Melbourne is known for its food.
The one trend that hit Melbourne close to a decade ago that never really left is that of the humble hamburger, a massive hit in overseas culinary markets (namely the United States) has stood the test of time and grown exponentially – assisted by modern social media platforms such as Instagram.
With the hamburger taking over Melbourne’s scene, it is expected that you see many lists by bloggers, journalists and the like that do not truly represent the best that this great town has to offer. I mean, how could it when tight deadlines and 100’s of burger joints exist?
Luckily for our readers, a certain journalist has spent the last four years surveying the landscape of the burger scene, testing, tasting, collaborating, interviewing and most importantly, gathering information from over 80 burger joints in as many outings… Below is a list of my all-time favourite burger hangouts.
*All photos featured are from my own personal collection or the business Instagram and/or social media pages unless stated otherwise*
#10 WONKY TROLLEY – 47 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE
Wonky Trolley was one of the first hangouts in the suburbs surrounding the city and it never tried to sell itself as something that it wasn’t. It’s the old faithful, classic hamburger that doesn’t try anything fancy to distract you from what the meal is about… meat and bread. Keep it simple when you are here, make sure you get some extra pickles to go with your burger and where possible ask for less lettuce than they usually provide… it is occasionally a little over the top.
Put it on your list.
#9 HELLO SAM – 760 CHAPEL STREET, SOUTH YARRA
Unlike Wonky Trolley, Hello Sam is a burger place that has evolved with the wave of new burger shops popping up. Generally, I’d be all for sticking to your guns and what you originally began with, but if that were the case, Hello Sam would have been nowhere near any top 10 lists. Coming here, you should always have a massive focus on the entire meal, certain sides will compliment certain burgers and you should always be looking through the menu to add something different.
What was traditionally just the classing meat and bun burger shop has bought into the deep fried market, supplying fried chicken options and wings for sides…. And I’m not complaining!
Get down to this neck of the woods, if not to indulge in the burger, you simply can’t miss the loaded fries!
#8 1090 BURGER – 181 SWAN STREET, RICHMOND
I wrestled with the idea of including this burger on a top 10 list, it has had it’s ups and downs over my many visits, but there was one stand out occasion that got it over the line… A pretty special burger over 12 months ago that was stacked higher than my face, and had lots of French fries wrapped together by fried pancetta as the finisher (See below). For that alone and knowing the ceiling that this place can reach is good enough for me to go out on a limb. Different flavours, but well worth it if you’re a little bit adventurous with your dinner choices!
Oh, DO NOT forget to get a side of onion rings. Close to the best in the business.
#7 BETWEEN 2 BUNS – 28 PIER STREET, ALTONA
Between 2 Buns is relatively fresh on the scene, maybe only two years old at best, but it has quickly become one of my favourite burgers in Melbourne. I have listed the Altona shop, as it is my old faithful, however the business has expanded exponentially over the years and has multiple shops residing in the west. This was one of the first burger shops to perfect “clean” fired chicken from day dot. When I say clean, I mean it isn’t dripping with oil and you can’t feel our heart stopping with every bite. I can’t speak highly enough of the simple yet brilliant menu this team has put together.
If you are heading there on my orders, make sure you get ‘The Farmyard’ which is aptly named as it contains a few types of meat. Chuck in some jalapenos for good measure if you like some kick and if you are REALLY hungry, copy my order and double your burger up with one of their simple hotdogs. A must do.
#6 HUMBURGER – 789 GLENFERRIE ROAD, HAWTHORN
Simply put, this is one of the originals and the best. Absolutely no nonsense about it, having avoided buying into the giant burger, fried chicken phase that has swept the scene, this burger is reaping the rewards of sticking to its guns. Classic seeded buns, thick cut patties and small array of condiments to compliment the main focus of the burger: the meat. You really can’t go wrong with any of the beef based burgers here, my only advice would be to ensure that you add an extra patty for good measure… You’ll thank me later.
#5 THE GRAND TRAILER PARK TAVERNA – 87 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE
The fact that this burger has slipped to fifth shows just how bloody good the burger scene is at the moment. This shop is decorated (as the name suggests) as an old trailer park. Now if you told me that it would be appealing to eat on the second level of a slightly cramped trailer with poor lighting I would have old you that you were barking…until I tasted the burger.
The menu shows just how good it is, with a massive list to choose from all named slightly humorously. For example: The Optimus Prime might be something you giggle at, until you see the sheer magnitude of the burger. I won’t even suggest which burger to go for here, my only advice is that you ensure you get a mac n cheese croquet inside the burger or at very least on the side. Happy eating.
*Note – This photo was taken at Grand Trailer Park’s sister store Truck Stop Deluxe in Werribee…. you can get this at the main store if you are brave enough.
#4 LOUNGE BAR AND KITCHEN – 1/243 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
It almost pains me to write this review out. Years and years ago, when my quest for the best burger in Melbourne began, a fresh faced university student stumbled up the stairs of this establishment merely looking for a beer because it was bloody hot and well, university student. Little did I know that I would walk out having one of the greatest burgers in the city. I’ll be honest, I don’t even know if it is still on the menu, I don’t even know if the same chef still resides there, but it would be criminal not mention the Kickass Burger. Classic meat, soft brioche buns, perfectly cut pickles… I could go on. Coupled with the best crinkle cut fries in the business and we have a winner.
If you are ever around, pop in and ask if they have it going still and if they don’t…beg for it to be made again!
Credit Beat Magazine
#3 EASEY’S – 3/48 EASEY STREET, COLLINGWOOD
The none burger goer may actually know of Easey’s even if they haven’t eaten there in the past. It made a whole heap of headlines when it was in its final stages of development due to craning multiple empty Melbourne train carriages onto the rooftop dining area. Masterminded by the burger genius of Melbourne, Jimmy Hurlston (Jimmysburgers on Instagram) this place was bound to be a hit… and boy did it not disappoint.
This hangout is peak Melbourne and peak culinary brilliance. You can put almost anything in your burger and I’m talking anything. Fried Dim Sims? You got it (don’t laugh, it’s phenomenal). I recommend throwing everything you think you know about burgers out the window before you sit down and have an open mind. I recommend you have both a potato cake inside your burger for structural integrity purposes and one on the side because why not?
If you can get past the slightly pricey nature of the food, then you’re in for a treat.
#2 MR SCRUFFS – 60 SMITH STREET, COLLINGWOOD
For so long did this burger sit perched at the pinnacle of my list, having spent more time in the sunny beer garden of this Collingwood goldmine than I had my own bedroom at one stage. I’m not even going to try and sell this one too hard. You just have to experience it for yourself. The BEST meat patties you will find in Melbourne, bar none and the most perfectly sized burger that ever was. Don’t over complicate it: grab a classic Scruff burger. Add an extra patty (trust me) and after you’ve consumed that incredible burger, then you can experiment and add pulled pork to your next one (again, just trust me). Friendly staff, better burgers and a seriously cool place to knock back a couple of hundred beers.
#1 BURGERLOVE – 11A/60 FITZROY STREET, ST KILDA
Gee, I really dislike the new name ‘Burgerlove’ in comparison to what it used to be (Café 51), but here it is folks the BEST burger in Melbourne. What started out as a tiny little café in South Melbourne has expanded into a burger giant in the Melbourne food scene, with multiple locations, including this St Kilda gem. Burgerlove has the largest menu I have ever seen in a burger shop and the beauty of it is, it is literally limitless. Whatever you want done to your burger, the team will do… literally no questions asked. Not only are they famous for stacking burgers to a point that they can no longer stand up, they manage to make them still so delicious. My personal favourite is the Meataxe, yet like all things Burgerlove it is strongly edited. Chuck in a potato cake, fried Jalapeno poppers an extra patty and mac and cheese for good measure. WARNING: this burger WILL be bigger than the length of your face.
Not only is it the best, it is somehow still the cheapest in town AND has the friendliest staff and owners. Just get there and go nuts, it’s the only thing I can say.
