Whether you’re looking for a classic cheeseburger or something more unusual (like a Japanese chicken katsu burger), you’ll find it in Sydney. The city is bursting with bang-up burgers; here are 10 of the best.
Nov 2022 -
2
min readMary’s Burger at Mary’s
It won’t take you long to read the menu at Mary’s; there are only five burger options and a roast chicken (half or whole) to choose from. Burger buffs know to go for the original, the Mary’s Burger – beef patty, cheese, tomato, lettuce and their secret sauce. Vegans are well catered for as well, with all options available meat-free.
Mary's Burger at Mary's Newtown - Credit: Mary's
Bacon Cheeseburger at Five Guys
This cult US chain opened its first Australian store in Penrith in 2021, followed by a second store on George St in 2022. The restaurants promise no freezers and no microwaves, meaning everything from the buns to the fries are made fresh in-house every day. Plus there’s more than 250,000 ways to customise your burger, so you’re guaranteed the perfect bite.
Bacon Cheeseburger at Five Guys, Sydney
Chicken Katsu Burger at Ume Burger
Bar Ume was one of the pioneers of the upmarket burgers-meets-bar trend when it opened in Surry Hills in 2016. While it closed in 2021, its spirit lives on at Ume Burger, which is still serving Japanese-inspired burgers and sake in Barangaroo and Darling Square. It’s hard to go past the chicken katsu burger, with hand-crumbed chicken, yuzu kosho mayo, shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce.
Chicken Katsu Burger at Ume Burger, Darling Square - Credit: Ume Burger
Blame Canada at Bar Luca
Poutine is the national dish of Canada; chips topped with cheese curds and gravy. The crew at Bar Luca had the brilliant idea of adding it to a burger and so the Blame Canada was born. What started out as a special now has a permanent spot on the menu and frequently appears on lists of Sydney’s best burgers.
Selection of burgers at Bar Luca, Sydney CBD - Credit: Alex Squadrito
Piggy Stardust at Surly’s
Step into a little slice of authentic Americana at Surly’s. The hickory smoker was flown in specially from Missouri and turns out a selection of mouth-watering wood-smoked meats every day. Try the Piggy Stardust, made from 12-hour pulled pork with coleslaw, pickles and Louisiana hot sauce.
Piggy Stardust burger at Surly's American Tavern, Surry Hills - Credit: Surly's American Tavern
Yellowfin Tuna Cheeseburger at Charcoal Fish
When the team behind two-hat fine dining seafood restaurant Saint Peter open a neighbourhood fish-and-chip shop, you know it’s going to be something special. Chefs Josh and Julie Niland use the same philosophies of sustainability and fin-to-tail cooking across the whole menu. The yellowfin tuna cheeseburger is the biggest surprise – you won’t believe you’re not eating beef.
Yellowfin Tuna Cheeseburger at Charcoal Fish, Rose Bay - Credit: Charcoal Fish
Big Poppa at Milky Lane
You’ll want to wear your stretchiest pants before sitting down to this monster: two smashed beef patties, a deep-friend mozzarella patty, double cheese, pulled beef brisket in BBQ sauce, maple smoked bacon, crispy onion rings and baconnaise. If you have any room left, the deep-fried Golden Gaytime dessert is legendary.
Burger options at Milky Lane, Parramatta - Credit: Milky Lane
Pork Belly Burger at Vic’s Meat Market
Putting an Asian twist on the classic, Vic’s pork belly burger is made with eight-hour smoked pork, cucumber, carrot, coriander, onion and sweet sticky sauce. And with a 20-year reputation as one of Sydney’s best butchers, you know the quality will be second to none.
Burgers at Vic’s Meat Market, Pyrmont - Credit: Vic’s Meat Smokehouse
The Clucker at Burger Head
Two fine dining chefs left the city and returned home to Penrith to create Western Sydney’s best burgers. All beef is minced in-house and they make all their own pickles and sauces. The Clucker keeps things simple but stylish; 16-spice chicken thigh, cheese, malt pickled onion and mayo.
Burger Head, Penrith - Credit: Penrith Tourism
The OG at Pub Life Kitchen at The Lord Wolseley Hotel
A great burger starts with great meat and the patty for the OG is grass-fed dry-aged beef from Marrickville’s renowned Whole Beast Butchery. It’s topped with cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato, and given a special kick with roasted garlic and lime mayo. If the name sounds familiar, Pub Life Kitchen was one of Sydney’s best burger joints before it closed in 2017, but happily, it reopened its doors in 2021.
