The best burgers in Durban

For a burger with a side of Irish pub atmosphere, Waxy O’Connors is a Durban favourite. The restaurant has been serving hearty pub food since 2001, with a welcoming, laid-back feel that works just as well for a catch-up with friends as it does for a casual meal.

Its gourmet burgers come with chips and dusted onions, and the Wednesday burger deal is a drawcard for anyone looking to make a midweek meal of it.

What to know

• Website: www.waxys.co.za
• Address: 124a Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville
• Telephone: 031 266 2565
• Email: westville@waxys.co.za
• Instagram: @waxyswestville
• Other KZN locations: Hillcrest, Sunningdale, Ballito, Hilton and Salta, Umdloti

Surf Riders Café might have left Durban’s South Beach, but it still brings coastal energy to its menu with its Umhlanga Cabanas location.

Its burger offering includes beef made with free-range, hormone-free, grass-fed meat from Underberg, as well as a plant-based veggie burger. For something different, ask about the signature soft-shell crab burger, which is available on special request. 

READ: Durban says goodbye to Surf Riders on South Beach

What to know

• Website: surfriders.co.za
• Address: Cabana Beach Resort, 10 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks
• Telephone: 031 065 3444
• Email: cabanas@surfcafe.co.za
• Facebook: SurfRidersDBN
• Second location: The Boulevard, Shop 3B, Ground Floor, 19 Park Lane, Umhlanga Rocks

Mulligans in Durban North combines Irish pub charm with generous comfort food and a busy social calendar. Burgers are a key part of the offering - the perfect pairing with a draft beer!

There are also regular entertainment and food promotions throughout the week, making it worth checking the latest listings before visiting.

What to know

• Website: mulligansdurban.co.za
• Address: 5–7 Mackeurton Avenue, Durban North, 4051
• Telephone: 063 801 5757
• Email: admin@mulligansdurban.co.za
• Instagram: @mulligansirishpubsa
• Kitchen hours: Daily from 11am-9.30pm

Florida Road’s Dropkick Murphy’s offers a lively take on the Irish pub, with drinks, rooftop views and a menu built around comfort food.

Its burger concept is refreshingly simple: one classic burger that diners can customise with different toppings. Depending on your appetite, you can go traditional or build a more adventurous combination with extras such as biltong, hash browns or peppadews.

What to know

• Address: 219 Florida Road, Windermere, Durban, 4001
• Telephone: 031 303 2980
• Email: info@abar.co.za
• Instagram: @dkmurphysdbn
• Best for: Customisable burgers, drinks and a lively Florida Road atmosphere.

A burger with a sea view? Hops Ballito makes a strong case for taking your appetite to the KZN North Coast. This beachfront restaurant serves classic pub meals alongside burgers, pizzas and other casual favourites.

You can also catch live music on selected days, follow the sport on its screens or bring the family along: there’s a kids’ menu and a secure play area with a jumping castle.

What to know

• Website: hopsballito.co.za
• Address: 14 Edward Place, Ballito
• Telephone: 032 946 2895 or 032 946 2896
• Email: adminb@hops1.co.za
• Facebook: Hops Ballito
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until late | Saturday–Sunday, 8am until late
• Best for: Beach views, family meals and burgers alongside other pub favourites.

What started as a pop-up food venture has grown into a Florida Road burger destination. Super Burger puts the focus on flavour-packed classics and speciality creations, with a menu aimed squarely at people who take their burgers seriously.

Its central location makes it an easy stop for a casual lunch or an evening bite while exploring one of Durban’s best-known dining streets.

What to know

• Website: superburger.co.za
• Address: 223 Florida Road, Windermere, Durban
• Telephone: 082 573 3663
• Email: info@superburger.co.za
• Instagram: @superburgersa
• Best for: Classic and speciality burgers in the heart of Florida Road.

Located at The Pearls Mall in Umhlanga, Smaqué Stack serves up stacked burgers in a convenient coastal setting. Expect bold combinations, juicy fillings and plenty of flavour, with options for eating in or grabbing a takeaway.

It’s a handy choice if you’re shopping, meeting friends in Umhlanga or looking for a burger stop near the promenade.

What to know

• Location: Treat Street, The Pearls Mall, Umhlanga
• Telephone: 064 305 6793
• Email: info@smaquestack.co.za
• Instagram: @smaquestack_official
• Best for: Stacked burgers, casual dining and takeaway.

The Foodwagen brings a playful, street-food feel to the Durban burger scene. Its menu is known for creative toppings and satisfying combinations, with options for those who like a little heat or extra crunch.

Families can also look out for kid-friendly meals. The restaurant is Halaal and offers a convenient Essenwood location for a quick bite.

What to know

• Location: Shop 10, 311 Vause Road, Essenwood; entrance on 293 John Zikhali Road, Durban
• WhatsApp: 081 853 6538
• Email: foodwagenza@gmail.com
• Instagram: @foodwagen.za
• Best for: Creative toppings, casual burgers and Halaal-friendly dining.

If you value eating in groups and aren’t a solo rider, Burgerack is just the spot for you. This burger joint is a reminder of the relationship created and solidified through good food, something no one should ever trade for anything else in the world. Like I always say, a friend or a loved one who shares food with you is a real one. From single meals to assorted platters, you’ll never go wrong where you get more for less. If you’re not much of an eater, worry not, you’re free to pack a doggy back to reminisce on the burger-filled moments when you get home.

For chicken-burger fans, Mr Bird’s offers a change from the usual beef patty. Its cast-iron, pan-fried chicken burgers come in a range of flavours, including hot honey, dunked cheese, Asian BBQ, honey-peri, peri-peri and Nashville-style heat.

If you’re looking for a filling lunch, ask about the classic chicken burger meal with fries and a drink.

What to know

• Umhlanga address: 45 Zenith Drive, Umhlanga
• Umhlanga telephone: 067 572 5176
• Musgrave address: 123 Cowey Road, Musgrave
• Musgrave telephone: 065 903 1547
• Facebook: Mr Bird
• Best for: Crispy chicken burgers and a choice of sweet, savoury and spicy flavours.

Smokin’ Joe’s has built its reputation around big, bold burgers with a boxing-inspired theme. The menu’s knockout-style creations bring together patties, cheese, bacon, sauces and other generous toppings.

The brand has also earned international attention: it was ranked 12th in the world by Big 7 Travel in 2023, according to its earlier coverage. With branches around Durban, it’s a name to keep on your burger radar.

What to know

• Website: smokinjoes.co.za
• Telephone: 031 309 1209
• Address: 54 Problem Mkhize Road, Essenwood, Berea
• Instagram: @smokinjoesza
• Other branches: Kloof, Umhlanga and Cowey Road
• Best for: Generous, customisable burgers and bold flavour combinations.

If a smashed burger is your idea of perfection, Wagyu Bros is one to look out for. The brand specialises in premium Wagyu smashed burgers and loaded fries, focusing on rich flavour and the crisp-edged patty that makes this style so popular. Its latest location information lists a spot at The Barn at Westown Square, so check its social channels before travelling for the most up-to-date trading details.

What to know

• Address: The Barn, Shop 36, Westown Square, Shongweni
• Email: wagyubrosbookings@icloud.com
• Instagram: @wagyubros_dbn
• Best for: Wagyu smashed burgers and loaded fries

Chunky’s is all about big-flavour comfort food, from smash-style beef burgers and crispy fried chicken burgers to loaded fries, tacos and thick milkshakes. Founded by Durban local Jono Dempster, the business has grown into a colourful neighbourhood burger spot with the tagline ‘Making diets cry since 2021’.

Expect cartoon-style walls, a simple counter for ordering and a few tables inside, with additional outdoor seating. It’s a casual choice for lunch or dinner, with plenty of locals popping in to collect takeaways.

What to know

• Address: Shop 3, 35 Newport Avenue, Glenashley, Durban, 4051
• Telephone: 031 001 5148
• Email: info@chunkys.co.za
• Instagram: @chunkysburgerco
• Best for: Smash-style burgers, loaded fries and casual takeaway dinners.

This Morningside favourite for meat lovers serves viral dunked burgers, premium steaks, and loaded fries in a trendy, family-friendly setting. The fully halal-certified restaurant focuses on indulgent American-style portions, juicy smash burgers and bold flavours.

The menu features crowd-pleasers such as the New Yorker, Cuban, Quartermaster and Mexican burgers, while the milkshakes are well worth a look – including a Milo option for those with a sweet tooth. Whether you’re after a loaded burger and fries or a steak dinner, Ironman is geared towards satisfying those serious cravings.

What to know

• Address: 415 Windermere Road, Morningside, Durban, 4023
• Telephone: 073 328 6647
• Email: aztec@live.co.za
• Instagram: @ironman_raresteaks
• Best for: Juicy burgers, indulgent dunked burgers and loaded fries.

Sho Sho Burgers brings a proudly South African spin to the burger scene, with a menu built around two styles: crispy-edged smash burgers and more substantial bistro burgers.

Expect playful flavour combinations, from a truffle-and-berry burger to a chicken burger with atchar-inspired flavours. Hand-cut chips, parmesan fries and a range of sauces round out the offering. It’s a meat-focused menu, so it may not be the best choice for vegan or vegetarian diners.

READ: Springbok duo team up with entrepreneurs to launch new Cape Town burger joint

What to know

• Website: www.shoshoburgers.co.za
• Address: 198 Gordon Road, Durban
• Best for: Smash burgers, bistro-style burgers and South African-inspired flavour combinations.