Gainesville is a college town with SEC‑level food cravings, so burgers are serious business. Around UF, downtown, and the busy commercial strips, these five spots are constantly name‑checked when locals talk about the best burgers in town.
1. Loosey’s (Downtown & others)
Loosey’s is a Gainesville staple: part pub, part live‑music venue, and home to one of the most talked‑about burgers in the city.
Burgers are thick, juicy, and cooked to order, often featuring locally sourced beef. Toppings range from classic cheddar and bacon to more creative combinations with blue cheese, grilled onions, or specialty sauces. The bun is toasted and holds everything together, and the fries or tots on the side are textbook bar‑food perfection.
It’s exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find a great college‑town burger: loud, friendly, and full of regulars.
2. Relish
Relish is all about customization. You start with your patty (beef, turkey, vegan, etc.) and then work your way through a long list of toppings—cheeses, veggies, sauces, and more.
The beef patties are juicy and well‑seasoned, and the grill char adds a ton of flavor. You can build anything from a classic lettuce‑tomato‑pickle burger to a fully loaded monster with jalapeños, bacon, multiple cheeses, and house sauce. Students love it for the price, flexibility, and late‑night satisfying factor.
3. The Top
The Top is one of Gainesville’s most beloved restaurants, known for its eclectic menu, good cocktails, and very strong burger game.
Their Top Burger regularly gets shout‑outs: a thick patty cooked to your preferred temp, usually with cheddar or other cheese options, bacon if you want it, and excellent toppings on a toasted bun. They also do a well‑regarded veggie burger, but the classic beef is what most locals rave about.
The vibe is cozy, slightly hipster, and perfect for a burger‑and‑beer night.
4. Hogan’s Great Sandwiches (for the under‑the‑radar burger)
Hogan’s is technically a sandwich shop, but locals in the know will tell you the burger is wildly underrated.
It’s more of a deli‑style burger: flavorful patty, classic toppings, and a focus on freshness. The buns are soft, the cheese melts correctly, and nothing feels overdone—just a solid, satisfying burger that hits the spot. It’s a great option if you want something quick and casual without the full bar scene.
5. Mac’s Drive Thru
Mac’s is old‑school Gainesville, a drive‑thru joint that looks unassuming but has a loyal following for its fast, classic burgers.
Burgers are thin, griddled patties with crispy edges, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo or special sauce on a soft bun. The magic is in the combo: the sear on the patty, the fresh toppings, and the “this tastes like home” factor.
Grab a double cheeseburger, fries, and a soda, and you’ll understand why people who grew up in Gainesville talk about Mac’s like it’s part of their childhood.
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