10 Nashville Smashburgers Worth the Hype
These Nashville smashburgers bring the heat with crispy edges, melty layers, and serious flavor. Here are the spots worth every bite (and messy napkin!). Image: Katty Driggers
Nashville doesn’t mess around when it comes to burgers. But smashburgers? That’s where things get really serious. We’re talking crispy edges, melty cheese, and patties pressed thin enough to kiss the griddle. And the real question: Just because it’s thin, does it make it a smashburger? After plenty of “research” (a tough job, truly), we’ve pinpointed a solid list of local favorites.
Bad Luck Burger Club
Neighborhoods: East Nashville, West Nashville
More Info: badluckburger.club
What started as a pop-up quickly earned serious local devotion. And when we say this is THE most popular pick on our list, that’s an understatement. Bad Luck Burger Club leans all the way into the smashburger craft, delivering deeply caramelized edges, gooey cheese, and a burger that feels thoughtful. If you’ve never tried a smashburger, this is your gateway option.
Dominic’s Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: Hermitage
More Info: dominicsbarandgrill.com
A neighborhood gem in Hermitage, Dominic’s delivers a smashburger that inspires loyalty. StyleBlueprint Associate Editor Brianna Goebel says, “My fave smashburger is from Dominic’s in Hermitage. A few pro tips: don’t skip the Dom’s Sauce, and all burgers are half-priced on Mondays.” And let’s be fair, a recommendation like that is worth its weight. Who are we to argue?!
Jack Brown’s
Neighborhoods: Germantown, Green Hills, Edgehill
More Info: jackbrownsjoint.com
A no-frills favorite with a cult following, Jack Brown’s keeps things simple in the best way. The patties are thin, griddled just right, and stacked with all sorts of fun toppings on a soft bun. Pair your burger with a cold beer and call it a perfect night. Now, look. If you’re a true smashburger aficionado, you may call our bluff on this one. Are these thin burger patties technically smashburgers? They aren’t labeled that way on the menu, but we have it on good authority that they check all the boxes. Let us know what you think!
M.L.Rose
Neighborhoods: Charlotte Pike, East Nashville, Capitol View, Franklin
More Info: mlrose.com
Known for its expansive beer list, M.L.Rose also quietly delivers when it comes to burgers. The ANM.L.-Style Burger has earned local bragging rights for good reason. It comes stacked with two smashed patties, mustard, American cheese, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, and a top layer of secret awesome sauce. Plus, you can get their tasty sweet potato waffle fries on the side!
Cafe Roze
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: caferoze.com
Cafe Roze brings a more elevated touch to the smashburger conversation. Expect a thoughtfully composed burger with balanced flavors, quality ingredients, and a setting that leans more toward a brunch date than a dive bar, all without sacrificing that essential crispy edge. If you really want to indulge, pair it with the Roze Fashioned for a fantastic burger-and-bourbon combo!
Dreamburger at Vinyl Tap
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: Instagram
If you have a burger obsession and you’re following the globe’s star burgers on social media, you already know about Dreamburger, the food truck that occupies the Vinyl Tap record store lot. It has, after all, become one of the city’s most buzzed-about bites. Served in limited quantities, it’s a “get it while you can” situation … and absolutely worth planning around.
Cledis Burgers & Beer Garden
Neighborhoods: The Gulch, Bellevue, Elm Hill
More Info: cledis.com
Cledis takes the smashburger playbook and runs with it. Choose from three standout options: the Oklahoma Smash with pickles and Cledis sauce, the Bandito Smash layered with white queso, bacon, and grilled jalapeños, or the Billy Berry Smash with goat cheese crema and strawberry-jalapeño jam. Grab a seat by the fire pits, bring your pup, and settle in. These are smashburgers with personality.
Brave Idiot
Neighborhood: East Nashville
More Info: braveidiot.com
This burger has garnered some serious praise. A food truck stationed just behind No Quarter on Main Street, Brave Idiot doesn’t just do one smashburger; it does two, and both are worth your full attention. The Big Boi Deluxe stacks two Bear Creek Farm patties with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, and their signature Big Cat sauce, while the Crispy Boi leans classic with patties smashed into grilled onions and finished with melty American.
Joyland
Neighborhoods: East Nashville, Sylvan Heights
More Info: eatjoyland.com
Sean Brock’s Joyland leans into nostalgic fast-food energy, but the execution is anything but basic. The Joyburger layers two smashed Bear Creek beef patties with American cheese, Joy Sauce, pickles, and red onion on a pillowy Martin’s potato bun. And who doesn’t love a smashburger accompanied by a boozy shake?
NADC (Not a Damn Chance)
Neighborhood: Downtown (The Arcade)
More Info: nadcburger.com
This Wagyu smashburger is rich, salty, and borders on addictive. After all, it was created by a MICHELIN-starred chef. NADC is the kind of spot that doesn’t need a long menu when it does one thing this well. And, apparently, music artist Jelly Roll agrees. He has famously touted this smashburger as “the best he’s ever had.”
Enjoy savoring the smash, Nash!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.