The 14 best burgers in the world right now

What is it? Triple bacon cheese classic smash burger.

What’s on it? Wagyu patties, onions, bacon, American cheddar, all on a milk bun. 

Why we love it: You’ll find great burgers across Tokyo, but the smash burgers at Smash Things in Komazawa-Daigaku might just be the most delicious of them all. The tiny shop is known for its ultra-thin, 100 percent Japanese black Wagyu patties, smashed on a blazing griddle for an incredibly crispy crust and juicy interior. The burgers are kept simple to highlight the outstanding beef, with just onion, proprietary thousand island-style sauce, cheese and your choice of a milk or charcoal-coloured bun. Since the patties are so thin, going for a double or triple is highly recommended. Take your pick from extra toppings: tomato, lettuce, avocado, bacon, jalapeños, pickles and fried egg are available.

Address: Grand Blue Komazawa 101, 3-14-1 Komazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo

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What is it? The Classic Zuney Burger – a Wagyu smash burger from Zuney Burgers in Kloof Street, Cape Town. 

What’s on it? This burger is stacked between a light brioche bun, together with pickles, Wagyu-infused caramelised onions, and laced with their signature house sauce that’s tasty but doesn’t overpower the classic beef flavour.  

Why we love it: Zuney has earned a cult following for the quality of its Wagyu beef. You’ll tuck into a juicy 140g pure beef patty, sourced directly from their Zuney Valley farm in the Eastern Cape. The marbled patty, with its crisp edges, makes this burger indulgent, messy in all the right ways, and packed with knockout flavour. Zuney even makes a mean veggie burger, which speaks volumes about knowing how to bring the best flavours to the fore. As the latest addition to the Time Out Market Cape Town, it’s serving great value for a quality smash burger at R120.

Address: Shop 2, 69A Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001

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What is it? A burger inspired by all great burgers – from San Sebastián to New York – that came before it. 

What’s on it? Dry-aged beef chuck, Gruyère cheese, and a classic burger sauce (with piparra relish instead of pickles) on a pretzel bun. 

Why we love it: With only 11 Nolita burgers made per service, and a €22 price tag to boot, this is arguably the most exclusive burger on the list. It’s worth every cent: from the first bite, you’re thinking about the next. The ingredients of this scandalously addictive burger are minimal but of the highest quality. The 160g patty bears the Cárnicas LyO seal; the pretzel bun has the lightness of a brioche; they make a sauce that’s tangy, spicy and sweet, and finish it all off with a champagne fondue. Order a glass of sparkling wine and get your fingers messy. And if you miss out on the limited sit-down service, you can order a takeaway version next door at newly opened Nolita Express, where they serve this burger plus more late into the night.

Address: C/ de Ponzano, 11, Chamberí, 28010, Madrid

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What is it? The shrimp kong baga at Asian-inspired burger joint Hanbaagaasuuteeki in Victoria. 

What’s on it? A fabulously frilly smash burger accessorised with shrimp, crispy seaweed, cheese and thousand island-style dressing. 

Why we love it: Can a burger be camp? If so, the kitschy shrimp kong baga makes the grade. This is surf and turf, but surf and turf if you happen to be surfing on the shores of Okinawa in the summer of 1973. A thin and lacy beef patty comes alongside more deep fried shrimps than you think possible to squeeze into a relatively small burger, which is then topped with drizzles of sweet and tangy pink dressing as well as melted cheese. Iconique.

Address: 36 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0RE

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Why we love it: Bringing together two cult favourites in one bite, Mange dans mon hood is the ultimate ‘secret’ order from a beloved smash burger spot known for doing just two burgers – and doing them exceptionally well. It’s so juicy it’ll have you reaching for a stack of napkins, but so unbelievably delicious that you’ll almost definitely be back for more.

Address: 1380 Rue Jean-Talon E, Montréal, QC H2E 1S2

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What is it? The signature dish from a burger joint known for its funky ’70s vibe in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. 

What’s on it? Between the light potato buns, two smashed aged steaks sit with cheddar, lettuce and a few onions.

Why we love it: Benoît Héraud, former mixologist at Le Persifleur, has successfully traded his shakers for the smash press at Spécimen Burger. His philosophy is to strip away the superfluous and the incidental to offer burgers in the image of his venue: pared-down and effective. Without necessarily being photogenic, they focus on two well-matched flavours: caramelised meat and melted cheddar. The true connoisseur can’t ask for much more than that. Oh, and as a bonus, thanks to smart packaging, the burgers are just as good delivered as they are eaten in.

Address: 3 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris

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What is it? An Oklahoma-style smash burger served out of the front window of a butchery in Rozelle.

What’s on it? 100 percent grass-fed beef, caramelised onion and melted American-style cheese on a soft Martin’s Potato Roll. 

Why we love it: From the crisp, bronzed, lace-like crust to the squishy bun – and the fact that a single cheeseburger will set you back just AU$10.50 (in this economy?!) – these no-frills burgers are absolute bangers. Sure, you can add lettuce, McClure’s pickles and ROBs sauce, but we reckon the classic is all you really need. It hits the spot every time.

Address: 621 Darling St, Rozelle, Sydney, NSW 2039

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What is it? The Frank Lucas Burger at Mafia Bite in Constantia Kloof, Johannesburg.

What’s on it? This burger features a nine-hour slow-smoked beef brisket that pulls apart with zero effort, and is finished with a rich, glossy Honey BBQ sauce. 

Why we love it: While the shop is famous for its smash burgers, this is a premium, slow-cooked tribute to Texas-style BBQ named after Harlem’s most notorious kingpin. Topped with caramelised onion rings and sweet-and-sour gherkins, and served with melted cheddar on a toasted bun to hold the heavy-hitting flavours together, it’s a proper burger. The contrast between the tender, smoky brisket and the sharp crunch of the onion rings makes it one of the most indulgent bites in the city. Don’t sleep on it – you’ll thank us.

Address: 54 Constantia Dr, Constantia Kloof, Roodepoort, 1724

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What is it? The Park at Kiddo, a cult-favourite burger spot in Buenos Aires.

What’s on it? A beef patty layered with American cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion, plus Kiddo’s house sauce, all tucked into a soft custom bun.

Why we love it: In a world full of overloaded, cheese-dripping burgers, Kiddo is all about getting every element right. Created by Alejandro Roig (the burger YouTuber behind @burgrkid), The Park focuses on balance rather than excess: there are no ultra-heavy layers of melted cheddar, just quality beef, fresh vegetables, and a custom bun developed exclusively for the brand. The meat is the star, cooked simply and delivered fast, wrapped to eat standing or on the go. The sauce (a house take on a Golden BBQ) brings everything together without overpowering it. There’s usually a line out the door, and it’s for good reason.

Address: Arévalo 2882, C1426 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires

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What is it? A positively pornographic artisanal burger with the house’s signature name, 150g of Black Angus beef, and a homemade brioche bun.

What’s on it? A certified 100 percent Black Angus beef patty, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and the house special sauce.

Why we love it: No matter how many burgers we try, there is something that continues to set this Ground Burger apart from the rest. Found not only at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum restaurant, but also at Time Out Market Lisboa and in Santa Apolónia, we can’t quite pin down what makes it so good. It could be the brioche, made in-house at least twice a day and served slightly toasted; it could be the certified Black Angus beef; it could be the perfectly fried side chips, with garlic and rosemary. In short, you can’t go wrong with these artisanal burgers, whether you opt for the house special or the intense chilli cheese. Best paired with a craft beer or a decadent milkshake.

Address: Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 148 A, 1050-021 Lisbon

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What is it? The Dry-Aged Red Hook Tavern Burger from Red Hook Tavern.

What's on it? A (you guessed it) dry-aged patty, American cheese and a white onion.

Why we love it: Red Hook Tavern prepares its burger in its simplest form, using only a towering, thick, dry-aged patty, a slap of American cheese and a slice of onion. But that, my friends, is all you need. One bite and the smoky, almost funky flavor hits you, as does the sweetness of the onion. This is a burger that bleeds, as the whole thing oozes juices that soak right down into the bun. But if you need to break up the richness, there is a slice of pickle for some zip and fries for a crunch break.

Address: 329 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

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What is it? The sumptuous, lip-smacking Clan Burger. 

What’s on it? An 180g fraldinha (flank) blend on brioche bun seared over charcoal with English cheddar and house sauce. Upgrade with bacon or onions. 

Why we love it? There’s nothing pretentious or unnecessary about Clan BBQ. This straightforward, no‑drama burger gets everything right: the 180g fraldinha blend delivers a juicy, beefy foundation, the brioche toasted over charcoal adds subtle smokiness and a crisp edge, and the English cheddar brings a sharp, tangy melt that ties it all together. Add bacon or onions if you want more texture, but you don’t really need it – they’ve certainly perfected the balance.

Address: Rua Dias Ferreira, 233 - Loja B - Leblon, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22431-050

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What is it? The signature eponymous burger at Sick! Burger, an artisanal burger restaurant chain in Hong Kong.

What’s on it? A perfectly charred smashed Angus beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onions, cheddar cheese, and a sunny-side-up egg.

Why we love it: In essence, it’s a classic smash burger done right. Sick! Burger’s chef-owner, Lai Chun-wai, keeps the process true to the recipe by smashing Angus patties on an ultra-hot griddle to build that deep, caramelised crust, while the centres stay slightly juicy and richly beefy. Paired with the fried egg’s jammy yolk, this burger is seriously indulgent. If you’re famished, you can upgrade to double or triple patties to take this behemoth on.

Address: 31 Haven St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

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What is it? The X Burguesa Ensalada Bacon de Sant.

What’s on it? A hefty, 220g rib patty, a brioche bun brushed with butter and grilled over wood fire, American cheese, chopped bacon, requeijão, pickled cucumber, tomato and iceberg lettuce. 

Why we love it: A bite of this GrindHouse 1% monster is essentially a masterclass in a parrilla‑style cheeseburger. The 220g rib patty arrives with a deep, wood‑fired char and plenty of beefy flavour, while the butter‑brushed brioche gains a golden, slightly crisp finish that holds up to the toppings. American cheese melts into a creamy blanket, brazilian requeijão adds silkiness and chopped bacon brings crunchy, salty bursts. Pickles, tomato and iceberg lettuce cut through the richness and keep each bite balanced. Sublime.

Address: R. Cristiano Viana, 488 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo - SP, 05411-000

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