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 some of the best.
- 4 min read
The Gidley Burger at The Gidley
Where: Sydney CBD
In 2024, The Gidley's The Gidley Burger was named the ninth best burger in the world by Top 10 Burgers. The burger itself is remarkably simple – just two beef patties, American cheese and a pickle (though you can add egg and bacon if you’d like). As well as being incredibly delicious, this is probably the fanciest place in the city you can order a burger, with white-gloved waiters, ice-cold martinis and a ban on phones at the table.
The Gidley, Sydney - Credit: Dominic Loneragan
American Cheeseburger at Next Door
Where: Double Bay
Celebrity chef Neil Perry is best known for his exquisite fine-dining restaurants, but he also turns out a top-notch burger at casual at his casual Double Bay diner Next Door. Using a blend of Japanese Mishima and Hereford beef, the patty is cooked to medium rare and topped with cheese, onion, pickles, mustard, tomato sauce and a special rose mayo, with optional bacon and chilli. Wash it down with something from the excellent wine list.
Next Door, Double Bay - Credit: Next Door
Cheese and Bacon Burger at Clam Bar
Where: Sydney CBD
Inspired by classic New York steakhouses, Clam Bar serves up in oysters, caviar, prawn cocktails, steaks, spaghetti with clams and one really good burger. It’s big too – a 250-gram beef patty cooked til pink and stacked with American cheese, mustard and onion, with a slab of thick cut bacon and a pickle impaled on the top of the bun with a knife. Skip the chips and order the beef fat potatoes.
Clam Bar, Sydney - Credit: Clam Bar
Yellowfin Tuna Cheeseburger at Saint Peter
Where: Paddington
Seafood chef extraordinaire Josh Niland may have closed his much-loved Charcoal Fish, but the famed yellowfin tuna burger lives on as a bar snack at the new Saint Peter restaurant. Two tuna patties are topped with melted cheese, swordfish belly bacon and a tangy sauce. The flavour and texture of the fish is so meaty you’ll find it hard to believe it’s not beef. There’s also a royal red prawn and Abrolhos scallop hot dog on the bar menu that’s worth a second visit.
Saint Peter, Paddington
The Double at Frango
Where: Multiple locations
Sydney’s original Portuguese charcoal chicken restaurant, the first Frango opened in Petersham in 1989. There are now more than a dozen stores across the city, serving their signature chicken and famous chilli sauce. You’ll find them both on The Double – two chicken breast fillets, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo or chilli. Finish your meal with a sweet Portuguese tart.
Frango, Gregory Hills - Credit: Frango
Mary’s Burger at Mary’s
Where: Circular Quay, Entertainment Quarter, Newtown, Castle Hill
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
Where: George Street, Martin Place, Penrith
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
Where: Barangaroo, Darling Square
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
Where: Sydney CBD
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 American Tavern
Where: Surry Hills
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
Big Poppa at Milky Lane
Where: Parramatta
You’ll want to wear your stretchiest pants before sitting down at Parramatta's Milky Lane to tackle 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
