Editor’s note: The eateries featured in this story are evaluated using Reddit, Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor and staff experiences.
Sometimes, everyone craves an exceptionally made burger, and Gainesville has something for every burger lover.
The burger spots on this list range from high end to food trucks, the simple, classic burger to crazily concocted masterpieces, and from new joints to those who have been serving hungry locals for over 30 years.
Bev’s Better Burgers
OK, we broke the rules. Bev’s is not within the Gainesville city limits, but many people who live within the city will tell you the best burger is from the small drive-thru in Alachua. There’s a reason it’s Bev’s Better Burgers. And a list without Bev’s just wouldn’t be complete.
Bev’s has been serving burgers for over 30 years and is known for juicy, delicious burgers and fresh ingredients. To complete your order, don’t forget freshly fried onion rings, corn nuggets, or french fries.
“We hand-patty our burgers, so they’re fresh,” Kristen Keene, granddaughter of founder Beverly Miller, told Mainstreet when discussing the chain’s upcoming expansion to Newberry.
- Alachua location: 15010 N. Main Street
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.
- High Springs drive-thru: 639 NE Santa Fe Blvd
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.
- High Springs café: 18732 NW US Hwy 441
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Tue., 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Fri., and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.
DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers
DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers opened a small food truck in December 2020, but it is quickly climbing the ranks as one of the best burgers in Gainesville. Known for smash burgers, DJ’s serves thin and crispy burgers cooked on cast iron.
A lot of reviewers love the classic burger but many also rave about the Oklahoma Onion Burger (a double patty with charred onions, cheese, DJ sauce, and bread & butter pickles).
DJ’s also serves hand-cut fresh fries and hot dogs. Fries and hot dogs can be ordered “dirty” (smothered in cheese, chili, DJ’s sauce, bacon, and pickled red onions).
- Location: 1542 W. University Avenue
- Hours: 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (or until sold out)
The Top Hub
Located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, The Top Hub serves modern American fare, but locals seek out the restaurant’s burgers. You can order the ½ pound Black Angus with a variety of different flavor options such as the Widow Maker (chili-espresso rub, fried onions, bacon, cremini mushrooms, white cheddar smoke gouda) or the Messi (Argentian chorizo, provolone, chimichurri, fried onions).
And if none of the options sound appealing, The Top has an extensive list of ingredients to build your own burger. All of the burgers are served with fries or potato salad.
There are also vegan and vegetarian options like the black bean burger or Beyond Meat burger, which reviewers also love.
- Location: 30 N. Main Street
- Hours: 5 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 5 p.m.-10:45 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Dick Mondell’s Burger and Fries
Dick Mondell’s is well known as the drive-thru on SW 4th Avenue for UF students. The restaurant has become so popular, it is expanding with a new drive-thru in Tallahassee and another opening soon in Jacksonville Beach.
Made with fresh, Florida-raised beef, the burgers are a beloved staple in the community. Reviewers are excited about the “Impossible” burgers and veggie burgers Dick Mondell’s serves.
Another fan favorite to go with the burger? The sweet potato tater-tots and the Florida dairy farm milkshakes, which come in chocolate, vanilla, coffee and orange creamsicle.
- Location: 412 SW 4th Avenue
- Open: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Sat.
Mac’s Drive-Thru
Open since 1987, the family-owned drive-thru has been a community favorite in Gainesville for decades. A relatively simple menu, Mac’s has perfected the classic burger. The no-frills joint keeps prices low with a double burger priced under $5.
Reviewers rave about hot, fresh burgers, which is why Mac’s is always packed.
- Location: 129 NW 10th Ave
- Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.
Loosey’s Downtown Gainesville
Loosey’s opened in 2010 in downtown Gainesville and became a popular bar. Though the bar is beloved, many customers return again and again for the burgers. Loosey’s offers locally raised Florida beef on a challah bun with a variety of cheese options, alongside a choice of fries, cucumber salad or coleslaw.
Reviewers love the pub ambiance here and the events offered like trivia nights on Mondays, live music, and of course, the fan-favorite $6 burger deal on Wednesdays.
- Location: 120 SW 1st Avenue
- Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Mon. and Wed.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Now, let the debate begin! Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t sleep on Goldies
Interested to try DJ’s but you’re missing two of the top four burgers in Gainesville. Public & General and New Deal Cafe/Mildred’s.
I understand that Bev’s is going to open a new stand in Newberry.
Yes, the crew broke ground in early May, and the location will be across from Oak View Middle School and facing SR 41.
One Love Cafe’s sliders are pretty darned awesome, too, and the atmosphere of the place can’t be beat!
The vibe is nice but the food is hardly edible. Horrible in fact.
Ditto on Mildred’s/New Deal burgers as well as Blue Gill. She missed those two great establishments.
Spurriers, Bevs, Macs my picks.
How is world of beers not on here? Best burger around
Bevs is some of the worst burgers. 5 guys and burgerfi beat most of these places.
Any discussion of burgers needs to have categories. A burger from Bev’s and a Burger from Loosey’s are obviously in completely different categories (and no, the category is not price).
BTW has one of the better burgers in town in my opinion – Not necessarily the best, but they are always fresh juicy and tasty and their toppings are also very fresh and good.
I love Dick Mondell’s! The burger choices and specials, the shakes, the various fries. Glad to hear they are doing well. I hope they will expand the Gainesville site and add another drive through window and parking so more of us can use the walk up window!
We’re so fortunate to have so many! I’ve also enjoyed burgers at New Deal Cafe, and Spark’s bar’s burgers, too.