Where to Find the Best Burgers in Nashville
You came to Nashville for hot chicken, but the city’s burger game hits just as hard. From historic trolley cars to neon-lit patios, every neighborhood has a patty worth chasing. This guide steers you to the spots locals swear by, from cult trucks to chef-driven counters and late-night dives. Bring an appetite, because these burgers deserve your full attention and a pile of fries on the side.
1. Dreamburger
Dreamburger keeps it simple and deadly effective: thin, lacy-edged patties smashed hard on a ripping hot griddle. You get melted American cheese that blankets every crunchy edge, plus pickles and a swipe of cult-favorite Dreamsauce that lands tangy, sweet, and a little smoky. Order from the trailer, grab a curbside perch, and watch the griddle show.
The bun is soft and slightly squishy, just enough to hold the juices without getting in the way. Add a second patty if you crave extra crust, then chase it with a fountain soda. It tastes like the burger you remember, only better, with a modern food-truck swagger.
2. Grillshack Fries and Burgers
Grillshack is the definition of no-frills: order at the window, wait by the picnic tables, and let that flat-top perfume reel you in. The one-third-pound patty hits with beefy richness, a salty sear, and just-melted American cheese. Thick hand-cut fries show real potato heft, crisp outside and tender within, perfect for dunking in ketchup or mayo.
You control the vibe: grab-and-go or linger under the trees with a cold drink. The menu is straightforward, pricing friendly, and portions honest, so you leave full without sacrifice. If you love a classic done right, this shack nails it, right down to the toasted bun and snappy pickles.
3. Redheaded Stranger
Redheaded Stranger sneaks in one of Nashville’s best green chile cheeseburgers behind its Tex-Mex swagger. The patty carries a smoky sear, then gets draped in cheese and loaded with roasted Hatch chiles that bring citrusy heat. Bacon adds crunch and savor, while a ranch swipe cools everything without muting the fire.
It is a burger with Southwestern soul, juicy and layered, made for a napkin or three. Pair it with queso, a margarita, or crispy tots to round out the vibes. When that chile warmth blooms and the bacon snaps, you will understand why locals whisper about this one.
4. Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse
The Icehouse brings New Orleans spirit to Nashville with a double-patty burger that means business. Two thin patties stack up with gooey cheese, tangy sauce, and a soft bun that does not fight you. Crinkle fries are the natural sidekick, ridges catching salt and dipping sauces like a pro.
Breathe in the patio air, sip a cold beer, and let the char and cheese settle in. It is unfussy, satisfying, and perfect for lingering with friends. You will not overthink it, and that is the point: simple pleasures, dialed to max flavor, served with a wink.
5. Dino’s Bar
Dino’s is the late-night legend, a dive bar where the cheeseburger is as timeless as the neon. The patty gets just the right char, cheese melts into the nooks, and the bun squishes in that perfect diner way. Prices stay friendly, and the vibe is easygoing, even when the room hums.
Grab a burger, a beer, and a barstool, then watch the night slide by. It tastes like history and good decisions after midnight, no frills needed. When the griddle hisses and the jukebox kicks, you will understand why this classic still crushes.
6. Brave Idiot
Brave Idiot is indulgence on wheels, a truck that treats smashburgers like a sport. The Crispy Boi towers with multiple patties, crackly edges, gooey cheese, and house smash sauce dripping down the bun. Every bite lands smoky, salty, and a little chaotic in the best way.
Bring napkins and an appetite, because these builds are playful and unapologetic. Stand curbside, swap bites with friends, and chase it with a fizzy soda. If you want the loudest version of a smashburger, this is the joyride, stacked high and gloriously messy.
7. Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint
Jack Brown’s takes Wagyu patties and turns them into craveable one-offs with playful toppings. One night it is mac and cheese crowning a juicy burger, the next it is sweet-hot jalapeno jelly cutting through richness. The bun is plush, the sear confident, and the craft beer list makes pairing easy.
Slide into a booth, sample a rare bottle, and lean into the fun. You can keep it classic or get weird, and both routes pay off. It is a choose-your-own-adventure burger joint where the beef quality always anchors the ride.
8. Joyland Restaurant
Joyland channels a retro fast-food dream with Chef Sean Brock’s attention to detail. Order a single or double, watch cheese melt just so, and hear the crinkle fries tumble crispy into the basket. Sauces lean nostalgic, buns are pillowy, and the whole thing feels like childhood but tuned up.
Grab a shake, snag a booth, and settle into the cheerful hum. You will taste clean beef flavor, gentle seasoning, and that crucial hot-salty-crunch harmony. It is comfort food with chef brains behind it, which means consistency you can count on.
9. Brown’s Diner
Since 1927, Brown’s has been pressing patties and pouring history in a cozy trolley car setting. The cheeseburger is pure classic: sturdy sear, melted American, shredded lettuce, tomato, and a bun that behaves. It tastes like Nashville before trends, humble and deeply satisfying.
Slide into a booth, trade stories with regulars, and let the griddle perfume sink in. Prices stay fair, service is friendly, and the experience feels rooted. If you want to understand the city’s burger lineage, start here and savor every bite.
10. Fat Mo’s
Fat Mo’s is the drive-thru you hit when hunger is loud and time is short. Burgers are cooked to order, stacked generously, and wrapped tight so the juices stay put. The menu runs big on value, with combos that deliver heft without draining your wallet.
Pull up, order a monster, and let the aroma fill your car while you wait. Fries and onion rings ride shotgun, salty and golden, perfect for road-snacking. It is old-school satisfaction, oversized and cheerful, the kind of burger that makes detours worth it.
