Eat Your Way Through The Best Burgers in Melbourne
Ahhhh burgers. The holy grail of comfort food. But in the last few years, the humble burger has taken a seriously wild turn all of Australia, from Brisbane to Melbourne. Although, what do you expect? Melbs has a reputation of taking basic bitch food and making it cool AF – and before you start arcing up, we have three words for you: Halal. Snack. Pack. Anyway, we digress. Burgers in Melbourne, what’s the deal?
A brief history of burgers
Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, burgers in Melbourne (and everywhere in ‘straya) consisted of white bread, a massive beef patty, beetroot, a fried egg, bbq and tomato sauce and lettuce. Generally purchased from the local fish and chip shop, obvs. Simple, classic and delicious.
But times have changed and now there is a whole lot more to the humble burger than ever before. We’re talking squid ink, milk, brioche, bao, gluten-free, vegan, waffle and chicken buns, and that’s before we even get to what’s on the inside. The patty to sauce to bun to salad ratio is arguably as important as a leadership spill (lol) and you’ll find an almost ridiculous selection of additions like kimchi, maple-smoked bacon, truffle aioli and Gruyere cheese.
Now, while we certainly have a soft spot for a burger with the lot, these new burgers on the block are certainly a feast for the senses. So without further ado, we give you the best places to get your grease on in Mel-bun.
The 10 best burgers in Melbourne
NOTE: With Melbourne restaurants currently closed for dine-in, we encourage you to support the below eateries by engaging in their takeaway and delivery services.
1. Evie’s Disco Diner
Beats and burgers go together like peas in a pod, and nowhere does this better than Evie’s Disco Diner in Fitzroy. Think 1980s Italy with bubblegum pink and cobalt blue decor, exceptional music, vegan options, cocktails, organic wine and a keen focus on being low-waste. Thumbs up? Most definitely.
Burger: Evie’s Cheeseburger: beef burger, cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles on a brioche bun – definitely add the bacon (or it can also be made vegan).
230/232 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065__Tues – Wed: 3 – 11pm, Thurs – Sat: 11:30 – 1am, Sun: 11:30 – 11pm
2. L’Burger
Simple and sleek, L’Burger is focused on serving burgers, and serving them damn well. All the produce is Australian and the patties are sourced from Riverina Angus and Wagyu, while the free-range chicken is from Lilydale. They’ve also got specials, halal, vegan and gluten-free options, and nothing contains preservatives. Basically, it’s burgers as they should be. Delicious.
Burger: Hotre Dame: toasted black pain de mie milk bun, chipotle mayo, house-made slaw, tomato, jalapeno salsa, grilled free-range chicken and lashings of Sriracha.
672 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, Melbourne 3122__Mon – Thurs: 11 – 9pm, Fri – Sat: 11 – 10pm, Sun: 11 – 8pm
3. B3 BBQ
For those with a thing for smoked meat, B3 BBQ is for you. It’s a meat lovers’ paradise without question and you can expect slow-smoked beef ribs, pulled pork, lamb, chorizo and bacon, plus delicious jerk-spiced fried chicken. This is a Brunswick must for drinking craft beer, stuffing your face and having a damn fine time.
Burger: Meat Your Maker: 600 grams of pulled beef ribs, Swiss cheese, pulled pork, cheddar cheese, bacon, onions and plenty of barbecue sauce.
14/460 Victoria Street, Brunswick, Melbourne 3056__Mon – Sun: 7am – 10pm
4. Kung Fu Burger
Now here’s a burger joint that packs a serious punch. Kung Fu Burger in South Yarra is a master in creating burgers packed with bold Korean and Japanese flavours but all the best crunchy, juicy and messy bits of a classic American burger. The result? Bangin’ numbers like the Gangnam Style burger, featuring a pure beef patty and spicy Korean ingredients. We also appreciate the amount of vegetarian and vegan options available with special appearances from the Beyond Meat range.
Burger: Gangnam Style: pure beef patty, Korean mayonnaise, kimchi, Asian slaw and cheese.
355 Chapel Street, South Yarra, Melbourne 3141__Sun – Thurs: 11.30 – 11pm, Fri – Sat: 11.30 – 1.30am
5. Burger Kitchen
Holy smokes. Burger Kitchen sticks to what they know best, and boy do they do it well. While classic American recipes direct the style of the menu, the produce sings of Melbourne’s fields, farms and waters. In particular, the flippin’ good fish burger. And if this article was an ode to Philly cheesesteaks, we’d be harping on about Burger Kitchen’s selection of these too.
Burger: Barramoonee: Crumbed Barramundi, dill tartare, rocket, red onion, housemade sauce and a fresh squeeze of lemon.
4/249 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, Melbourne 32054 Margaret Street, moonee Ponds, Melbourne 3039Tues – Thurs: 4.30 – 8.30pm, Fri: 12 – 9pm, Sat: 4 – 9pm
6. Dandenong Pavilion
We’re not the first to name Dandenong Pavilion in a list about Melbourne’s best burgers, and we certainly won’t be the last. On a menu that has a lot of good stuff going for it already, the family-friendly restaurant knows how to make a burger stand out. As well as available for takeaway and delivery, there is nothing better than sitting out on the sunny deck with one of their award-winning burgers and a cold beer in hand.
Burger: R.K.O.: Two beef patties, double cheddar cheese, beer-battered onion rings, coleslaw, crispy bacon and paprika mayo in a brioche bun.
55 – 61 Princes Highway, Dandenon, Melbourne 3175Mon – Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
7. Demazzi’s Stonegrill
When it comes to burgers that ruin all plans for summer bods, Demazzi’s Stonegrill is the holy grail. Not for the faint hearted, you can expect some of the most decadent burgers in Melbourne from this joint. Oh, and the shakes don’t help things either. Think Ferrero Rocher, Nutella coconut brownie and Mars Bar shakes with all the trimmings. We love this spot, but be warned, you will feel and probably look like a pig during and after. Embrace it.
Burger: Soft Shell Crab: soft shell crab on a brioche bun topped with kale slaw, alfalfa and lemon and jalapeno mayo… with fries, naturally.
4/1142 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon, Melbourne 3040__Mon – Sun: 7am til late
8. The Grand Trailer Park Taverna
Located on the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets, The Grand Trailer Park Taverna is a retro diner with an interior that reminds us of a Winnebago. You can expect quintessential American diner classics here, from burgers (obviously) to waffles, desserts, shakes and cocktails. The burgers are relatively simple, in the best way possible and there’s nothing you won’t love.
Burger: Thanos: beef patty, American cheddar, tomato, butter lettuce, mac & cheese croquette, special burger sauce and American mustard on a toasted brioche bun.
87 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD 3000
Mon: Closed__Tues – Thurs: 11:30 – 10pm, Fri – Sat: 11:30 – 11pm, Sun: 11:30 – 10pm
9. Fat Jak’s
What can we say about Fat Jak’s? This Nashville-inspired burger bar in St Kilda is one of the most sought-after places to stuff your face with burgers in Melbourne. All the milk buns are branded with a black FJ, filled with perfectly sized patties and then topped with some of the most delicious fillings known to man. Don’t miss out on the sides either, the deep-fried pickles and truffled mac n’ cheese are a revelation. Oh, and there’s also bottomless house-made orange crush on offer. You know what to do…
Burger: Los Pollos Hermanos: buttermilk fried chicken, hash brown, American cheese, bacon, chipotle sauce, ketchup, lettuce, tomato and Fat Jak spread.
205 Barkly Street, St Kilda, Melbourne 3182__Sun – Thu: 11– Midnight, Fri – Sat: 11– 1am
10. Easey’s
‘Burgers & Beers served five stories up in a rooftop train carriage overlooking Melbourne City. Beat that.’ Those are the words from Easey’s, and frankly we can’t disagree. Cooler than most places – which is really saying something in Melbourne – you’ll find a menu designed by the one and only, James Hurlston from Jimmy’s Burgers that’s based on years of research on the world’s best burgers. Creative, delicious and cool as hell, Easey’s is a must for burger lovers.
Burger: Son of Rogerson: beef patty, grilled pastrami, American cheese, pickles and Louisiana remoulade.
48 Easey Street, Collingwood, Melbourne 3066__Sun – Thurs: 11 – 10pm, Fri – Sat: 11 – 11pm