The Top 6 Burger Places In London

It’s no longer a question: London is having a burger moment. Out-the-door and down the street queues are proof enough. And they’re not your standard stack either: we’re seeing sky-high patties, smothered in some of the most interesting toppings and locally-sourced meats and produce to make the whole proper burger experience feel ironically classy. Sirloin to beefsteak, brioche to sourdough, we highlight the best burger joints in the city and pinpoint the people, interior design details and menu concepts that make each one cooler than the next. Herewith, ladies and gentlemen The Off Market lists the best places to get your meat between two pieces of bread.

 

Eco-Friendly Burger: Chosen Bun
When it comes to guilt-free, stress-free indulging, Chosen Bun ticks all of the boxes. After a tasting “mission trip” to some of the most burger-righteous cities in America—New York, Los Angeles, Miami and, er, Naples—longtime-friends and founders, Andy Shovel and Pete Sharman decided they had an idea of how to create the U.S. staple and have it delivered. Yes, burger delivery. They got to work on a patented a biodegradable take-out container that helps get burgers from their Fulham Road shop to any London destination in one piece—no soggy buns, no dismantled patties or wilted dressings here. Just crisp, juicy burger goodness delivered right to your flat. And if you’re not looking to eat from the comfort of your couch (today), you can dine-in surrounded by a decently stylish and cleverly-branded interior designed by London-based firm Cinimod Studio.
@ChosenBun, chosenbun.com

American Cool: Bleecker St.
We love a game-changer and Bleecker St. is an example of just that. This one also gets major (major) snaps for being one of the few burger joints owned and operated by a female chef, Zan Kaufman. The New York corporate lawyer-turned-burger boss traded Big Apple court cases for her own East Village burger joint after trying a life-changing one at Zaitzeff. The rest was history. She moved to London thereafter and has been wowing English burgermongers ever since. Locations dot London’s crowded neighbourhoods: Spitalfields, Southbank and Canary Wharf—and its food truck is parked wherever it likes but most often in Dalston carparks and at music festivals. The Angry Fries are a riff on Canadian poutine thanks to cheese curds and special gravy. The NYC-inspired Black and White Milkshake takes the iconic cookie to a new level. Long (but quick) queues are a sign that this one is one to watch.
@ZanKaufman, bleeckerburger.co.uk

East London Fun: Stokey Bears
Burgers also remind us that we haven’t lost our inner kid. It takes a real adult-teenager to wolf down a many-inches-thick quarter pounder and we’re up for the challenge and here to impress, thanksverymuch. Created by popular joint Burger Bear a new Stoke Newington sister location Stokey Bears gets all of the cute points for its cartoon branding: it gives your burger (and your tummy rumblings) its own unique grizzly personality. So which bear are you? Take your pick: you could be an Angry Bear (cheeseburger topped with “Helluvapeno” relish), Greedy Bear (“everything twice, double stack”), or an adorable Koala Bear (spiced bean burger with American cheese, avocado and more). A special line of Bearhug IPAs, lagers and pilsners bring us back to reality but doesn’t lose the cute-factor.
@stokeybears, stokeybears.com

VIP Patty: Burger at Hix Soho
What if you bring a friend and they’re just not in the mood for a fancy dish despite all of your posh-y encouragement? Cue chef Mark Hix who knows that even with all of our refined tastes (we mean you Isle of Mull Scallops) we’re always on board with a simple yet effective, comforting and delicious menu staple—a good old burger. While this fancier restaurant in the heart of Soho isn’t a burger joint by name or intention, its Ground Rib Steak with Lobster is a winner in our books. You could go sans lobster, really, but how can one say no to lobster? And Hix has been experimenting with burgers, trying out shrimp burgers (pictured above) for chuck connoisseurs looking to mix it up a bit. Whatever you choose, dine by candlelight and surrounded by interior architect Martin Brudnizki’s elegant design touches and forget about the less-than-ostentatious menu pick. That’s probably the best decision they made that week.  @hixrestaurants, hixsoho.co.uk

The Heavyweight: Mother Flipper
We don’t know if you know that 30oz of meat is a lot. Well, it is and this Lewisham joint aims to beat all kinds of records with portions. It’s been serving 30oz cheese and beef-laden goliaths—that’s 10 smashed patties made of 100% English chuck with American cheese melted onto every layer. Yup, you read that right. The food truck competition is fierce and chef Manuel Leal-Andrades is baring his proverbial burger teeth with a burger that bites back. And people are loving it: customers aren’t gun-shy at all about the sheer amount of chuck and it continues to be a Brockley Market staple and long queues snake on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and at KERB’s West India Quay on Fridays at lunch (those lucky finance people have all the fun). Not only will eating here garner you serious bragging rights among your friends, it might just incite a bit of an eating contest.
@MotherFlipperUK, motherflipperburgers.com

Nostalgic Nosh: Patty and Bun
We love burgers for so many (many) reasons but one of them is because they’re such a huge part of American life. They remind us of the 1950s (or what our grans tell us that era was like) and surge us with all sorts of warm and fuzzy comfort-food feelings. Ah. Fact: few people get the whole classic Americana feel right and Patty and Bun is among the great ones. It’s ultimate goal? “To deliver a unique and truly memorable burger experience.” And they do: guest chefs such as Palomar’s Yossi Elad and Berber and Q’s Josh Katz pop in sometimes for flip-offs and to add their twist to a menu that reads as deliciously and iconically as it tastes. Favourites include the ‘Ari Gold’ Cheeseburger on a brioche bun and the Winger Winger Chicken Dinner smoked confit wings. #Drool
@pattyandbunjoe, pattyandbun.co.uk

Text: Glynnis Mapp, @glynnismapp