Best Burgers in Athens, GA (2026)
Athens takes its burgers seriously. Between the smash burger revolution led by Baddies, the cult-classic diner burgers at Clocked, and the grass-fed options at Farm Burger, this town has a burger for every appetite. We ate them all, here's the definitive ranking for 2026.
Last updated: March 18, 2026
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Baddies Burger House is a smash-burger spot in Normaltown on Prince Avenue in Athens, Georgia. The signature Double Baddie features two smashed patties, American cheese, and a house sauce pressed against crisp-edged griddled beef. The Normaltown original has a slightly more laid-back dining space than the other two Baddies locations.
Baddies Burger House in Five Points is the South Lumpkin Street location of the Athens, Georgia smash-burger chain, close to UGA campus. The menu mirrors the Normaltown original with smashed patties, house-made sauces, and fries served with Baddie sauce on the side. Quick service and campus proximity make it a standard student lunch stop.
Clocked Diner is a longtime burger and diner institution on West Washington Street in downtown Athens, Georgia. Creative burger builds include the Bayou Burger with pepper jack, jalapenos, and Cajun seasoning, plus a full slate of comfort plates and organic-ingredient milkshakes. Weekend service typically runs a wait, with the colorful throwback dining room as a draw itself.
Groove Burgers is a casual burger joint on the Oconee Connector in Athens, Georgia. The menu covers classic burger builds, hand-spun milkshakes, and short-order sides at accessible price points. More than 1,100 Google reviews averaging above 4.5 stars reflect a consistent record over many years.
Farm Burger Athens is a grass-fed burger restaurant on Prince Avenue in Athens, Georgia. The kitchen sources 100 percent grass-fed beef from local farms, with a build-your-own format in addition to a handful of house-composed burgers. Sweet potato fries anchor the side menu alongside standard salted fries.
Grindhouse Killer Burgers is a thick-patty burger restaurant on South Lumpkin Street in Athens, Georgia, near UGA. The Killer burger with the full topping load is the highest-traffic order, served in a retro-diner style room that runs late enough for post-bar traffic. It is the most-reviewed burger joint in the Athens market.
Hilltop Grille is a bar-and-grill burger spot on West Broad Street in Athens, Georgia. The menu covers pub-style burgers and broader grill fare with a full bar, set in a dining room angled toward the Epps Bridge corridor. It tends to draw a quieter neighborhood crowd than the downtown burger rooms.
Locos Grill and Pub is a UGA game-day burger and pub spot on Timothy Road in Athens, Georgia. The menu covers a wide pub-fare lineup with burgers at the center, and the rooms fill with football crowds on Saturdays during the college football season. The original Five Points location retains the most of the chain\'s early-Athens pub character.
Blind Pig Tavern is a downtown pub burger on East Washington Street in Athens, Georgia. The kitchen turns out tavern-style burgers alongside a rotating craft beer list, with a patio that opens onto the Washington Street sidewalk. The room balances bar atmosphere with a proper dinner-plate burger program.
The Grill is a 24-hour diner and late-night burger spot on College Avenue in downtown Athens, Georgia. The menu features classic diner burgers, feta fries, and a concise comfort lineup served through the night. Overnight hours and a central College Avenue location have made it a multi-decade UGA post-bar tradition.
The Local Take
The Athens burger scene has a clear top tier. Baddies changed the game when they brought the smash burger to Normaltown, crispy edges, house sauces, and a cult following that expanded to three locations. Clocked is the elder statesman, serving creative builds in a funky diner setting since before smash burgers were cool. Farm Burger brought the grass-fed movement and proved that quality ingredients matter even in a $12 burger. Below that, you've got the reliable bar burgers, Groove, Grindhouse, Hilltop, Locos, that won't blow your mind but will never let you down. And then there's The Grill, which exists in its own category as the 3 AM diner burger that every UGA student needs at least once. The competition is real, and Athens is better for it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best burger in Athens, GA?
Baddies Burger House makes the best burger in Athens with their signature smash burger technique. Three locations, Normaltown, Five Points, and Watkinsville. Clocked is the top pick for creative diner-style burgers.
Where can I get a late-night burger in Athens?
The Grill on College Avenue is the classic late-night burger spot, often open past 2 AM. Grindhouse Killer Burgers also stays open late. Both are within walking distance of downtown bars.
Are there grass-fed burgers in Athens, GA?
Farm Burger Athens uses 100% grass-fed, locally sourced beef for all their burgers. It's the best option for a health-conscious, high-quality burger in Athens.
What is Baddies Burger House?
Baddies Burger House is a local Athens smash burger chain with three locations, Normaltown, Five Points, and Watkinsville. With a combined 1,900+ Google reviews and 4.8-4.9 ratings, they're the highest-rated burger spot in Athens.
Where is the best burger near UGA campus?
Baddies Burger House in Five Points, Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Broad Street, and Locos Grill and Pub are all within walking distance of UGA campus.