Friends and neighbors,

With Shake Shack’s debut at Mercato, it feels like the right time to talk burgers in Naples. What started as a craving turned into a full-on local burger quest, from wagyu blends to bar classics and your favorite burger deals too. 

Whether you like yours dressed up with all the accouterments or a simple bar burger, consider this your updated Naples Burger Guide: where to go for what and why. And if you’re looking to trade beef for ceviche, don’t miss this week’s hidden gem, a Peruvian spot off Tamiami that should be your next stop when you’re looking to branch out from the usual. 

Hope you find some culinary inspiration for the week! 

Cheers,

With Shake Shack finally opening at Mercato, it feels like the right time to talk burgers. Shake Shack tastes like stressed lunch breaks when I worked in the Financial District in New York, so I’m pausing a trip down memory lane for now. Naples, thankfully, has a range of killer burgers: old-school bar classics to wagyu blends, thoughtful sourcing, and pop-ups that sell out in an hour. 

Brooks Burgers is still the local heavyweight and the first stop for anyone building their Naples burger map. Once ranked #2 in the nation on TripAdvisor for burgers (yes, the nation), it’s earned its reputation for consistency and unique flavors (like their signature glazed donut burger). Brooks is the blueprint: you can go outrageous or keep it simple, but either way, it’s still a reliable family favorite. 

If you’ve already crossed Brooks off your list, here’s where the flavor trail leads next:

Only Doubles (rotating pop-up, often at Brookside Beer Market)
This one’s a cult favorite and proudly untraditional. There’s no dining room, just a sizzling grill with lines down the block and a loyal local following. In 2024, it won the Naples Daily News burger bracket by popular vote, which tells you everything you need to know. Each burger is a double-patty smash with a satisfying crisp. Follow them on Instagram @onlydoubles to catch the next appearance and specialty flavors (and go early -- they always sell out). They’re usually at Brookside Market on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5PM.

Jimmy P’s Charred, 1839 Tamiami Trl N, Naples
If burgers were graded like steak, this would be the honor student. Coming from the well-known Jimmy P’s butcher family, the burger game here starts with impeccable wagyu beef that is ground on site. You can taste the difference in the way it melts in your mouth and perfectly contrasts with the char on the outside. Their Jalapeno smash burger is a fan favorite if you can handle some heat. Check out their weekly lunch specials for a killer deal. On “Burger Madness” days, you can get a half-pound Wagyu burger for just $16 with your choice of fries or tots, plus a soft drink. 

Lake Park Diner, 944 7th Ave N, Naples
Lake Park Diner feels like a breath of fresh air. Literally, it's a bright patio and a clean ingredients list. Every burger is made with antibiotic-free, hormone-free beef, and the toppings balance freshness with flavor. Think diner comfort without the heavy aftermath. A great midday option when you want to indulge a little without needing a nap. Bonus points for the old-fashioned milkshakes that taste as if they came from an actual soda fountain.

Harold’s Place, 2555 Tamiami Trl N, Naples
This one’s been a neighborhood staple for decades (44 years!), and thus has many long-standing fans. Get the classic burger, the Southwest, or the ever-popular sliders and don’t think twice. This outdoor restaurant is around a pool, so expect a casual, Tiki hut ambiance to one of Naples’ favorite bites. 

Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar, 336 13th Ave S, Naples
You don’t expect to find one of Naples’ most underrated burgers at a seafood bar, but here we are. Syren’s double smashburger is still somewhat of a secret. With crisp sear, a special Syren sauce, homemade pickles, and Syren fries, it’s worth trying at least once even though it’s one of the more pricey burgers on this list ($26). 

The Warren, 111 10th St S, Naples
If you want to get dressed up… and have a burger that is dressed up, head to The Warren for an upscale bourbon-and-steakhouse vibe. Premium, thick burgers cooked exactly as you would want. Choose from either a bone marrow blend or signature dry-aged blend burger patty. Their “Damn Good” burger is a favorite and comes with gruyere and a fried egg on a soft brioche bun. Best with a neat pour from one of their hundreds of whiskeys. 

Naples might not shout “burger town,” but it has a deep lineup of burgers that can hold its own. Both smashburger fiends and thick patty enthusiasts can find their perfect burger here—if they know where to look.

Lima Restaurant and Pisco Bar sits just off Tamiami Trail East, and while it’s far enough back that you might miss it on a first drive‑by, inside it feels very much like what it aims to be: a polished little slice of Peru in Naples. Open since 2016, it’s the realization of Chef Dario and Amanda Gonzalez Zuñiga’s long‑held dream to bring Peru’s capital to Southwest Florida, and the result is a space that leans upscale without feeling fussy.

The dining room is cozy with white tablecloths and well‑spaced tables. There’s a small bar up front that doubles as the restaurant’s pisco hub. And if the weather cooperates, a handful of outdoor tables extend the room onto a peaceful deck which is the ideal place to enjoy this meal. 

You’d be hard‑pressed to come here and not start with ceviche, and Lima leans into that expectation with multiple versions, plus a ceviche trio that lets you sample more than one style at once. There are familiar openers like fried calamari with yuca and salsa criolla and tenderloin anticuchos served sizzling in a cast‑iron skillet, but they arrive with Peruvian flourishes that keep things just different enough from standard Naples starters. A well‑made pisco sour, the house specialty, is as much a part of the opening act as any appetizer.

Mains are a tour of Peru’s coast and countryside: lomo saltado, shrimp tacu tacu (white beans and rice bowl), macho fish with a hearty seafood stew over rice, grilled octopus, and homey dishes like aji de gallina. Portions are generous without being over the top, and there are enough options that even guests new to Peruvian food find something in their comfort zone. 

With an understated elegance, Lima Restaurant is truly a hidden gem. You can taste the pride coming out of the kitchen in every dish, and for a moment, it feels like you’ve stepped out of Florida and into an entirely different culinary world. If you’re looking to break routine and experience something memorable, make this your next culinary adventure.

Lima Restaurant and Pisco Bar
5047 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34113
Monday: Closed
Tuesday–Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (dinner only)
(239) 280‑0167
lima‑restaurant.com​
Parking: Free off‑street parking in the plaza lot​

Last week’s poll asked: Naples’ first Shake Shack opens this week on February 20th. Are you planning on checking out the new Shake Shack at Mercato?

Here’s where you landed:

I’ll get to it eventually received 35.63% of the votes! But at least some of our readers can’t wait to get to it. Even if you aren’t enthused about Shake Shack, Naples has plenty of other burgers to get out of the house and try.

Shake Shack showing up at Mercato is fun -- but it’s also a reminder that Naples is in a sweet spot right now: big-name arrivals without losing the local places that actually make this city feel like home. A great burger joint isn’t just a meal; it’s where you take out-of-town friends, where you end up after a long day, where you celebrate something small. And a hidden gem like Lima is proof that the best parts of Naples still reward curiosity -- the spots you’d never find if you only stuck to the obvious.

So yes, try the new thing. But don’t stop there. This week is your nudge to eat like a local: follow the pop-ups, revisit the staples, and keep one “new-to-you” place on the calendar.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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