From Retro Diners to Gourmet Grills
No trip to Palm Springs would be complete without a taste of our no-nonsense noshes and a try at some of the best burgers in Palm Springs. The proper burger puts you in the mood for indulgence and fuels your paradise party with protein power! We’re stacking up the competition for your dining pleasure, so open wide and take a ride on the succulent side…
John’s
Be still our beating palates! John’s, a diner-style restaurant in the Uptown Design District, is serving up excess with maximum success.
Menu Highlight: Heartstopper Burger
Their Heartstopper burger piles bacon, sausage, cheese, and a fried egg on top of a 1/3-pound patty. It also includes a tomato slice for its health benefits. And if you like your burgers served up midcentury rare with a side of fierce fries, then John’s is an essential stop on your tour of the Palm Springs diner scene.
Tip: This pick for the list of best burgers in Palm Springs is a favorite among locals and is often overlooked by visitors because of its more basic decor.
Address: 417 S. Palm Canyon Drive
Blackbook
Blackbook is a lively dining spot in the Arenas District with a playful vibe and a focus on quality ingredients. Famous for its generous, hand-crafted burgers.
Menu Highlight: Blackbook Burger
The signature Blackbook burger includes ½ pound of Angus beef, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, pickles, and Blackbook house-made hickory sauce, all served on a buttered bun. It is located in the fun and festive Arenas District.
Address: 999 Arenas Road
Native Foods
Take a break from the meat with a plant-based selection from Native Foods.
Menu Highlights: Gastropub Burger (Vegan), Beyond Meat Options
The Gastropub burger marinates your taste buds in a tomato “bacon” jam and garlic aioli wonderland of vegan flavors. The velvety patty's texture juxtaposes brilliantly with the crunch of fried onion rings, and the entire production nestles seductively in a mouth-watering pretzel bun. We’re twisted in joyous knots just thinking about it!
Address: 11775 E Palm Canyon Drive
Heyday Burgers
The Heyday started as a pop-up and has grown into a local favorite, known for its freshly made Smash Burgers and casual, approachable atmosphere.
Menu Highlight: Smash Burger
Their specialty is the Smash Burger, made with a house beef blend, cheese, caramelized onions, shredded lettuce, and special sauce, on a buttery grilled potato bun.
Address: 1550 N Palm Canyon Drive
The Eight4Nine
Eight4Nine offers upscale dining with a focus on high-quality ingredients in a chic, modern Palm Springs setting.
Menu Highlight: Eight4Nine Burger
They craft their garlic-dill Thousand Island spread to slather on a brioche bun, creating a gourmet foundation for a legendary lunch plate. Choose between white cheddar and blue cheese as you enjoy the refreshing mélange of ripe tomatoes and butter lettuce. And the patty de résistance: ground tenderloin beef cooked to your specifications.
Address: 849 N Palm Canyon Drive
Smokin’ Burgers & Lounge
Smokin’ Burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen 100% Angus beef and offer a fun, lounge-style environment.
Menu Highlight: Big Wow Burger
The "Big Wow" is a one-pound burger with two beef patties, bacon, avocado, provolone cheese, crispy onions, pickles, house dressing, lettuce, and tomato.
Address: 1775 E Palm Canyon Drive
Tyler’s
“Meat” us at Tyler’s Burgers for a Palm Springs foodie experience like no other. This cozy café is located in the heart of downtown, and its menu is unassuming. Enjoy the expansive outdoor patio.
Menu Highlight: Bacon Cheeseburger
Address: 149 Indian Canyon Drive
Tony's Grill & Bar
Tony's Grill & Bar is known for its extensive burger menu and more than 10 flavors of fries.
Menu Highlight: The Fantasy Burger
Served with crispy bacon, sauteed mushrooms, fried onion, blue cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and chipotle mayo.
Address: 666 S Palm Canyon Drive
Bongo Johnny’s
Known for its fun atmosphere and enormous burgers, Bongo Johnny’s is a downtown favorite for bold flavors and hearty portions.
Menu Highlight: Big Kahuna Burger
Bongo Johnny’s supersizes your smile with a Big Kahuna that lives up to its grand reputation. Hoist two half-pound patties onto a bun of your choice (potato, vegan, or brioche), and the saucy staff doubles the bacon and triples your pleasure. Garnished with herb mayo and Bermuda onion, this behemoth will transport you to burger heaven.
Address: 301 N Palm Canyon Drive, second floor
1501 Uptown Gastropub
A modern gastropub offering a refined twist on classic burgers, combining fresh, locally sourced ingredients with an inviting urban setting.
Menu Highlights: 1501 Burger, Vegan Options
The 1501 burger features 1/2 pound of fresh, ground beef, tomato, onion jam, cave-aged cheddar or Gruyere, smoked bacon, romaine, and dill pickle on a brioche bun, served with house fries or horseradish slaw.
Address: 1501 N Palm Canyon Drive
Zin American Bistro
An upscale American bistro with a focus on gourmet burgers and sophisticated comfort food, perfect for both lunch and dinner in downtown Palm Springs.
Menu Highlights: Original Zin Burger, Truffle Fries
For a zin-ful option packed with Zen galore, visit Zin American Bistro. Their Original burger elevates your palate with Imperial Farm Wagyu beef, then brings you gently back to earth with hearty red onions caramelized into silky sweetness. Fiscilini white cheddar dances along the ½-pound patty jauntily as fresh tomatoes mingle with other intoxicating ingredients.
Address: 198 S Palm Canyon Drive
Anything @ Wilma & Frieda
A trendy breakfast and lunch spot known for inventive twists on classic American dishes, including customizable, chef-driven burgers.
Menu Highlights: Custom Burgers
Wilma & Frieda craft their superlative patties from chopped chuck and short ribs, then they leave the meat of the matter up to you. Cheese things up with your choice of Havarti, mozzarella, Brie, blue cheese, or Gruyere, to name a few. Add sautéed onions or bacon to rocket your taste buds further into the burger stratosphere!
Address: 4155 S Palm Canyon Drive, second floor
Meet BLACKBOOK Bar owner Dean Lavine