Bangkok’s 7 best smash burgers

You can tell Smizzle is serious the moment your burger lands in front of you – not because of the packaging or branding, but because of that scent of meat hitting metal. The thin, crispy-edged patty is made from a three-part blend of Aussie beef that’s smashed to the point where the outer crust locks in the flavour, while the inside still clings to its juiciness. It’s this contrast that makes it more than a fast-food fix – it’s a carefully tuned process that delivers consistency every time you bite into a crusty blondy (B290), their signature burger that leans on a UFO-shaped cheddar crisp for both crunch and intensity, or the Oklahoma (B270), their top-selling onion smash that nods to the original American roadside vibe without trying too hard to be nostalgic. They’re about to launch a new meltdown burger with grilled cheese layers of mozzarella, parmesan and cheddar on 13 June – so yes, it’s worth planning your next burger craving around that.

Bambini Villa, 18 soi Athakravi, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei. 062-4199190. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Located in a low-key community spot just off BTS Chong Nonsi, this tiny burger joint does what many places try to imitate – serving limited-quantity smash burgers that don’t taste like mass production. The dry-aged beef is noticeably more flavourful, tucked inside buns that don’t fall apart, even after soaking up all the juices. The vibe here is just as stripped back as the food, with only a few tables and a single focus, do the basics right. And they do, with a smash cheeseburger that comes out hot, fast and well-balanced, especially considering it’s made in such a tiny kitchen. The price stays refreshingly low for this level of quality, making it one of the best-value smash burgers in the city.

190 Phiphat 2, Si Lom, Bang Rak. 091-818-7032. Open daily 11am-9pm.

This place knows what it’s doing, offering one of the more consistent smash burgers in the city – and building a real identity around its ingredients. From dry-aged, high-welfare beef from Sloane’s – a London-based butcher known for ethically raised quality meat – to buttery house-baked potato buns, every element plays a role. The house pickles and jalapenos cut through the richness, and even the sauces are made in-house rather than squeezed from an industrial pump. Whether you go for a classic or one of their rotating monthly specials, there’s a kind of casual confidence here that’s hard to fake and easy to crave.

593 1 Sukhumvit 33 Alley, Klongtan Nuea, Watthana. 097-979-7836. Open daily 11am-2am.  

No gimmicks – just a straightforward approach that hits the mark with every burger, especially if you grew up around classic American diners and are hunting for that nostalgic balance of soft buns, juicy meat and just enough cheese. This simplicity is exactly what makes Goodburgs work – they don’t complicate things; they just do them well. And it shows in every bite, with enough attention to detail to make the whole experience feel intentional, even if it’s dressed like a laid-back joint. The restaurant just dropped The Chuck Norris – a limited-edition smash with a 100g dry-aged Wagyu patty, slow-cooked beef chuck, white BBQ sauce, red onions and cheese. It’s punchy, meaty, and only around until roundhouse kicks off the menu.

17 Sukhumvit 71 Rd, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana. 063-093-7201. Open daily 11.30am-11pm.

This one just is ­– in the best way. A true American-style approach to smashing burgers, using a proper beef-to-fat ratio (80:20) that gives the patties their essential charred crust and inner juiciness. The homemade brioche bun is light but sturdy enough to hold everything together, especially on the No.51 Signature (B199), which comes double-pattied, cheese-loaded and topped with house bacon jam, pickles and soft onions. It’s messy in the way a great burger should be. And they don’t just toss anything into the mix either, with pork and fried chicken options done with equal care and milkshakes that round things out like a scene from an old-school American movie, except it’s at the edge of Pracha Uthit.

Pracha Uthit, Bang Mot, Thung Khru. 094-526-6996. Open daily 11am-10pm. 

What’s wild about Barney’s is how small the place actually is – just a couple of metres wide – but the flavour punches way above its weight, bringing real working-class American energy into Ari with a clean smash of Australian Black Angus and Wagyu. It somehow still lands at a pretty reasonable price, considering the meat quality. Even though it’s a minimalist operation with no seating, the food does all the talking. That’s why it sells out every day – people come here for the one thing the shop does right: a smash burger that’s crispy, salty and beefy. There’s no seating, so plan to grab and go, but honestly, the burgers speak loudly enough on their own to make the lack of chairs a non-issue.

404 Phahonyothin Alley, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai. 0971262192. Open daily 11.30am-8pm. 

A fast-food-style setup that takes sourcing seriously, Prime Burger is where you go when you want speed without sacrificing meat quality. They grind Australian beef fresh daily, smash it on the grill to lock in the juice, and build a menu that lets guests ‘travel’ by name – Stockholm (B262), New York (B262), Tokyo (B262), etc. The real appeal, though, is that everything here holds up under scrutiny, from the even crust on the patty to the soft, not-too-sweet bun. Even vegetarians, pescatarians and beef lovers get a decent pick – rare in a burger joint trying to cover this much ground.

497 Sukhumvit Rd. 080-552-8002. Open daily 10am-3am.