Where Chefs Eat: 14 Top Chefs Pick Their Favourite Sydney Burger

Two hands wrapped around an ace burger is one of the best situations you can find yourself in. Juicy, carby, saucy – sign us up.

Everyone has their go-to, and Sydney’s best burger is a hotly debated topic. I’m still longing for the fish (add pickled pineapple and chilli) at the now-closed Burger Park, and Out of the Blue always delivers.

Here, 14 top chefs share their favourite Sydney burger (then check out where they stop for a snack, book for a big group and take a date).

Jesse Orleans, Happyfield
I’m not gonna hold you, I’m a Mary’s burger kind of guy. Burgers are very high up on my list of favourite things, but due to, let’s say, lifestyle choices, I only let myself eat one a week. Eight times outta 10 I’ll get a Mary’s Burger. It’s bussin’.

Isobel Whelan-Little, Ace Hotel Sydney
I’m a sucker for Ogalo! Nothing beats a morning beach situation followed by a salty-dog order of a double chicken Prego combo with a Sprite. Extra chilli, please! I think mostly cos it’s so nostalgic, and is just a good easy option for the beach.

Andy Cooks
Might head out to Chebbo’s for that one.

Rick Stein, Rick Stein Coogee Beach
Paul’s Famous Hamburgers in Sylvania on the way to Mollymook, where our restaurant, Bannisters Mollymook, is – as well as our holiday house. I love to stop there for a burger on the way.

Trisha Greentree, Fratelli Paradiso
A fish burger – no cheese, but with chilli sauce and mayo – at Out of the Blue. It’s a 20-year-old, strong family business making everything in-house – including the sauces. Nothing tops a burger and chips post-swim at Clovelly.

Toby Wilson, Ricos Tacos
There is no question: the Little L Portuguese chicken burger. Sydney doesn’t celebrate its ownership of the Portuguese chicken burger enough, in my opinion.

Giovanni Pilu, Pilu and Flaminia
JB & Sons in Dee Why – no fuss, just a good burger.

Paul Farag, Nour
So many to choose from, depending on whether or not I want that greasy American style. For the classic Australian burger, I’d say Out of the Blue. There’s a sense of nostalgia, of old-school milk-bar burgers I grew up eating. As for the naughty burger, the Kosta’s smash burger is delicious. For a restaurant burger, the Hubert or Gidley burgers are my go-tos. 

Annita Potter, Viand
Being so close to Double Bay, it has to be Neil’s Copper Tree American cheeseburger at Next Door. Adding chilli and bacon may sound extravagant but for someone who rarely eats a whole burger, one must go all-in.

Oscar Solomon, The Apollo, Cho Cho San and Olympus
Excellent timing. I’m not a burger person, however recent circumstances have meant I’ve had to explore this world a little more. The two frontrunners are Out of the Blue and Clam Bar.

Declan Cleary
Salty Rooster in Queenscliff – the Japanese rooster burger. Umami-packed teriyaki sauce, fresh cucumber and pickled carrot. It absolutely slaps any day, especially with some of the elite chicken salt chippies.

Stefano Marano, Avia
Alright, two different sides of the spectrum here – I love going to Bonditony’s. Burgers are good, the vibes are great, and on a summer day the Bloody Marys with all sorts of pickles are even better. In the city, Clam Bar does one of the best.”

Mimi Wong
Poly ’s happy hour burger, with the onion ring. Just get that and the pickle plate, with one other person. Happy hour drinks. Fantastic.

Sol Yoon, The International
Mary’s in Newtown. It’s simple, dirty, perfect.