There’s nothing like a good smashburger — thin patties pressed hard onto a hot griddle to create a deep, crispy sear and plenty of texture. The classic toppings haven’t changed much over the years: onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard. No foie gras, no balsamic drizzles — just the fundamentals.
For decades, smashburgers were largely the domain of burger stands, drive-ins, and fast-food chains, while “serious” restaurants leaned into thick steakhouse-style burgers built from premium cuts and luxury add-ons. But in recent years, the smashburger has made a full comeback, becoming one of the defining burger styles of the 2020s.
Las Vegas has always been a great burger town, and today the city offers standout examples in every style. Increasingly, though, smashburgers are showing up on best-of lists — including ours — coming from everywhere from fine-dining kitchens and casino food halls to neighborhood bars and late-night hangouts, with chefs of all stripes embracing their nostalgic appeal.
So if you’re craving thin, juicy patties with crispy edges and the flavors you grew up loving, start with these spots.
Ada’s
Ada’s has always been the most playful and free-form of Chef James Trees’ Arts District restaurants, and its burger fits that spirit perfectly. Created by a cook in the kitchen rather than designed as a signature showpiece, the Royale with Cheese takes its name from a famous Pulp Fiction exchange and wears its influences lightly. Two thin patties are stacked with melted cheese, crispy onions, shredded lettuce, and classic burger toppings, delivering plenty of crust and balance without unnecessary flourishes. It’s a smashburger in attitude as much as technique — unfussy, indulgent, and deeply satisfying.
Hard Hat Lounge / Stay Tuned Burgers
The Hard Hat Lounge is a true blue-collar dive bar with decades of history, open 24 hours a day since 1962 and proudly catering to a working-class crowd. Since musician Frank Sidoris took over in 2023, the bar has kept its gritty charm while staying current — and it’s now also home to Stay Tuned Burgers, a smashburger concept that built its reputation at the former Vegas Test Kitchen. The burgers have earned praise from chefs and local food insiders alike, thanks to their crisp-edged patties and no-frills execution. Cheap drinks, daily happy hour, and standout smashburgers make this a rare spot where great food and true dive-bar energy coexist.
In Limbo
In Limbo is the roaming smashburger project from Chef Steve Lee, which began as a low-profile ghost kitchen before finding a wider audience through pop-ups around the valley. These days, the most reliable place to catch it is Durango Social Club, where In Limbo runs a regular weekday lunch pop-up, with occasional appearances at Petite Boheme in the Arts District and elsewhere. The menu is intentionally stripped down, focusing on double smashburgers built for crisp edges and bold flavor, including a pickle-and-grilled-onion version and a jalapeño bacon option with onion jam. It’s a straightforward, affordable approach that lets the smashburger speak for itself — wherever it happens to land next.
Naughty Patty’s
Created specifically for Block 16 Urban Food Hall at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Naughty Patty’s fills a long-standing burger gap with a smashburger designed from the ground up. The patties are a custom blend of ground chuck and brisket, smashed hard on the griddle for crisp edges and a juicy center. Every element — from the bun and sauces to the fries — was carefully dialed in through extensive testing. Burgers are the main attraction, but crispy fries with dipping sauces and rich frozen custard concretes round out the menu, making this a satisfying option whether you’re fueling up late at night or grabbing a quick Strip-side indulgence.
Stubborn Seed
At a restaurant best known for ambitious tasting menus, a smashburger might seem like an unlikely standout — but at Stubborn Seed in Resorts World Las Vegas, it’s one of the most quietly satisfying things you can order. JJ’s Guilty Pleasure Burger appears on the à la carte menu at this Michelin-starred concept from Miami, where precision and restraint carry over even into comfort food. Two 3-ounce onion-smashed patties develop deeply crisp edges while staying juicy, layered with smoked beef bacon, American cheese, crispy onions, and a rich, beefy crave sauce. Everything is anchored by a Martin’s potato bun that lets the burger shine. It’s a reminder that even in a fine-dining kitchen, a properly executed smashburger can hold its own.
With Love, Always
Expect long lines at With Love, Always, which built its following in Centennial Hills and has since added a second location in the Southwest Valley at the Bend, one of the city’s newest mixed-use developments. The menu is intentionally tight, with three burgers that are nearly identical at their core: two thin, smashed Black Angus patties on a Martin’s potato roll. The real choices come down to Love Sauce or ketchup and mustard, and whether you prefer raw onions or onions smashed directly into the griddle with the beef. Fries are cooked in beef tallow, dessert comes in the form of soft-serve cones dipped in hard candy shells, and beer and bubbles round out the experience.