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Do you consider yourself a burger connoisseur, an expert purveyor of all things patty and bun? You’ll want to know about this year’s edition of the National Burger Awards, which has just revealed its finalists.
The 2026 National Burger Awards will see a total of 16 of the country’s mightiest burger chefs face each other in a dramatic live cook-off. The finalists range massively from one-post burger boutiques to all-conquering nationwide chains.
Among the finalists are four London burgers – read more about those on Time Out London here – as well as several previous winners and competition debutants. Organised by Dine Out magazine, the National Burger Awards cook-off will take place in Walthamstow, London on March 24
So, who’s up for being crowned the mightiest burger in the land? Previous winners up for the prize again are Bleecker, Danny’s Burgers and El Perro Negro, while newbies include Burger & Beyond, Honest Burgers and Dover St Counter.
The competitors that have outposts across the UK include the aforementioned Honest plus Fat Hippo and SoBe Burger, but there are plenty of smaller establishments vying for the top gong. Bristol is particularly well represented, with Danny’s Burgers, Oowee Diner and Dodo Pub Co (whose Longhorn Burger is pictured at the top of the page) making the cut.
The burger maestros won’t just be plating up their own signature burgers, though – they’ll also participate in a plant-based round and take part in a challenge where each chef will create a burger from sponsors’ ingredients. There will also be a separate ‘Great Shake Challenge’ to crown Britain’s top milkshake.
Commenting on the final, Dine Out editorial director Tristan O’Hana said: ‘We’re back with more burgers that seriously mean business,’
‘This year’s line-up strikes the perfect balance between previous champions, those who have come so close to glory, and then the outfits who are making their debut – we’re in for some serious competition.’
The 2026 National Burger Awards finalists
Find a full list of all the competitors (and their burger entry) in this year’s National Burger Awards final below.
- Bleecker (London) – Bacon Double
- Burger & Beyond (London) – Bacon Butter Burger
- Danny’s Burgers (Bristol) – The Frenchie
- Dodo Pub Co (Berkshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxford) – The Longhorn Burger
- Dover St Counter (London) – Cheeseburger
- El Perro Negro (Glasgow) – The Top Dog
- Fat Hippo (nationwide) – The Louve Loot
- Honest Burgers (nationwide) – The Honest
- Meat Stack (Newcastle and Leeds) – West Coast Classic
- Mollie’s (Oxford) – Mollie’s Double Cheeseburger
- Oowee Diner (Bristol) – The Camembert Cream
- Roddy Burger (Tunbridge Wells) – The Gazza
- 7bone (southeast England) – Loyal to the Bone
- SoBe Burger (nationwide) – Double Bacon Black Garlic
- The Boring Burger (Guildford) – The Boring Burger
- The Flavour Trailer (Northampton) – The Drip
ICYMI: a full list of all the British restaurants that received a new Michelin star in the 2026 guide.
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