The Best Burgers in Houston

When it comes to food, bigger is usually better, and everything is bigger in Texas. Houston, known for its big hair, big belt buckles, and big cuts of meat, is also home to a big and booming burger scene. From burgers served on white linen tablecloths to secret hole-in-the-wall burger joints, there’s a burger for everybody in this Space City. We’ve pulled data and found the true tastemakers of Houston, the people who always know where to go for the best food in town. Here’s our Tastemakers List of where to go when looking for the best burgers in Houston.

The OpenTable Team

12 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	The Palm Houston – Downtown, Brenner's Steakhouse on the Bayou, The Capital Grille - Houston…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Unspecified, Steakhouse…
Neighborhoods:	Downtown, River Oaks, Galleria / Uptown…

The Palm Houston – Downtown

$$$$

Unspecified

Downtown

4.2

1578 reviews

White tablecloths and fun caricature-style artwork combine for a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere at one of Houston's premier fine dining restaurants, The Palm. This steakhouse is best known for its prime aged steaks and fresh-from-the-sea lobster, but the burgers also draw a crowd. Patties feature a signature blend of short rib, brisket, and chuck, for a meaty, juicy burger with some heft. Each option is available on the bun or bunless, with toppings like bacon, aged cheddar, wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, and house-made steak sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Brenner's Steakhouse on the Bayou

$$$$

Steakhouse

River Oaks

4.7

5157 reviews

Lush foliage and cascading waterfalls create an oasis away from the urban hustle, without leaving the city limits at Brenner's Steakhouse on the Bayou. The New Orleans-inspired menu is full of seafood, Creole flavors, and Southern favorites, but for the best burger in Houston, visit during brunch. Brenner's Angus burger comes topped with crispy bacon, smoked cheddar, caramelized onions, herb vinaigrette, and guajillo pepper aioli for a big sandwich that packs in a ton of flavor.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Capital Grille - Houston

$$$$

Steakhouse

Galleria / Uptown

4.7

2182 reviews

Known for a sophisticated dining experience, The Capital Grille in The Galleria starts with a walk through the marble columns at the front. The menu is full of an incredible array of house-butchered, dry-aged steaks like the NY strip of prime or Wagyu beef. For a great plate of ground meat, hit the bar menu to experience the burgers. From the mini tenderloin sliders to the signature cheeseburger, the options are full of flavor.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Brenner’s Steakhouse Katy Freeway

$$$$

Steakhouse

Westside

4.7

2921 reviews

Brenner's Steakhouse on Katy Freeway takes diners on a trip back in time with an all-wood decor and impeccable service. The patio is a romantic oasis covered in greenery, while the bar area features a polished wood bar and plenty of paneling. For one of the best burgers in Houston, visit during lunch to try the signature patty — where Texas Akaushi beef, yellow cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, and the classic LTM all hit a bun. The beef comes out cooked to order for a rare to well-done patty.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Killen's STQ

$$$$

American

Westside

4.8

1431 reviews

Fresh ingredients are the key to the delicious flavors coming out of the kitchen at Killen's Steakhouse. Steaks and burgers never see the inside of a freezer before they hit the infrared broiling system that sears in all of the natural juices. The American Wagyu steak burger on the menu uses some of the best beef available anywhere to create a meaty patty that comes out with all the trimmings and a side of hand-cut fries. Finish off the meal with an order of the house-made ice cream.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Champions

$$$$

Steakhouse

Champions

4.7

6901 reviews

White tablecloths and blue padded chairs, along with an extensive wine selection on display, create the elegant ambiance at the Champions location of Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. For burger lovers, both the bar and lunch menus feature a butcher's blend of brisket, chuck, and short rib that delivers plenty of chargrilled flavor with every bite. Porkchop bites, fried asparagus or cherry pepper calamari round out the bar bites menu for quick eats that pack a lot of flavor. A selection of seafood is also available, with tempura fried lobster tail and crab cakes just a few of the choices.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Relish Restaurant and Bar

$$$$

Contemporary American

River Oaks

4.8

793 reviews

Comfortable blue-backed stools pull up to high-top tables at Relish Restaurant & Bar. High ceilings with industrial finishes create an open feeling in a modern eatery. The fusion of American and Mediterranean flavors plates up a delightful mix. From marinated olives to crispy chicken livers, the cuisine is full of the unusual and some great classics. The classic burger features house-ground beef, cheddar, caramelized onions, aioli, signature pickles, and all of the traditional accompaniments.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Federal Grill - Shepherd

$$$$

American

Heights / Washington

4.7

2238 reviews

Gourmet plates come out next to not-so-humble burgers at The Federal Grill, where the dress is elegant or casual. Burgers get a whole new life on this menu with fried cheeseburger eggrolls to start, cheeseburger bowls for the salad course, and an array of patty options for the entree. Wagyu beef, chicken burgers, and turkey burgers all make the menu, along with an interesting selection of toppings such as a jalapeno cheddar bun, golden raisins, and warm goat cheese.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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B&B Butchers & Restaurant - Houston

$$$$

Steakhouse

Heights / Washington

4.7

5793 reviews

B&B Butchers & Restaurant uses pristine white tables, oversized brown booths, and exposed brick to create an approachable dining room. For a selection of some of the best burgers in Houston, visit during lunch and enjoy the truffle burger topped with a three-onion jam, truffle butter, and truffle aioli. The Carpet Bagger burger is the classic American with LTM and a perfectly seared patty. A spiced lamb burger combines tabbouleh, pepper jack, and harissa ketchup for a punch of Mediterranean flavor.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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FM Kitchen & Bar - Shepherd

$$$$

American

Heights / Washington

4.4

65 reviews

Grab the whole family, and don't forget the dog, when heading out for a night at FM Kitchen and Bar. This dog-friendly spot has plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate furry family members. The menu is a great big selection of American classics from the all-beef hot dogs to the chicken pot pie. But it's the burgers that get rave reviews. An 8-ounce patty topped with the kitchen's signature sauce comes in a regular size, large, or double option. The Piggy Blue burger features a single patty, pulled pork, blue cheese, and bacon, served with a side of coleslaw. The H-Town comes topped with chili, cheese, tomato, pickled jalapeno, and diced onion for a spicier bite.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Moxies - Houston

$$$$

American

Galleria / Uptown

4.6

820 reviews

Located in Uptown, right next to The Galleria, Moxie's Grill & Bar serves up a contemporary menu with global inspirations. The burgers have their own section and feature hand-formed patties that combine chuck and brisket. With each burger come the standard toppings, red onions, and pickles, along with a side of fresh-cut fries. Toppings include a variety of fun add-ons like sauteed mushrooms. mustard seed mayo, red relish, and a choice of cheeses.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Killen's Barbecue

$$$$

Barbecue

Alvin / Pearland

4.8

544 reviews

The smell of meat smoking wafts through the neighborhood from Killen's Barbecue, where diners can enjoy an outdoor picnic or a table inside. Hands get dirty quickly with sticky ribs, tender brisket, and bone-in chicken filling up platters, but the burgers are also a treat. Order up any meat and pick a side of BBQ classics like baked beans, potato salad, mac 'n cheese, or even onion rings. For those that want a meaty sandwich that's not a burger, all of the smoked meats come as either platters or handheld entrees. Pile on the meat, dress it with a favorite sauce, and dig in.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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The Best Burgers