I Live in Los Angeles and These Are My Favorite Burger Joints (That Aren't In-N-Out)

Hot take: Any great American city must be able to deliver a truly great burger. Maybe that isn't a controversial take, but we certainly feel strongly about it. The best burgers in Los Angeles prove that the City of Angels has received, and nailed, the assignment. We're not just talking about In-N-Out, that beacon of tasty (and affordable) burgers available in just about every single neighborhood.

This city's got burgers for days, spread out across neighborhoods and dietary preferences. Maybe you're looking for a smash burger, with caramelized onions fused into perfectly crunchy edges. Or maybe you prefer a thick patty, American cheese melting sumptuously down its sides. Or is it a Thai fusion moment you dream of, one that fills your mouth with zaps of mint and herb gremolata? There are also diner burgers and upscale date spots with prime ingredients. And if you don't eat red meat, or any animal proteins for that matter, we have you covered, too. Luckily, the burger-based culinary options in LA are as vast as the county's reach from Lancaster to Long Beach .

Read on for the best burgers in Los Angeles, beyond the In-N-Outs.

At Rick's Drive In & Out, diner burgers are served at, you guessed it, a drive-through.

With locations in Silver Lake, Whittier, and Alhambra, Rick's delivers classic diner vibes and extremely slurpable milkshakes. If you're looking for an easy drive-through with satisfying results, Rick's is a go-to choice for a reason. The hip denizens of LA's east side would surely perish without it. (Pro tip: There's usually some cute or funny message between locals spelled out on the menu board outside.)

Lowboy's to-die-for smashburger is served beside seriously good cocktails.

This bar in Echo Park has its share of expressive cocktails, but its burgers (including a vegan option) are the star. The word of mouth for Lowboy is strong among locals, as evidenced by the fact that it's almost always crowded. Regardless of the crush of bodies, the vibe at Lowboy is mellow, with seasonal drinks, a delectable menu of bar food, a cute patio, and, of course, a smashburger that is to die for.

When you're craving a chili cheeseburger, it's always The Original Tommy's.

If you're looking for a big ol' dose of chilli slopped on top of your burger (or hot dog, or french fries), look no further. Tommy's is a perennial Los Angeles classic, as evidenced by the fact that it now has 32 locations across California and Nevada. The 24-hour flagship location on Beverly and Rampart is the perfect spot to score a chili cheeseburger on your way home from the latest Angel City game at BMO.

At the Win-Dow, great and affordable burgers are on the menu, plus sides like a dreamy kale salad.

Venice, Silver Lake, Santa Monica, Hollywood, The Grove, Long Beach (West Adams coming soon)

What to order: Your smashburger of choice plus the kale salad

This local chain is one of the most reliably affordable meals in the LA area that also happens to be consistently delicious. My husband and I like the kale salad so much that we used the recipe at our wedding. The burger itself is juicy and flavorful, and did I mention cheap? The classic cheeseburger at The Win-Dow only runs $4.95, which is less than a McDonald's quarter-pounder and far, far superior.

Find flavorful Thai mashups at Ban Ban, like the Chili Jam Smash burger.

If you need proof that not all burgers taste the same, look no further. Ban Ban Burger on Sawtelle offers Thai-inspired smashburgers seasoned with laab powder or topped with Thai chili jam. The place is owned by sister restaurateurs Katy Noochla-or and Chef Amanda Maneesilasan, who were born in Bangkok, raised in LA, and also operate Tuk Tuk Thai (right next door) and Chao Krung Thai. Extra offerings include a Thai tea milkshake topped with coconut and drizzled caramel.

No wonder there are lines around the block, For The Win doesn't mess around with their smashburgers.

Hollywood, Brentwood, Beverly Grove, Highland Park, Echo Park, DTLA, and more

What to order: The question here is just “with cheese or without?” (there's a veggie option too)

There's a reason For The Win has stans for days with lines wrapping around the block, and it is simply that it is, indeed, one of LA's best burgers. Go here for a smash burger that is, quite frankly, smushed into near-smithereens and absolutely drenched in melted cheese and burger sauce.

In the Arts District, Everson Royce Bar is the spot for a classic, reliably great, sit-down burger experience.

If you're looking for simple and classic (i.e. no smash), then look no further than cute Arts District spot, Everson Royce Bar . Sit in the moody, oft-packed inside bar, or head to the sprawling patio and enjoy a quintessential burger and fries.

Smoky, juicy brisket comes in patty form at Moo's Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights.

The Thicc Smoked Burger at Moo's , one of LA's most beloved barbecue joints includes a smoky brisket patty coated in pepper and topped with American cheese, raw onions, spicy pickles, and a horseradish dijonnaise (a.k.a., a very delicious aioli). Just beware: You might want to get there early for this one, as the burger's so coveted it has a tendency to sell out. (Pro tip: The place opens at 11 a.m. and the burger makes for a damn fine brunch.)

Goldburger's patties are smashed to crispy, crunchy perfection.

Great things grow from humble beginnings, which is how Goldburger went from a pop-up in 2018 to an LA staple with multiple locations in just a few years. Go here for the most smashed smashburger you ever did see, with a juicy center and a thin, crisped rim. Go for the "LA Special" you topped with pastrami (there's also the option to add pastrami to the namesake double-burger, if you're feeling wild).

Heavy handed gives diners the option of single, double, or triple burgers, and the option to upgrade to short rib.

What to order: A short-rib burger, your call if that's a single, double, or (wait for it) triple

With locations in Santa Monica, Studio City, and Silver Lake, Heavy Handed is making its mark. High-quality short rib is the name of the game here, topped with pickles, caramelized onions, and a ton of sauce. This place is also known for its fries, which are fried to crispy perfection in beef tallow.

Across 6 LA county locations, HiHo promises 100% grassfed wagyu beef at the core of every burger.

Mid-Wilshire, Santa Monica, Studio City, Marina del Rey, Pasadena, Calabasas

The purveyors of HiHo claim to be "the only burger restaurant that exclusively serves 100% grassfed wagyu beef." The result? A flavorful experience for affordable prices, with a HiHo burger, a from-scratch milkshake, and fries running you less than twenty bucks. HiHo has six locations across Los Angeles County, with the latest now open in Calabasas.

Filipino and American flavors collide at Amboy Quality Meats & Delicatessen in Chinatown.

What to order: Any burger (DH options are dry-aged), and don't miss the Amboy Fries

What's in a name? In the case of Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers , you get a cultural nod alongside a very apt description of what this Chinatown spot is serving up. Filipino American chef and founder of Eggslut Alvin Cailan knew what he was doing with Amboy. Pay your visit for, among other things, caramelized onions and garlic confit mayo on a 10-ounce dry-aged beef patty.

The Big Ben double cheeseburger at Pie 'N Buger honors one of the original owners, Benny.

What to order: A single or double burger, and definitely a slice of pie

This iconic Pasadena diner has been up and running since 1963, with local Michael Osborne taking the reins since the late ‘70s. A favorite of the late, great food critic Jonathan Gold, after 62 years in business Pie ’N Burger continues to offer a classic experience and a great burger, alongside, of course, some delicious pie.

Elevate your burger experience at Pasjoli, where the dry-aged patty is topped with bone marrow aoili.

If you're looking for a more upscale burger experience without any snobbery, look no further than Pasjoli . This Santa Monica joint used to be a tony French restaurant, but recently reinvented itself as more of a casual spot to hang. Its burger is a stand-out: a dry-aged patty pan-seared in herb butter and topped with shallots and a bone marrow aioli.

A staple to Van Nuys and one of the rare Southern California burger stands still in operation after rising costs wiped most similar spots out shortly after their 1950s boom, Bill's is classic in the very best way. Founded in 1964 by Bill Ellwell, who until his passing in July 2025 was said to have grilled every single burger, the place is a veritable institution, though you may have to fight off its novelty-seeking crowds (and keep in mind its limited hours, 8:30am-4pm, Tuesday through Friday; cash only).