Sometimes, there are moments in life when you need to wrap your hands around a good burger. Whether it be a dirty burger, American-style packed to the bun with bacon, cheese, pickles, onion rings, and tater tots, or a fancy wagyu burger that is mouth-wateringly succulent, Sydney has every kind of burger for every mood.
Here is where you will find the best burgers in Sydney.
Charcoal Fish
Rose Bay
The standout here is a yellowfin tuna cheeseburger that only Josh Niland could attract a cult following for. Think of two juicy, finger-thick tuna patties with a triangle of melted cheese, fermented onions, pickles, and burger sauce. There’s also a Murray cod and gravy roll, which technically isn’t a burger but is worthy of the calories. As is the fried Blue Eye Trevalla burger.
Martinez
Circular Quay
At Sydney’s latest French eatery, you can get a succulent, indulgent wagyu burger smothered with a helping of gruyere and a rasher of maple bacon for a touch of salty sweetness. For $32, it’s an indulgence that will satisfy any burger craving. Add a side of pommes frites dusted with herb salt.
Jacksons On George
CBD
Jacksons on George’s new look and menu includes a stacked Aussie cheeseburger on a potato bun. The patty is made from dry-aged beef and is finished with all the trimmings, including cheese, fried egg, beetroot, BBQ sauce, salad, and a side of shoestring fries to complete the meal. At $22, it’s a steal.
Belles Hot Chicken
Barangaroo, Circular Quay, and Bondi
Belles is best known for their Nashville hot chicken, so if you love heat, this is the place for you. They have a signature spicy chicken sandwich, which is a favourite, but you can also get a spicy mushroom sandwich crumbed with polenta and has a generous drizzle of good sauce. The prices are affordable, too, with a chicken sandwich setting you back $14.50 or the mushroom version for $14.
Slim’s Quality Burger
Marrickville, CBD, and more
If you’re looking for a cheap, good burger in Sydney, look no further than Slim’s Quality Burger. They have outposts in Marrickville and Mt Druitt, but their new Westfield Sydney store is by far the best. The 1950s American-style diner is a great place to wrap your hands around a $9 burger with a side of fries and a thick shake.
The burgers are stuffed with beef patties, cheese, and bacon; some even have crispy chicken. Everything is served on trays, similar to what you find in American colleges. It’s a fun experience and cheap lunch—what more could you want? Also, the sundaes are legendary and only $5 for one scoop. They come topped with hot chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and other toppings.
Paul’s Famous Hamburgers
Sylvania
Voted Australia’s favourite burgers, Paul’s Burgers are a must-try, especially the Famous Works. You can choose from an extensive menu of hamburgers with different toppings, including pineapple. They also offer chicken burgers and a chilli chicken burger with Paul’s homemade hot chilli dollop.
Mister Gee Burger Truck
Multiple locations
Mister Gee has been known to throw together some outrageous stacks, including a burger with doughnut buns. No matter what you get, it’s going to be good. Double the patty, the cheese, and the bacon, or keep it simple with a smashed patty and classic toppings. You can find the truck at Haberfield and North Strathfield.
Follow them on Instagram for updates.
Butter
Surry Hills and Chatswood
Butter’s burgers are where you go if you’re hungover and need something greasy or just want a $15 burger that you know is going to be good, every time. Pick up a fried chicken sandwich with dashi butter and pickled cucumber, or try the spicy version with fire hot sauce.
Bar Luca
Multiple locations
No one does a dirty burger better than Bar Luca, the burger bar known for creating some of Sydney’s tastiest and craziest burger stacks. They’ve stacked their chicken and beef burgers with everything from fried enoki mushrooms to mozzarella sticks and a spoonful of mac and cheese. Burgers start around $14 and only go up to $22 for the Mac Daddy, which features a double BL beef patty, double the cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and BL sauce on a triple BL milk bun. Suffice it to say it’s a serious burger.
Ume Burger
Barangaroo and Haymarket
While Bar Ume, unfortunately, closed its doors, you can still get their crowd-favourite burgers at their Barangaroo and Haymarket outposts, including the Ume Burger. You can also fill your orders with pork katsu, juicy pieces of boneless karaage chicken, and a hand-crumbed fish fillet. Get a side of housemade kimchi and some renkon chips to munch on.
Johnny Bird
Crows Nest
This little burger bar in Crows Nest had a previous life selling lobster rolls but rebranded as Johnny Bird to sell big ol’ dirty American-style burgers. While you can enjoy some wings, tenders, and loaded fries, burgers are the main event. Most of their burgers feature a thick, crispy chicken fillet, or you can get a beef burger.
The ‘lost in translation’ is a take on a katsu burger, with kewpie mayo, Tokyo slaw and katsu fried chicken. Whichever burger you choose, you won’t be disappointed. They also have great side options, including sweet potato fries, which are *chefs kiss*.
Five Guys
Penrith and CBD
Five Guys has cult status in the U.S. and the planet, and now it’s made its way to Sydney and will soon make its way to Melbourne and other major Australian cities. The burgers are simple; you can choose free toppings such as caramelised onions. They use quality ingredients to make their juicy burgers, and don’t forget to add a side of fries. Their claim to fame is filling the bag with fries every time. Who doesn’t want a handful of free fries at the bottom of the bag?
Percy Plunkett
Penrith
Locals gather at Percy Plunkett every weekend for good food, good service, and family vibes. While the menu offers many great options, including the deep dish pancakes, you would be amiss to go past the cornflake crumbed chicken burger. Just as it sounds, a juicy chicken breast marinated in buttermilk is crumbed in cornflakes, deep-fried, and topped with American cheese, slaw, and chipotle mayo. You will also find a bacon and egg burger topped with a hashbrown.
Burger Head
Multiple locations
Burger Head is a roving casual eatery serving big burgers. Since opening, they’ve gained a cult following of burger head fanatics drooling over their delicious American-style burgers. Each burger is stacked to the bun with thick, crispy chicken thighs or smashed Angus patty, sometimes double or triple. They even offer a vegetarian burger and vegan option, so everyone can enjoy a burger.
Related: Discover 7 of Australia’s Most Expensive Burgers You Can’t Resist
Related: 8 Sydney Halal Burger Joints With the Juiciest Patties and Flavour-Packed Toppings
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