Barcelona's burger scene has evolved dramatically over the past decade, transforming from an afterthought in a city famous for tapas and paella into a genuine culinary destination. What started with a handful of pioneering spots has blossomed into a thriving culture of both gourmet burger joints and smash burger specialists that rival anything you'll find in London or New York. The Catalan capital now boasts everything from Spain's very first smash burger brand to restaurants serving premium wagyu beef, all while maintaining that distinctly Mediterranean approach to fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
These six spots represent the best of what's happening in Barcelona's burger world right now—each bringing something different to the table, whether that's technique, innovation, or just pure deliciousness executed with Spanish passion.
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Price Range | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hideout Burger | Eixample | €10-20 | Spain's original smash burger |
| Bacoa | Multiple locations | €9-14 | Gourmet burgers with homemade everything |
| Machaka Burger | Multiple locations | €10-20 | Creative smash burger combinations |
| Timesburg | Multiple locations | €12-18 | Wagyu beef burgers |
| Fast Eddie's | El Born | €10-16 | American-style classics |
| Asado | Eixample | €14-22 | Dry-aged beef burgers |
Hideout Burger: Spain's Smash Burger Pioneer
| Address | Carrer del Consell de Cent, 242, 08011 Barcelona (also Av. Diagonal, 121, Poblenou) |
|---|---|
| Website | hideout-burger.com |
| Price Range | € (€10-20 per person) |
| Specialty | First smashburger brand in Spain |
| Must-Try | Classic double smash with American cheese |
Hideout Burger holds a special place in Barcelona's burger history as Spain's very first smash burger brand. What started as a bold experiment in bringing American smash burger technique to Catalonia has turned into Barcelona's number one burger destination, with two locations that draw crowds throughout the week. The concept is beautifully simple: press beef patties hard onto a scorching hot griddle, letting the Maillard reaction work its magic to create those crispy, caramelized edges that define a proper smash burger.
The execution here is flawless. Each patty arrives with a deeply browned crust that shatters as you bite through to the juicy interior, while melted American cheese binds everything together in that nostalgic, diner-perfect way. The buns are soft potato rolls that compress just enough without falling apart, and the toppings stay classic—pickles, onions, lettuce, and their signature sauce. There's no pretension here, just obsessive attention to getting the fundamentals exactly right.
The Eixample location on Carrer del Consell de Cent has become something of a pilgrimage site for burger enthusiasts, while the newer Poblenou spot on Diagonal offers a bit more space. Either way, expect a casual, energetic vibe where the focus stays squarely on the food. Prices hover around €10-15 for a burger, which feels like excellent value given the quality and the fact that you're eating at the place that pioneered this style across the entire country.
Bacoa: The Gourmet Burger Standard-Bearer
| Address | Multiple locations including Ronda de la Universitat, 31 (flagship) and locations near Caterina Market |
|---|---|
| Website | Available on delivery platforms and TheFork |
| Price Range | €€ (€8.75-14 per burger) |
| Specialty | Gourmet burgers with homemade sauces and quality ingredients |
| Must-Try | La Bacoa burger - €8.75 |
Since opening behind Barcelona's Caterina Market in 2010 with just fifteen seats, Bacoa has grown into arguably the city's most respected gourmet burger chain. The half-Spanish, half-Australian founding team brought a philosophy that sounds simple but proves revolutionary: make everything from scratch, source quality ingredients obsessively, and never compromise on freshness. Fifteen years later, with locations scattered across Barcelona, they've managed to scale up without selling out.
Their signature La Bacoa burger exemplifies the approach—a perfectly cooked patty topped with homemade mayo, fresh tomatoes and lettuce, crispy bacon, both cheddar and semi-cured cheese, house-made pickles, and artisan mustard. Every sauce on that burger comes from their own kitchen, including their exceptional black truffle mayo and roasted tomato ketchup. The Montesa Burger takes things even further with Grana Padano cheese, seasonal mushroom ragout, and that magnificent truffle mayo creating an umami bomb that feels distinctly European rather than American.
What sets Bacoa apart is their commitment to options. Vegetarians and vegans get the same level of attention as meat-eaters, with creative chickpea and beetroot burgers that actually taste like something you'd order by choice, not obligation. The bravas—both the clássicas and the more loaded brutales version—are dangerously good, and worth ordering even if you're already getting fries. At €9-12 for most burgers, the pricing hits that sweet spot between fast food and fine dining, and the quality consistently justifies it.
Machaka Burger: Creative Smash Burger Combinations
| Address | Calle Balmes, 165 (also Carrer de Sants, 126 and Av. Diagonal, 208) |
|---|---|
| Website | machakaburger.es |
| Price Range | €€ (€10-20 per person) |
| Specialty | Innovative smash burger variations |
| Must-Try | La Oklahoma - double smash with caramelized onion on potato bun |
Machaka Burger has carved out its niche by taking the smash burger template and pushing it in creative directions without losing sight of what makes the format work. With three locations across Barcelona, they've become the go-to spot for people who want smash burger technique but crave more variety than the traditional approach offers. The menu reads like a love letter to regional American burger styles filtered through a Catalan sensibility.
Their La Oklahoma deserves special attention—a proper Oklahoma onion burger where thinly sliced onions get pressed into the raw patty before it hits the griddle, caramelizing into sweet, crispy strands that fuse with the beef. Served on a potato bun with American cheese, it's a Depression-era technique executed with modern precision. The Machaka signature burger goes maximalist with a triple smash, American cheese, bacon, pickles, and mayo creating the kind of messy, over-the-top experience that sometimes hits exactly right. For something more refined, La Doble keeps things simple with just double smash patties and cheddar in a brioche bun, letting the beef quality and crust development do the talking.
The sides deserve attention too—pulled pork croquettes with BBQ sauce and mozzarella sticks with sweet chili show the kitchen's range beyond burgers. Every burger has a veggie version available, which speaks to Barcelona's increasingly plant-conscious dining culture. At roughly €20 for two people including sides and drinks, Machaka represents solid value for the quality and creativity you're getting. The Balmes location tends to be the busiest, open until 23:30 on weekends when the burger craving hits late.
Timesburg: The Wagyu Burger Experience
| Address | Carrer del Rosselló, 520, Sant Martí (10 locations across Barcelona) |
|---|---|
| Website | Available on Uber Eats and TheFork |
| Price Range | €€ (€12-18 per burger) |
| Specialty | Wagyu beef burgers and premium ingredients |
| Must-Try | Wagyu burger with Manchego, caramelized onion, arugula, and Timesburg mayo |
With ten locations spread across Barcelona, Timesburg has made wagyu beef accessible without sacrificing the premium experience that marbled Japanese beef deserves. While many burger joints throw around the word "gourmet" loosely, Timesburg backs it up with genuinely high-end ingredients executed in a format that still feels like comfort food rather than fine dining cosplay.
Their signature wagyu burger showcases Spanish-Japanese fusion at its best—intensely marbled wagyu beef creating a richness that regular chuck simply can't match, balanced by sharp Manchego cheese, sweet caramelized onions, peppery arugula, tomato, and their house mayo. The combination shouldn't work on paper—it's almost too many strong flavors competing—but somehow the wagyu's buttery texture ties everything together. You can also add wagyu to any burger on the menu for a premium upcharge, which gives you flexibility if you want that marbled beef experience with different toppings.
The pricing sits higher than Barcelona's smash burger spots, typically around €12-16 per burger, but you're paying for genuinely premium beef rather than marketing hype. The widespread locations mean you're rarely far from a Timesburg—whether you're in Sant Martí, Poblenou, or Sants, there's likely one within walking distance. The casual atmosphere keeps things approachable despite the upscale ingredients, and the burgers pair beautifully with Spanish craft beers that complement rather than overwhelm the beef's subtle flavor.
Fast Eddie's: Classic American Soul
| Address | C/ Carders, 6, El Born, Barcelona |
|---|---|
| Website | Search on Google Maps or Instagram for current details |
| Price Range | €€ (€10-16 per burger) |
| Specialty | Traditional American-style burgers |
| Must-Try | Classic cheeseburger with all the fixings |
Tucked away on a narrow street in El Born, Fast Eddie's has earned its reputation as many locals' pick for Barcelona's best traditional American burger. There's no gimmick here, no fusion experiments or luxury ingredients—just a pure commitment to the platonic ideal of what an American burger should be. The location itself feels like it was transplanted from a Brooklyn side street, with exposed brick, vintage Americana on the walls, and the perpetual smell of beef hitting a hot griddle.
The burgers here follow the classic American diner template with almost religious devotion. Thick, hand-formed patties get seasoned simply with salt and pepper, cooked to a perfect medium with a good crust on the outside and pink, juicy beef within. The cheese—proper American cheese that melts into every crevice—combines with crisp iceberg lettuce, thick tomato slices, raw onion, pickles, and a tangy special sauce that tastes suspiciously like the best version of Thousand Island you've ever had. The bun, crucially, is a soft, slightly sweet brioche-style roll that gets butter-toasted on the griddle, adding richness without overwhelming the other flavors.
What Fast Eddie's does better than almost anywhere else in Barcelona is capture that specific American burger joint atmosphere—the kind of place where the staff knows the regulars, the music's always good, and the food stays consistently excellent whether you visit on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday night. It's the burger you'd want after a long day, served without pretension but with genuine care. Prices hover around €12-14 for a burger with fries, and the generous portions mean you'll leave satisfied. The El Born location means you can easily walk off your food coma exploring one of Barcelona's most charming medieval neighborhoods.
Asado: Dry-Aged Beef Mastery
| Address | Passatge de Lluís Pellicer, 12, Eixample Esquerra (also C/ del Consell de Cent, 414) |
|---|---|
| Website | Search on Google or Instagram for latest information |
| Price Range | €€€ (€14-22 per burger) |
| Specialty | Dry-aged beef burgers with Spanish flair |
| Must-Try | El Don burger with smoky dry-aged beef, bacon, and onion stew |
Asado operates at the premium end of Barcelona's burger spectrum, and they've earned that position through obsessive attention to beef quality and technique that you simply don't find at casual burger joints. Their signature move is using dry-aged beef—a process where beef is aged for weeks in controlled conditions, developing deeper, more complex flavors and a tender texture that fresh beef can't match. It's the same technique high-end steakhouses use, applied to burgers with impressive results.
The El Don burger showcases this beautifully. The dry-aged beef brings a subtle funk and intensity that registers immediately—this tastes like serious meat, with smoky notes from the aging process creating layers of flavor. Thick-cut bacon adds its own smokiness along with salt and fat, while a rich onion stew (almost like a French onion situation) contributes sweetness and another textural element. It's a sophisticated burger that asks you to slow down and pay attention rather than inhaling it mindlessly, though it's messy enough that you'll still need plenty of napkins.
The atmosphere at both Asado locations leans upscale-casual—nicer than a typical burger joint but not so formal that you'd feel weird showing up in jeans. The pricing reflects the premium ingredients, with burgers typically running €14-20, putting them in the same range as a nice sit-down meal. It's not where you'd go for a quick weekday lunch, but for a special burger experience or when you want to treat yourself to something beyond the ordinary, Asado delivers. The Eixample Esquerra location on Passatge de Lluís Pellicer has a particularly nice atmosphere if you're choosing between the two spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the average price for a burger in Barcelona?
Most quality burgers in Barcelona range from €9-16, with budget-friendly smash burgers starting around €9-10 and premium options with wagyu or dry-aged beef reaching €18-22. A typical meal including a burger, fries, and drink will run €15-25 per person at most of these spots.
Do these Barcelona burger restaurants accept reservations?
Most casual burger spots like Hideout Burger, Machaka, and Bacoa operate first-come, first-served. However, you can often check availability or order ahead through platforms like TheFork or Uber Eats. Upscale spots like Asado may accept reservations, especially for larger groups—call ahead to confirm.
Are there good vegetarian options at Barcelona burger restaurants?
Yes! Barcelona's burger scene has embraced plant-based options enthusiastically. Bacoa offers creative chickpea and beetroot burgers, while Machaka provides veggie versions of every burger on their menu. Most restaurants now feature at least one quality vegetarian or vegan option rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Which burger place is best for experiencing authentic smash burgers?
Hideout Burger pioneered smash burgers in Spain and remains the gold standard for the style in Barcelona. Their technique is flawless, and the focus on crispy edges and simple, quality toppings exemplifies what makes smash burgers special. Machaka offers creative variations if you want smash burger technique with more adventurous flavors.
What neighborhoods have the best concentration of burger restaurants?
Eixample and El Born offer the highest concentration of quality burger spots. Eixample is home to Hideout Burger, Asado, and several Bacoa locations, while El Born features Fast Eddie's classic American approach. Poblenou and Sants also have excellent options including Machaka and Timesburg locations.
Conclusion
Barcelona's burger scene proves you don't have to choose between respecting culinary tradition and embracing new food cultures. These six restaurants show how the city has made the burger its own—honoring American techniques while incorporating Spanish ingredients, Mediterranean sensibilities, and Catalan creativity. Whether you're craving the crispy perfection of a proper smash burger, the luxury of wagyu beef, or the depth that comes from dry-aging, Barcelona delivers with passion and skill that rivals any burger destination in the world. The next time someone suggests Barcelona is only about tapas and paella, point them toward any of these spots and watch their perspective shift with the first bite.