Stacks On: Neil Perry’s Burger Crowned Best in Australia by a New International Guide

In May, Neil Perry’s Double Bay restaurant Margaret was crowned second-best steak restaurant in the world by World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants, an international guide that sends “steak ambassadors” to hundreds of grills on five continents in search of the best beef.

That same guide has honoured Perry again – this time for his burger at Margaret’s sister restaurant, Next Door, which has been named Australia’s burger (and tenth overall) as part of its new ranking, World’s 25 Best Burgers.

According to a statement, the list of 25 aims to showcase the “global diversity of burger culture, from street food trucks to highly acclaimed chefs and from classic recipes to contemporary innovations.”

Next Door’s American cheeseburger is joined by two others from Australia: the double cheeseburger at opulent Sydney steakhouse The Gidley (12), and the cheeseburger at hyped Melbourne burger joint Charrd (14). The Gidley’s burger placed ninth overall in a list of 10 published by 101 Steak Restaurants last year.

International rankings like this one fairly attract criticism for making such far-reaching claims. But there’s no denying the Australian entries on the list are world-class.

Next Door’s burger comprises a mix of Coppertree Farms brisket and chuck, formed into a 160-gram pattie and cooked medium. It’s served on a milk bun with melted American cheese, onions, pickles and rose mayo (a blend of tomato and “umami” sauce), with the option to add fresh chilli and bacon.

Meanwhile, The Gidley’s double cheeseburger uses a blend of Coppertree Farms and Riverine beef, dry-aged at sibling steakhouse Alfie’s. Charrd uses a mix of cuts from Madina Halal Butchers.

Ranking criteria supplied to Broadsheet included meat quality and provenance, composition and execution, consistency, guest experience, online presence and reputation, sustainability and responsibility, and compliance with HACCP standards.

The number one spot went to the burger at Hundred Burgers in Valencia, Spain.