The Best Burgers On The Gold Coast In 2026
Danielle Read
Contributor | Urban List
Burgers on the mind? There's no time to lose. Whether you like ‘em loaded, tripled, smoked, pulled or plant-based, we've taste-tested and chomped the best burgers on the Gold Coast.
There was once an era when fast food burgers were the only way. Or a fish and chip shop stacked the kinds of burgers that pulled mass crowds. Now there are burger bars and hidden haunts down dimly lit alleyways and out the back of retail precincts that deliver the real deal on burger town.
Here you'll find a stunning array of burgers with the freshest ingredients, best stacked flavours and service that applauds your choice to induldge in the superior sandwich. Here are the sauciest, tastiest, juiciest burgers on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country in 2026.
Best Gold Coast Burgers At A Glance
Best Beef Burgers
Ze Pickle
37 Connor St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image credit: Ze Pickle | Instagram
Sometimes you want your outrageous burger with a side of cool bar vibes and excellent cocktails. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Burleigh hotspot Ze Pickle. Here, it's The 3am on my hitlist. That's a loaded bun stacked with beef, maple-smoked bacon, Kanye’s fried cheese sticks, guacamole and Ze Pickle sauce. It's remained unchanged since doors swing open back in 2012.
TOP BURGER: The 3am
INSIDER INTEL
- The whopping Triple Loco is served between grilled cheese sandwiches
- This has become an iconic relic on Burleigh's main block
Paloma
12 James Street, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image credit: Paloma | Instagram
It's the vibey Burleigh wine bar, but did you know that Paloma's home to some seriously good burgs? Yep, alongside their long list of speciality wine and swanky plates of steak frites you'll find some of the best burgers Gold Coast plates up.
Their Wagyu Beef Burger actually launched at sister restaurant Labart (called 'La Burger') back during COVID lockdowns. It's got the holy combo of pickles, onion, bacon, cheese, ketchup and mustard and merrily migrated here much to our delight.
TOP BURGER: Wagyu Burger
INSIDER INTEL
- There's also a cheeseburger night Wednesdays from 4pm
Pattysmiths
Labrador, Palm Beach & Upper Coomera
Image credit: Pattysmiths | Instagram
Pattysmiths’ lovingly handcrafted burgers can be found at several locations across the Gold Coast, and thank goodness for that. With melt-in-the-mouth wagyu patties grilled til that perfect brown crust on the outside chars on, Pattysmiths certainly lives up to its name. All burgers are served on a buttermilk bun and it's the gherkin relish that features on the Big Smith that I literally pine for. But the spicy stack with her double beef patty and cheese, maple bacon, jalapenos, onion and spicy sauce that cannot be beat.
TOP BURGER: Spicy Stack
INSIDER INTEL
- The cheeseburger loaded chips are elite
Betty’s Burgers
Various locations
Image credit: Betty's Burgers | Instagram
I don’t know who Betty is, but I love her and her burgers. Opening up new stores all across Australia and thankfully in six locations on the Gold Coast, I adore that this American-style diner chain is Aussie-owned. Without a doubt, Betty’s Burgers is one of the most consistently devourable burger joints on the whole Gold Coast.
The 'shroom burger features a soft-as-a-pillow milky bun, and a crispy fried mushroom patty filled with Gruyere cheese, all topped with lettuce, tomato and Betty’s Special Sauce. It's seriously wonderful. But what's even more wonderful is that their veggie range now includes a Love Buds patty and creative crispy rice puff patty. Though, the Noosa Classic Surf burger with Aussie beef, lightly battered prawns, oak lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and Betty's special sauce is drool-worthy.
TOP BURGER: Noosa Classic Surf
INSIDER INTEL
- Get your second burger for only $2 every Tuesday
- There's booze on the menu
- Burgers don't come with chips, but its worth ordering their golden sticks of heaven as an extra, with a side of Betty's Special Sauce
The Loose Moose
75 Surf Pde, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image credit: The Loose Moose | Instagram
Burgers on buns and in bowls—I'm listening. Moody vibes and good times aren’t all that The Loose Moose offers its Broadbeach patrons. With a seriously impressive lineup of burgers, I've returned time and time again just to eat my way through the menu.
I've personally heard the groans of delight from a mouthful of the classic Byron Beef, onion, pickles, tomato, crisp lettuce and American cheddar burger. But my personal facourite is the vego with avo smash, onion, tomato and chilli and lime jam. Vegan and gluten free options are available on request.
TOP BURGER: Byron Beef
INSIDER INTEL
- The sticky Buffalo wings tossed in maple and BBQ sauce dipped in tangy ranch are a crowd fave side
- There's a full $60 burger ackage for groups of 15+
You May Also Like:
Two Yolks
13 Connor St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image credit: Two Yolks | Instagram
Two Yolks in Burleigh Heads is the sunshine drenched joint for burgers, beers and the good life. Their unique smashed patty technique ensures maximum caramelisation for that ultra-beef experience. The Burly Burleigh is basically the ultimate Aussie burger, with double-smashed patties, double American cheese, an organic egg, Bangalow free-range bacon, roasted beetroot, grilled pineapple, lettuce, tomatoes, house pickles and house BBQ sauce.
TOP BURGER: Burly Burleigh
INSIDER INTEL
- It's by the mastermind behind Burleigh icon, Finn Poke
- Don't skip the dedicated drinks menu with booze and nostalgic burger bar thiccc shakes
- The fitour makes you feel like you’ve just stepped off the streets of LA into an American diner, with a Gold Coast twist
Notorious E.A.T. Food Truck
Various Locations
Notorious E.A.T. is so much more than just a Gold Coast burger truck. Inspired by the local diner and burger scene in the USA, chefs Jem and Dan spend time at HQ trialling burgers to bring their loyal fans some seriously epic creations. Fan favourites include the Eazy E (hand-pressed beef patty, rasher bacon, cheese, caramelised onion, house BBQ sauce with two crispy hash browns) and the Piggie Smallz (melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, lettuce, house-made apple slaw and house BBQ sauce). Keep an eye on their Instagram to see which food festivals and events across Gold Coast and Brisbane they'll pop up at next, or request their epic catering for your next event.
TOP BURGER: Eazy E
INSIDER INTEL
- These guys have been kicking it since 2016
- Their mini snoop dawgs are seriously adorable
- They're available for private hire
Best Chicken Burgers
Fricken
89 Surf Pde, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Crispy chicken cravings are quickly answered at Broadbeach's newest burger joint, Fricken. The menu's loaded with Nashville-style fried chicken burgers and there are actually six kinds. When the viral store opened up on the Gold Coast, the stakes were high. And the crew have honestly not stepped a foot out of line and consistently deliver succulent chicken burgers to the masses.
The yeehaw hot level Nashville burger with lettuce, pickles and Fricken sauce is only for the brave. The whole menu can be made glute free, and the Cauli B vego burger is a welcomed addition. Though it's near impossible to top the spicy slaw burger, with heat, crunch and a generous swirl of Sriracha chilli sauce.
TOP BURGER: Spicy Slaw Chicken Burger
INSIDER INTEL
- Keep an eye out for the tiny camera (it works) to snap about your visit
Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar
9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image credit: Longboards | Instagram
Regularly featured on the Gold Coast's best burgers lists, Longboards Laidback Eatery & Bar slings up some of the wildest burgers on the Coast. You'll see names like Nacho Libre, with literal corn chips on buns. The Mona Lisa which appears to have purely received this name for its truffle aioli. And the Budgie Smuggler which has nothing to do with budgies but has everything to do with great burgers
I swear their Heisenburger has been on the menu since before my first visit in 2017. It's loaded with fried buttermilk chicken, bacon, tomato and coleslaw splashed with sweet BBQ sauce and sriracha mayo. But lately some newer additions like the Mrs White vegan fried chicken version with vegan bun and mayo has joined the lineup. Make that a double.
TOP BURGER: Heisenburger
INSIDER INTEL
- There's an onsite pool
- $17 burgers kick off every Thursday
Palm Springs
1878 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image credit: Palm Springs | Instagram
Okay, so I'm officially renaming Burleigh Heads, Burger Heads. Palm Springs is a bright, pastel-drenched Southern Californian-style eatery that fits right in with Burleigh’s laidback vibes. While the Mexican-fusion Cali Breakfast Burrito might call my name, I find it pretty tough to look past the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger, with honey hot sauce, oak lettuce, American cheese and mayonnaise with pickles on a milk bun. Palm Springs never disapoints
TOP BURGER: Fried Hot Chicken Burger
INSIDER INTEL
- Walk-ins only so time your arrival accordingly, and join the queue on the front stairs
Best Fish Burgers
Burgster
4-10 Philippine Pde, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image credit: Burgster | Instagram
Sometimes you’re ravished with a hunger that only burgers can satisfy. Down the southern end, Burgster in Palm Beach has got you covered. These guys take classic faves and give them a tasty makeover. While I drool over pretty much every item on their menu, I find it near impossible to go past their Baja Burger with tempura snapper, lettuce, housemade slaw, mango chutney and habanero mayo. Though the vegan beef goes down as one of the very best plant-based options on the Gold Coast and the kids corndawgs make a visit basically non-negotionable.
TOP BURGER: Baja Fish
INSIDER INTEL
- Turnaround times are speedy
- It's a block from the beach and the perfect way to end a week
- Cheeseburger Thursdasy and Chicken Burger Fridays are a thing here
Apres Surf
1837 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image credit: Apres Surf | Instagram
Back in the day, Apres Surf threw cheeseburger nights in their Mermaid Beach dive. Today, they've raised the bar with a full burger menu at their Burleigh Heads spot. That means you can grab a burger with both hands six nights a week from 5pm. And there are conveniently six pickle-loaded lovers. Six nights in a row, or six in one go, this is officially your dare to make it happen. No pressure, but also a little bit of pressure.
I'm not kidding when I say this moody joint is giving neighbourhood bar vibes with the antics about to kick off. So before you let loose, be sure to order the best plant-based chicken burger on the coast, or what they've always been about, the classic cheeseburger wit onion, ketchup and mustard. Though if it's one standout to feature, hw could I excuse the nostalgia that is the crispy panko fish fillet with American cheese and house tartare sauce.
TOP BURGER: Fillet O Fish
INSIDER INTEL
- All burgers come with a side of fries and sauce of choice
Best Plant-Based Burgers
Crafty’s Sports Bar
Harbour Town Shopping Centre, 147-189 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters QLD 4216
Fuel up after a morning’s retail therapy at Harbourtown with the selection of tasty fried goodness on the Crafty’s Sports Bar menu. While I love the huge selection of unique bar snacks on offer, it’s the Mushroom and Truffle burger that really takes the cake. It’s a simple concept but executed beautifully, with the juiciest crumbed mushrooms stacked with roasted capsicum, pickles, lettuce, tomato and truffle mayo. I'm not usually a sports bar girly, but Crafty's has something kind of great about it.
TOP BURGER: Mushroom and Truffle Burger
INSIDER INTEL
- There are DJs every Friday and Saturday and trivia every Wednesday
Milky Lane
1/38 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image credit: Milky Lane | Instagram
Gold Coast foodies were stoked when the famous Aussie burger chain, Milky Lane opened a fresh and funky venue right in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Tucked off the main drag, but close to the buzz of Surfers' nightlife, this urban haunt goes big on flavours. Think: Americana diner, with shakes and burgs, then your favourite R&B artists plastered across the walls.
Their wild creations has sent their stuff viral more times than I can count. Think: mac’n’cheese doughnuts, crispy lasagna nuggets and ice cream waffle tacos—which have graced the menu for a limited time release. These monstrous burgers tower, ooze, genuinely make you wonder if it's humanely possible to consume. There are smash beef, chicken schnitzel and Southern fried chicken burgers, but my absolute fave is the Beyondce with a Beyond Meat vegan patty, lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato and Milky Lane sauce.
TOP BURGER: The Beyondce
INSIDER INTEL:
- For small groups you can opt for a round of sliders to taste a load of flavours in adorable miniature format
Eddie’s Grub House
171 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
If I'm ever in Cooly, a visit's never complete without stopping into Eddie’s for a burger and a couple of cheeky sips. Now’s your chance to get down and familiar with this cool-as-hell whisky dive bar. Serving up epic live music and an extensive tipple selection, these guys dish out some of the best burgers on the Gold Coast. I am genuinely impressed by their BBQ jackfruit burger with classic toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles.
While the King of The Roost has built a rep for its sexy little crispy southern fried tenders topped with cheese and chipotle mayo, Eddie's is a hot contender for the best classic cheeseburger. There's something about a smash beef patty with pickles and spesh sauce that can't be beat.
TOP BURGER: BBQ Jackfruit
INSIDER INTEL
- Eddie's is connected to retro-chic The Pink Hotel and the perfect staycay locale
Looking for another hit list to dominate? Check out:
Main image credit: Ze Pickle | Facebook
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.