Nashville is hot chicken country, but talk to locals and you’ll find they’re just as intense about burgers. From honky‑tonk‑adjacent classics to chef‑driven patties you actually need a reservation for, these five spots come up over and over when Nashville folks argue about the city’s best burger.
1. The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
The Pharmacy is probably the first name out of a local’s mouth when you say “Nashville burger.” It’s half old‑school soda fountain, half beer garden, and all about burgers and brats. The big back patio is one of the best hangs on a nice day.
The patties are griddled and juicy, with a slightly old‑fashioned vibe—nothing too fussy, just well‑seasoned beef and smart toppings. Favorites include the Pharmacy Burger with cheese, and the Farm Burger with bacon and a fried egg. Their house‑made buns are soft but sturdy, and the German‑style sides—like wursts and potato salad—round things out. Grab a German beer or one of their house sodas and you’re set.
2. Burger Up
Burger Up feels very “modern Nashville”: local wood, dim lighting, and a menu that reads like a love letter to regional farms. It’s the spot you pick when you want a burger but still want it to feel kind of like date night.
Burgers are made with locally sourced beef and thoughtful toppings. The Woodstock (bacon, Tennessee Sweetwater white cheddar, Jack Daniel’s maple ketchup) is practically a rite of passage, and the Ramsey—blue cheese, red onion, bacon—is a favorite for people who like big flavor. Fries are hand‑cut, the ketchup is house‑made, and there’s a solid bourbon and cocktail list to go with everything.
3. Gabby’s Burgers & Fries
Gabby’s is a no‑frills, counter‑service spot that locals talk about with near‑religious reverence. It’s the kind of place where the menu is small because they’ve totally dialed in what they do.
Patties are hand‑patted, smashed on a flat‑top, and cooked to order. The “Seamus” burger (a patty melt‑style sandwich on Texas toast) has a devoted fan base, but even the basic cheeseburger with grilled onions and American cheese hits hard. The vibe is casual, almost diner‑ish; it closes early, so this is more lunch or early dinner than late‑night.
4. Brown’s Diner
Brown’s is one of those Nashville institutions that doesn’t look like much from the outside—but locals know better. It’s an old trailer‑style dive with a bar, a jukebox, and one of the city’s most beloved burgers.
The burger here is simple and perfect: a flat‑top‑seared patty, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles on a squishy bun. You don’t come to Brown’s for exotic toppings; you come for that perfect ratio of beef fat, salt, char, and cheap beer. It’s the definition of a “bar burger” in the best possible way.
5. Dino’s
Dino’s in East Nashville is a classic dive that has turned into a kind of cool‑kid hangout while still keeping its grit. The interior is tiny, the patio is always lively, and the burger is absolutely worth the wait.
The classic cheeseburger is a thin‑patty, charred‑edge situation with just the right amount of grease. You can get it “Dino’s style” with grilled onions and their special sauce, or add a fried egg or bacon. Crinkle‑cut fries, strong drinks, and late‑night hours make it a go‑to after shows or bar‑hopping.
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