We've hunted down Britain's 52 BEST burgers

Heaven in a bun

Whether you like your burgers smashed to crispy perfection, smothered in cheese or topped with bacon, there are so many delicious options to choose from across Britain and Ireland. We've ranked the best burger places from every region of the UK – each of England's nine official regions, plus Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and Ireland, from new kids on the block to no-frills food trucks and timeless old-school spots serving classic burgers cooked with love.

Read on for our ultimate list of Britain and Ireland's greatest burger spots, counting down to the best of all – has your local made the cut?

We've based our ranking on the reviews, awards and accolades of each restaurant, and on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

52. Wales: Hills, Brecon, Powys

In 2017, a former teacher and a hat maker decided to open a burger spot in a caravan site in Wales. It turned out to be a stroke of genius, because Hills in Bishop's Meadow, Brecon, has since been hailed as one of the best burger joints in the country. The family-run restaurant uses only the best local produce to deliver top-quality fast food, from simple cheeseburgers to everything-but-the-kitchen-sink creations.

51. Scotland: Luxford Burgers, various locations

When Scotland's Deliveroo Restaurant Awards were announced in 2024, Luxford Burgers won prizes for best burger and best American restaurant, and it even took home the Independent Restaurant of the Year (Scotland) award. That makes choosing from its range of burgers exceedingly difficult, but at a push, we'd say the Shrek is pretty special: two 4oz Scottish beef patties, vintage Cheddar, red onion marmalade, mustard mayo and house-made sweet potato crisps. There are two Luxford Burgers restaurants in Edinburgh, and there are takeaway-only spots in Glasgow, Salford, Cambridge and Bristol.

50. North West: The Nashville Cluck, Liverpool, Merseyside

In 2024, The Nashville Cluck was named Uber Eats' Restaurant of the Year (North West). The chicken is naturally the star of the show here; the joint's Original Nashville Cluck is seasoned beautifully, soaked in spicy buttermilk, coated in secret-recipe breading and deep fried to crispy perfection. But the beef burgers at the hole-in-the-wall spot are just as good. Try the Nashville's Juiciest Smash Double, featuring two 3oz smashed beef patties topped with American cheese and served in a brioche bun with your choice of sauce.

49. West Midlands: Patty Freaks, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield

Patty Freaks was crowned the winner of 'Britain's Best Burger' at the 2018 National Street Food Awards – and the joint hasn't stopped slinging amazing quality patties since. The spot was just a pop-up back then, but it made the leap to a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Lichfield in 2022. A second branch opened in Sutton Coldfield in 2024, and now foodies all over the region can enjoy everything from a simple Plain Jane cheeseburger to OTT options like the Salt Lake City, which comes with smoked Cheddar, pastrami, mustard and truffle mayo.

48. South East: Mollie's, Bristol and Faringdon

A roadside motel might not be the obvious pick for a top-rated burger joint, but Mollie's has been quietly ruling the burger scene with its superior offerings. Mollie's diner won silver at the National Burger Awards in 2024 for its double cheeseburger, and it's been nominated again in 2025 for its New Yorker burger. The latter consists of an aged double patty, American cheese, chimichurri mayo, steak sauce and house pickles, served inside a squishy locally sourced bun. Prepare to be amazed.

47. Northern Ireland: Tribal, Belfast, County Antrim

Tribal arrived on Belfast's Botanic Avenue in 2018, serving burgers made with high quality beef from local butchers, stuffed into freshly baked buns. This commitment to artisan produce sets it apart from the competition, earning it a legion of loyal fans. The menu is compact – offering cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, wings and fries – to deliver the most flavour in every bite. Highlights include the Double Cheese, with two patties, lettuce, cheese, onion and ketchup.

46. London: Smash N' Slide, Northolt

Smash N' Slide isn’t one of London’s big hitters in the burger stakes, but this small suburban food truck has been quietly making some of the city’s most sensational burgers since 2020. The takeaway-only joint, located on an industrial estate in Northolt, started as a lockdown project run by husband-and-wife team Zubair and Shanaz Rahim. These days, fast food lovers flock to West London to get a taste of simple but perfectly executed smash burgers such as the Cheesy Smash, made with 28-day dry-aged beef, red onions, double American cheese, pickles and house-made burger sauce.

45. South East: 7Bone, various locations

7Bone started slinging burgers in Southampton in 2013 and took the burger scene by storm with its promise of 'juicy burgers, dirty sides and good vibes'. It wasn't long before it started to expand across the South East and now, after some ups and downs, it has 10 locations serving some of the best burgers around. This year, the chain's Prince Charles Is Overrated burger – with bacon, cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles and signature sauce – is up for a National Burger Award, too.

44. West Midlands: The Meat Shack, Birmingham

Starting in 2012 as a street food vendor, The Meat Shack quickly gained a loyal local following for its delightfully messy burgers, made using the best quality grass-fed beef. These days the place operates from a bustling restaurant in Birmingham's vibrant Chinese Quarter, but those famous burgers are still as rich and juicy as ever. A firm favourite is the Buffalo Blue, featuring a perfectly crispy, caramelised smash patty, topped with house-made Buffalo sauce, blue cheese and a candied bacon crumb.

43. South West: Danny's Burgers, Bristol

Danny Hawke set up his eponymous burger spot after winning barbecue festival Grillstock in 2017. Since then, Danny's Burgers has scooped plenty more awards (including best burger at the 2022 National Burger Awards), and it now runs from Fierce & Noble brewery in the Bristol suburb of St Werburghs and The Love Inn in Stoke's Croft. The signature order here is the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger, where fresh onions are smashed onto the patty as the meat is pressed into the grill. The result? Melty, crispy perfection.

42. South West: Brightside Roadside Dining, various locations

Those who remember iconic roadside restaurant chains such as Happy Eater and Little Chef will feel a wave of nostalgia at this retro-cool spot. Opened in early 2023, Brightside Roadside Dining was ‘inspired by childhood road trips of days gone by’ and has already won high praise for its crowd-pleasing food. It even got to the finals of the 2024 National Burger Awards, where it won plaudits for its Dirty Brisket Burger, featuring two smashed burger patties, beef brisket, smoked streaky bacon, American cheese, crispy onions and gravy mayo. There are four locations to choose from in England, including Exeter and Saltash.

41. Scotland: Lebowskis, Glasgow, Lanarkshire

This Glasgow institution is loved for its cool vibe and creative menu, featuring some of the city’s finest (and biggest) burgers. The patties here are thick and juicy, and the signature order is The Big Lebowski (pictured), a simple but irresistible stack of two beef burgers, American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles and house burger sauce. There are also six fantastic chicken burgers and five plant-based options to choose from: try the Hail Seitan, with crispy-fried seitan, sriracha sauce, chilli jam and pickles.

40. Ireland: Flipside, Connacht, Sligo

Winning the title of Ireland's best burger at the National Burger Awards in 2021, Flipside is loved for its friendly atmosphere and huge array of creative burgers. The beef patties are all made using 100% Irish grass-fed Angus beef from local butcher William Clarkes, while all the delicious sauces are made in-house, including honey butter hot sauce and creamy Caesar mayo. The must-order here is The Rebel – a chunky beef patty topped with smoked Irish cheese, Ballymaloe relish, honey-glazed bacon and sticky brown onions.

39. North West: That Burger Place, Walkden, Greater Manchester

A National Burger Awards finalist, That Burger Place takes the art of smashing burgers to dizzy new heights – these juicy patties are practically smashed to oblivion, with unbelievably crunchy, caramelised edges. The go-to order is the California Dreaming (pictured), an In-N-Out–style delight made with a double beef patty, American cheese, diced white onion, shredded lettuce, crispy bacon ‘rain’, bacon mayo and secret-recipe burger sauce.

38. South East: Chuck and Blade, various locations, Kent

Home of the Trashy Tray (pictured) – a decadent sharing platter for two, containing everything from poutine to spicy wings – Chuck and Blade is widely considered to be Kent’s top burger spot, with branches in Canterbury, Rochester, Ramsgate and Maidstone. Recommended dishes here include the In And Out – a tribute to a certain Californian burger chain – and the Halloumi Honey Monster, a rich and sticky veggie option consisting of crispy grilled halloumi, house-made pickles, beef tomatoes and lettuce, all drizzled in hot honey.

37. London: Bun & Sum, Mile End

This no-frills pit stop on an industrial estate in Mile End has attracted a cult following for its LA-style smash burgers – and it won the prestigious 'Burger Chef of the Year' title at the 2024 National Burger Awards. These perfectly caramelised, pancake-flat patties are loaded with everything from house-made brisket or pastrami to a straightforward slice of melty American cheese. It’s often pretty busy, with limited seating, but the juicy burgers, friendly service and affordable prices make Bun & Sum so worth a visit.

36. Northern Ireland: Baps, Belfast, County Antrim

A hidden gem in Belfast’s trendy Trademarket, Baps specialises in California-style smash burgers and deep-fried chicken burgers that really draw in the crowds. The spot’s signature Nashville Hot Chicken (pictured) is a riot of flavour, with fans praising the shatteringly crisp, perfectly spiced chicken, creamy ranch sauce and pillowy-soft buns. Diners also rave about the Buffalo wings and loaded Parmesan fries.

35. East of England: Fupburger, Norwich, Norfolk

This wildly popular burger joint runs from The Ten Bells pub on Norwich’s buzzy St Benedict's Street. The food is unapologetically OTT and delightfully messy, especially the burger pictured – which features a smashed beef patty, double American cheese, deep-fried chicken breast, sriracha glaze and two rashers of streaky pancetta. The chicken wings (or, as a meat-free alternative, the ‘Cauli Not Wings’) are also a must-order, available with four mouthwatering toppings.

34. North East & Cumbria: Lola Jeans, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Winner of Newcastle’s Battle of the Burger competition six times in a row, Lola Jeans (which has a second location in Tynemouth, on the coast) knows how to make an excellent burger. This buzzy bar and restaurant may look elegant, but its brilliant burgers are anything but – and we mean that in the best way possible. The beef is minced in-house using a custom blend of premium cuts, and the resulting patties come piled high with everything from Crispy Bacon Frazzles and Monster Munch crisps to smoked salt beef and pickles.

33. Wales: Ansh, Cardiff

Ansh is a collaboration between chef Aled Hill and fourth-generation farmer/butcher Shaun Jones, so its sustainable beef is of the highest quality. Here the go-to order is the striking Barti Ddu (pictured), which consists of a Llygadenwyn black beef patty, smoked streaky bacon, smoked Welsh Cheddar and a seaweed rum sauce, crammed inside a black charcoal bun⁣.

32. East of England: Wagyu Burgers & Street Food, Ipswich, Suffolk

This fantastic burger van can be found at various pubs and markets around Suffolk, depending on the day. As you’ll guess from the name, the company specialises in burgers made from the juiciest Wagyu beef. To really taste the quality of the meat, keep it classic with the Bacon & Cheese, simply served with honey mustard mayo, lettuce, onion, tomato and sliced gherkins. But look out for the fully loaded specials too, especially the Truffle Pig, which features a beef patty topped with glazed pork belly, pork crackling, Parmesan and truffle mayo.

31. East Midlands: Meat Castles, East Retford, Nottinghamshire

Former fast food blogger Tom Warwick spent years touring Britain's top burger joints before finally setting up his own burger van in 2021. His amazingly juicy smashed patties were an instant hit, and the company was named a finalist in the 2024 National Burger Awards. For Tom, it’s all about quality ingredients: he uses a blend of grass-fed heritage beef that’s dry aged for 28 days, and he makes all of his own sauces – plus, the buns are baked fresh every morning. You’ll find his van at locations throughout the East Midlands.

30. Ireland: Handsome Burger, Dublin and Galway

The burgers at this much-loved Galway spot are indeed very good looking. Founded in 2017 by best friends Rory McCormack and Cathal O’Connor, the joint has gone from market stall to bricks-and-mortar restaurant, and it has a following for its array of tasty burgers. The menu includes classic beef burgers, buttermilk fried chicken and a fantastic veggie tandoori spinach and onion bhaji burger. It gained notoriety after being named Burger of the Year at the Irish Takeaway Awards 2023, and it recently opened a second location at Dublin airport.

29. London: Fallow, St James's

This buzzy fine dining restaurant in the city’s upmarket St James's neighbourhood specialises in creative, sustainable cooking, making delicious use of often discarded ingredients like cod’s head and whey. But those in the know order the exceptional burger, made using ex-dairy cow beef for a supremely rich and intense flavour. It’s finished with crispy bacon, smoked burger sauce, pickled shallots and melted cheese, and served inside a pillowy brioche bun from lauded London bakery Paul Rhodes. This isn't the cheapest burger in the capital, but it might be the most exquisite.

28. North East & Cumbria: Tango, Durham, County Durham

This laid-back Durham restaurant has it all, including classic beef, fried chicken, crispy halloumi and vegan patties. If you like to keep it simple, we recommend the Uncle Sam, a classic smashed beef patty with house-made pickles, white onion, lettuce, American cheese, mustard and ketchup. Or for something seriously over-the-top, try the Gravy Train Roux, which comes with a rich beef bacon gravy, American cheese, matchstick potatoes and roast garlic mayo. Tango also has a lovely terrace overlooking the river, making it a great spot for an alfresco feast when the weather is nice.

27. Yorkshire & the Humber: Bundobust, various locations

Leeds-based Bundobust has a cult following for its delicious and affordable vegetarian Indian street food. For burger lovers, there’s one dish that simply has to be ordered: the Vada Pav. Bundobust’s twist on Mumbai’s favourite street food is a riot of flavour and texture. A ball of spicy mashed potato is coated in gram flour and deep fried until perfectly crisp, then served in a brioche bun with red and green chutney – and as much fried green chilli as you can handle. The small chain also has branches in Manchester and Liverpool.

26. Northern Ireland: Pyke 'N' Pommes, Derry-Londonderry, County Londonderry

This legendary burger spot is credited with bringing street food to Londonderry. In 2013, founder Kevin Pyke sold his sensational burgers from a shipping container on the River Foyle, soon adding a converted double-decker bus (known as ‘Decky’) and eventually a restaurant in 2019. Nowadays, it’s still the city’s go-to place for a perfectly executed Wagyu cheeseburger, but look out for specials like the halloumi burger, topped with crunchy slaw and a zingy salsa verde.

25. North East & Cumbria: Fat Hippo, various locations

With locations all over the UK, Fat Hippo’s brand of quirky flavours and huge variety has taken the country by storm. But it all started in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the chain has two branches. Diners love it here because there’s something for everyone, from classic burgers to gluten-free options and experimental toppings such as chunky peanut butter with bacon jam. Vegans are also very well catered for, with dishes like the Kula Faker (pictured), made with crispy Southern fried ‘chkn’, gooey vegan cheese, salt and chilli pepper seasoning, spicy pickles and pink onions.

24. Wales: Smashed, Llandudno Junction, Conwy

Smashed has quickly become a North Wales staple, bringing perfectly made smash burgers to locals since father-and-son duo Mat and Ethan Burton opened the joint in early 2023. And while you can't go far wrong with any burger on the menu, the Burgasm (pictured) gets the most love. This hearty beast of a burger contains a crispy smashed beef patty piled with rare steak, caramelised onions and a punchy peppercorn sauce. Punters say it's cooked to perfection and best paired with the loaded tater tots.

23. South West: Herd Burger, Newquay, Cornwall

A relative newcomer to Cornwall’s thriving food scene, Herd Burger made a massive impression when it launched in early 2023, quickly becoming one of Newquay’s must-visit spots. According to its founders, the burgers are intended to be ‘big on flavour and simplicity’, and its signature Herd Burger – basically a perfectly prepared cheeseburger – made it to the finals of the 2024 National Burger Awards. Fans also rave about the cheese fries, milkshakes and soft serve ice cream, available in creative flavours such as Birthday Cake and Roasted White Chocolate.

22. Scotland: Butta Burger, Edinburgh, Lothian

Named Burger Restaurant of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Restaurant Awards, this lockdown sensation stands out from the crowd by smothering its burgers with a signature ‘Butta’ baste for maximum flavour. Favourites include the Truffle Beef (pictured), a juicy Scottish Wagyu beef patty covered in smoked Cheddar, crispy fried onions and house-made truffle mayo. Butta Burger also has a seriously impressive roster of plant-based burgers, including the fantastic Korean Vegan – a meat-free patty topped with kimchi and house-made Scotch bonnet sauce.

21. East of England: Taj Tandoori, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Taj Tandoori might sound like a classic Indian restaurant, but it actually serves some of Cambridge's most talked-about burgers. Alongside curry house favourites like butter chicken and lamb rogan josh, you’ll find the signature Pulled Chicken Tikka Burger, consisting of juicy tikka-spiced chicken, grilled paneer, crispy onion bhajis and chilli mayo, served inside a ghee-toasted brioche bun. The Shamee Burger (pictured) swaps the chicken for a spiced lamb patty and is also incredible. Be sure to order a portion of masala chips on the side.

20. South West: Fattsø, Bristol and Wells

This unassuming little burger van in Wells and Bristol punches well above its weight, sizzling up some of the South West’s most delicious smash burgers, topped with unique flavours and sauces. Locals praise classic burgers such as the umami-rich Royale With Extra Cheese – a double cheeseburger elevated to mouthwatering new heights with the addition of Lea & Perrins mayo, bone marrow confit onions and melty Ogleshield cheese. The plant-based Mi-So Hungry Burger, made with a juicy Redefine Meat patty, is also exceptional.

19. Wales: Cafe 21, Maesteg, Mid Glamorgan

You might want to skip breakfast (and lunch) before tackling the mighty creations at Cafe 21 in Maesteg. Up until 2020, this unassuming spot was a simple coffee shop, but the owners decided to pivot into the world of smash burgers – with wildly popular results. Non-beef items such as the gargantuan Korean Fried Chicken Burger (pictured) are a huge draw, as are the fries loaded with toppings like 'nduja meatballs. Be sure to order a side of house-made gravy for dipping and dunking.

18. West Midlands: Libertine Burger, Leamington Spa, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon

This West Midlands staple has won a ton of accolades since bursting onto the UK street food scene in 2016 – most recently making it to the finals of the 2024 National Burger Awards. The food is well worth the hype. Libertine Burger started with founder Charles Harris selling burgers from a modified Renault Master, and the brand now has three popular branches across the region. For a taste of fast food perfection, order the #099, a simple cheeseburger taken to the next level with bone marrow onions and smoked garlic mayo.

17. Ireland: Bunsen, Cork and Dublin

Offering just two classic burger options – a hamburger or cheeseburger, available with a single or double patty – Bunsen keeps it refreshingly simple, choosing to focus its attention on making sure every element of those burgers is of the highest quality. That means using Black Aberdeen Angus beef (minced on-site every morning), house-made soft Amish dinner rolls and a special-recipe burger sauce. The results are pretty much faultless, and in 2024, the spot was ranked second best burger in Europe by global travel site Big 7 Travel. Bunsen has eight locations in Dublin, one in Cork and two in Belfast.

16. Yorkshire & the Humber: Lou & Joe's, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Tucked away in the picturesque town of Holmfirth, known for its stunning countryside and vibrant arts scene, Lou & Joe's uses top-quality aged local beef to make its mouthwatering beef patties, mincing and pressing each burger in-house. If you like your burgers spicy, try the Scotty 2 Hotty, a smashed beef patty piled with jalapeños, mozzarella, house-made hot sauce, guacamole and nacho crumbs. The meat-free G.O.A.T. is also amazing – a beetroot and black bean patty with sweet potato, caramelised goats’ cheese, fresh pomegranate, onion relish and sriracha mayo.

15. West Midlands: Burger Shop, Hereford and Worcester

One of the region’s most lauded fast food joints, Burger Shop may be a laid-back spot, but the burgers are seriously gourmet, making delicious use of the tastiest local and seasonal ingredients. All of the burgers on the menu are veritable flavour bombs, but the Kimchi Beef really is something special: a umami-rich combination of two grass-fed beef patties, double Cheddar, kimchi ketchup, gochujang mayo and house-made kimchi. It's best enjoyed with a side of Westcombe cheese curds.

14. Yorkshire & the Humber: Rumpus Burger, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield

The founders of Rumpus take provenance to the next level, using beef from their own regenerative cattle farm in Slaithwaite, where the original branch is located. The company also has a mobile food truck and recently opened a second restaurant in Saltaire, near Bradford. To really appreciate that amazing quality beef, we say keep it simple with the Fear of the Beast Burger, a fat beef patty with smoked Cheddar, caramelised onions and crispy streaky bacon.

13. London: Black Bear Burger, various locations

A finalist in the 2024 National Burger Awards, Black Bear is a mecca for those who like their burgers piled with creative but thoughtful toppings. Co-founder Stewart Down grew up on a beef farm in Devon, so the team is committed to using the best grass-fed, dry-aged British beef around. One of the joint’s standout creations is the Miso-Bacon Burger (pictured), a juicy beef patty topped with cheese, miso mayo, smoked bacon and onions in a soft sesame bun. Sides such as the rarebit crumpet and brisket spring roll are also fantastic. There are six Black Bear branches across the city.

12. North West: Free State Kitchen, Liverpool, Merseyside

Located just off Liverpool’s bustling Hope Street, Free State Kitchen serves some of the best burgers in town, as well as US-style wings and clam chowder. During the warmer months, diners flock to this low-key diner to eat and drink in its beautiful garden, decorated with colourful picnic benches and fairy lights. The simple burgers are exceptional, but look out for creative specials such as the Chicken Satay Burger (pictured), which features juicy fried chicken coated in a satay sauce with Asian-style slaw, pickled red onions and crispy chilli mayo.

11. North East & Cumbria: Brack Burger, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Started by two local brothers, this much-loved burger joint has made a huge impact in Newcastle, opening four locations in the past three years in Jesmond, Gosforth, Ouseburn and, just outside the city, the coastal village of Tynemouth. Fans rave about the BBQ Boss (pictured), a double smashed beef patty with honey barbecue sauce, Cheddar, crispy onions and bacon. The loaded fries and Newcastle Brown Ale–battered onion rings are also must-orders.

10. Scotland: Burger Island, Burntisland, Fife

This family-run joint has been serving up thick and juicy burgers since 1992 and remains an enduring favourite in coastal Burntisland. A finalist in the 2023 Scottish Restaurant Awards, you won’t find anything trendy or groundbreaking at this old-school spot, just hearty and delicious burgers made with love. A top choice was the special Chicken Parma (pictured), which featured a breadcrumbed chicken breast topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, Parmesan, pesto mayo and a rich tomato sauce.

9. London: Bleecker, various locations

The Bleecker concept is that less is more. Four types of burgers are served here, and each one is a triumph of flavour and texture. You can choose from a cheeseburger, a bacon cheeseburger, a burger topped with creamy blue cheese or the Symplicity, a 10-day fermented, deep-fried vegetable patty that’s said to be one of the best plant-based burgers around. Starting as a humble food truck, Bleecker has five branches across London (and three delivery-only outlets), and it recently scooped the top prize at the 2024 National Burger Awards.

8. West Midlands: The Beefy Boys, Cheltenham, Hereford and Shrewsbury

The Beefy Boys took home the Burger of the Year and Burger Chef of the Year awards at the 2023 National Burger Awards, so you know there’s something special sizzling up inside. Customers can’t get enough of the Dirty Boy Double Smash (pictured), a gloriously messy tangle of two smashed beef patties, crispy bacon, beef dripping onions, ‘dirty’ mayo and double American cheese. All of the burgers are available as vegetarian options, too. The Beefy Boys have outlets in Hereford, Cheltenham and Shrewsbury, with a new branch coming to Bath soon.

7. South East: Burger Brothers, Brighton, East Sussex

Founded in 2013, Burger Brothers has stayed almost the same for over a decade. Tucked away in Brighton’s North Road, the welcoming, lime green joint is small and unassuming, but it’s the place to go for fat, fully loaded beef patties, served in the restaurant’s signature semi-sweet challah buns. Try the Our Favourite Burger, which comes topped with a gooey tangle of goats’ cheese, roasted peppers, honey mustard, caramelised onions and creamy Cajun sauce.

6. Ireland: Featherblade Steakhouse, Dublin

If you’re after a burger made with truly sensational beef, Dublin’s Featherblade Steakhouse is the place to go. Eschewing the trend for gourmet burgers that (in the words of the owners) ‘taste like a posh McDonald’s’, the restaurant crafts its signature burger using smoked brisket, aged strip steak and chuck steak from a local butcher. But fans say the crowning glory is the chunky house-made smoked bacon that sits atop the juicy patty. The whole caboodle is served in a glossy brioche bun with pickled onions, aged Cheddar and black garlic mayo. It’s no surprise that many consider this to be Dublin’s best burger.

5. East Midlands: Bohns Best Burgers, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

This much-loved Nottingham restaurant started out making meat rubs and spices to sell at food markets. These tasty seasonings feature heavily on the menu today, giving a delicious kick to pretty much everything – signature burgers and loaded fries included. At Bohns, there’s a burger for everyone, from classics like The Oklahoma (two beef patties smashed with sliced onions and American mustard) to more ostentatious creations such as The Peanut Butter Jelly, which comes loaded with peanut butter, blue cheese, red onions and chilli jam. There are plenty of veggie and vegan options, too.

4. South East: Burgervore, Monks Risborough, Buckinghamshire

A much-deserved finalist in the 2024 National Burger Awards, Burgervore is a food truck based in Monks Risborough that has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2021. It can be found at pubs, breweries and markets throughout the region and is known for its exceptionally juicy, dry-aged beef patties that come perfectly paired with house-made sauces. The bestseller by far is the Basic Instinct, a smashed beef patty with Swiss cheese, American cheese, ‘vore’ burger sauce, streaky bacon, lettuce, onion, beef tomato and sliced gherkins.

3. East Midlands: Crafty Burger, Leicester, Leicestershire

For some of the finest burgers in the East Midlands, head to Crafty, a pop-up restaurant run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from St Martin's Coffee Shop. Located right in the heart of the city’s indie shopping hub, Crafty sources most of its ingredients from local producers and the nearby Leicester Market – and the quality speaks for itself. Fans rave about the Crafty Poet (pictured), a flavour-packed beef patty piled with smoked streaky bacon, salted crispy onions, American cheese, aioli and barbecue sauce. All burgers also come with skin-on fries.

2. North West: Yard Burgers, Sale, Greater Manchester

You might not expect to find one of Manchester’s greatest burgers cooked inside a shipping container in a Sale car park, but diners flock to Yard Burgers for its amazing fast food favourites. The joint has got a lot of attention for its experimental creations such as the Wafflin On (pictured), which features a beef patty squeezed between two fried Belgian waffles and scattered with baconnaise, Frazzles, maple syrup and candied bacon. But we say keep it simple with the Dirty Manc, Yard’s version of a Big Mac.

1. London: Whole Beast, Walthamstow

An ongoing residency in Walthamstow’s Exale Taproom, Whole Beast serves the best burger of the last decade – that’s according to the judges at the National Burger Awards and its legions of fans. Famed for its nose-to-tail approach, Whole Beast won the 2024 Champion of Champions contest, which saw 30 previous finalists competing for the ultimate title. The pop-up triumphed thanks to its sensational Aged Cheeseburger, featuring an aged beef patty, American cheese, bread and butter pickles, smoked bone marrow and house-made burger sauce, all piled inside a squishy milk bun.

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Last updated by Luke Paton.