The 2026 Boca Burger Battle winners are officially in — and what a night it was! On Saturday, July 11, thousands of South Florida burger lovers packed Sanborn Square Park for the 13th Annual Boca Burger Battle, A Grilling Affair! The weather was perfect, the vibe was electric, and the burgers were downright unforgettable. Now, it’s time to crown this year’s champions.
First, though, a huge thank-you. Thank you to everyone who came out, raised a glass, and helped make this our best year yet. We even had a crew fly in all the way from Wyoming — and yes, they headed home with Boca Burger Battle shirts to prove it! Most of all, thank you to the incredible chefs who fired up their grills and poured their hearts into crafting the perfect juicy burger.
A Perfect Night for Burgers
There’s nothing quite like the Boca Burger Battle. Because this is the longest-running burger battle in Florida, the energy hits differently every year. Additionally, the 2026 edition delivered on every front — golden-hour weather, live music, cold drinks, and one of the friendliest crowds we’ve ever seen.
Meanwhile, our chefs turned up the heat with original, off-menu creations built just for the night. As always, every ticket supported a great cause. The Boca Burger Battle benefits Children’s Giving Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting children’s charities across South Florida. Because of you, this year’s event gave back in a big way.
2026 Boca Burger Battle Winners
After hours of tasting, scoring, and serious deliberation, the results are in. Therefore, without further ado, here are your 2026 champions.
Best Grill Master — Grill Master Judges’ Pick
Our panel of Grill Master Judges sampled every entry and named the top three burgers of the night:
- 🥇 The Cove — Deerfield Beach
- 🥈 Calypso Restaurant & Raw Bar — Pompano Beach
- 🥉 Yard House — Palm Beach Gardens
Notably, two of our podium finishers are waterfront seafood favorites — proving that South Florida’s best burgers can come from the most unexpected kitchens.
Best Battle Burger — People’s Choice
The fans cast their votes, too. And this year, the People’s Choice award for Best Battle Burger went to none other than… The Cove!
That’s right — The Cove pulled off the rare double, winning over both our judges and the crowd. Congratulations to the entire team on a truly champion-worthy burger.
A Huge Thank-You to Our Grill Master Judges
Of course, none of this happens without our incredible panel of Grill Master Judges. These chefs, restaurateurs, and tastemakers tasted every single burger, weighed every detail, and ultimately helped crown this year’s champions. Therefore, from all of us at the Boca Burger Battle — thank you!
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 Grill Master Judges:
- Chef Hannah Flora — Executive Chef and Hell’s Kitchen: Head Chefs Only competitor
- Chef John Cortes — Chef and Owner of Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox
- Executive Chef Mikey Termini — 3030 Ocean at Marriott Harbor Beach
- Vicki Corrao — “The Countess de la Pasta”
- Robert Weinroth — former Palm Beach County Commissioner and Mayor
- Sola Mawudzro — food and travel creator behind WanderingSola
Your time, your palates, and your passion made this year’s competition one to remember. We are endlessly grateful.
Coming Soon: Mini Burger Events at the Winners’ Restaurants
Here’s the best part: the celebration doesn’t stop here. We’re taking the Boca Burger Battle on the road with a series of mini burger events at each of our winners’ locations — The Cove, Calypso, and Yard House. Consequently, you’ll get another chance to taste these award-winning burgers up close.
Want to be the first to know when and where? Sign up for our email list, and we’ll send the details straight to your inbox.
Stay Connected on The Burger Wire
We’re just getting started. Photos and video from this year’s event are being edited right now, and they’ll land here on The Burger Wire shortly — so check back soon for all the sizzling highlights.
In the meantime, follow along on The Burger Wire for winner spotlights, mini-event announcements, and everything burgers in South Florida. Thank you again to our chefs, our sponsors, our judges, and every single one of you who joined us. See you at the grill!