23 places in Tampa Bay to get a great burger for National Burger Day

May 28 is National Burger Day, so that got us thinking about all the great ones Tampa Bay has to offer. Most have vegan and vegetarian options, too.

Here are some suggestions.

Engine No. 9

With more than 20 burgers on its menu, making a decision will be your dilemma at this downtown St. Petersburg restaurant. All of the burgers are made of prime Black Angus beef, and Beyond burgers can be substituted for any of the variations. And boy are there some unique ones, like the Marie Laveau (crawfish tails, andouille sausage, Muenster cheese, green onions and creole sauce), The 504 (peanut butter, apple smoked bacon, fully dressed) and the over-the-top decadent The Saint (short rib/brisket patty blend, Muenster cheese, bacon, beer-battered chicken, crispy potato pancake, creole mustard, smothered with gravy). Woof. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Tuesday-Saturday. 56 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-623-0938. no9burgers.com.

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

This St. Pete staple serving smoked mullet, mahi and mackerel might seem like an unlikely spot for a great burger, but hear us out. The patty is the perfect size, and when topped with Velveeta, it’s an ooey-gooey treat that’s best washed down with an ice cold beer. Bonus: It’s less than $10. Order it with the famous fish spread and you’ve got surf and turf. And the German potato salad made with bacon and served warm is not to be missed. 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 1350 Pasadena Ave. S., St. Petersburg. tedpetersfish.com.

Shake Shack

Typically we don’t include national chains on these lists, but the arrival of Tampa’s first Shake Shack in 2021 at Midtown Tampa was a win. The New York City-based chain is known for its 100 percent Angus beef burgers smashed and served with a variety of toppings, like the Shack Stack, which tops a patty with a fried portobello mushroom filled with melted Muenster cheese. Its veggie burger combines mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa, topped with American cheese, crispy onions, pickles and Shack sauce. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 1011 Gramercy Lane, Tampa. 813-588-5240. shakeshack.com.

Sandbar Bill’s

Enjoy a burger with a killer view of St. Pete Beach at this bar and grill at the Bon Aire Resort. It’s simple, inexpensive ($9.95 hamburger, $11.95 cheeseburger) and very popular. It’s also rare to get a meal directly on the sand, especially a cheap one. Try one of the bar’s rum runners, the drink for which it’s known. 4350 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. bonaireresort.com/sandbar-bills.

Goody Goody

The POX burger at this Hyde Park diner has a serious comeback story. The restaurant — and its signature burger — was resurrected in 2016 by Richard Gonzmart, much to the delight of longtime Tampa residents looking for a dose of nostalgia. With roots dating back to 1929, the burger has pickles, onions and the tomato-based secret sauce. At $7.50 for the hamburger and $8.50 with cheese, it’s price is kind of retro, too. There is also a location at Tampa International Airport, so if your gate is in that airside, you’ve got lunch. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 1601 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. 813-308-1925. goodygoodyburgers.com.

OIA Bar & Lounge

This downtown Tampa restaurant, formerly called Butter’s Burgers, is a convenient place to grab a bite before going to a show at the Straz Center. Despite the name change and Mediterranean-forward alteration to the menu, there is still a robust offering of burgers. Some are named for downtown streets, like the East Zack (American cheese, iceberg, onion, tomato, kaiser roll) and the North Ashley Drive (Swiss cheese, fried prosciutto, arugula, sauteed cremini mushrooms, Dijon mayo, brioche bun). Or try the burger flight, with three small patties with your choice of cheese. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday. 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. 813-221-2500. oialounge.com.

The Bier Boutique

Bison bacon burgers are this St. Pete bar and grill’s specialty, but they may be substituted with meatless or portobello patties. Located in St. Pete’s Historic Uptown neighborhood overlooking Historic Round Lake Park, you can have scenic views while enjoying the Lumbergh (house-made pimiento cheese, pickled fresno peppers, lettuce, brioche bun) or Phil’s Farm (house-made fig jam, goat cheese, crumbled bacon, lettuce, onion, brioche bun). 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 465 Seventh Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-827-2691. thebierboutiquestpete.com.

Good Intentions

Beyond burgers are the name of the game at this hip vegan restaurant in St. Pete. They get smashed and topped two ways: The Provoleta features chimichurri, torched provolone, pickled red onion and herbed aioli on ciabatta. The Skyway Melt is topped with St. Pete Ferments kimchi mayo, caramelized onion and provolone on toasted garlic sourdough. 5-10 p.m. Tuesday (limited menu), Wednesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 1900 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. goodintentionsfl.com.

Datz

Bring a hearty appetite for the burgers at this downtown St. Pete spot. The patties are a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck. The Cheesy Todd has American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion and is served on two bacon-jalapeno mac-and-cheese “buns,” while the Grilled Cheeseburger puts the patty between two grilled cheese sandwiches. There is also a Beyond burger with lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickle on challah. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-202-1182. datztampa.com.

Golden Dinosaurs

There are plenty of options at this vegan spot in Gulfport, serving Beyond burgers that get smashed and served single or double. The Frisco Melt adds vegan cheddar and provolone, caramelized onions and special sauce on toasted garlic sourdough. Or go for The Outlaw, with cheddar, fried onion rings, barbecue sauce, mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickle on a brioche bun. Noon-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 2930 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. goldendinosaurs.com.

Cider Press Vegan Gastropub

Keep it simple with a classic burger at this St. Pete vegan gastropub, with a Beyond patty topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a brioche bun. Or branch out with the Black & Bleu, with a blackened Beyond patty, sauteed mushrooms, bleu “cheez” crumbles, caramelized onion, basil pesto and sweet chili aioli on brioche. 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. 3118 Third Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-914-7222. ciderpresspub.com.

Three Dot Vegan

Located inside the Jug & Bottle Dept. in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, this vegan kitchen uses Impossible patties, smashes them and tops them with Follow Your Heart American cheese. The Up in Smoke burger is a double stack with tobacco-style fried onion straws, vegan American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and chipotle mayo on a bun. Noon-8 p.m. daily. 6203 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-675-4522. 3dotdashvegan.com.

Tarpon Tavern

Everyone’s got their own preference on patty thickness, so it’s cool that this pub in Tarpon Springs offers smashed ones (grilled and caramelized with choice of cheese, grilled onions, pickles, sauce on a steamed bun) or pub style (half-pounder with lettuce, tomato and onion). It also serves sliders and a Beyond burger. Deal alert: On Mondays after 4 p.m., the smash burger is $7.77. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 21 N. Safford Ave., Tarpon Springs. 727-945-1000. tarpontavern.com.

El Cap

Snag a coveted patio seat at this St. Pete landmark and settle in for a classic burger, with or without your choice of cheese, topped with a high pile of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. You can get fancy with additional toppings like caramelized onion, but it’s hard to beat the original. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 3500 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-521-1314. facebook.com/ElCapStPete.

Little Lamb Gastropub

The offerings are on the fancy side at this Clearwater pub and include a lamb burger stuffed with feta and mascarpone cheese, on a brioche bun, with the option to upgrade your side to duck fries. Luxury! 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, lunch is served 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 2475 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. 727-401-3339. thelittlelambgastropub.com.

Nebraska Mini Mart

This eatery by the Proper House Group in Seminole Heights has monthly burger and shake specials. May’s are mouthwatering: Pretzel pub burger with a pretzel bun, local beef patty, spicy house ranch, cheese sauce, applewood bacon, pepper jack cheese and fried pickles. The shake is berry dulce de leche, with Blue Bell ice cream, house dulce de leche, raspberry coulis, churro pieces and whipped cream. 4-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. 4815 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-231-9522. nebraskaminimart.com.

Burger Culture

This restaurant has locations in Lutz and Tampa, although it was in the process of moving to a new place at 7809 N. Dale Mabry Highway at the time of publication, so it might not be open yet. But at either place, there are 20 specialty burgers to choose from, like the one that puts a patty between two arepa buns (flatbread made from corn that is popular in Venezuela and Colombia) or the Mango Burger, with cream cheese, sauteed onions and mango chutney. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 15102 N. Florida Ave., Lutz. 813-992-7444. burgerculture-tampa.com.

The Chattaway

The quintessential St. Pete staple offers not only grill favorites, but you can also have a proper English afternoon tea here (with a reservation). But we’re talking burgers, and the ones here are traditional (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard and mayo) and best enjoyed sitting on the patio listening to live music. It also serves a veggie burger, which is a Garden burger and is dedicated to the owner’s father, who stopped eating meat after his wife died in 1915. There is also a Beyond burger. Cash only. 11 a.m.-9 :30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 358 22nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg. 727-823-1594. thechattaway.com.

Thee Burger Spot

This family-owned Tampa restaurant has burger options, from the straightforward to “thee gourmet.” There’s the Pizza Burger, with pizza sauce, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, white American cheese on grilled Texas toast, and Thee Heated One, with onion “thangs,” ranch, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and bacon. If you’re splurging, try Thee Glazed One, a bacon cheeseburger on a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut bun (Friday and Saturday only). 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 3917 N. Tampa St., Tampa. 813-993-3926. theeburgerspot.com.

Brick & Mortar

There is only one burger on this St. Petersburg kitchen and wine bar’s menu, but it’s a crowd favorite. The meat is ground in-house, topped with sharp white cheddar, bacon onion jam, arugula and garlic aioli on a pretzel bun and served with hand-cut fries. 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 4:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-6540. facebook.com/brickandmortarkitchen.

Crown & Bull

You can build your own burger at this downtown Dunedin restaurant with a beautifully lit and landscaped patio. Protein choices include Angus, Beyond and veggie, with upgrade toppings choices like garlic puree, cucumber guacamole, kimchi and sauerkraut. Brie, goat cheese, feta and cashew cheese are also upgrade options, while your choice of cheddar, Swiss or pepper jack is included. 10 a.m.-midnight Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday-Sunday. 319 Main St., Dunedin. 727-736-5284. crownandbull.com.

Dead Bob’s

With locations in St. Pete and Tampa, this bar and grill makes creatively topped burgers and has special ones monthly. The May special at the St. Pete location is the Carolina Gold BBQ Burger, topped with burnt ends of barbecued meat tossed in sauce, cheddar cheese and coleslaw. Tampa’s special is the Supreme Taco Bob, with pepper jack cheese, crispy tortillas, melted cheddar, Sriracha, lettuce, pico de gallo and sour cream. St. Pete: 11 a.m.-3 a.m. daily. 6716 Central Ave. 727- 317-2627. deadbobsstpete.com. Tampa: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. 3681 S. West Shore Blvd. 813-415-3875. deadbobstoo.com.

Tower 10 Burgers

This food truck serves super-thin patties with crispy edges, doubled up on a potato bun with American cheese, Tower 10 sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion. It pulls up to spots throughout Tampa Bay, including Magnanimous Brewing Company in Seminole Heights (6809 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa) on May 24 and 31 and The Dog Bar in St. Pete (2300 Central Ave.) on May 29. tower10burger.com.