Burgers are anytime food; we devour them at all times of the day or night throughout the year.
Yes, burgers for breakfast are definitely a thing. Even if it’s a reheated one from the boozy night before – you know, when you ate half of it in bed but fell asleep before you could finish it. Or is that just us..?
Anyway, the glory and appeal of the humble burger resides in the countless variations there are to choose from.
When hunger strikes, we can go down the classic cheeseburger route or opt for pulled pork, jerked chicken, grilled fish, and even vegetarian or vegan options – such is the current dining trend.
The possibilities are boundless. That’s why we’ve carefully curated this list of the Square Mile’s very best places to treat yourself to a juicy burger full of tasty goodness.
Bad Egg
This is a messy beast of a burger. The team at Bad Egg, a great little American diner tucked beneath the Brutalist shadow of the Barbican Estate, have totally revolutionised the humble cheeseburger. They combine a rare-breed beef patty with such delights as a potato bun, turmeric pickles, homemade burger sauce, caramelised onions, and a good heaping of Red Leicester fondue. That’s right dear friends – fondue. It is decadent and likely to leave you with heartburn; but it’s totally worth it.
CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker Street EC2Y 9AW
Bleecker
These guys champion the classic American cheeseburger. It’s not overly fussed over, nor filled with too many ingredients. Instead chefs stick to a traditional seeded bun (no brioche here), fill it with dry-aged beef cooked pink, melt a whole heap of cheese into it, add some onions, and then smother it with their very own ‘secret sauce’. We always go for the double cheeseburger to give ourselves a proper challenge.
Old Spitalfields Market E1 6EA and 16 Bloomberg Arcade EC4N 8AR
Dirty Burger
Seeing as they’re owned by Soho House, it is no surprise the interiors look just as good as the burgers taste. Each of their burger dens has a chic and all-too-cool feel while, the simple menu is just perfect. Grab the signature Dirty Burger and drift away into your own cheesy, meaty, pickley happy place. And be sure to add some of the triple-cooked, hand-cut chips and tempura-battered onion fries for good measure.
Various locations
Smiths of Smithfield
Located right next to the UK’s biggest wholesale meat market is the behemoth of a dining destination – Smiths of Smithfield. It’s four stories of food and drink fun, but you’ll only find their beef burger on the second floor at The Grill. They keep it simple here with a top-quality beef patty topped with mature cheddar, Old Spot bacon, and a pickle on top for good measure. Bliss.
67-77 Charterhouse Street EC1M 6HJ
Mac & Wild
Who knew the Scots could create one of London’s best burgers? Mac & Wild’s Veni-Moo burger (inset) is constantly lauded as the most deliciously rich burgers out there. It consists of a beef patty, a venison patty, melted cheese, béarnaise sauce and caramelised onions; heaven between two buns. This one is going to get messy but just embrace it from the outset; you’ll be licking your fingers and sleeves clean by the end of the feasting experience. And be sure to grab a bite at the Devonshire Square eatery where your hosts also have their very own shooting range bar for added kicks.
9a Devonshire Square EC2M 4YN
Hawksmoor
They may be best known for their steaks, but Hawksmoor’s cheeky kimchi burger is a great surprise addition to the menu. Head chef Richard Turner thought up the simple dish after a trip to South Korea and it has been a huge hit ever since. It was on the first ever bar menu at Hawksmoor Seven Dials and has stayed there for seven years. The execution is simple – chefs take the classic Hawksmoor cheeseburger and top it with a short rib and spicy fermented cabbage. Definitely order this bad boy next time you’re at Hawksmoor.
Various locations
Patty and Bun
Patty and Bun has somehow managed to maintain incredible quality even as the chain spreads all over the City. Eateries are scattered all over London, but the most City-friendly location is at Swingers crazy golf by the Gherkin. They also deliver all over the Square Mile, so diners don’t even need to leave the office to grab a famous Smoky Robinson burger with caramelised onions, bacon, ketchup and signature smoky P&B mayo. We are also big fans of the vegetarian Portobello ‘Dig It’ Mushroom Burger – even if we do add bacon to it ourselves.
Swingers, 8 Browns Building EC3A 8AL
