Best Instagram Worthy Burgers Restaurants in Santa Monica
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
HiHo Cheeseburger
Wagyu beef burgers paired with perfectly executed double-fried fries
Notable Picks
8.8
HiHo revolutionizes the classic burger joint with 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef and hand-cut fries cooked in heart-healthy rice bran oil. Their crispy-outside, fluffy-inside fries are double-fried for perfection and served piping hot with house-made sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double HiHo Burger with Fries, Hand-Cut French Fries, Willie Mae Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Wagyu beef burgers paired with perfectly executed double-fried fries
#2
Pasjoli
8.8
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Instagram Worthy Wonders
James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran transformed his Michelin Plate bistro into a more accessible French experience while maintaining exacting standards. The pressed duck carved tableside remains legendary, but cordon bleu chicken wings stuffed with prosciutto and a French onion soup with explosive gruyère show the kitchen's playful mastery of rich, butter-forward bistro classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cordon Bleu Chicken Wings, French Onion Soup, Pressed Duck ($350, reservation required)
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized bistro from Alinea alum serving technically perfect French fare with California produce
#3
Heavy Handed
8.6
This walk-up smashburger spot uses ground short rib for patties with molten American cheese, house-made bread-and-butter pickles, and tangy Heavy sauce on potato rolls. Lines snake out the bright orange building onto Main Street for burgers that deliver both tender richness and crispy caramelized edges.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Smashburger, Beef Tallow Fries, Triple Stack
What Makes it Special: Ground short rib patties create uniquely tender and beefy smashburgers
#4
Umami Burger
8.5
Pioneering the umami-bomb burger movement since 2009, this flagship serves 6-ounce Wagyu beef patties with parmesan crisps and shiitake mushrooms until midnight weekends. The late-night happy hour from 10:30 PM features two-for-one cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Umami Burger, Truffle Burger, Impossible Burger
What Makes it Special: Invented the gourmet umami burger category
Worthy Picks
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Late Night Legends
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
This halal burger concept brings street-inspired flavors and 100% locally sourced halal meat to Main Street, combining beachside chill with bold LA energy. The growing chain's flagship location serves gourmet burgers, crispy wings, loaded fries, and hand-crafted shakes from its Ocean Park spot where it all began.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Halal Burger, Loaded Fries, Hand-Crafted Shakes
What Makes it Special: 100% halal burgers with street-style creativity and fresh ingredients