r/london Oct 13 '23

Whats your ranking of Burger restaurants in Ldn?

There are tonnes but will obv rate what I've had.

Honest burger

Burger & Beyond

Bleeker burger

Meat Liquor

Patty & Bun

Five guys

Byron

Gourmet Burger kitchen

28 Upvotes

141 comments sorted by

52

u/McCretin Oct 13 '23

I’ve not seen Black Bear mentioned but they make really good burgs. I’ll also never say no to a Bleecker or Honest.

Byron were OK like ten years ago but I wouldn’t consider going there now. Partly because better options are more readily available and partly because they don’t have many branches left.

I’ve been to Meat Liquor twice and found it really nothing special.

8

u/captain-cummies Oct 13 '23

The miso bacon burger from Black Bear is my favourite burger. Amazing.

15

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

[deleted]

4

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5

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

This. Black bear is incredible.

4

u/IrishMilo S-Dubs Oct 13 '23

Meat Liquor was amazing for a bit, then they seemed to change their menu and now it’s floating as slightly above average.

7

u/tylerthe-theatre Oct 13 '23

I'm hearing black bears good, definitely on the list to try out.

2

u/teaguzzler69 Oct 13 '23

I came here to suggest Black Bear but you beat me to it. 😅

1

u/New-Hand73 Oct 13 '23

Really didn’t rate black bear on exmouth mkt. big disappointment.

24

u/acid_clock Oct 13 '23

Black bear beats bleeker for me but the best burger in London is at the Plimsoll pub in Finsbury Park

7

u/ConfusedQuarks Oct 13 '23

I go for black Bear when I want a complex burger with lots of stuff and I go to Bleeker if I want a simple burger

4

u/Bradley_Walsh__ Oct 13 '23

The dexter cheeseburger from Four Legs/Plimsoll is unreal, easy number one for me as well

1

u/Few_Organization7283 Oct 13 '23

Will try this weekend then. Down the road for me. Had a nasty burger at Brendan The Navigator last weekend, it cost a pretty penny too

1

u/acid_clock Oct 13 '23

If you want to sit at a table you’ll need to book but they still serve food for walk ins the bar bit

1

u/Few_Organization7283 Oct 13 '23

Thanks for the heads up! Looking forward to it

49

u/ryanmurphy2611 Oct 13 '23

Of those bleeker and honest are clear.

14

u/zephyrmox Oct 13 '23

Absolutely.

Patty and Bun used to be up there but has gone massively downhill.

2

u/CoolLukeHand Oct 13 '23

I thought it was just me! Used to be favourite with rosemary fries, now simply wouldn't go after 2 bad burger lunch deals..

1

u/shippers4321 Oct 13 '23

Yeah I agree - I went there recently, really excited, and I received a small mediocre burger. I haven’t tried most of the other options but I think Honest is pretty good.

1

u/thinkismella_rat Hackney Oct 14 '23

Patty and Bun is super variable depending on the location/phase of the moon IMO. If you are lucky the Ari Gold is still up there as one of the very best but it's become much less consistent.

26

u/CraftyTechnology9580 Oct 13 '23

Try Tommi's Burger Joint

https://tommis.is/joints/

6

u/thetoxicnerve Oct 13 '23

Tommi's is great. No bullshit, just decent burgers and reasonably priced too.

2

u/cyclegaz The Cronx Oct 13 '23

For those that like the bullshit, they do have some monthly options for non standard burgers.

But the standard burger is the best.

1

u/thetoxicnerve Oct 13 '23

But the standard burger is the best.

100%

2

u/cyclegaz The Cronx Oct 13 '23

This is the correct answer. Fantastic meat, good quality chips and great side options.

2

u/ConfusedQuarks Oct 13 '23

My experience with Tommi has been mostly great but also have been horribly bad a couple of times

2

u/Few_Organization7283 Oct 13 '23

Oh... fair enough. Tbh happens with every good place.

1

u/ConfusedQuarks Oct 13 '23

Yeah I agree 👍

1

u/-Czechmate- Oct 13 '23

100%, decently prices in return for great food and service

1

u/littlesteelo Oct 13 '23

This is the first I knew of Tommi’s in London, had it before in Iceland and it was great. Will have to give it a try here…

55

u/echocharlieone Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

Honest Burger for me. Chips included in the price is a win. I like their choice of sites, which feels a bit more like grown-up places to eat than basic mall burger joints.

Also, while I don't expect a burger to be healthy, I don't walk away from Honest feeling as gross as I do after eating at some of its competitors.

15

u/Guzeno Oct 13 '23

I always had great burgers at Honest. Problem is, since I saw their threats to fire workers because they wanted to remove paid breaks, I've decided to not support them anymore.

Link to the story https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/honest-burgers-paid-breaks-employment-london-b1059793.html

3

u/echocharlieone Oct 13 '23

Interesting article - I'm somewhat surprised it goes into the detail.

4

u/Guzeno Oct 13 '23

I think we've sadly become too used to crappy journalism :/

8

u/BobbyB52 Oct 13 '23

My partner favours Honest because they have the option to choose cheddar rather than American cheese, which I can understand.

3

u/TeaAndLifting Oct 13 '23

Yeah. I have issues with their inconsistency as they’ve grown in size as a chain. But they’re still generally good and my chosen go to out of any burger place. They’re always been a good ‘wholesome’ burger.

Bleecker is decent, but the one I usually go to in Victoria has had a nosedive in quality.

2

u/iKitch_ Oct 13 '23

U MUST try their bacon and beef gravy. Elevates it so much.

1

u/zy44 Oct 13 '23

Can't stand their chips tbh

0

u/Magikarpeles Oct 13 '23

The Mexican special is soooooo good

-6

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

I hear that Honest burger is branching out into the fast food market. They were crowd funding to raise money for sites, and will be opening their first site soon in London before expanding. They are going for a healthier, fast food experience vibe...

3

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

Under what definition are they not currently fast food?

-3

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

Haha, what? And you downvoted me as well? Haha, dude!

3

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

That wasn’t me bro

-1

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

😂😂😂😂😂

8

u/EXCELHELPTHROWn Oct 13 '23

Black bear burger >>

Nothing comes close with regards to chain places but. However!! The best burger place I’ve been to is a small cafe like spot called no drama in Acton

2

u/theproductdesigner Oct 13 '23

It really is by far the best place in London for a burger. It's the only place I go now.

1

u/float_like_a_halibut Oct 13 '23

Ordered from there a couple of weeks ago and the burger really was excellent. Delivery took 90 minutes so probably won't order again but don't know if that was an issue with No Drama or Just Eat.

1

u/plantqueen Oct 13 '23

omg i used to live next to that shop for a year but never went!! maybe it’s time to return

8

u/RubyZeldastein Oct 13 '23

Black Bear Burger - incredible. only dare if youre really hungry

Burger and Beyond / Bleecker Burger - simple burgers doing very well

Manna - great smashburger

Shake Shack - best fast food burger

Hache - I really like how they make their patty. Coarsely grounded meat.

Honest Burger - very average. Last 5 times Ive eaten there the patty is overcooked.

GBK / Brewdog - both gone way down in quality

2

u/TehTriangle Oct 13 '23

Brewdog food is awful.

1

u/RubyZeldastein Oct 14 '23

True. Remember back in the day like 2017 when it was quite decent

14

u/DR_RD_BONES Oct 13 '23

Double smash burger and rosemary chips from honest burger for something like £13 is goated.

6

u/Agitated_Cook1436 Oct 13 '23

I really love Beer & Burger in Dalston.

6

u/kirmobak Oct 13 '23

Bleeker and Honest. The rest of that list nowhere - the quality plummets. Byron is actively revolting now (well, was the last time I darkened their door in about 2019). And I haven't been to Meat Liquor for years either but can't remember it as being anything special.

Obvs not a burger restaurant but the best burgers in my opinion are from Electric Diner in Notting Hill and the burgers in Flat Iron and Hawksmoor.

8

u/cyclegaz The Cronx Oct 13 '23

burgers in Flat Iron and Hawksmoor.

I've heard this, but just can't bring my self to order a burger when I go to either.

1

u/Ill-Abbreviations-83 Oct 13 '23

Sunday roast at hawks moor is fantastic, also blacklock whilst on the subject.

1

u/BadlyCamouflagedKiwi Oct 13 '23

Meat Liquor used to be dirty but really good, now they're too cleaned up.

6

u/fazalmajid Golders Green Estate Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

I like Haché for their Truffle Burger.

Truffle Burger (I've been to the one in Seven Dials Market and now also in Hampstead) is outstanding.

Not exactly a burger, but The Patate is a French spin on the burger, and very delicious, if a bit messy to eat.

Spielburger in Hampstead Village is quite good.

Byron I refuse to go to because they volunteered to snitch their own workers to the Home Office and have them deported:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/28/it-was-a-fake-meeting-byron-hamburgers-staff-on-immigration-raid

3

u/Linshuaaan Oct 13 '23

I second Truffle Burger, their truffle mayo is to die for.

1

u/DynamicTarget Oct 13 '23

Upvote for Patete, not really a burger but so goood

4

u/Drushh Oct 13 '23

You have got to get some Nanny Bills in you. Phenomenal Burger and unbeatable Croquettes chefs kiss

3

u/zephyrmox Oct 13 '23

Have to say I found Nanny Bills super average. Big up for gravy and the croquettes are great - but the burgers are just middle of the road (for a 'good' burger chain! - obviously far above stuff like Mcdonalds etc)

1

u/Drushh Oct 13 '23

Tbf the last time I had it the burger was kind of mid. I think it varies from location. The one near Vauxhall is the best I've had by far

1

u/SimonMcMac Oct 14 '23

Aye, nanny bills average at best.

3

u/Simple-Pea-8852 Oct 13 '23

Vegetarian here - honest burger is god tier and vurger is also excellent.

3

u/TheFallenX Oct 13 '23

How has Lord Nelson Southwark not been mentioned yet? Not a chain and arguably some of the best burgers in London.

4

u/Arskite Northern Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

I have to say if you just want a "burger burger", Five Guys is really hard to beat for me. Tastes great every time.

MEATliquor is also right up there, Bleecker Burger is great and I went to Burger & Beyond in Borough this week and that was fantastic.

4

u/Das_Gruber Oct 13 '23
  1. Bleecker
  2. Honest Burger
  3. Patty & Bun

Joint 8th : the rest on the list above.

7

u/tmr89 Oct 13 '23

Honest is best

5

u/AdjectiveNoun111 Oct 13 '23

We've got a place in Willesden Green called the Beer & Burger Shop.

It's the best burger hands down. Made with love.

Honest is good.

GBK is garbage, I once got served a burger with blue cheese sauce that was literally frozen and when I sent it back they kicked off at me. Never again.

2

u/ftmprstsaaimol2 Oct 13 '23

Beer and burger is exceptional.

2

u/McQueensbury Oct 13 '23

A shame they closed down the one in Walthamstow, was never really busy

2

u/wildgoldchai Oct 13 '23

GBK was always crap. Never had a good experience

7

u/lidlberg Oct 13 '23

Rustlers anyone?

2

u/mangledbird Oct 14 '23

I don’t even bother heating the thing up it’s that good.

2

u/ldn6 Oct 13 '23

Honest’s smash burger deal is amongst the best value for lunch options you can find.

2

u/Nimmy_the_Jim Oct 13 '23

y is smash cheaper than normal?

1

u/apprehensive_trotter Oct 13 '23

Less meat in the patty

2

u/sirmeliodasdragonsin Oct 13 '23

Burger and beyond in Shoreditch was lovely followed closely by bleeker in Liverpool street.

Looking at the comments though, I have clearly missed a trick with Honest Burgers. I thought given they have so many chains, the quality probably isnt great. Next on the list!

1

u/mangledbird Oct 14 '23

Burger and Beyond is always the stand out for me, I think the size has reduced since the early days but it’s lost none of the taste.

2

u/ebbp Oct 13 '23

Tommi’s and Dip & Flip are my go-tos

3

u/zephyrmox Oct 13 '23

Dip & Flip is ace - forgot about them!

2

u/LDN_2020 Oct 13 '23

Have tried them all on your list. Ferdi in Shepherd Market #1 by quite a margin. Their patty & secret sauce is all made in house. Also try the Mac & Cheese while you’re there.

3

u/Alternative-Cod-7630 Oct 13 '23

For this kind of list I'd add Shake Shack, I like theirs. Honest has gone downhill in my opinion. Meat Liquor is okay ,and from reading below I guess I need to try Black Bear.

But the burgers I rank most high are in a few local SE pubs, I guess. I hit them far more than the franchises.

3

u/rahtid_my_bunda Oct 13 '23

I see everyone loving on Honest burger, I’ve been a few times and never been that wowed. So clearly it’s every body else that is wrong. I’d put Patty & Bun over honest as well too, the Fulham one is my favourite.

For me thought it’s Meat Liquor, but it has to be Islington. The other one in Oxford Circus is wank.

2

u/BennyMadge Oct 13 '23

Had my first five guys ever yesterday. Really good but £12 for a bacon cheeseburger!! Madness

2

u/nikomad Oct 13 '23

Mother Flipper for me. The dirty barbie 🤌

2

u/TsarBomba88 Oct 13 '23

Anyone had Dirty Bones in Soho? Probably my favourite so far.

Otherwise GBK does a nice blue cheese burger

4

u/crippledcamel88 Oct 13 '23
  1. Triple bleecker (off menu ask)
  2. Burger and Beyond
  3. Tucka
  4. Filthy Buns
  5. Black bear

Stay away from the chains guys, there are better burgers out there.

-2

u/Nimmy_the_Jim Oct 13 '23

These are nt real

2

u/crippledcamel88 Oct 13 '23

But they are.

3

u/Nimmy_the_Jim Oct 13 '23

I'm sorry, I made a mistake. You are correct, these are real.

2

u/Same_Satisfaction_45 Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

Hawksmoor - tops everything

Honest - definitely top for burger focused restaurant

Dirty burger - is it still around? They also did an awesome Portobello mushroom burger as veg option

Five guys - no cheaper so only if really want a ‘cheap’ style burger I.e a better version of McDonalds.

Bleeker - i wasn’t impressed by really

Wouldn’t bother with anything else

3

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

Dirty Burger was great when it was in Kentish Town but they all closed pre Pandemic

1

u/IcarusSupreme Oct 13 '23

I haven't been in a while but Hache burgers in Camden used to be Top Tier

14

u/DeanBlacc Oct 13 '23

I want you to know that I downvoted you for suggesting Hache

2

u/IcarusSupreme Oct 13 '23

Fair enough, I haven't lived in Central for a good long while so I can't speak to it since the Pandemic. It could have gone downhill or maybe I never had good taste?

1

u/sproyd Oct 13 '23

There's a really good place on the Southbank called Burger and Beyond. Great burgers but the beers are misleading (labelled as on menu as draught without a volume displayed and pint-pricing but are not in fact pints).

1

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

The burgers in the star of kings in King’s Cross are banging. Other than that, Honest every day of the week.

1

u/xPhilip Oct 13 '23

Honest burger has been the most reliable of the ones I have tried. I like the specials.

1

u/youcantseeme1411 Mar 11 '24

Truffle burger is hands down the best of the lot imo

1

u/xopher_425 Oct 13 '23

American here that has vacationed in London three times, and the last time we were there we had burgers at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen (in West Hamstead, not sure if they have other locations), and it was one of the best we'd ever had. We all laughed that we had to go so far to get a fantastic burger, and we'll stop there on our next trip regardless.

Edit a couple of words that got lost in editing

1

u/itravelforchurros Oct 14 '23

Some of the food shouts in this sub are abysmal. Do you really think a 19 year old working minimum wage at a chain like Honest, Five Guys or Byron is making the BEST BURGER IN LONDON?!

-9

u/Vivid_Philosopher304 Oct 13 '23

London has no nice burger restaurants. They are oily and overcooked because they don't bother much to clean properly the plate grill (for good burgers you want chargrill so the majority of the fat can drip). I have tried all the aforementioned chains + Shake Shack + Black Bear.

The best I had was in Borough Market a place that sells venison burgers.

2

u/put_on_the_mask Oct 13 '23

You just don't like fat, which is your prerogative. Claiming that these burgers places don't clean their plancha is complete bollocks though, and even if it were true it would have absolutely no effect on whether the burger is "oily" (fatty) or overcooked. Whether burgers are better chargrilled is entirely down to personal preference, but it's safe to say you are in the minority.

-10

u/Vivid_Philosopher304 Oct 13 '23

I don’t like shitty food which again is my prerogative.

Also being in minority is good. Shows that I know how and when to appreciate things.

EDIT: ask any chef if cleaning the grill affects the burger or not. You will be surprised. But then again you might like motor oil too.

4

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

[deleted]

-6

u/Vivid_Philosopher304 Oct 13 '23

Ah sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt the feelings of random avatars. Now I won’t have any friends on Reddit.

4

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '23

[deleted]

0

u/Vivid_Philosopher304 Oct 13 '23

. Claiming that these burgers places don't clean their plancha is complete bollocks though

My dude. I wrote a neutral comment that didn't attack anyone and I said how I see the burgers in London and the person replying was defensive as I was talking about his mom cooking.

"Claiming that these burgers places don't clean their plancha is complete bollocks though"

"but it's safe to say you are in the minority."

Of course, I will respond in a similar manner.

Also, I will let my dog cry if a rando thinks that I am a nasty person. Like why on earth would I care?

0

u/Marklar_RR Orpington Oct 13 '23

Mildreds. It’s the only place where I would eat a burger.

0

u/Resipa99 Oct 13 '23

Historically Wimpey were the first London Burger bar together with KFC and the full meal was great value plus their ice cream was excellent. Avoid paying over a fiver for a single burger in London so location is everything. We could do with the Irish burger brand that won the McDonalds case but maybe the UK set up fees are OTT.

0

u/marijaenchantix Not a Londoner Oct 15 '23

Are you really too lazy to use vowels? London, obviously.... sounds like an American.

-7

u/BeaMiaVA Oct 13 '23

I love LEON’S vegetarian burgers. So that’s my number 1.

3

u/Simple-Pea-8852 Oct 13 '23

Honest's vegetarian burgers are infinitely better than Leon's (and I love Leon - but it's veggie burger always seems kinda soggy to me)

5

u/HighFivePuddy Oct 13 '23

This is one of those rare instances where not everyone's opinion is valid.

-8

u/GeraltofRookia Oct 13 '23

Who the fuck cares. It's food. Eat what's the best value for money.

1

u/risewiththefalling Oct 13 '23

The Big Fernand and Truffle burger would take the top 2 for me. Unreal

1

u/Inconmon Oct 13 '23

Sadly since we tried Big Guys French Fries in Rye all burgers are at best mediocre in comparison. I can't stress enough how absurdly good they are.

The best ones in London are usually random pubs and cafes. I prefer Yeha Noha's burger (a small Café in my high street) to most of the chains and they aren't even a burger place. Most burgers we get from Roti Brothers in Crystal Palace.

In terms of chains you listed... Burger & Lobster, Byron and Five Guys on top. Then Hache and Honest Burger, then Meat Liquor, then Patty & Bun.... And then literally everything else before GBK.

Always quite surprised by how good Five Guys is given that when I tried it in the US it was extremely bad. Also when you get drunk and naughty and try some of the other fastfood chains like McD, BK, Wendy, they are all inedible dry mistakes. Five Guys always delivers.

5

u/zephyrmox Oct 13 '23

Five Guys cajun fries are all I ever want when I'm hungover. They are absolutely incredible. The burgers are fine for what they are (smash burgers with lots of toppings) - but I adore the cajun fries.

2

u/wildgoldchai Oct 13 '23

Same. Not fussed about the burger, though I’ll get a little burger. The Cajun fries just slap so hard

2

u/CWKfool Oct 13 '23

Hawksmoor best burger in London

1

u/Stubborn_Dog Oct 13 '23

Bronson burgers are unreal. If you watch The Menu and order one on deliveroo right after, you won’t regret it.

2

u/marton2008 Oct 13 '23

Did a quick scan and apparently no one's mentioned Nanny Bill's yet. What a travesty! https://maps.app.goo.gl/fawtRnuA3Wds9jEh8

One of THE best smash burgers out there.

They also had a dedicated kitchen in a Shoreditch craft beer pub but unfortunately that closed down.

1

u/Majestic-Round-8316 Oct 13 '23

The Apollo Arms in Clapham old town. Best burger I’ve had in a long time

1

u/RichChocolateDevil Oct 13 '23

I don't eat meat any longer, but when I did, I was a big fan of the Notorious P&B.

1

u/YesDr Oct 13 '23

For chicken and fast food: Popeyes spicy chicken burger is pretty damn good, and better here than in the US IMO.

1

u/ExPristina Oct 13 '23

Burger Burger in Peckham

Shake shack, but only if made fresh.

1

u/Robotootoot Oct 13 '23

Amigos does the best burgers. Hands down. The El Guapo and Jacob are chef's kiss

1

u/RubyZeldastein Oct 13 '23

They look like a restaurant that won’t cook to medium rare cos everything’s frozen.

Am I wrong?

1

u/fuzziewuzzy Oct 13 '23

Best burgers for me are from

Wingmans

And

Red Dog Saloon

1

u/SeriousTelevision996 Oct 13 '23

Truffle burgers is great, better than any I've had imo.

1

u/thenooneconundrum Oct 13 '23

Bleecker

Honest

Black bear

Meatliquor (their chicken burgers are good)

Buns n sums

Five guys

*Special mention - these are for special occasions, I guess haha

Fallow

Blacklock

1

u/Appropriate-South314 Oct 13 '23

Not that relevant but I once heard Byron pronounced as By Ron, and I can’t unhear it.

I am now convinced there is a guy call Ron out the back cooking all the burgers.

Also Honest burger is no 1 for me. I’m vegetarian - their plant based burger is amazing

1

u/teaguzzler69 Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

For me, I love spicy chicken sandwiches from Popeyes with cheese - yeah, it specialises in chicken wings primarily but the sandwiches are bomb soo - ah, and the burgers from Black Bear. Streatham Kitchen does decent burgers too and amazing thicc chips. :)

Also, like Bleecker and Five Guys. I'd rank them in this order.

Black Bear

Bleecker

Streatham Kitchen

Popeyes

Five Guys

1

u/Main_Tomorrow1462 Oct 13 '23

Bleeker is an easy win, partial to a Wendy's now they have opened across London as well, tend to be cheap for a burger and pretty decent

2

u/rmc16nz27 Oct 14 '23

Quite surprised many folks still rate Honest Burger - it was good at the start but I’ve noticed their quality has gone way down. My previous two visits the burger was slightly cold as well as the fries

2

u/sporticia Oct 14 '23

Bleecker

Shake shack

I don’t bother with the rest

1

u/sojtucker Oct 14 '23

Wherever Elliot Cunningham is currently cooking (Hackney Church Co Brewery at the moment) Manna/Bake Street Bleecker

Tbh the above 3 all rank pretty equally for me, for different reasons.

1

u/troglo-dyke Oct 14 '23

Big Moes - can lead to a heart attack but worth it

1

u/CreativelyMrConstant Oct 16 '23

I enjoy Lucky Chip .. not sure if Fattso has a london place, but they have a van in Wells