London has seen an explosion of gourmet burger joints and there are plenty of options when you are craving for a good and solid burger. Think huge and juicy patties enveloped in soft pillowy buns, together with crisp lettuce and feisty sauces. Whatever kind of burgers you are craving for, you can probably have them satisfied the Brit way. We explored the city to discover London’s best burger restaurants. Here are our top picks for the finest burgers:
Burger & Lobster is one of the hottest restaurants in London, and a must-visit every time we are in the city. For those of you who are not familiar with Burger & Lobster (what, you must be living under a rock!), it serves three items on the menu – lobster, lobster roll and beef burger – and at £20 each, they represent fantastic value. We’ve said it before and we will say it again: Burger & Lobster’s concept is brilliant.
The food is uncomplicated and nothing too fanciful – just delicious food that you can eat regularly. And the best part is dining here is actually fun. While most people usually go for the lobster or lobster roll, don’t miss out on the burger. Have the best of both worlds by ordering a lobster or lobster roll for yourself and the juicy beef burger to share.
36 Dean Street
Soho, London
Tel: +44 20 7432 4800
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
BYRON BURGER
Byron Burger may be a burger chain – at the last count, there are 36 outlets in London – but don’t let that mislead you into thinking it is but another mediocre burger joint. And if there is something to fall in love with Byron Burger, it is that every outlet is done up differently and exudes its own character.
At Byron Burger, the goal is to do a simple thing properly, and to do it well. There are 8 options on the burger menu, with the classic hamburger starting at £6.75. Other options include Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger (£7.75), Chicken Burger (£8.95) and the Cheese Burger (£7.95) which you can choose from an array of cheeses like mature cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, smoked cheddar, blue cheese, or emmenthal.
Bryon Burger is also listed in our guide to the top 10 cheap eats in London.
4-5 Langham Place
London W1B 3DG
Tel: +44 20 7580 2888
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri: 11.30am – 11.30pm
Sat: 11am – 11.30pm
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
HONEST BURGER
One of the most popular gourmet burger restaurants in London, Honest Burger – which opened in Brixton in 2011, and it has expanded to other locations like Soho, Camden, Oxford Circus and Kings Cross - serves a simple and no-frills burger.
It has three different burgers (£8 – £11.50) – chicken, beef and vegetarian. There may be several variations on the different toppings that you can add, but the idea at Honest Burger is to, well, serve an honest burger. The name’s just about right.
The Beef Burger (£8) ticked all the right boxes. The dry aged beef patty is superbly cooked, but it is the red onion relish that elevates the taste and had us feeling ridiculously contented and delighted. Yes, the magic that a good burger has on us is really quite inexplicable. Gluten-free buns are also made available for the more health conscious ones. Much has been said about the rosemary-salted chips, and they were indeed addictive. Wash down everything with a glass of homemade lemonade and your day is complete.
4a Meard Street London W1F 0EF
Tel: +44 20 3609 9524
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 11pm
Thu to Sat: 11.45am – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus
MEATLIQUOR
MEATliquor has been getting mixed reviews since its opening in 2011 – fans of MEATliquor love it for its edgy vibe and lips-smacking good burgers, while some people say it is more hype and no substance, and that its queue during dinner times is not worth it.
The meat burger was all right. The beef patty was too charred for our liking, and we thought the bun could be grilled slightly longer. Nonetheless, MEATliquor is still a place that is worth dropping by if you haven’t tried. It is cool, hip and fun. The dimly-lit interior is accompanied with red neon lights and loud music blasting in the background. MEATliquor is more like a club than restaurant, and dining here is more about the experience while the burgers are part of the show.
74 Welbeck St, London W1G 0BA
Tel: +44 20 7224 4239
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12 midnight
Fri: 12pm – 2am
Sat: 12pm – 2am
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bond Street/Oxford Circus
Patty & Bun has achieved cult status in London for serving one of the best burgers. Messy, greasy and fingers-licking good, Patty & Bun’s Smokey Robinson Burger (£8.50) is the perfect burger. It comes with everything you need in a burger – caramelised onions, bacon, smokey mayo, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and a beef patty which is cooked to perfection. We wolfed it down within minutes.
Beyond the amazing burger, the mood at Patty & Bun is hippy and loud; you instantly feel cool just by dining there. It truly delivers a unique and complete burger experience.
The next time we are in London, we are going to head straight to Patty & Bun from the airport. The burger is one of the must-eats and one that is worth every calorie.
54 James Street
Tel: +44 20 7487 3188
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bond Street
SHAKE SHACK
Shake Shack, an institution in New York City, opened its first-ever UK Shack in July 2013 to much fanfare. Located in the historic Market Building near the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, Shake Shack offers the usual classic dishes. Sink your teeth into a juicy cheeseburger here before catching a musical at the West End.
24 Market Building, The Piazza
Covent Garden, London
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
For more recommendations, read our definite guide on where to eat at London.
Brad!! I’m disappointed that hache didnt make your list! would have definitely put it over meatliquor….then again it’s subjective!