Australia's best burgers and where to find them

Bar Luca, Sydney

Never has a restaurant taken a city by storm to the extent Bar Luca has with Sydney. This hotspot is perhaps most famous for the Blame Canada burger (no offence to our lovely Canadian friends), which consists of 200 grams of Wagyu, maple-glazed bacon, American cheese, maple aioli and poutine between two soft milk buns. That monster is only the tip of the iceberg – watch out for the Trump Tower, a double beef pattie, four (yep, four) slices of American cheese, double bacon and double hash brown. Bar Luca became so huge that the owners were forced to open a takeaway spin-off – BL Burgers, found in two more locations around Sydney. For the full experience involving a vibrant atmosphere and a quality selection of tap beers, dine at the OG restaurant in Sydney CBD. You may or may not develop a slight addiction and/or obsession with these life-changing burgers, but let’s be real, there’s worse things you could be addicted to.

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Miel Container, Brisbane

Brisbane definitely has a thing for revamping old shipping containers into stylish eateries (see: Eat Street North Shore), and famous burger joint Miel Container is no exception. You’re able to design your own burger by choosing your bun (brioche or ciabatta), meat (ultra high quality), salad, cheese (gourmet, of course) and sauce (endless options). Or, if you want the thinking done for you, choose from an excellent list of pre-designed burgers. The house speciality here is miso-smoked pork belly burgers – a nod to founder Johnny Na’s home country of Korea. Miel Container is ideal for takeaway – the burgers are delivered with production line efficiency, making it perfect for CBD workers in the lunchtime rush. Don’t skimp on the sides either – how does sweet potato wedges or nacho chilli con carne sound?

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The Burger Bar, Noosa

The Burger Bar doesn’t look like anything out of the ordinary from the outside, but on the inside you’ll find a team of burger lovers who are totally devoted to constructing your perfect burger. Their secret? Everything is made fresh and in house, and all burgers are made with the utmost love and care in creating a flavour explosion. Yep, we’re talking everything, from simmering their own sauces and making their own patties. Customers raved about the generous range of burgers available for any taste, from ultra-spicy to ultra-cheesy. The team likes to hook you in with a classic burger such as a cheeseburger, but once they earn your trust and devotion, you’ll love the more adventurous options – such as the Top Bun: lamb, brie and lime slaw! With an open and friendly atmosphere, The Burger Bar is everything you need in a burger joint – don’t miss it when you’re at the sunny Sunshine Coast.

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Grand Trailer Park Taverna, Melbourne

Like all things Melbourne, Grand Trailer Park Taverna is innovative, extra, Instagrammable and fabulous. The indoor seating consists of two caravans, two motorhomes and a whole lot of picnic tables while overhead, fairy lights dance from the ceiling. This place is a must-do for beef lovers – the only options are beef burgers, with a chickpea patty available for veggos. Customers at Grand Trailer Park Taverna have raved about the friendly and hospitable service from enthusiastic staff, so you’re guaranteed an experience to remember. With sides and desserts consisting of mac and cheese croquettes, waffles, banana splits and sherbet ice cream, the worst experience you could have here is not having enough stomach space. Not to mention the alcoholic milkshakes and classic American cocktails…

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The Burger Rebellion, Port Macquarie

The Burger Rebellion team describe themselves as “misfit ex-fine dining chefs, struggling uni students and lifetime hospo geeks,” and their menu is as colourful and interesting as their personnel. With a huge range of options from classic beef to vegetarian and gluten-free options, you’re guaranteed to find something to make your belly happy and full. There is also a giant range of chips, sides and salads - if you rate your ability to eat more than the enormous burger you’ll get. Know you’re putting only the good stuff in your body - the Burger Rebellion work with local farmers and producers to provide the freshest locally sourced product your precious dollars can buy. Add some great music and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and you’ve got a top-notch burger experience…or take it away and eat your burger on the beach!

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Grease Monkey, Canberra

If you ask a Canberra local for their favourite burger joint, 9 times out of 10 it’ll be Grease Monkey. Grease Monkey isn’t named and themed after a characteristic of its burgers, but rather it is a homage to the area of Braddon. Once the stomping ground of car yards and mechanics, it is now flooded with new hipster eateries. Grease Monkey's sides are second to none, with customers going crazy for the truffle mac and cheese bites, jalapeno poppers and mozzarella sticks. With a range of innovative shakes, sodas and cocktails, a fancy drink is essential to wash down your delicious hearty burger. Greasy’s slogan is “burgers you’ll go apesh*t for”, and TBH, it’s a pretty fair assessment. This is the perfect option for you when you need a break from the fluff of Canberra’s many organic eateries and just want a good old-fashioned - and dare we say, greasy - burger.

Jack Greene, Hobart

Two words: halloumi chips! A fantastic location right on the water, you can’t hope for a much better experience than you get at Jack Greene. With a huge range of burgers including beef, chicken, lamb, pork, wallaby, vegetarian and fish, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect dirty burger to satisfy whatever you’re craving. If you don’t feel like a burger, there’s a huge range of delicious bar snacks to choose from, such as salt and pepper squid, vegetable fritters and yep – the famous halloumi chips with chipotle ketchup. Servings are generous but not over-the-top, however if you still aren’t confident you can eat a whole burger, there is an excellent range of sliders – including steak, smoked salmon and duck! Fuelling up at Jack Greene for a fantastic lunch is the perfect way to prepare for an afternoon of exploring stunning Hobart.

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Bread & Bone Wood Grill, Adelaide

By far the best thing about this hip joint in the heart of the city is their trading hours – gone are the days of having a dodgy kebab or McDonalds to soak up the booze, head straight to Bread & Bone to enjoy the highest quality burger money can buy. In their own words, Bread & Bone “specialise in the unmistakable flavour of a wood grill to deliver some damn fine burgers.” From the classic cheese burger to a burger of soft shell crab or Korean fried chicken, the menu is diverse and is guaranteed to open your hearts and tastebuds to never before considered possibilities. Dessert becomes increasingly foregone as you get older, but you won’t want to skip the B & B soft serve – house-made blackberry flavour plus caramelised sticky figs, marshmallow and honeycomb! Don’t take our word for it though – head down there for a meal or midnight snack and let their menu do the talking.

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Short Order Burger Co, Fremantle

Short Order Burger Co started out in the ultra-cool community of Fremantle – Perth devotees were forced to commute there to get their fix. Now, another store has been opened in Perth, meaning more Western Australians can enjoy the experience of chowing down on one of these incredible burgers. If the fresh and flavourful burger ingredients weren’t enough, the chips cooked to perfection and the rich and creamy range of milkshakes are sure to tip you over the edge. Anyone who likes to live every day as if it were a party will love the exciting atmosphere of the Fremantle store, complete with a DJ spinning sick beats as you relish your food. Reasonably priced yet boasting totally organic and high-quality products, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with Short Order as many others have done before you.

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