The best burgers in London

The Jones Family Kitchen is particularly famous for its award-winning steaks, but its house burger is a banger worthy of inclusion in any round-up of London's best burgers. Expertly cooked in the restaurant's Josper charcoal oven, the chuck burger is topped with slow-cooked
oxtail, iceberg, tomato, and sesame pickle. A plant-based alternative is available as well, and they both come with fries on the side.

Everything is made using the freshest British ingredients at this popular burger joint, and flavour is at the front and centre of their ethos. Everything served is made fresh in-house on a daily basis and they are committed to using high welfare, high-quality meat from local suppliers.

This family-run burger joint first opened back in 2012 on James Street in Central London, now they have permanent sites dotted all over London and Brighton. Their juicy burgers are crafted using the freshest, quality ingredients, and they source their meat from the renowned local butcher, H.G. Walter.

Heard is the burger concept from two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey, and it's quickly setting a new standard for London burgers. Drawing on his fine-dining background, Bailey brings precision and quality to every detail, using 35-day aged regenerative beef, artisan cheese, and butter-toasted roast potato buns. The menu features both smashed and thick patty options, including 'The Heard' with jalapeño hot honey and Ogleshield, and the Soho-only 'The Soho', layered with gruyère, cornichon, and tarragon mayo. Each burger comes with suggested wine or beer pairings, the cocktails are spot-on (the spicy margarita is a must-order), and dessert, a sea salt brownie ice cream sandwich, seals the deal.

Lagom's smash burgers are 60% aged beef and 40% fat, sandwiched between a 100% fluffy burger bun. Everything here is cooked on an open flame, including the burgers. They come with zingy vinegar slaw, mustard mayo, and American cheese sandwiched between the fluffiest bun. Wash yours down with beers from Hackney Church Brewery Co. This one certainly deserves a spot on our list of the best burgers in London.

East London original Bun & Sum quickly gained a reputation as one of London's top destinations for an LA-style smash burger. A variety of burgers are on offer here, from a simple and classic option to an indulgent chilli cheese burger. Monthly special burgers are on the menu too at these modern and buzzy eateries.

Four Legs is located inside a classic London boozer in Finsbury Park called The Plimsoll. The space is old-school and has everything you should expect from a traditional city pub: football matches on the screen, traditional rich wood furnishings and a light-soaked space that makes for a casual but pleasant dining experience. The food has a reputation for being pretty special, and the Dexter Cheeseburger appears on many 'best burgers in London' lists.

Bake Street is a renowned brunch and lunch spot in Lower Clapton that's earned a cult following for its legendary burger. It's simple, but that's what differentiates it from its bougie competition. Opt for the fried chicken bun or keep it classic with their smash burger, made with a 125g patty, cheese, pickles, fried shallots, umami ketchup, and French mustard squished between a glossy brioche bun.

This burger regularly makes it into articles listing the best burgers in London and for very good reason. It's inspired by a classic New York City burger but uses high-quality, grass-fed beef from British suppliers. It's pretty simple really, but the taste is all in the beef. It's cooked so that it's still pink in the middle, and you have the option to add extra bits, too, like sweet potato fries.

It probably doesn't surprise you that Blacklock has landed in this guide of the best burgers in London. This spot champions the age-old London chophouses along with all of their traditions. Opt for the classic burger with a pile of sweet caramelised onions cooked in vermouth. The best part? The burger sauce, and there's lots of it.

Baba G's is bringing the taste of India to the streets of London via their innovative fusion burgers. Think lamb jalfrezi with mango rhaita and chilli pickle and paneer saag topped with a crispy onion bhaji.

These guys have made a name for themselves for bringing one of the best pop-up burger joints to London. You can pick them up from The Three Compasses pub in Hackney, where they have everything from plant-based to meat burgers on the menu.

From plant-powered to double beef patties and buttermilk chicken, Nanny Bill's knows the deal when it comes to serving Londoners with banging burgers. They started out as a pop-up in North London but, lucky for us, they now have four permanent sites located all across London.

Chow down on one of Lucky Chip's mouthwatering burgers at their Islington or London Fields branch, where you can choose from a classic burger, a burger with extras like bacon and blue cheese, or you can opt for something totally different, like their peri-peri chicken cooked on the rotisserie grill. They also serve a range of housemade sauces, brunch dishes and desserts.

Mother Flipper made a name for themselves selling 35-day aged chuck steak burgers in a glazed brioche bun from their Brockley Market stall. Hailed as one of the best burgers in town, their success led them to open their first permanent venture in the same area. You can get one of their classic burgers here, with their famed breakfast muffins served on weekends as well.

Burger & Beyond has restaurants at various locations around the city, and it's not hard to see why. The menu offers something a little different to your bog-standard burger menu, with options like marrownaise (bone marrow mayo), truffle potato tots, and mushroom raclette burgers.

If there's one place that's been paving the way for the meat scene in London since day one, it's Meatliquor. This legendary meat restaurant first started out as a food truck in a Peckham car park back in 2009, since then they've branched out to have eight permanent restaurants. It's all about the burgers here, but to be honest, anything you order on the menu will be top-notch.

Since its launch in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2010, Fat Hippo has become famous for its mouthwatering burgers and dirty fries. The UK-based chain prides itself on its use of premium ingredients and creative flavour combinations. In addition to their signature dishes such as the PB + JJ with a double patty, American cheese, chunky peanut butter, bacon jam and smoked chilli jello, they also provide an extensive selection of vegan, gluten-free, and children's options.

Beer + Burger Store is a family-owned chain located throughout London and a haven for beer and burger enthusiasts. The menu balances meat and vegan options, with pea protein patties as a delicious plant-based alternative. Monthly guest burgers are available alongside classic burger choices, best paired with a cold beer. 

It may be a humble street food stand but Chelsea Burger is serving seriously sought-after burgers. Single and double burgers piled up with sauces and toppings are on the menu, in addition to gourmet beef hot dogs and chips, also with a range of toppings and sauces. This friendly spot is all about down-to-earth and satisfying food.

Fast-growing burger chain Supernova is committed to creating mouth-watering burgers featuring the finest ingredients. Their menu offers a limited selection of smash burgers – a classic cheeseburger or a house take on one. Additionally, they offer a variety of sundaes and fries to round off your meal.

Phat Buns, a popular burger chain with locations across the country, launched its inaugural London branch in 2023. This laid-back eatery is known for its unique build-your-own burgers, offering a wide array of toppings that range from classic to unconventional. For those less creatively inclined, Phat Buns also serves signature house burgers, a variety of sides, and street food options such as hotdogs.

D's Kitchen serves burgers with a difference. Get yours sandwiched between waffles, doughnuts, or a croissant for something new. More conventional burgers are also served, plus this easy-going spot in known for its Somali fried chicken. This local restaurant is compact and bright; it often has a lively crowd inside.

Vibrant and colourful pub The Lord Nelson in Southwark has outdoor seating and eclectic decor. You're welcome to visit for a drink but the pub is also known for having one of the longest lists of burgers in the whole city. You can choose from beef, chicken, fish, veggie/vegan, lamb, and wild boar burgers, all piled up with tasty toppings.