The Best Burgers in Barcelona

Updated April 1, 2021.

Fancy a burger? There's no need to settle for less than gourmet in Barcelona. Here are our favorite places to sink our teeth into a juicy burger...

• Santa Burg

  This little place near Sants station has a great vibe, an excellent playlist and friendly staff who will make you feel instantly at home. Santa Burg also offers delicious burgers at reasonable prices. Chef Alain Guiard has created an innovative menu with eight burgers made with dry-aged beef, pork, chicken and two veggie options: the Santa India red bean patty with cumin and coconut and the Smoke Vegan quinoa and beet patty with tomato, lettuce and cheddar. Wash it all down with a craft beer from their extensive list of international brews.

• Oval

  You design your own burger at Oval in the Eixample, from the bun and the type of meat right down to the cheese, and the list of choices and extras is simply huge. The ambience here is fresh, Nordic-style minimalist chic, all natural woods and white, and it has fast become one of the city's trendier hangouts for burger-lovers. For a top-notch burger experience, plump for the Nebraska beef.

• El Filete Ruso

  There's absolutely nothing fast food about Filete Ruso's burgers. In fact, this burger joint is part of the slow food movement, using only organic, locally-sourced ingredients. The meat comes from a family farm in the Pyrenees and the bread is made fresh each day in Barcelona. Their raison d'être is to "dignify the burger" and we think they do a pretty good job of it. Inside, the restaurant is simple, natural and elegant. Outside, there's a small terrace for warm days.

• La Royale

  This uptown hangout is the place to head if you're looking for something more exotic in your bun. A true gourmet burger joint, you can feast on burgers made from organic meats (minced on the premises) sourced from all over the world, as well as a vegetarian option made from tofu, soy and vegetables. Play it safe with beef or Iberian pork or try the wonderful tuna burger with shitake, soy sprouts and alga nori sauce. La Royale is also following the trend, already popular in London and New York, of accompanying gourmet burgers with gin and tonic. We'll drink to that!

• Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona

  You know exactly what you're getting when you go to the Hard Rock: classic American fare, generous portions, a rock soundtrack to accompany your meal and efficient, friendly service. There are five burgers to choose from, including our favorite, the Original Legendary Burger, a finger-licking monster of a burger with smoked bacon, cheddar and fried onion rings.

• Timesburg

  This welcoming space in the Eixample has a fresh, urban vibe, with huge windows, reclaimed furniture and lots of wood details. Burgers are all made with 100% beef, and there are many to choose from. Try the classic cheeseburger, or the Japanese-inspired Osaka with terriyaki and wakame. Our favorite was the Cabra, a delicious concoction of melting goat's cheese, caramelized onions and rocket. You can put your own burger together by adding in the menu "extras," such as different cheeses, bacon or jalapeños. You can also pay €2.50 extra and plump for organic meat.

  Check out the website for info on the 10 other branches in the city.

• Foc y Oli

  Small but perfectly formed, this friendly locale tucked away on Aribau is the creation of French and Uruguayan owners. Opened in 2013 their mission is to show that fast food can also be fresh and creative. Choose from six sublimely tasty beef burgers, a selection of four chicken sandwiches or a veggie burger made with courgettes and goat's cheese. The star of the show here is El Chivito from Uruguay, more of a sandwich than a burger, but delicious nonetheless and well worth the trip. Wash your burger down with a vermouth or gin and tonic. 

  There's another branch at París, 177.

• Makamaka

  This is the place to head for a laid-back California vibe by the beach. It's lively and fun with friendly staff, good prices and a creative menu. Try the Dirty Chick BBQ chicken sandwich with grilled pineapple, the Argentine-style Maradona burger or the spicy Hot Mama 2.0. For your vegetarian friends there's the Mr. Nice Guy made with soy and topped with grilled peppers mozzarella and mango sauce or the Bean Machine, a black bean and quinoa burger with sweet potato chips, caramelized onion and portabello mushroom. Get there early to get a table on the very popular terrace and enjoy one of their very tasty cocktails.

• La Tropa

  This small burger joint in Gràcia is becoming a local favorite and for good reason. The menu really has something for everyone. If you can't find what you're looking for in the 14 burgers they offer, you can always create your own by choosing from a host of extra fillings from mango chutney to Philadelphia or sun-dried tomatoes. The menu also offers salmon, chicken, lamb or tofu if you're looking for a burger alternative.