The 10 best burgers in Canberra

With outlets in Belconnen, Dickson and Manuka, Pattysmiths claims to make "Australia’s most smashable burgers", and they’re right up there. Their burgers let the smashed patties do the talking with their golden crusts and juicy insides, so we like to go all out for their maximalist burgers. The Spicy Stack stuffs two beef patties and maple chicken bacon (who knew?!) with pops of jalapeño, while the Cheesy Chicken holds a crunchy chicken fillet, cheese sauce and mayo. Make sure to order a thickshake as the perfect addition to your meal: Biscoff, Nutella or peanut butter? You decide!

Order the: Spicy Stack 

Address: Belconnen, Dickson & Manuka

Price: $18.95

With four locations across Canberra, Brodburger’s range and variety are unbeatable. Their classic Brodburger is a 200-gram flame-grilled beef patty stacked with lettuce, tomato, red onion, house-made aioli and tomato relish. Choose between brie, blue, cheddar or Swiss cheese for extra melty goodness. Brodburger puts every thinkable protein between their buns, from steak and lamb patties to flathead fillets and vegan options. They also have a large selection of "baby" (mini) burgers. We recommend pulling up to their Fyshwick location tucked inside Capital Brewing Co to enjoy a brew with a burger – a match made in heaven.

Order the: Capital

Address: Kingston, Fyshwick, Phillip & Tuggeranong

Price: $19

While this well-known burger joint started out in Brisbane, it now has two more homes in Belconnen and Kippax. The fare at BZ Burgers has a decidedly American accent, with smash patties and brisket burgers on offer. Their Belconnen location has a wider range of special burgers, like their K-Pop burger that can be ordered with Korean fried chicken or halloumi. Also try their Benz Brisket burger for a taste of southern hospitality or Poutine Fried Chicken burger if you crave Canadian comfort food. Those looking for a caffeine hit will be pleased to know they also make a mean coffee.

What to order: Halloumi K-Pop burger

Address: Belconnen & Kippax

Price: $20

The team at Burger Villains have mastered the art of the perfect smash patty. Paper-thin beef patties have that caramelised crunch on the outside while staying extra juicy within. These smash patties star in Burger Villain’s range of classic burgers, as well as in some of their 'supervillain' burgers if you're feeling very hungry and 'small villain' burgers for kids. Our choice? The Godfather burger, which is the ultimate combo of double smashed beef patties, fried chicken and bacon. Come with an appetite!

Order the: Villain

Address: Page & Tuggeranong

Price: $21.50

Grease Monkey, or Greasy’s as it’s affectionately known, is flipping gourmet burgers (as well as pizzas, fried chicken, beers and shakes) across four locations in Canberra. Their burgers are served with chippies, and the menu has something for everyone, be it a simple cheeseburger, an amazing fried chook burg or one with crumbed portobello mushroom. We love their Italian(ish)-inspired parmy, where chicken schnitzel meets Napoli sauce and melty mozzarella sticks. Grease Monkey also sells one of the country’s best Philly cheesesteaks. Once you’ve tried every burger on the menu, return for their burger special of the moment. Swing by on a Tuesday for their 'Tightass Chewsday' special, when burgers come with a free beer.

Order the: Parmy

Address: Braddon, Gungahlin, Belconnen & Woden

Price: $28

While its name might not suggest that some of Canberra’s best burgers live here, Taco Boi is a multi-talented casual takeaway spot making smash burgers with Mexican flair as well as top-notch tacos, wings and frozen margs. Beyond killer smashed beef patties that go into the likes of the Southern Smoke burger with bacon and chipotle sauce, we’re fans of the pulled pork shoulder burger featuring mozzarella and pickled coleslaw. Plant-based burger lovers won’t be disappointed by their Korean fried "chicken" burger with radish kimchi and pickled slaw.

Order the: Southern Smoke burger

Address: 31 Mort St, Braddon 

Price: $19

Mafia Buns in Dickson is hard to miss – a bright red food truck serving hungry Canberrans burgers with serious oomph. Run by Nepalese chef-owner Anish Adhikari, this local favourite keeps things simple and spot-on with a selection of juicy burgers, fries, wings and soft drinks. Everything’s made fresh and served fast, whether you’re grabbing it to go or getting it delivered to your door. Crowd favourites include the Beefnado with a grilled patty, all the usual burger suspects (cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion) and two sauces – Mafia and Mafia BBQ; the Chickenger, a superhero-worthy chicken burger named after The Avengers; and loaded Mafia fries. Looking for a no-fuss place serving seriously good burgers? Join the queue at Mafia Buns, stat!

Order the: Beefnado

Address: 18 Challis St, Dickson 

Price: $14 

As the little sister of Canberra’s Asian fusion darling Lazy Su, Baby Su isn’t afraid to mix things up. While this fun and friendly casual joint has a Japanese- and Korean-leaning menu with ramen and rice bowls, we're here for their epic 'bao-gers', the ultimate marriage of east and west. Their ultra-soft bao hosts proteins like gochujang-glazed Korean fried chicken, braised pork belly with Korean pear slaw, or panko-crumbed tofu with red miso satay sauce. All bao-gers are served with their addictively crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside waffle fries.

Order the: Tofu bao-ger

Address: 54 Alinga St, Canberra 

Price: $22

Whether you’re getting the party started, recovering from one or just having a cosy night in, Little Theo’s is your one-stop shop. This takeaway joint in Kambah has been going strong for over 45 years and specialises in pizza, burgers and all things fried. Grass-fed beef patties are smashed (like in the Whoa Mumma), fried chicken is made Italian schnitzel-style, and hoki fillets are coated in an ultra-crisp batter for their fish burgers (or, as they like to call them, Joe Pesce in a Bun). Don’t forget pineapple fritters for dessert.

Order the: Whoa Mumma

Address: Cnr Boddington Cres & Carleton St, Kambah

Price: $16.80

Peruvian street food might not spring to mind when you think about burgers, but Mr Papa founder Carlos Ramirez-Roldan wants to change your mind. Inspired by his childhood eating pork sandwiches at markets in Lima, Ramirez-Roldan created Mr Papa to recreate those memories. Called 'hamburguesas', the menu includes their signature Chanchito burger. Think juicy grilled pork belly, sweet potato, onion salsa and huancaina (creamy cheese) sauce between traditional pan francés bread (as it’s known in Peru). Yep, there’s nothing else like it in Canberra.  

Order the: Chanchito

Address: 70 Barrier St, Fyshwick

Price: $21