha mayo sauce. Feel free to add another patty or two, they don't mind.
Owned by Rob and Shelby Buffaloe, BurgerRobs was recently crowned the winner of our 'Best Burger in Brevard' award, as voted by our readers. Fans can't get enough of their mouthwatering smash burgers, flavorful toppings and the flexibility of enjoying their favorites either at the cozy restaurant or via the convenient food truck. BurgerRobs keeps its loyal following updated on food truck stops throughout the week via their Facebook page. — Amber Olesen, FLORIDA TODAY
Hungry? Titusville's top 5 must-try restaurants
Details: 310 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach; 386-872-3298, facebook.com
This burger staple of more than a decade has earned itself a reputation for its funky sandwich concoctions served in quite the character-rich setting. From its infamous 'wall of shame' calling out no-tippers to chalkboard walls scribbled with animations from patrons past, Daytona Taproom's burgers certainly won't be the only thing to leave an impression.
While you can choose from the classic smash patty lineup, it's the offbeat array of 'munchie-inspired' burgers that give this place its edge. Try a Krispy Kreme Belly Buster ($14.99) — as simple, yet unlikely as it sounds — sandwiching two quarter-pound patties and bacon jam between two warm glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts; or The Fat Elvis ($14.99) — a double smash patty bite layering smooth peanut butter and grape jelly with bacon jam, crispy bacon strips and sliced pickles all between two deliciously-gooey grilled cheese sandwiches. Whether opting for a mac and cheese-stuffed Big Richard or a three-tiered, full-pound Belly Buster, two things are certain — each dish is made to order and well worth the wait. — Helena Perray / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
10 best New Smyrna Beach restaurants for a burger
Details: 5310 NW Eighth Ave; 352-575-5788; toasttab.com/djscastironburgers
This popular Gainesville food truck seems to have found a quasi-permanent home about a mile and half east of I-75 at Newberry Road in front of CYM Coffee. The burger patties are extremely thin (DJ'S recommends ordering a double) and, as its name suggests, are cooked on cast iron planks, which makes for a great outer crust and a juicy inside. Among DJ's most popular items is the Oklahoma Onion Burger, which includes a double patty, charred onions, DJ's sauce and bread and butter pickles. The new location can be a bit awkward to park, but most cars seem to find a spot in the grass. A few tables are setup for those who wish to dine before they dash. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
Best burgers in Gainesville? Here are 8 favorites
Details: 5808 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach; 941-778-2501; duffystavernami.com
Located on Anna Maria Island just south of Tampa Bay, Duffy's Tavern has been a beloved West Coast Florida icon since 1971, proudly run by the Geyer family gals. Cincinnati native Pat Geyer bought the original Duffy's, which dates back to the 1950s, 'to keep her five daughters off the streets and out of trouble.' All five — Patti, Pam, Peggi, Penni, and Polli — put in time behind the bar and grill, with Peggi and Polli most often at the helm today.
Cash-only and full of character, Duffy's lives up to its slogan: 'world-famous burger and coldest beer in town.' The star is the diner-style cheeseburger, seasoned to perfection and served 'all the way' with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a swipe of mayo ($8.80). Other favorites include the Brie & Caramelized Onion Burger, Tex Burger (cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce), Bacon Cheeseburger, and the fiery Fresh Jalapeño & Havarti Cheeseburger. No fries here — but the homemade chili and navy bean soup more than make up for it. And yes, you'll want that beer in a frosty mug. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
10 most legendary restaurants in Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice area
Details: 4480 Fowler St., Suite 110, Fort Myers; 239-245-7145; and 1402 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 4, Cape Coral; 239-471-7128; burgers.inc
When this old Florida-flavored restaurant opened two locations within the last year, it brought frog legs, blue crab fritters and golden-fried gator bites in homemade swamp sauce to Southwest Florida. More importantly, though, creative and crafty gourmet burgers that pay homage to the Sunshine State came along too. There are 15 or so to choose from, including the two-patty Alligator Alley, the Swamp Stomper with thick-cut slabs of bacon, a Big Cypress Dip with au jus, a beer-battered mushroom-topped Florida Scrub and the spicy Black Rambo with alligator sausage and blackened crabmeat. You'll find fried eggs, BBQ pork, beer-battered lobster, blueberry jam and peanut butter on others.
Enjoy it all surrounded by oversized fish tanks with baby gators swimming around, stuffed rattlesnakes and squirrels scattered here and there, wild boar heads mounted on walls and python skins stretching from floor to ceiling. Welcome to old Florida. — Robyn George, The News-Press
New Fort Myers restaurant full of old Florida flavor, from gourmet burgers to frog legs
Details: Popup burger stand in Southwest Florida; instagram.com/onlydbls or onlydoubles.com
It's hard to imagine you're an auditor at a surgical supply company and in a matter of years you're cranking out delicious Wagyu smash burgers.
But that's what happened to Kyle Cravo, whose Only Doubles popup burger stand has become so popular in Southwest Florida that Naples Daily News readers in 2024 crowned it the best burger in Collier County. Fans especially rave about the signature dressing on Only Doubles' burgers.
Only Doubles on its Instagram lists where it will be each week. ― Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News
Details: 4812 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-623-7471 and 3421 S. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-233-4094; palmbeachmeats.com
Michelin Guide recognition? Check. Tapping into the beef tallow self-care trend? Absolutely, with refrigerated jars for sale to use in cooking and/or moisturizing.
From Frito pie to hot dogs and burgers, Palm Beach Meats is all things wagyu beef. West Palm Beach's location is a Bib Gourmand winner, a designation the Michelin Guide salutes as "friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices." An anonymous Guide inspector shared such destinations are often where inspectors go on their own time.
Beautifully cooked and presented, the wagyu patty seemingly has a finer grind than other burgers, making for a softer, smoother experience bite after bite sans detectable yucky gristle. Though the burger itself is hot, the lettuce, tomato and onion are perfectly cool and refreshingly crisp. Think of it as a high-end McDLT from the 1980s. — Diana Biederman and Eddie Ritz, The Palm Beach Post
Behold! 10 best burgers in Palm Beach County
Details: 3550 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota; 941-364-5938; shakespearesenglishpub.comTucked in a nondescript strip mall near world-famous Siesta Beach, Shakespeare's has been serving Sarasota's best burgers for more than two decades. The setting is a charming English pub, but the real draw is the burgers — hand-formed, eight-ounce patties of Black Angus beef, seasoned well and cooked to order. I prefer mine medium, and they consistently arrive with a smart sear and charred exterior giving way to a juicy, tender, perfectly pink center. Each burger comes on Shakespeare's famous toasted rosemary Kaiser bun, an ideal companion to the pub's various signature creations.
Of the many burger options, none are more impressive than the caramelized onion and brie burger ($15.95). The umami-rich patty, sweet balsamic caramelized onions, and creamy, nutty brie make for an indulgent combination that every burger enthusiast should try. Pair it with fries and a pint of Guinness, and you'll feel transported — far from the Florida heat and just a few bites away from bliss. — Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Best burger restaurant in Sarasota? My favorite for food, drinks, and a fun setting
Details: 2520 W. Tharpe St. Tallahassee; 850-224-9766; woodchucks-cafe.com
They say some of the best food places are hole-in-the-wall spots and this would ring true for Woodchuck's Cafe. Located next to the Sunoco gas station on West Tharpe Street, this hidden gem decorated in woodchuck decor might take you by surprise. They tote a generous list of burgers, including the "King Kong" a double stack burger topped with 2 slices of cheese, stuffed with golden French fries ($12.75). The "Breakfast Burger" is made with an egg (prepared as guest choice) and crispy bacon piled between two pancake buns ($12.75). Pro tip, this burger deliciously pairs with funnel cake fries ($1.50). For the last 13 years Woodchuck's Cafe has offered a casual dining space with an abundant selection of specialty breakfast items, sandwiches, desserts and more. — Kyla Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat
Best burger? May is National Burger Month: 5 essential Tallahassee spots to try for the food holiday
Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He can be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: From smash burgers to bougie ones. these are Florida's best burgers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Loh Mei Specialist: SG's only stall selling this fermented beancurd stew?
You would think in a multi-cultural foodie paradise like Singapore, there's bound to be at least 2 same stalls selling the same dish. However, Loh Mei Specialist proved me wrong as I was searching for stalls to feature in our recent Food Centre guide. , alternatively known as Loh Kai Yik, is a traditional Cantonese dish that was mostly sold on push carts back in the 1950s and 60s. It has a unique flavour profile, with a base of a stew made from Nam Yu (red fermented bean curd). A plethora of braised liao, ranging from tofu and a medley of meats to veggies can be found in the mix. As I waited in line to order, the uncle in front of me coolly nodded his head in greeting to the owner and the latter got to cooking, no words exchanged. What in the telepathy? Upon seeing my surprised face, the uncle running the stall explained that it was his long-time customer who had been consistently patronising the stall for 30 out of the 50+ years they've been open! Nothing unexpected here. With only 2 items on the menu — (S$5/S$7/S$9) and Egg Noodles (S$3.50) — both with largely the same ingredients, I went for the smallest portion of Loh Mei at S$5 and added instant noodles for an additional S$1. You can opt for rice at S$0.50 too, like the uncle in queue before me. The first note of the stew to hit me was its deep, savoury flavour, followed by the pungent wave that tides over with a mellow sweetness. There's a mild spice to it, too. After taking my first sip, I told my dining companion, 'err… IDK what to feel about this.' Initially, I was expecting the funky taste to be much sharper based on my memory of fermented bean curd, but the umami-ness rounded it out nicely. With every mouthful, it actually started to get more and more… addictive? I'm not sure where to start with the ingredients because there were just so many swimming in the stew. All the meats were stewed to perfect tenderness, starting with this piece of pork belly here. The long hours of braising had rendered the fat silky smooth, while the meat itself was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Based on the picture, it's obvious the chicken wing wasn't very meaty, but the small chunks that slid off the bone were delightfully soft and infused with the rich stew. Now, I'm not a fan of offal, but I was pleasantly surprised by the gizzard. It was surprisingly tender, and because it didn't carry its usual gaminess, I almost didn't realise it was the one ingredient I was avoiding in the dish, oops. Pig skin isn't everyone's go-to, but I think this one could convert some sceptics— it was gelatinous, almost buttery, and didn't have any semblance of a porky taste. Instead, it soaked up the flavours of the stew like a sponge. Braise 卤之家: While incredibly delicious, the wait time is unjustifiable Onto the tau pok (fried bean curd puff) and tau kee (bean curd skin), which were my personal favourites of the bowl. As expected, one bite into the tau pok sent the rich, savoury broth rushing into my mouth and engulfing my taste buds with an umami bomb. SUPER SATISFYING. The kang kong and cuttlefish both had a slightly sweeter profile, which balanced out the whole dish nicely. I especially liked that both had a standout texture — the kang kong was crunchy while the cuttlefish retained a delicate bounciness. Individually, I can easily say each ingredient was above average. However, the stew clings onto every piece, inevitably melding the flavours together. It was a pleasant stew, yes, but after a while, I must admit it got a little boring when everything started to taste the same. For my first loh mei experience, I'd say this was an interesting dish with a complex taste profile and a roller coaster of texture that's hard to find in other foods in Singapore. It is an acquired taste but you enjoy fermented goodies, this will probably be right up your alley. It's crazy to think Loh Mei Specialist is single-handedly keeping the legacy of loh mei alive in Singapore. If you ask me, I'd say you should definitely try this dish at least once. Expected damage: S$3.50 – S$9 per pax. Seng Heng Braised Duck Noodles: The elusive duck noodle stall that's only open 2 hours a day The post Loh Mei Specialist: SG's only stall selling this fermented beancurd stew? appeared first on
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
3 rescued after small plane crashes into Atlantic Ocean
Three people were rescued from the Atlantic Ocean after a single-engine aircraft crashed Sunday night off Indian River County.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather to light Acosta Bridge rainbow for Pride Month in protest of the new FDOT rule
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ activists came together for two Pride events to kick off Pride month. People brought their children, dogs, and their loved ones to light the night rainbow in Jacksonville. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'The most important thing to us is simply to be treated equal to others,' said Don Tanner, who attended the events. The first event is the annual Acosta Bridge Pride March. The march started in 2021 after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) threatened to turn off the pride lights on the Acosta bridge for Pride Month. The pride lights were kept on that year, and organizers for the event decided to keep it a tradition. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Amy Glassman is the organizer for the Acosta Bridge Pride March. She said she plans on putting on this event next year. 'Lights or no lights there will always be rainbows on the Acosta bridge in June at this event,' said Glassman. The second event is the Pride in our Freedoms Community Bridge lighting. The event first started in 2024, after FDOT launched its 'Freedom Summer Initiative,' which required all state-owned bridges to be lit in red, white, and blue from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In addition, the FDOT announced a few weeks ago that state-owned bridges will light red, white, and blue only on federal holidays through 2026. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] This was the first time that both of these events were held on the same day. As a result, hundreds of people came together from both events to light up the Acosta Bridge in rainbow colors on top of the red, white, and blue. Matthew McAllister is the organizer for Pride in Our Freedoms. He said the lights shining together are symbolic. 'Without freedom there can be no diversity. And with no diversity, there's really no point in having freedom.' said McAllister. 'You cannot separate one for the other. ' Action News Jax reached out to FDOT, asking if they will allow state-owned bridges to light up in Pride Month colors after 2026. So far, there has been no response. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
