Not to be overlooked is the greasy, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth American classic that is the cheeseburger. San Diego is well-known for its tacos, craft beer, and sunny beaches. The best cheeseburger in San Diego is always close by, whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet stack layered with bacon jam and aioli or a classic smashburger dripping with cheddar.
This city is full of burger places serving up beefy masterpieces that will make you forget every drive-thru you’ve ever been to, from dive bars to farm-to-table restaurants. The best restaurants offering mouthwatering patties are highlighted in this list, along with comprehensive information about each location’s price range, neighborhood address, and must-try cheeseburger.
Are you prepared to enjoy the best that the city has to offer? Let’s have a burger.
Best Cheeseburger In San Diego That’ll Melt Your Mind (And Mouth)
Hodad’s
Price Range: $ | Neighborhood: Ocean Beach
Address: 5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Description: Can you even claim to have lived in San Diego if you have never had a Hodad’s burger? Apart from its infamous burgers, this OB classic is well-known for its relaxed surf shack atmosphere. Crispy bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and a sloppy coating of secret sauce are all heaped on top of their bacon cheeseburger.
It’s large. It’s audacious. It’s stunning. Indeed, it is among the best cheeseburgers in San Diego.
Must-Try: Bacon Cheeseburger with Everything
The Friendly
Price Range: $ | Neighborhood: North Park
Address: 4592 30th St, San Diego, CA 92116
Description: Rejoice, Smashburger fans. What a minimalist burger can be has been redefined by The Friendly. Their Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger, which is served with American cheese and grilled onions between a toasted bun, has a crispy outside and a juicy inside. It is expertly griddled. It’s greasy, untidy, and incredibly Instagrammable. There are no extras, no menu, and no substitutes—just delicious burgers.
Must-Try: Dirty Flat Top Cheeseburger
Rocky’s Crown Pub
Price Range: $-$$ | Neighborhood: Pacific Beach
Address: 3786 Ingraham St, San Diego, CA 92109
Description: For locals who understand what makes the ideal burger—simple, juicy, and perfectly seasoned—this vintage pub is a hidden gem. All you need to choose from at Rocky’s is a burger or a cheeseburger. It’s a medium-cooked, thick half-pound patty with melted cheese, tomato, onions, and shredded lettuce on top. Get a beer, take a seat at the bar, and get ready for cheeseburger heaven.
Must-Try: Cheeseburger with Fries and a Cold Draft
Burger Lounge
Price Range: $$ | Neighborhood: Gaslamp, Hillcrest, La Jolla, and more
Address: Multiple Locations – burgerlounge.com
Description: Burger Lounge, a SoCal-born burger joint famous for using only grass-fed beef, combines sustainability and flavor. On a house-baked bun, their Lounge Burger consists of a thick, juicy patty topped with aged white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and their special sauce. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious, and it’s a great choice for health-conscious foodies looking for San Diego’s best cheeseburger without feeling guilty.
Must-Try: Lounge Burger with Organic Cheese
Swagyu Burger
Price Range: $$$ | Neighborhood: Point Loma
Address: 2401 Truxtun Rd #102, San Diego, CA 92106
Description: Swagyu Burger is a premium burger restaurant in Liberty Station with incredible flavor that combines Wagyu beef and smashburger culture. With American cheese, grilled onions, and house sauce sandwiched between a perfectly toasted bun, their Swagyu Smash is the epitome of umami. Serious burger lovers who don’t mind shelling out a little more for superior cuts and mouthwatering goodness should visit this place.
Must-Try: Swagyu Smash Cheeseburger
Hayes Burger
Price Range: $ | Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 330 16th St, San Diego, CA 92101
Description: Despite its small size, the Hayes Burger is influential. Their double cheeseburger, which consists of crispy-edged patties, melty cheese, pickle chips, and special sauce all layered into a soft bun, is among the best-value meals in the city.
Not surprisingly, they are at the top of every local list of the “best cheeseburger in San Diego.” Pro tip: to round out the experience, serve a Mexican Coke and some crinkle fries.
Must-Try: Double Cheeseburger
The Balboa Bar & Grill
Price Range: $$ | Neighborhood: Bankers Hill / Little Italy
Address: 1863 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Description: One of San Diego’s tastiest cheeseburgers can be found at this dimly lit neighborhood bar. Two smashed patties, melted cheddar, sautéed onions, and their famous garlic aioli are all piled on top of the Balboa Burger. You’ll have a memorable evening if you pair it with a craft beer and some tater tots.
Must-Try: The Balboa Burger
Blue Water Seafood & Grill
Price Range: $$ | Neighborhood: Mission Hills
Address: 3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
Description: Blue Water is well-known for its fish tacos, but their cheeseburger is an underappreciated treat. The thick, flavorful, and freshly cooked patty is served with melted cheddar and a fiery jalapeño mayo. It’s an unexpected discovery and undoubtedly one of the most surprising locations to get one of San Diego’s best cheeseburgers.
Must-Try: Cheeseburger with Jalapeño Mayo
Crazee Burger
Price Range: $$ | Neighborhood: North Park
Address: 4201 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Description: Do you want a cheeseburger with kangaroo, gator, or elk? The standard beef cheeseburger at Crazee Burger is still among the best in the area, even though they specialize in exotic meats. This place allows you to experiment with flavors that are bold, cheesy, and juicy. It’s entertaining, eccentric, and a conversation starter every time.
Must-Try: The Cheeseburger (Beef or Exotic Meats)
Hanna’s Gourmet
Price Range: $$$ | Neighborhood: Normal Heights
Address: 2864 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Description: Hanna’s Gourmet serves a rich, creamy, and unforgettable brie cheeseburger for those with more sophisticated palates. A cheeseburger fit for a dinner date is created by adding Dijon aioli, arugula, and caramelized onions. Everything on the menu, including the burgers, has a global twist thanks to this welcoming little eatery.
Must-Try: Brie & Caramelized Onion Cheeseburger
Shake Shack
Price Range: $$ | Neighborhood: Westfield UTC, Mission Valley
Address: Multiple Locations
Description: Although Shake Shack is a chain, its flavor, consistency, and ShackSauce vibes make it worthy of a spot on any list of the best cheeseburger in San Diego. On a potato bun, their ShackBurger Double is ooey, gooey perfection. Not to mention their crinkle fries.
Must-Try: ShackBurger Double with Cheese
Parkhouse Eatery
Price Range: $$$ | Neighborhood: University Heights
Address: 4574 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92116
Description: Finally, Parkhouse Eatery offers a brunch cheeseburger on a fresh brioche bun with bacon, sharp cheddar, and a runny fried egg. It’s rich, untidy, and almost breakfast-dessert. Bring napkins, arrive hungry, and prepare your plate to Instagram before you finish it.
Must-Try: Brunch Cheeseburger with Fried Egg
