Nothing cures what ails you quite like a burger. And lucky for us, Brisbane’s burger scene is absolutely stacked. Our local writers have done the hard yards (and the hard carbs) to confirm the city's obsession is real. From the laneway joints sizzling with smash patties to the fine-dining spots serving up Wagyu on linen tablecloths, Brisbane doesn’t mess around when it comes to buns and beef.
If you’re after a greasy hangover hero, an artisanal take on Americana or the classic beef-cheese-bun trifecta, we've got the goods. Here’s our rundown on the best burgers in Brisbane worth the cholesterol points, including some tried and true favourites and a few under-the-radar spots worth checking out, too. Loosen that belt, grab a napkin (or five), and let’s dig in.
Tucked down a little lane in Fortitude Valley, this American-style burger joint proves that less truly is more. Take their signature cheeseburger. It’s not one to overthink: beef patty, cheese, pickles, mustard and ketchup. That’s it. No frills, just flawless execution. Vegos can swap their beef patty for a veggie option at no extra charge, and wash it down with a house-made cherry cola or ginger ale.
Order the: Classic burger
Address: 5 Winn St, Fortitude Valley
Price: Burgers from $14.90
Choices, choices. The options are endless at Griddle and Crisp. First, you need to narrow down your choice of protein for your burger – chicken, pork, beef or veggie. Then, you need to choose from the many offerings within that section. And that’s before you even get to the fries, tenders and wings. The Beef ’n’ Bacon Burger stacks a wagyu patty with cheese, bacon, relish and a generous drizzle of ranch sauce, while the Nashville Chicken Burger delivers a crunchy, spicy, southern-style fried chicken fillet. Order some fries and tenders to share – life’s too short to skip the extras.
Order the: Beef ’n’ bacon burger
Address: In Clayfield, Graceville & Paddington
Price: Burgers from $14
From the team behind Morning After comes Yolk – a minimalist café in Newstead that might read breakfast on paper, but in reality, does everything exceptionally well. Case in point: the burgers. There’s the buttermilk-fried chicken burger layered with coral lettuce, American cheese, house ranch and pickles; and the smashed wagyu cheeseburger stacked with diced onion, pickles, tomato sauce and Dijon-egg mayo on a pillowy bun. Everything from the sauces to the hash browns is made in-house, cooked to order and proof that when this crew puts something on a plate, it’s always worth a visit.
Order the: Chicken burger
Address: 76 Skyring Tce, Newstead
Price: Burgers from $17
The Broken Hearts team went from pop-up to permanent fixture, and for good reason. The Classic Smash here is a tribute to the art of smashing meat, featuring a patty blend that reads like a who’s-who of beef cuts (chuck, porterhouse, sirloin, oyster blade and bacon), topped with American cheese, bread-and-butter pickles, and a house-made pink sauce that flirts with addiction. You’ll almost always spot a line out the door, but the payoff is one of Brisbane’s fastest and most delectable burgers.
Order the: Classic burger
Address: Multiple locations
Price: Burgers from $13
A burger and a waffle had a love child at Hashtag, and it’s as glorious as it sounds. Their famous Spicy Chook burger is about as subtle as a sledgehammer – a messy-but-worth-it masterpiece featuring a crispy chicken patty coated in Nashville spices, mac ’n’ cheese, pickles and chilli mayo between two waffle buns. Sweet? Check. Savoury? Check. Unlikely to be eaten neatly? Absolutely. Whatever you do, do not sleep on the waffle sticks.
Order the: Spicy Chook
Address: Multiple locations
Price: Burgers from $10
On Wednesdays, Bar Miette swaps its usual Euro-leaning fare for Brisbane’s best burger night – the kind worth rearranging your week for. From 4pm, the kitchen flips into burger mode, turning out a perfectly crumbly-juicy Angus patty layered with cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato and crisp Westmont pickles, all stacked on a Martin’s potato bun and glossed with the house Miette sauce. Each burger lands beside a golden pile of fries with a moreish house aioli. You’ll come for the burger, stay for the martini and sweeping views of the Story Bridge. Suddenly, hump day doesn't feel so bad.
Order the: Bar Miette burger
Address: 443 Queen St, Brisbane
Price: Burgers from $26
Some places just get it, and Dumbo is one of them. Created by the team behind the acclaimed Red Hook (who also happens to have an incredible lineup of burgers), Dumbo sits at Portside Wharf in Hamilton and brings a tuned-up take on authentic New York street food. Their namesake burger is piled high with Oklahoma smash patties, grilled onions, American cheese, pickles and an addictive signature sauce. Consider it your bite of the Big Apple, right here in Brissie.
Order the: Dumbo burger
Address: 37C Harbour Rd, Hamilton
Price: Burgers from $17
The Remy’s Special is designed to hit you with fast-food nostalgia but with a serious upgrade: a smashed patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and a special sauce that’s actually, you know, special. Simple? Sure. But in the best way. If you’re looking to spice things up a bit, the Hot Honey Chicken or Steak Frites burgers are worth a go – but we’re betting you’ll come right back to the classic.
Order the: Remy’s Special
Address: 106 Latrobe Tce, Paddington
Price: Burgers from $18
If you’re after the best veggie burger in Brisbane, look no further than Dicki’s New Farm – a plant-based café that even the most die-hard of carnivores will fall for. The standout is their Classic Burger: a house-made 'meat' patty layered with caramelised onion, melted vegan cheese, crisp cos lettuce and a swipe of mustard, all on a toasted bun and served with a side of crisps. It’s punchy, flavourful and perfectly balanced.
Order the: Classic burger
Address: 893 Brunswick St, New Farm
Price: Burgers from $24.5
Let’s get this out of the way: SK Steak & Oyster isn’t your run-of-the-mill burger joint. This is where you go when you’re ready to flex a little and spend a few extra bucks. The Wagyu burger here is all about understated perfection – premium juicy Wagyu, melted cheese, pickles, a swipe of American mustard, ketchup and a side of fries. For those with commitment issues, extra toppings like lettuce, tomato or a fried egg are on hand. This burger isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s simply here to remind you that the wheel was perfect to begin with. If you’re out to impress a date or just splurging solo, SK is the place to do it.
Order the: Wagyu burger
Address: The Calile Hotel, G.12/48 James St, Fortitude Valley
Price: Burgers from $38
Whether you’re going for the basic, spicy, standard, bacon, southern fried chicken or towering grand burger, these guys keep it real, delivering uncomplicated, satisfying burgers with zero pretence. Pair it with a Kit-Kat or peanut butter shake, kick back in a booth, and let the sweet sounds of Sam Cooke on the speakers transport you. There’s a purity to Soul Brothers – sometimes, all you need is a great burger and a good song. Lucky for you, they’ve got both.
Order the: Grand burger
Address: 1/1,220 Sandgate Rd, Nundah
Price: Burgers from $10.90
Known for their expertly smoked meats and birria tacos, this Coorparoo barbecue joint occasionally graces us with a smash burger that’s both stripped-down and ridiculously good. Their minimalist version features a brisket-blend patty, pickles, melted cheese and house sauce. It’s everything you want, nothing you don’t, and photogenic enough to go straight to your feed, if that’s your thing.
Order the: Smoked brisket with fries
Address: 33 Birubi St, Coorparoo
Price: Burger with fries from $25
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