Burgers are the epitome of democratic decadence. Whether you consider yourself a fine-dining foodie or a fast food fan, everyone loves a burger – and the capital is bursting with restaurants dedicated to finessing the art of their creation. With International Burger Day taking place on 28 May 2023 – giving us all an excuse to indulge in the most popular comfort food – here’s where to find the best burgers in London.
Black Bear Burger, across London
Black Bear’s motto is ‘simple, done well’. So, if you’re after a classic cheeseburger taken to the next level, this is your go-to. This Canadian-inspired restaurant started life as a stall in Broadway market and now has four permanent sites in Brixton Village, Boxpark Shoreditch, Canary Wharf and a recently opened restaurant in Exmouth Market. All meat is sourced from high-welfare farms in the UK, with a blend of dry-aged cuts from Native Breed beef cows used to create patties that are tender and full of flavour. But the attention to detail doesn’t stop there. Chips are hand-cut on-site, while all condiments, rubs, sauces, pickles, ferments and even the soft serve ice creams, are homemade.
Visit blackbearburger.com
Neat Burger, across London
Ever wondered how Lewis Hamilton stays in tip-top condition for a life on the F1 track? Well, we’re not saying he eats at Neat Burger every day but, as a chief backer, it’s safe to say he’s probably tried more than his fair share of its delectable vegan treats. There are currently nine Neat Burgers in the capital, including Stratford, Oxford Circus, Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, Victoria, Camden, Soho, Mayfair and Finsbury Park. With ever more in the pipeline, expect it to become your new favourite neighbourhood spot. The menu is entirely plant-based – not that you’d ever guess it from the look or taste. As well as a full complement of ‘Neat Meat’ burgers, chick’n burgers, hot dogs and Filet-No-Fish sandwiches, there are also nuggets, burger bowls, vegan shakes and gelato.
Visit neat-burger.com
Burger & Lobster, across London
The first Burger & Lobster opened its doors in Mayfair in 2011 as part of a growing wave of fast-casual restaurants making their name by doing one thing really, really well. Burger & Lobster’s USP, as you may have guessed, was in blending the elegance of the ocean’s most revered crustacean with the everyman appeal of a great burger – and it was an instant hit. There are now nine restaurants across the capital, plus branches in New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuwait and Malaysia, which should give you some idea of just how good the food is here. There are four burgers on offer (as well as a huge variety of shellfish), including the classic B&L burger, Beast burger with lobster, brie and truffle, a Wagyu burger, and a vegan option.
Visit burgerandlobster.com
Nanny Bill’s, Wembley
Inspired by founder Darren Simpson’s own Nanny Bill, and the café she ran during the 1970s and 80s, Nanny Bill’s started life in 2015 as a vintage food truck at East London’s Night Tales market. Word about its hand-pressed burgers and Mac & Cheese croquettes quickly spread and, following collaborations with the likes of Barbour, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas and Levi’s, Nanny Bill’s found a permanent home in Boxpark Wembley. If you’re not based in North London, you’ll also find Nanny Bill’s popping up at Goose Island in Shoreditch, Monarchy in Camden, Karma Kitchen in Wood Green and Vinegar Yard in London Bridge. The signature here is the Dalston Dip: a double-beef patty with mustard glaze, American cheese, caramelised onions, relish, burger sauce and a pot of gravy for dipping.
Visit nannybills.co.uk
Hard Rock Cafe, Park Lane
Whatever your opinion of the Hard Rock franchise – musician’s paradise or overpriced tourist trap – it would be difficult to ignore any restaurant with the confidence to call its signature burger the Original Legendary when compiling this list. Said burger was, in fact, the impetus for the entire Hard Rock enterprise, which was founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton after trying and failing to find a decent American burger in London. Constructed with a steak patty, bacon, cheddar, onion ring, lettuce and tomato, it has since spawned an entire series of Legendary siblings, including a BBQ bacon cheeseburger, double-decker cheeseburger, surf and turf burger, and a vegan variety made using Moving Mountains patties.
Visit hardrockcafe.com
The Vurger Co, Canary Wharf and Shoreditch
If the name didn’t give it away, The Vurger Co offers a completely plant-based menu inspired by California’s forward-thinking vegan food scene. Another chain that began life as a market stall, husband and wife team Neill and Rachel crowd-funded their first Shoreditch location in 2018, enlisting chef Gaz Oakley to work the pots and pans. The Vurger Co has since expanded with locations in Canary Wharf, Manchester and Brighton, offering six Vurgers – including a Buffalo ‘Chicken’ topped with vegan mayo, an unmelted vegan cheese slice, gherkins and crispy onions, as well as the Smoky Shroom with a mushroom vegetable patty, teamed with smoky chipotle sauce and gherkins alongside salad bowls, fries, mac’n’cheese and mini hash browns.
Visit thevurgerco.com
Read more: The best new restaurants in London in 2023
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