The best burgers in the city
Santa Burg
When in Barcelona, don't settle for imported fast food joints or giant themed restaurants casting shadows on La Rambla in your quest for a great burger. Our hunt for perfect patties and fantastic fries turned up more than just those or snooty gourmet versions of the American classic (though a few of those as well). The obsession with fine ingredients that has gripped burger-makers in New York and London for the last few years has caught on in the Catalonian capital too, with happy results: Our 'Best burgers in Barcelona' list includes 1950s-style American diners, signature restaurant versions and even a Russian import, proving that Catalan versions of US cuisines are much more than just a load of old carne picada.
Did we miss your favourite Barcelona spot for American-inspired dining? Join the conversation in the comments.
El Kiosko
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Brad Ainsworth, the chef who brought the gourmet burger to Barcelona with his tiny Bacoa, also opened El Kiosko, which is along the same lines but more spacious and comfortable and open onto the street. Try any of the delicious recipes with special chutney sauce, home-cooked fries and you’ll know what I mean.
- 1, Marquès de l'Argentera, 08003
Santa Burg
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
One of the city’s venues that is committed to turning the humble hamburger into a quality dish that is healthy and, above all, delicious. They have a variety of burgers of their own creation, though whenever possible, these are tailored to the customer’s tastes. Don’t miss the Richard Burger, with onion confit, foie gras and egg. Xavier Pellicer, one of the owners, has helped to create the menu.
- 51, Vallespir, 08014
El Filete Ruso
- Price band: 2/4
This high-flying burger bar includes the eponymous Russian fillet: a beefburger that is made from choice meat coated in flour. Their steak tartar is also a stand-out item on the menu.
- 95, Enric Granados, 08005
Meatpacking Bistro
- Critics choice
This quirky, original restaurant that bears a resemblance to a New York eatery combines American dishes like barbecue pork ribs burgers that have a touch of the Mediterranean, like the tuna with wasabi mayonnaise variety. Have a slice of cheesecake for breakfast (like they do in ‘Sex and the City’), or drop in for lunch or dinner.
- 50, Travessera de Gràcia, 08021
Negro Carbón
- Rated as: 3/5
- Critics choice
Tapas and tango is their motto. Apart from that, these Argentineans serve stupendous barbecued meat (it’s one of the few one of the few places in Barcelona that can be described as an authentic Argentinean parrilla), and generous burgers made from premium beef.
- 16, Pla de Palau, 08003
La Royale
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
With recipes created by the Michelin star-holder Paco Pérez, this gourmet burger bar serves meat from every continent: Japanese, Irish and Argentinean beef, and Chinese duck, just to name a few. And they have a list of highly unusual gin & tonics.
- 5, Plaça del Camp, 08022
Sagàs
- Price band: 3/4
- Critics choice
The Rovira brothers, from the Michelin-starred farmhouse-restaurant Els Casals de Sagàs, have set up shop in Barcelona. Here they practice the noble art of the gourmet sandwich, stuffed with meats and vegetables that they produce on their farm in Bages. It’s worth trying such delicacies as their Chinese sandwich with bacon. Everything straight from the land, with no middlemen involved.
- 13, Pla de Palau, 08003
Cerveseria Jazz
- Rated as: 4/5
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
While they don’t have a wide selection of hamburgers, the ones they make are very good. Partly thanks to the excellent bread. To round off the meal they stock a wide range of beers.
- 43, Margarit, 08004
- 55, Passeig Sant Joan Bosco
Peggy Sue's American Dinner
- Price band: 1/4
With its decor that evokes the American diners in ‘Grease’, Peggy Sue's is a high-quality franchise: its burgers might not be huge, but they are certainly tasty, similar to American patties. Hamburgers play only a small part in a menu that is based on 1950s America.
- 24, Balmes, 08011
Gut
- Price band: 2/4
Gut is a very attractive restaurant, with its pristine white furnishings and venerable wooden chairs. It’s a small, elongated space, but thanks to the lighting they have made the most of it. They serve breakfast, lunch (a special menu at a very good price), dinner and drinks. Their modest menu offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, with dishes such as prawn and mango curry and the tasty mushroom and foie brick. It’s always full, and with today’s economic problems, that says a lot about the place.
- 13, Perill, 08012
Nello's Bar
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Located in what used to be the venerable Bar Roselló, Nello's burger bar lends this part of the Eixample a more cosmopolitan air, with a decor that is reminiscent of New York. Varied selection of hamburgers made from select ingredients. Good gin & tonics and the finest imported beers.
- 255, Rosselló, 08008
