If you’re looking for a juicy burg to sink your teeth into, look no further than this guide to Sydney’s best burgers.
We like them big and we like them juicy! We don’t discriminate when it comes to burgers. From the classic cheeseburger to the monstrosities that were created to test our willpower, Sydney has a huge selection of burger joints to curb your cravings.
We called on our team of writers and readers to share their go-to burger spots, whether they be mainstream hot spots or neighbourhood local gems. Here is our guide to the best burgers in Sydney, as voted by you.
Rockpool Bar & Grill, CBD
Our pick: David Blackmore’s Full Blood Wagyu Burger
When the founder of Eat Drink Play picks it as her favourite burger spot, trust us, it’s going to be good. Rockpool Bar & Grill may not sell the cheapest burgers, but Ms Darlinghurst rates the David Blackmore Full Blood Wagyu Burger as the best beef burger in Sydney. Plus, it’s totally worth it for the full restaurant experience. For years there was just this one, delicious burger available, loaded with bacon, gruyere cheese, and Zuni pickle and it was $26. They’ve now added the American Cheese Burger and The Texan Burger, but don’t mess around, stick to the original.
Bar Luca, CBD
Our pick: The Canada Burger
It wouldn’t be a guide to the best burgers in Sydney if Bar Luca wasn’t included. With a large number of burger fiends mentioning Bar Luca, we thought we’d do some delicious homework and let you know what the best burger is on the menu.
The Blame Canada has been a popular choice and with layers like this, who could be surprised? A tender beef patty is smothered between maple-glazed streaky bacon, maple aioli, and poutine fries on a fluffy milk bun. The sugary maple bacon creates the perfect balance of sweet and savoury against the poutine and juicy beef patty. This bad boy is extremely indulgent and not for the faint-hearted.
Mary’s, multiple Sydney locations
Our pick: The Mary’s Burger
Mary’s burgers have well and truly reached iconic status in Sydney, with bars in Newtown, Chippendale, Castlereagh, and Circular Quay. While the experience alone is unforgettable – moody lighting, blaring rock music, and an epic selection of booze – the burgers are up there among our favourite in Sydney. Think uncomplicated, American-style fast food in its purest form.
If you can’t pick, we’d recommend the Mary’s with beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Mary’s sauce, or the classic Cheeseburger with beef, double cheese, pickles, onion, ketchup, and mustard. You can’t call yourself a Sydney-sider if you haven’t tried one of them. Order takeaway online here.
Betty’s Burgers, multiple Sydney locations
Our pick: Cripsy Chicken Burger
As the writer of this article, I feel I have a certain reputation to uphold with my choice of burger. I will admit, there are many choices that are much cooler than mine, but I’m going for consistency here because no one likes a sloppy burger that has way too much sauce and not enough crispy chicken. Betty’s Crispy Chicken has a generous portion of fried chicken, but not too much that it dismantles the burger, the lettuce and tomato are always fresh and Betty’s special sauce does things to me. It may not be as cool as Mary’s or as upmarket as Rockpool, but if you’re looking for a burger that hits the spot every time, I’d go Betty’s Crispy Chicken with fries and a mega coke. Order takeaway online here.
Our pick: Chicken Schnitzel Burger
It might not look like much, but Out Of The Blue in Clovelly is a local institution that never fails to deliver. For diners, expect no-frills comfort food designed to delight all walks of life. The venue is always packed with locals, school kids, and hungover folk alike. The pick of the menu is the Chicken Schnitzel Burger, a simply ridiculous combination of homemade garlic mayo, crumbed chicken schnitzel and all the trimmings stuffed into a soft bun.
Our pick: The Normandy Burger
Hubert is a sophisticated, romantic French restaurant in the CBD, and is hardly the place you’d expect to find one of the best burgers in Sydney. Hubert proves that whatever you can do I can do better with the Normandy Burger, a delicious gourmet cheeseburger. The patty is dry-aged beef and is always juicy, slightly smoky and served medium-rare. It comes with melted gruyere cheese, sliced onions and a delicious creamy sauce that rivals Big Mac sauce, a French version of tangy sauce but more refined. The bun is a lightly seeded brioche. Much like Rockpool, enjoying a burger at Hubert will be a fancy affair, but one you won’t ever forget.
JB & Sons, various Sydney locations
Our pick: The Papi
JB & Sons is on just about every best burger in Sydney list, and for good reason. Serving burgers and booze by the beach, the lively bars are located in Dee Why, Manly and Narrabeen.
The top burger choice is The Papi, a juicy, perfectly cooked burger loaded with double cheese and your classic lettuce, pickle and onion medley. What really makes this burger stand out is the addition of crispy smoked bacon. Or try the Don, loaded to the brim with double beef, triple cheese, double bacon, an onion ring, lettuce, tomato, pickle and jalepeno. Order takeaway online here.
Ume Burger, Barangaroo
Our pick: The Kakiage Burger
Japan and burgers don’t typically go hand-in-hand but at Ume Burger, these two collide (and boy, are we glad they do). At this neighborhood eatery, you’ll find a menu of five delicious burgers. For me, the star of the show is the Kakiage Burger, loaded with a perfectly-cooked vegetable fritter, shredded cabbage and doused in Nori mayo and Tonkatsu sauce. Order online here.
Pub Life Kitchen, Ultimo
Our pick: The TLC
After closing 5 years ago, Pub Life Kitchen is back and better than ever, putting itself on the burger radar in Sydney. Let us just say, this pub knows exactly how to make a good burger. Our pick is the TLC with succulent fried chicken, double cheese, pickles and green sriracha mayo.
Neighborhood, Bondi
Our pick: The Royale
Wondering where to get the best burger in Bondi? It’s hard to go past Neighbourhood, the beachside hangout serving up delicious cocktails, jaffles and burgers. The best burger has to be the Royale, with perfect pillowy milk buns hugging tender juicy crispy beef patties, lashings of cheese, secret sauce (of course) and pickles. It’s a favourite for when you’re craving a burger that’s classic, simple, and delicious.
The Gidley, CBD
Our pick: The Gidley Burger
The Gidley is an upmarket steakhouse that really knows how to elevate the humble burger. With double beef patties, cheddar and a house pickle, the Gidley Burger is just one of the infinite reasons to visit this opulent Sydney venue. With the option to add an egg or bacon, strap yourself in for another truly memorable Sydney burger experience.
Five Points Burgers
Our pick: The Bronx
Across the bridge, local favourite Five Points Burgers is an American-style burger restaurant, offering a straightforward and downright delicious menu. The menu has five burger options, including the classic Bronx and the vegetarian Staten Island, and was crafted by chef Tomislv Martinovic, a former employee at The Fat Duck. With almost 1,000 glowing Google reviews, you know it’s going to be good. For one of the best burgers in North Sydney, try the Bronx. With classic American-style flavours, it will definitely satisfy your cravings.
There is certainly no shortage of noteworthy burger joints in Sydney. Now the question is, where to first?
Frequently asked questions:
What is the best-rated burger place in Sydney?
According to TripAdvisor, Betty’s Burgers has the best-rated burgers in Sydney, with over 900 reviews and a 4.5 rating.
Where can I get the best vegan burger in Sydney?
For the best vegan burger in Sydney, you have to try Soul Burger. With locations in Randwick, Parramatta and Glebe, the menu is 100% vegan and plant-based, and the southern fried ‘chicken’ burger is worth the trip every time.
Where can I get the best vegetarian burger in Sydney?
Soul Burger gets another mention here, as well as Mary’s for their unbelievably delicious Shroom Burger.
What is the best burger in Sydney CBD?
If you want the full dining experience, try David Blackmore’s Full Blood Wagyu Burger from Rockpool Bar & Grill, the Normandy at Hubert, or the Gidley Burger at The Gidley. For neighbourhood eats, go for the Cripsy Fried Chicken Burger at Betty’s or the Blame Canada burger at Bar Luca.
Looking for more iconic Sydney dishes? Check out our list of the 17 Iconic Dishes Every True Sydneysider Should Have Tried.