The Best Burgers in Sydney

Once upon a time, Sydney didn't really have a burger scene. Then came Dan Hong's Lotus cheeseburger, followed by Mary's and Chur Burger. Not long after there were countless imitators and even more innovators.

Now burgers are everywhere. They're on cafe menus, at the bar in fine diners, and in just about every second food truck that's ever rolled onto a Sydney street. Whether they're classically American, stacked like fatty Jenga towers or filled with experiments, here's where to find the best in town.

Words by
Updated on 26 August 2024

Restaurant

The Gidley

Descend the stairs into a labyrinthine den of lush velvet booths, flowing booze and a menu that champions Riverine rib eye.

Bar

Next Door

Fittingly positioned next door to Margaret in Double Bay, renowned chef Neil Perry’s simple yet elegant bar is full of exacting details such as Martinis served on monogrammed trays. Along with snacks, you’ll find dishes inspired by classics around the world – minute steaks, mussels marinière and Perry’s cult-favourite American burgers.

Restaurant

Clam Bar

The best of New York inspires the Pellegrino 2000 team's seafood grill and steakhouse. As ever, it’s all about irreverently executed classics and cocktails riffing on the “daggy drinks” of the ’80s.

Restaurant

Five Guys

The cult US burger giant chose Penrith – Sydney's undisputed burger capital – for its first-ever Australian restaurant. Drop in for burgers starring handmade patties, plus daily-cut fries, shakes and more.

Bar

Stuffed Beaver Dining Parlour

This American-inspired “dining parlour” is in the business of good times, and good times only. Slink into a booth under fairy lights with a burger, some poutine, and the feeling that your night could end up being huge if you stick around long enough.

Restaurant

Burger Head

Three young ex fine-dining chefs took Penrith by storm when they opened Burger Head. If you’ve ever wondered what a cheeseburger made by Quay and Momofuku Seiobo alumni tastes like, these guys now have locations in Botany, Casula and Blacktown. Or keep an eye on Instagram for upcoming food truck locations.

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Restaurant

Bar Luca

Bar Luca is infamous for the Blame Canada burger, a beef-y number jammed with maple-glazed bacon, maple aioli and silky poutine. But you can Blame Australia, too. It’s a similar story, except with beetroot relish and “meat-pie poutine”. Strewth. You can also grab them at BLs offshoots in Darlinghurst, Newtown and Parramatta, too.

Restaurant

Pub Life Kitchen

When the Lord Wolseley’s in-house bistro closed a few years back, it left a burger-shaped hole in our hearts. We’re glad it’s back. PLK is still run by original owner Jovan Curic, who’s grill-at-home burgers – delivered with love by natural wine retailer DRNKS – were a lockdown sensation.

Bar

Mary’s Newtown

Even after all these years, Mary's still makes one of the city's best burgers. But no visit to Mary’s is complete without a side of finger-licking fried chook or mash and gravy. Not to mention, a glass of skin-contact vino to chase it all down with. Also serving at Mary’s Underground, The Unicorn Hotel and Mary’s locations in Castle Hill and the CBD.

Restaurant

Slim’s Quality Burger Marrickville

By the team who founded Betty’s Burgers, this nostalgic '50s-inspired burger chain offers a bargain meal without skimping on quality. Fries are hand-cut, and ice-cream is churned on-site each day.

Restaurant

Butter

The combination of fried chicken, champagne and sneakers was always destined to be a winner. The hip Sydney chain is among the first in Australia to embrace Impossible Meat, the world’s plant-based patty du jour. You can try it on a classic cheeseburger, but there’s also no shame in sticking with the real thing. Also in Chatswood.

Restaurant

Ume Burger

While Surry Hills diner Bar Ume is sadly shut now, its Japanese-inspired burgers are still going strong in Barangaroo and Darling Square. Fill-out your order with sides such as Koji fried chicken, house-made kimchi, lotus root crisps and signature sodas.

Restaurant

Betty's Burgers

Betty’s is inspired by a famous burger shack from Noosa, Queensland. And while it’s certainly not replicating that spot’s famously low prices, the no-frills burgers here are affordable, tasty and can be snagged all over Sydney. Don’t forget to order some hand-churned, frozen custard ice-cream.

Restaurant

Mister Gee Burger Truck

A cult food truck with a Sydney-famous burger involving a beef patty, truffle mayo, rocket, caramelised onion and a blanket of melted Havarti cheese. Plus, it’s also doing Oreo shakes, “bacon boy” fries and piping-hot cinnamon doughnuts served till late on weekends.

Restaurant

Soul Burger

Vegans shouldn't be denied a good burger, and Soul’s plant-based crowd-pleasers tick all the boxes. You’ll find both the Impossible and Beyond Meat burgers here, as well as satay tofu, mushroom and convincing alternatives to fried chicken and pulled pork.

Restaurant

Baby Rey's Burgers

This popular food truck now has its own permanent spot. You no longer have to wait for it to pop up to get your hands on the popular American-style burgers, mac’n’cheese balls and cheeseburger spring rolls.

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Restaurant

Sunset Diner

This pretty, pastel-pink diner a few blocks from Avalon Beach is serving the food you always feel like but perhaps don’t often: burgers you need two hands to eat, sundaes you need a buddy to help finish and shakes you can add extra cream to.

Restaurant

Surly's

A boozy, neon-lit dive bar serving up Southern American barbeque platters and gut-busting burgers. It’s just the kind of stuff you’ll want to eat after sinking a few pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a bourbon shot or two.

Restaurant

Burgers Anonymous

This Breaking Bad-inspired chain deals in outstanding burgers at every one of its locations across town. No matter where you live, there’s probably an Anonymous close by – which means you’ll be hoeing into a Heisenburger in no time.

Shop

Vic’s Meat Market Butcher

Trust a butcher to make a top-notch burger. Vic’s smokehouse serves burgers piled high with either Wagyu brisket, 12-hour Boston Butt pulled pork, southern fried chicken or a classic Wagyu patty.

Restaurant

Five Points Burgers

Burgers inspired by each of New York City’s five boroughs. A beef burger with double cheese; chipotle and gherkin mayo; jalapenos and iceberg lettuce sounds like something a Brooklynite would devour in a heartbeat.

Restaurant

Bonditony's

Music and meat collide at Bonditony’s.

Restaurant

Paul's Famous Hamburgers

Paul’s hasn’t changed its recipe since 1957. That means you won’t find fancy burgers here – just classic, homemade burgers and chips. That famous works burger with the lot is absolutely worth travelling for.

More Options

Out of the Blue, Clovelly
You’d barely know that Out of the Blue is actually a fish’n’chip shop. About ten or so years ago, word got out that the burgers here are actually damn good, and it’s been going gangbusters ever since. These days, some planning is required to get your hands on one of these classic Australian-style burgers.

Two Hungry Bears, Narrabeen
It’s telling that this yellow-tinged burger joint has a following that extends well beyond the Northern Beaches. We can guarantee one thing: the bears might be hungry, but you won’t be after you’ve eaten here. As well as burgers, this places does Nashville-style chicken wings, loaded fries and big old shakes.

Suburgia, Redfern and Petersham
Every burger on the menu at this hole-in-the-wall burger joint is named after a Sydney suburb. It’s unclear how the flavour combinations are assigned, but our pick here is the Chatswood. It’s stacked with fried chicken, house-made bacon jam, buttermilk chipotle sauce and classic trimmings.

Burger Patch, Chatswood
Burger Patch is a well respected player in Sydney's burger scene. It’s been around for a while, and always has delicious – and sometimes, frankly ridiculous – burger specials on its socials. Come for burgers of the towering, Instagrammable variety.

Classic Burger, Liverpool and Yagoona
There’s a reason the burgers here are considered among Western Sydney's finest. They're big and indulgent, and the extensive menu covers every burger craving under the sun.

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