BEST BURGERS
IN LITTLE ITALY
Smashed thin on a flat-top, fresh beef, toasted bun. Tater tots on the side. No truffle aioli.
San Diego has gotten serious about burgers in the last decade — smash spots, steakhouse burgers, fancy dry-aged blends. Here's where to actually eat one in Little Italy and downtown without spending $24.
1. Waterfront Bar & Grill smash burger
Our smash burger consistently ranks among the best in San Diego — and we've been doing it long before "smash burger" was a TikTok trend. Fresh, never-frozen beef, smashed thin on a hot flat-top, melted cheese, classic fixings, toasted bun. Served with our tater tots, which have their own cult following. Available every day from open to last call — yes, including late night.
2. Other Little Italy burger contenders
Born & Raised does a steakhouse burger (great, but pricey). Davanti Enoteca's burger at lunch is solid. Hodad's downtown is a tourist pilgrimage and worth it once. For pure value-per-bite, we'll back our kitchen any day.
3. What makes a great bar burger
- Fresh beef. Frozen patties are a disqualifier.
- Smashed, not formed. You need that crispy crust.
- Toasted bun. Soggy bun ruins everything.
- Side of tots or fries. No "kettle chips and a pickle spear."
- Comes out in under 15 minutes. It's a bar burger.
Late-night burger? We're open until 2am
One of the few places in downtown San Diego where you can get a hot smash burger at midnight. The kitchen runs from 8am all the way to last call — see the happy hour guide for discounted food and drink specials weekday afternoons.
Come for the burger, stay for the bar
Waterfront Bar & Grill, 2044 Kettner Blvd, Little Italy. Smash burger, tots, cold beer. Open daily 8am–2am.