Best Burgers

Inspired by the barnstorming success of Meatliquor, street kings Yianni Papoutsis and Scott Collins arrived in Covent Garden with an outlet on the narrow balcony of the Jubilee Market Hall. Meatmarket doesn’t take bookings, so expect queues; once you’re in, simply check the menu board, order at the till and wait for your name to be called. The food arrives wrapped in greaseproof paper on metal trays: think sloppy, southern-style burgers and huge hot dogs with fries, as well as addictive stuffed jalapeños (‘poppaz’). The star performer is the legendary Dead Hippie burger, with its two mustard-fried beef patties, gooey cheese, onions and trademark sauce, though some may prefer the dirty chicken cheeseburger (which does what it says on the tin) or buffalo wings with blue cheese dip. To drink, a ‘hard’ milkshake laced with bourbon and maple syrup offers sweet consolation.

Burger & Lobster definitely takes some beating. There’s a winning simplicity to its eponymous offering of hand-minced corn-fed Nebraskan beef and fresh lobster from Nova Scotian waters. The menu is short, but no worse for it – unless you’re vegetarian, of course. Take your pick from meaty burgers (with extra cheese and bacon), juicy steamed or char-grilled lobster, and buttery lobster rolls in toasted brioche with a lick of wasabi mayo – each served with fries and a salad at pocket-friendly rates. Drinks call for slightly more protracted decision-making, with a mixed bag of wines, beers, fizz and food-friendly cocktails to consider. No reservations; a short wait is the price you pay for affordable luxury.

Spitalfields is where it all started for Hawksmoor founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott in 2006 and while their newer restaurants became ever-more glamorous, this blueprint was still recognisably a City steakhouse. A recent refurb has brought it into line with its glossy siblings with acres of green leather and an all-round sheen, but what still sets Hawksmoor apart from the competition it spawned is the hubbub of happy diners anticipating some of the best steak in London, smoky from the chargrill and imbued with more character than the cast list of Game of Thrones. Non-carnivores should investigate such fresh-tasting treats as a mound of white crab meat piled on to thin crumpets, or three breadcrumb-scattered scallops served in the shell with a white port and garlic sauce. There’s no denying that Hawksmoor is expensive, but portions are so big that a steak and a couple of sides (treacle-sweet bacon, squeaky spring greens) should hit the spot for most appetites – though who could resist the lure of peanut butter shortbread topped with a smooth scoop of salted-caramel ice cream and concealing a well of syrupy sauce?

This restaurant has not been reviewed by Square Meal. But we do list the location, price and contact details, and you have the option of reading or writing a customer comment.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

Weird and wonderful burgers made from rare-breed beef are the stars inside this unassuming Fitzrovia townhouse. Folksy whitewashed tables and vintage crockery may create a rather twee impression, but Bobo's gut-busting wood-fired patties are anything but dainty. Opinion is divided about the infamous peanut butter version, but we're sold on this plump, sloppy delight topped with maple-cured bacon. If you're feeling flush, £20 will get you the 'Debauchery' – Wagyu beef, Ogleshield cheese, confit shiitake mushrooms, bacon mayo and shaved truffles, all of which prompts one recipient to admit: "I've spent more on a good steak, but it never made me feel like this." Readers also love Bobo's experimental approach and the chance to invent crazy combos – kangaroo with Stilton, perhaps. To drink, we recommend "original" cocktails such as Mary Poppins – a heady mix of Tequila, Aperol, peach, lemon and popping candy.

The streetwise burger kings behind West End big hitter Meatliquor have brought their winning formula (‘come hungry, leave wobbly’) to Hoxton. Occupying an old Christian mission by the Market, Meatmission (geddit?) mixes some favourites from the owners’ back catalogue (Dead Hippie burger, deep-fried pickles) with a couple of new burgers and must-haves such as the chicken Parma burger (with Serrano ham) and modish ‘monkey fingers’ (bites of chicken in the house ‘buffalo chilli’ sauce with blue cheese dip). Much of the original ecclesiastical architecture has been retained, although a stunning new stained glass ceiling has been installed and the space has been divided into two main areas – including a no-bookings bar/diner and a more traditional sit-down space which conceals punters from prying eyes by means of one-way glass.

From turf to surf: the forecast at Will Beckett and Huw Gott's sexy deco den is meaty with a chance of seafood. The Hawksmoor signature of excellent British beef with boldly indulgent sauces and sides (Stilton hollandaise, macaroni cheese, grilled bone marrow) is still in evidence, but at Air Street, the price-by-weight beef is supplemented by a seafood selection devised in cahoots with restaurateur (and fish fanatic) Mitch Tonks. Expect anything from char-grilled Dartmouth lobster and turbot to steaks priced per 100g – although readers insist it's still "a treat place". Desserts such as a 'Crunchy bar' and strawberry and lime pavlova don't take themselves too seriously – an ethos that also applies to drinks in the "delicious" art deco-styled bar. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, a happy ambience and a wine list full of possibilities combine to ensure that Hawksmoor is "totally worth it".

Burger entrepreneur Joe Grossmann’s first permanent site is a trendy, bare-bones kind of place with funky undercurrents, speedy staff and a modest line-up of edible goodies that has readers all agog. The menu offers an affordable selection of handmade, British-bred patties in brioche buns, with comedy names ranging from Smokey Robinson, Ari Gold and Foghorn Leghorn chicken to Jose Jose (laced with chilli). A few garnishes, chips with rosemary salt and some weekly specials complete the picture, and it’s worth looking out for collaborations with other outfits such as Pitt Cue Co. All the details are spot-on, and none of the toppings are superfluous – however complicated they might seem. The booze list is short and sharp: cult beers, wines by the carafe, rum punch, a few funky cocktails etc. Expect queues for sit-downs and takeaways, but it’s “well worth the wait”.

Owners Huw Gott and Will Beckett play knowingly to the City crowd at this branch of their beefy Hawksmoor chain. Dark panelling, acres of parquet and a distinct lack of embellishment conjure up an old-fashioned chophouse vibe, though service is satisfyingly modern – ensuring “no fuss or disappointments”. “Fantastic” breakfasts are done with a level of commitment that makes booking advisable for sharing platters of bacon chop, sausages, black pudding and trimmings or cornflake milkshakes with an optional slug of bourbon. At lunch and dinner, flawless British steaks (“always cooked to perfection”) are further enhanced by the likes of anchovy hollandaise, buttered sprout tops or beef-dripping chips. On either side, there might be roast scallops with white port and garlic, plus desserts such as a chocolate and honeycomb ‘Crunchy Bar’. Dive into the cocktail list and you’ll know all about Hawksmoor’s good, strong spirits, while a short bar menu caters to time-pressed carnivores.

“The best steak in London, by a mile”, declares one reader, and we have to agree. The beefy Hawksmoor chain somehow manages to get everything right, from its glorious 35-day-aged steaks supplied by The Ginger Pig to its creative cocktails – all presented by staff with a genuine passion for service. It's easy to understand why there are now six branches in the capital (and another in Manchester), though this atmospheric site in the old barrel-vaulted Watney Combe Brewery is one of our favourites. Start with Old Spot belly ribs or sweetly caramelised roast scallops with white port and garlic, before taking your pick of the beefy cuts chalked up by weight on blackboards. Perfectly crisp triple-cooked chips, gut-busting macaroni cheese or grilled bone marrow make happy companions, but we urge saving some space for the addictive salted caramel Rolos too. The comfortable bar deals in burgers and lobster rolls as well as brilliant drinks, though between the hours of 3pm and 5pm Monday-Friday, you can dine from the full a la carte menu when booking in advance. Sunday lunch sees roast rump of Longhorn beef with all the trimmings for Sunday lunch. “Great for big groups and for couples”, notes one fan.

While today's fast food openings often spring from streetwise pop-ups, Dirty Bones has an altogether more Kensington feel. The finished product is a "funky" and "fun" spot offering a "clever" take on American comfort food. Divided between cocktail bar and no-bookings restaurant, it's an artfully grungy mix of parquet walls, retro-chic tiles and vintage knick-knacks. Our dirty dog (a juicy homemade frankfurter in a brioche bun topped with pulled pork) and a 'pink mac daddy burger' loaded with mac 'n' cheese and more pulled pork, were joyfully decadent creations, while sticky chicken wings and salsa-topped fries formed a perfectly commendable supporting cast. Cocktails are a big deal too (check out the daily happy hour), while service is sprightly and sweet. "Great midweek deals" will keep you coming back for more.

PERMANENTLY CLOSING FEBRUARY 2019

“Reliably crowded, dark and loud”, Meatliquor’s burger-led swagger has taken it far beyond niche – there’s even a cookbook now. But although you can scoff its iconic patties in several ‘Meat’ outlets these days, the original bunker is still a place of pilgrimage for devotees who don’t mind the queues and consider the tagline ‘come hungry, leave wobbly’ a welcome challenge. The menu’s core appeal is in the purist butter-grilled cheeseburger, mustardy double-decker Dead Hippie, house chilli dogs and extravagantly pimped sides (fried pickles, chilli cheese fries and the like) – while specials feature the Garbage Plate (fries topped with a patty, cheese, onions and gravy) and chargilled prawns – not forgetting the Game Over cocktail, a combination of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, Pisang Ambon and absinthe, which is so strong it’s limited to two per diner. You want ‘dirty’ food and drink? You got it.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

The gravy’s the thing at this new, smallish-but-growing chain of restaurants. Long-simmered roasted bones, organic vegetables and meat juices from the bottom of roasting pans result in a rich, deep liquid ideal for dipping into, and served with almost everything. The flip of the name refers to the burgers, made of West Country chuck steak and served up in a brioche bun, but there’s also the choice of roasted shoulder of lamb or beef topside served in a bread roll: the super-hungry can combine two and add some cheese and pickles. To drink, there’s the usual array of fashionable craft beers, spirits and a short wine selection as well as some great shakes.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

Located under the arches in Vauxhall, this offshoot of Dirty Burger in Kentish Town brings exactly the same ethos to south London. ‘Queue up and sit down’ is the order of the day, and the brevity of the menu makes for speedy ordering: essentially it’s cheeseburgers (£5.50) with triple-cooked fries or onion rings in tempura batter (both £3), plus a trio of homemade milkshakes, beers and soft drinks to wash it all down. Dirty Burger’s patties aren’t the biggest around, but they are the real deal – made with prime beef supplied by the Ginger Pig butcher and slapped into a glazed brioche bun with pickles, salad and a mustardy mayonnaise. Early birds can also kick-start their day with a hefty breakfast of thick-cut bacon or sausage in a patty with a fried egg.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

Driven along by two energetic young owners, no-frills, independently minded Honest Burgers has gone down a storm wherever it chooses to pitch its admirable cut-price offer. Fans rate it as one of the best burger joints in town, with a growing reputation for its custom-built patties – ‘meaty hunks of wonder’ made from 35-day aged beef (from The Ginger Pig), timed to perfection and served on a glazed brioche bun with triple-cooked, skin-on chips and rosemary salt. Free-range chicken burgers and mixed veggie ‘fritters’ are also available, and the fact that prices are well below a tenner is a bonus. No bookings, but the queues move quickly and it's worth knowing that Honest Burgers is licensed – if you fancy a bottle of Redchurch Shoreditch Blonde beer, a jar of Hendrick's G&T with cucumber or a carafe of Plumpton Estate Sussex rosé.

Ten years on and everyone now has their favourite Hawksmoor. For us, this subterranean Knightsbridge rendezvous is certainly in with a big shout. The handsome art-deco and wood-panelled interiors are noticeably more grandiose than some of the group’s siblings, but it’s the South-East Asian seafood riffs that we really love. Few dishes in London are quite as joyfully messy as the Singapore-style lobster served up in a spicy, coriander-infused tomato sauce – be warned, you’ll need at least three napkins to clean up afterwards. Pair this with one of Hawksmoor’s famous British-reared steaks (still as magnificent as ever), and you’ve arguably got the best surf ‘n’ turf combo in town. Special mentions should also go to the crispy shallot-topped Vietnamese-style oysters, the Old Spot pork belly ribs with vinegar slaw and the ‘ambassador’s reception’ – a gloriously decadent take on a Ferrero Rocher. As we’ve come to expect, service is a perfect mix of informality and assurance.