Originating in the US in the late 1800s to early 1900s, burgers have become a worldwide favourite over the last century. And with the capital toting such a premium selection, it would be criminal not to share where serves up the most delicious around. While Five Guys may often take the crown here, if you're after something a little bit different (and better), check out these amazing alternatives.
From classic beef and cheese to Italian-inspired mozzarella with pesto, plus a whole load of vegan options, there's a lot to sink your teeth into. So if you're hunting down the very best burger in London, you may just find it in our guide.
The brainchild of two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey, Heard serves up succulent patties right in the heart of Soho and Borough. Its short but sweet menu packs in great British produce with every bite.
We're talking smoked beef, butter-toasted buns, jalapeno hot honey and all kinds of signature sauces and pickles. All warm wood and snazzy seating, it's perfect for a casual date night, big group meal or quick bite before a night on the town.
Never showy but always special, The Plimsoll serves up some of the finest burgers in the capital. With prime cuts cooked over fire and topped with your choice of deliciousness, they get better with every bite.
With all the vibes of a brilliant local and a Michelin Bib Gourmand for it food, this place perfectly rides the line between seriously good dining and all the fun of a traditional London boozer. One thing's for sure, for a pint and burger, there's no place quite like it.
Just off Buckingham Palace Road in London, Hanbaagaasuuteeki rivals any of the capital's burger heavyweights. The name translates as 'wonderful hamburger' - and it's bang on the money.
Expect thick, indulgent patties topped with all kinds of delicious extras. The menu packs in flavours from China, Korea, Thailand and Japan as well as a more traditional classic double cheeseburger.
Considered by many to be one of the top 10 burger restaurants in London, Black Bear has got outposts in Camden, Brixton, Shoreditch, Victoria and Canary Wharf. It's come a long way since their initial pop-up in 2016, founded by Liz Down and her husband Stew, but they still do all their prep in-house, from cutting the fries to making their own sauces and spice rubs.
Their meat comes from an award-winning butcher, reared on a small farm in Devon. Expect a casual, relaxed vibe in their venues, with a menu that features everything from miso bacon and honey burgers to a braised brisket patty coated in garlic mayo.
For a fast-casual burger fix that doesn't cut corners, Dumbo Shoreditch is the place to be. Nestled on Bethnal Green Road and with another location in Soho too, open from the 4th September 2026, this Paris import champions quality and simplicity with smashburgers made from premium beef, crisp fries, and tender homemade nuggets.
The understated, functional design creates a laid-back vibe that's all about the food - ideal for a quick, flavour-packed meal with your mates or date.
This award-winning haunt is one of the very best burger restaurants in Central London, with outposts in Victoria, London Bridge, Spitalfields and beyond. They opened their first permanent venue in 2015, after years of selling their tasty treats from a food truck, and they've since expanded with a focus on diversity and inclusion - as well as great burgers, of course.
Tuck into affordable buns that start from just £9.30 each, whether that's a classic cheeseburger, beef drizzled in blue cheese or a vegan patty. Pair these with house fries and thick milkshakes - our favourite is the double chocolate.
Having started out in Brixton back in 2011, Honest Burgers quickly went from zero to hero. Their outposts in Soho, Peckham, Bank and far beyond sling out their usual locally sourced stacks, rosemary fries and craft pints, with lots of fun collaborations available throughout the year.
They often have special guest burgers that are unique to each venue, so it's worth visiting more than one spot. Classics include the pesto chicken, the veggie fritter or a chilli beef, served in welcoming, laid-back surrounds. They'll also be serving the delicious Philly Cheese Burger from 16th June 2026 for a limited time only, so grab yours now. The burger is topped with American cheese, grilled green peppers and onions, confit garlic mayo, and pickles. Taking indulgence to the next level, it also comes with a side of hot cheddar cheese sauce for dipping and dunking.
A sought-after location for burgers in the capital, Maxwell's slings out perfect patties on the regular. Think US-style stacks in buttery, brioche buns, with fillings such as smoked bacon and pickles, with vegan alternatives available too.
Having been around since 1972, it's clear that these guys have perfected the recipe, and their casual, welcoming interiors are pretty popular too. Visiting between 12 and 5pm Sunday to Friday? Then be sure to nab classic and signature cocktails for only £6.50 each.
The Three Compasses is a charming East End pub that's known for having some of the best beer and burgers around. The Dalston venue is home to an ever-changing residency of street food pop-ups, this is a fantastic space to indulge in patties and pints with your pals.
Their current kitchen residents Filthy Buns are slinging out all sorts of wild combinations, from smashed beef topped with scotch bonnet and pineapple jam to crispy chicken thigh and a hash brown in your bun. 50% of their menu is plant-based, while the other half is made with the finest free range meat from Ginger Pig. Plus, you can get a burger and a beer for just £10 between 5 and 6pm Tuesday to Thursday.
Looking for a casual pub where burgers reign supreme? The Leyton Star is where it's at. While boasting classic boozer aesthetics, this place is anything but. That's because it hosts fab kitchen residencies, many of which sling out hearty American-style stacks that are sure to blow your socks off.
Current residents Patty&Bun are in the kitchen cooking up a storm. We're talking chilli loaded chips, buffalo ranch wings and absolutely stacked burgers - topped with everything from cheese to black truffle.
For a fluffy bun heaving with meat, cheese and all sorts of delicious toppings (washed down using a pint of something tasty) mosey on over to Blues Kitchen Camden, Brixton or Shoreditch. These US-inspired haunts also promise a regular lineup of live music, from singers to jazz bands.
Munch on scrumptious burgers made from aged beef patties, crispy hot honey chicken, vegan meat alternatives or even shrimp. Enjoy a blue cheese dip on the side, or maybe even chicken gravy.
One of the ultimate spots for breakfast burgers in London, The Breakfast Club brings you some of the most well-dressed patties in town, putting together banging bites such as the avocado, egg and cheese number, or classic cheeseburgers, plus the fried chicken and chipotle mayonnaise stack.
With venues everywhere from Old Compton Street to Hoxton and London Bridge, you're bound to be near one of these cheerful cafes.
One of the most cool burger places in London, the Abbey Tavern also serves up a slamming selection of eats from their kitchen residents The Jerk Valley of London. The trendy space promises a huge urban beer garden and casual interiors, with live screens showing sports both inside and outside.
Their entirely halal menu promises a Caribbean twist on the classics, from a jerk chicken burger to halloumi or spicy bean patties loaded with homemade barbecue sauce and spiced mayonnaise.
Providing you with mouthwatering patties and award-winning craft beers, Two More Years is your one-stop shop for booze and burgers.. The Hackney Wick spot has also got you covered for organic wine and alfresco sips, with stunning views of the river from their warehouse-style space.
Lucky Chip are cooking up a storm in the kitchen, with six different burgers to choose from. All their patties are made from wagyu beef raised in the UK, with fried chicken and vegan buns up for grabs too.
Serving up some of the best burgers London has to offer, Burger & Beyond can be found in Shoreditch, Soho and Borough. Expect vibrant interiors and a lively atmosphere, with a renowned kitchen team slinging out 45-day dry-aged beef patties and refreshing beers to match.
Choose between beef patties loaded up with American cheese and pancetta bacon, hot honey fried chicken or a vegan option smothered in teriyaki sauce - paired with signature sides like bone marrow gravy fries or Buffalo chicken spring rolls.
The Ship has to be one of the best beer and burger spots in London, promising amazing views from its outdoor terrace - particularly if you visit at sunset. Located on the banks of the River Thames, this bustling boozer cooks up a scrumptious selection of stacks, to be enjoyed alongside refreshing pints.
Head here for dairy cattle beef burgers topped with Cornish cheddar and Young's ale chutney, or a plant-based patty with all the same-trimmings, minus the meat and cheese.
For mouthwatering craft beer and burgers, venture to Wolfpack in West Hampstead and Fulham. The old-school boozer promises traditional wooden furnishings, comfy leather seating and plenty of HD screens showing live sports, as well as a menu of luxury junk food.
There are all sorts of burgers to get stuck into here, from grass-fed beef brisket patties topped with streaky bacon and cheese to panko-coated buttermilk chicken thigh or plant-based protein with a tomato relish.
If you're looking for an affordable bite to eat in a laid-back restaurant, then head to one of Gourmet Burger Kitchen's outposts across London in the likes of South Kensington, Stratford and Greenwich. Their burgers start from only £4.95, and they've got one of the biggest ranges in the city.
Whether you're in the mood for smashed beef in a blue cheese crumb, Korean barbecue chicken with kimchi slaw or one of four different plant-based patties loaded with vegan mayonnaise and avocado.
Byron's burgers are stacked with flavour and fun, served all over London, from Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden, South Kensington, and Shepherds Bush. From their signature burger featuring maple bacon, relish and red onions to the Clucky filled with buttermilk fried chicken, smashed avocado, Sriracha hot honey and pickled red onions, it's clear that they take their patty game seriously.
As for sides? Their mac 'n' cheese and hot honey wings always hit the spot. Plus, they have an array of mouthwatering milkshakes and beers to quench your thirst after your monster meal.
You'll most certainly find some top-notch booze and burgers over at Hackney Wick's Colour Factory. Head up to the south-facing terrace, secure a bench overlooking the cool area and browse a tempting menu from Burger & Chop.
Tuck into the likes of the bacon and blue, made with a 5oz aged beef parry and Applewood smoked bacon, or a spicy chicken affair smothered in hot BBQ sauce.
Located in Walthamstow, as part of the Blackhorse Beer Mile, Signature Brew Blackhorse Road is a great choice for freshly brewed beer. They've got 12 different lines of the stuff up for grabs, alongside all kinds of local and artisan spirits or wines.
Munch on hearty burgers from & Bone Burgers, from fried chicken buns to plant-based patties with dirty fries. These can be enjoyed in the trendy venue itself, or in the spacious outdoor area.
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Burger and Lobster have been slinging out premium patties and sumptuous seafood in the capital since 2011. They've got sites everywhere from Knightsbridge to Oxford Circus and West India Quay, as well as international locations in New York, Bangkok and far beyond.
There are five different burgers to choose from, including wagyu beef topped with bone marrow onions, crispy chipotle chicken thighs and smashed panko Symplicity patties layered with aubergine and avocado. Plus, you can secure combos to try a little bit of everything, including lobster rolls and fries.
A five-minute walk away from Old Street station, Blacklock is the place to be for a mouthwatering meaty feast in Shoreditch. Though it's primarily a steakhouse, you can also get your hands on a double cheeseburger loaded with onions that have been caramelised in vermouth, paired with beef dripping chips or kale and parmesan.
The sleek space is housed inside a former Victorian warehouse, and it has become a firm favourite since its opening. As a B Corp-certified restaurant, their social and environmental standards are always high too.
Previously named as the best burger in London by Topjaw, LAGOM is a Swedish-inspired kitchen that has taken up residency at Hackney Church Brew Co. Critically-acclaimed chef Elliot Cunningham is at the helm, dreaming up delicious burgers for as little as £9 each.
His hogget and boar smash burger has got people talking, served with mustard mayo, vinegar slaw and American cheese. While you're devouring it, enjoy freshly brewed beer from their taproom, and be sure to check out their spacious outdoor dining area in the summer months.
Looking for the best burgers in Finsbury Park? The World's End is home to some seriously satisfying burgers, including the signature Red Dog burgers, which feature creative toppings like hickory maple bacon, American cheese, and Red Dog sauce. Whether you're craving a classic cheeseburger or a spicy Nashville hot chicken burger, this pub delivers big on flavour.
The Star in Shoreditch serves up seriously juicy burgers that hit all the right notes. Their signature cheeseburger from Perk'd Up features a 40-day dry-aged British ex-dairy beef double smash patty, topped with double cheese, crispy onions, bread & butter pickles, and their house sauce, all stacked on a soft brioche bun. For something heartier, try the bacon cheeseburger or the Espresso Junkie, which adds a unique espresso plum jam for a sweet and savoury kick.
Each burger packs layers of flavour and texture, from the smoky bacon to the perfectly crispy onions, and you can even add extra patties to up the indulgence. Paired with their rosemary-seasoned skin-on fries or spicy angry fries, these burgers make The Star a must-visit spot for burger lovers in East London.
Sitting on the edge of Hackney Downs, the Star proudly gives off no-frills boozer vibes, complete with shabby-chic decor and old school pub seating. But one look at its burger menu tells you there's plenty more at play.
We're talking spicy bean, beef brisket, BBQ pork rotisserie and 35 days dry-aged butchers cuts. The sides and starters are just as spectacular. Fries topped with chili or parmesan and truffle oil, honey and siracha chicken wings, spicy fish tacos and mac and cheese croquettes make hunger a distant memory.
Right on The Strand in the heart of Covent Garden, Gourmet Burger Club is all about high-quality, bold recipes and big flavours. Its signature smashed burgers, made using 100% grass-fed Irish beef, are joined on the menu by an epic list of handcrafted starters and sauces prepared fresh daily.
There's something here for every kind of appetite. We're talking beef burgers, chicken burgers, club sandwiches, vegan and vegetarian options, plus all kinds of fries, onion rings, gelato and waffles.
A big and buzzing food hall and bar in the heart of Olympia, Arbour serves up some of the best burgers in this part of town. Its Whammy patties come in all forms.
We're talking classic aged beef topped with everything from cheese and onion to pickles and house sauce. Prefer plant based? The mushroom patty packs all the flavour with none of the meat.
Created from a collaboration between Arcade London and chef and food writer Feroz Gajia, Manna is a nostalgic spot inspired by American diners of the 80s and 90s. It can be found in Marylebone, complete with alfresco seating alongside an intimate, retro interior.
Their menu is centred around the Double Manna - two smashed beef patties topped with American cheese, pickles, onion and house Manna sauce in a soft brioche bun. You can also find sides like Nashville hot tenders and waffle fries, as well as thick shakes and indulgent desserts.
