They say a balanced diet is having a burger in both hands, and we think there's something in that. Nothing beats a good patty and bun, with melted cheese, crispy bacon and all the other goodies that come with it. From signature stacks with 'nduja through to melt-in-the-mouth wagyu wonders, here are the best burgers in Edinburgh.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
If you're after a good burger and beer combo, make sure to check out DogHouse Edinburgh. The cool venue, which boasts dangling foliage and a raised alfresco terrace, rustles up chicken, beef and vegan buns. Our favourite? The pork and chorizo patty topped with gooey brie.
With Burger Mama cooking up a storm in the kitchen, you can count on The Lioness of Leith for a cracking meal. They offer one of the most extensive selection of gourmet Scottish beef, chicken and meat-free options, with unique toppings ranging from spicy mac 'n' cheese to wasabi mayo and tzatziki.
The venue itself is found on the former site of a derelict pub that had a dark history to it. These guys transformed the space into an award-winning bar and bistro, featuring dark brick walls, rustic wooden furnishings and quirky, colourful murals.
The Conan Doyle is knocking it out of the park with its menu, rustling up a range of tasty burgers, with fillings including things like beef patties, chicken breasts, plus a cauliflower, kale and smoked cheddar number, complemented with flavourful sauces and sides.
If you're on the hunt for the best burgers in Edinburgh, there's no denying The Three Sisters rustles up a load of tantalising, towering treats. Think buns stuffed with double smashed patties plus mac and cheese fritters, as well as katsu-topped chilli chicken.
Over on Market Street, Belushi's are the heroes of hungry tums, with a flippin' delicious menu on offer. Highlights include the firecracker, made of spicy chorizo and jalapenos, as well as the blue sizzle, which sees piquillo red peppers mingling with saucy stilton and smoky bacon.
At Angels Share, it's hard not to notice how chic the hotel restaurant and bar is. But equally decadent? The venue's burgers are absolutely top-notch; choose from classic beef, chicken tikka or plant-based patties, and pair your meal with a delicious craft beer.
All Bar One is up there as one of the best burger places in Edinburgh. Yes, you can find all the classics you know and love, as well as a beastly signature number. Chomp on a beef patty accompanied by crispy prosciutto, goosey raclette cheese and slaw.
For a killer hamburger, pop over to The Greyfriars Bobby on Candlemaker Row. Expect meaty mouthfuls of chargrilled beef topped with Monterey Jack cheese, nestled together with lettuce, tomatoes and gherkins, accompanied by a side of BBQ salsa and skin-on fries.
Boasting gorgeous views of Edinburgh Castle, The Chanter is a fine spot for a banging burger. Settle into one of the comfortable booths then get stuck into quirky buns, like the 'nduja meatball or the hot honey halloumi. To pair? Cocktails, beers and wines are ripe for the picking.
You can always count on TGI Fridays for a top-quality burger, and they've got a whole menu to choose from. Think chicken, beef or plant-based patties, topped with everything from mozzarella dippers to pickled red onions.
This is a casual, friendly restaurant that's well-suited to group meals, and they've got a two-for-one cocktail offer to take advantage of too. They also serve up some cracking desserts, from honeycomb cheesecake to their legendary sundaes.
Craft beer is at the centre of everything this Innis & Gunn outpost does, boasting 26 different taps of the good stuff. But if you get hungry? Burgers range from a venison patty with smoked applewood and a black pudding fritter to a Moving Mountains vegan number accompanied by pulled jackfruit.
As this is a classic boozer with a hearty menu to match, you can bet your bottom dollar that its menu is worth indulging in. Rose Street Brewery's stacks are made up of chargrilled beef or juicy chicken breast, plus there's a tasty veggie option to get stuck into.
Your classic, old school boozer isn't quite complete without a hefty burger on the menu, is it? Thankfully Haymarket is rustling up the goods, serving up chicken burgers, beef burgers, plus a cauliflower and kale burger, all accompanied by skin-on fries.
On the hunt for burgers in Edinburgh Old Town? Perhaps in its city centre site? While you know The Alchemist better for its molecular mixology and quirky cocktails, this joint also rustles up some mean munch. What's on the menu? Korean-fried chicken, BBQ-doused patties and a next level vegan burger.
BrewDog is simply bonkers for buns, stuffing them with sumptuous patties made from a mix of chuck and brisket. It also rustles up possibly the best vegan burger in Edinburgh; think Beyond Meat patties and Crispy Tindle chicken, cradled in a bun with things like avo or cajun mayo.
Decked out with luxe leather seating, glowing pendant lights and botanical wallpaper, Browns Brasserie & Bar is a bit of a stunner. It's also one of the best burger restaurants in Edinburgh city centre, fronting a cracking tower of a juicy patty, smoked bacon, mature cheddar, mustard mayo, served with fries.
On the hunt for burger restaurants on George Street? Slug and Lettuce have a signature flip that goes beyond the usual meat-on-bread combo. Introducing the S&L, a triumph of beef mince topped with streaky bacon, cheese, onion, mushrooms and a cheeky splodge of 'nduja paste.
While known primarily as a steak restaurant, Hawksmoor is a purveyor of high-quality beef – and you know what else is made of that?That's right, some of the best burgers Edinburgh has to offer. This meat palace serves up grass-fed, dry-aged patties accompanied by triple-cooked chips.
Whether you're popping in for a pre-dinner bite or just have burgers on the brain, The Theatre Royal Bar are ready to provide. If you need something to wash it down, the Edinburgh stalwart also boasts a delicious selection of local ales and tasty wines.
Las Iguanas is bringing a slice of South America to Edinburgh, rustling up a classic burger with a twist. Sink your teeth into a lightly spiced beef patty, chargrilled chicken breast or black bean bun, with caramelised onions or melted emmental on top.
A favourite among the locals, The Pear Tree on West Nicholson Street is a haven of pub classics, dishing out chargrilled cheeseburgers and buns filled with Cajun chicken. Tuck into your feast in their massive beer garden with a pint in hand.
Burgers and beers in Edinburgh go hand in hand, with The Last Drop serving up some of the best around. The Grassmarket pub dishes out hefty stacks of meaty goodness, with the option to add bacon, onion rings or even a buttermilk chicken breast.
