Burger fanatics, this one is for you. Whether you’re looking for crispy smash burgers or juicy Wagyu beef patties, Nashville has you covered. From nostalgic diner versions to unique chef creations, there’s a burger in Music City for everyone. While it was exceedingly difficult to narrow our list, we think these burgers are the cream of the crop. In alphabetical order, here are 15 of the best burgers in Nashville to add to your must-try list.

Bad Luck Burger Club

Pop-up locations and service hours vary.

Bad Luck Burger Club, the self-described “super-secret smash burger pop-up,” is attracting long lines wherever they set up shop. Indulge in two crispy-yet-juicy smashed patties covered in gooey slices of American cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and their signature lucky sauce made with Duke’s mayo.

Bad Luck Burger Club smashed cheeseburgerPin
Have you tried the deliciously crispy, juicy, smashed Bad Luck Burger yet? Image: Bad Luck Burger Club

Bare Bones Butcher

 906 51st Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 730-9808
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

For the freshest burger in Music City, visit Bare Bones Butcher in The Nations, where the beef goes from the grinder to the griddle in a matter of minutes. The two-patty smashed burger is topped with house-made pickles, yellow mustard, Duke’s mayo, and melty American cheese.

Two guys behind the counter at Bare Bone's ButcherPin
Bare Bone’s Butcher offers high-quality meats, carefully curated products, and a really good burger. Image: Bare Bone’s Butcher

Brown’s Diner

2102 Blair Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212 • (615) 269-5509
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.; Friday, 10:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Brown’s Diner is a trolley-turned-restaurant that has plated one of Nashville’s favorite cheeseburgers since 1927. Their old-fashioned version consists of a diner-style patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions on a seedless bun. Order a cold beer or soda to wash it all down, and let the memories wash over you.

Brown's Diner NashvillePin
For a nostalgic diner-style burger in an ultra-casual setting, Brown’s Diner is the move. Image: Facebook

Butchertown Hall

1416 Fourth Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 454-3634
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Located in the heart of Germantown, Butchertown Hall is local restaurateur Terry Raley’s vision of modern barbeque, inspired by the Central Texas meat market culture in which he grew up. Butchertown Hall’s double brisket-grind burger is charred to perfection on an oak-fired grill and topped with American cheese, pickles, onion, and aioli. (We like ours with extra pickles.)

Butchertown Hall burger with a side of roasted broccoliPin
Feast on Butchertown Hall’s delicious grilled brisket burger with your choice of side. Image: Butchertown Hall

Dino’s

411 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 226-3566
Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 a.m.

As East Nashville’s oldest dive bar, Dino’s stays true to its roots, serving up classic diner-style burgers and fries. Their burger recipe hasn’t changed since the 1970s, and it’s served with all the classics — cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickle.

Dino's exteriorPin
Dino’s is a classic and not one to miss on your next visit to East Nashville! Image: Dino’s

Emmy Squared

Green Hills: 3821 Green Hills Village Dr, Nashville, TN 37215 • (615) 800-5400
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Gulch: 404 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 248-2662
Hours: Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Germantown: 1121 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208• (615) 502-1025
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

With three locations in Nashville alone, Emmy Squared knows how to make some great Detroit-style pizza. But, don’t overlook their burger. “Le Big Matt” is served on a pretzel bun and features two dry-aged beef patties, American cheese, greens, and their “Sammy sauce,” reminiscent of spicy mayo. It’s the perfect symphony of flavors — salt, fat, sweetness, and heat.

Emmy Squared's "Le Matt Burger" on a pretzel bunPin
Sink your teeth into Emmy Squared’s “Le Big Matt” burger. Image: Emmy Squared

Fat Mo’s

8th Avenue: 2620 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 298-1111
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

East Nashville: 2608 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216 • (615) 226-5012
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fat Mo’s owner Mo Karimy has been grilling up delicious burgers in Nashville since the early ’90s. Fat Mo’s is known for its huge burgers, and they are definitely not for the faint of heart. If you’re starving, order their 27-ounce Super Deluxe. The gargantuan burger comes topped with American cheese, mustard, mayo, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and mushrooms, bacon, BBQ sauce, and jalapeños.

Gabby’s Burgers and Fries

493 Humphreys St., Nashville, TN 37203 • (615) 733-3119
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; closed Sunday

Two patties and American cheese are arguably the only necessary staples for the perfect burger, and Gabby’s makes a great one. Their burgers are made with grass-fed beef, their sweet potato fries are hand-cut, and there’s even a secret menu. We promise you won’t want to leave a single bite of their burger-and-fries combo behind.

Gabby's Burgers and FriesPin
Currently drooling. Image: Eat 615

Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop

4816 Charlotte Ave., Nashville, TN 37209 • (615) 610-3340
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

718 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 610-3395
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

975 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 610-3577
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A throwback to simpler times, Pat Martin’s Hugh-Baby’s BBQ & Burger Shop is a fast-food concept serving burgers, barbecue, and more. Hugh-Baby’s prides itself on its attention to detail and grinds the beef for its burgers in-house. Their BBQ Burger combines the best of both worlds and is topped with slow-smoked pulled pork, American cheese, grilled onions, and Hugh-Baby’s BBQ sauce.

Hugh Baby's exteriorPin
Hugh-Baby’s throws back to a time when things were simpler. Image: Hugh-Baby’s

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

Germantown: 1123 Third Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 818-0318
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Edgehill: 1201 Villa Pl Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37212 • (615) 739-6429
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Jack Brown’s is a burger institution specializing in craft beer and Wagyu beef. Their award-winning burger lineup includes a diverse selection of twists on the American classic, such as the “Cobra Kai,” with cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and jalapeño jelly.

Cobra Kai from Jack Brown's Pin
Jack Brown’s takes the classic burger up a notch. Image: Gimmie the Eats

Josephine

2316 12th Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 292-7766
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to  10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Josephine continues to be a foodie destination for locals and visitors alike. The ambiance alone is enough to get us through the door, but the food does the space justice. Their double cheeseburger has a cult following and is topped with lettuce, onion, pickles, and special sauce. The burger is only served during brunch or happy hour, so make your plans accordingly.

Josephine's burger with a glass of white winePin
The burger at Josephine is calling your name. Image: Anne Henley Walker

Joyland

901 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 922-4934
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chef Sean Brock created Joyland as a salute to the nostalgic fast-food joints of the past. Joyland’s burger comes as either a single or a double, with four-ounce patties made from a customized beef blend from Bear Creek Farm. Waffle and curly fries, plus waffle hash browns, are all side options, and we recommend enjoying your burger with a milkshake made with Brock’s own vanilla soft serve.

Joyland JoyBurger with curly friesPin
A burger that is guaranteed to spread joy. Image: Joyland

Mother’s Ruin

1239 6th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37208 • (615) 953-7317
Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Mother’s Ruin is an NYC transplant located in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood. Part bar, part restaurant, this neighborhood hotspot is known for great cocktails, loud music, and delicious elevated bar food. Their double cheeseburger is a mouthwatering standout — aged cheddar, lettuce, onion, pickles, and their secret sauce on a sesame bun. And it’s accompanied by their signature Old Bay waffle fries with spicy ketchup.

Mother's Ruin Burger on a sesame seed bun, served with a picklePin
Late-night burger cravings? Mother’s Ruin has you covered. Image: Mother’s Ruin

Redheaded Stranger

305 Arrington St, Nashville, TN 37207 • (615) 544-8226
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1o p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

East Nashville’s Redheaded Stranger is the brainchild of Chef Bryan Lee Weaver, the executive chef and owner of Butcher & Bee. The menu offers an array of fabulous tacos, but don’t visit without ordering their Green Chili Cheeseburger. The $6 burger consists of a Bear Creek Farms patty smashed between a soft potato roll topped with chopped hatch chilies, American cheese, Gifford’s bacon, and ranch. 

Redheaded Stranger burger with baconPin
Redheaded Stranger’s burger is finished with green chilies, ranch, and crispy bacon. Image: Anne Henley Walker

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden

731 Mcferrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206 • (615) 712-9517
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Pharmacy has a whole menu of burgers to choose from, all made with locally sourced beef or turkey and served on soft cushions of bread reminiscent of English muffins. Order one of their unique specialty burgers, or build your own by choosing your favorite accoutrements from their list of toppings and unique condiments, such as horchata crema fresca, maple mustard, and roasted garlic aioli.

The Pharmacy Burger with friesPin
The Pharmacy has burgers of many varieties — and all are equally delicious. Image: Mix it With Merricks

You’re ready for your very own Nashville burger crawl! Enjoy.

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Looking for more of the best of Nashville? Check out our StyleBlueprint Guide to Nashville! 

Anne Henley Walker
About the Author
Anne Henley Walker

Anne Henley is a University of Georgia graduate (Go Dawgs!) currently based in Atlanta. She's perpetually on the hunt for her new favorite restaurant.