Craving a juicy meat patty, soft milk buns, crunchy salad and perfectly salted fries? Look no further than our lip-smacking list of the top burger joints in Sydney, which includes everything from vegan delights to award-winning meat-filled wonders. No matter what your style of eating out is, there’s a burger experience in the big smoke that’s bound to tick all of the boxes.
1. The ‘Famous Works Burger’ from – Paul’s Famous Hamburgers
A legendary burger institution since 1957 in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire (about 22 kilometres from the CBD), Paul’s has been loved by generations of burger-loving Sydneysiders. The burgers are so good because the beef is freshly ground in-house and sourced from a butcher who has been in operation for more than 50 years.
Alongside its famous hamburgers (made with an unchanged recipe since doors first opened), the menu includes chicken burgers (including one with Paul’s homemade hot chilli sauce) and chips.
The Famous Works is a mouthful of premium Angus beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, tomato sauce, egg, bacon, cheese and pineapple. Best washed down with a Nutella milkshake, we suggest ordering takeaway and finding a spot on the nearby jetty to enjoy your meal.
Fancy a drink on the side that’s packed with digestive enzymes? The freshly squeezed pineapple juice comes from Queensland’s sweetest pineapples, and is an awesome accompaniment to your meal.
2. The decidedly decadent Gidley Burger
In 2024, the decadent Gidley Burger came in 9th on The World’s Top Ten Burgers List, and was the only Australian restaurant to receive the accolade.
The Gidley can be found on the corner of King and Elizabeth Street in Sydney’s CBD, in a stylish steak house known for its fine dining experiences in a historic dining room decorated with plush furnishings The menu is short but decadent, featuring kangaroo loin, confit potato and house-smoked swordfish.
No trip to The Gidley is complete without sinking your teeth into its world-famous burger. Loaded with two medium rare beef patties, American cheese and pickles, it’s the classic burger taken to a whole new level. Customers also have the option to add egg or crispy bacon into the mix, but the succulent meat and soft milk bun is also delicious without any additions.
Fancy a game of poker after your meal? Slip into the The Gidley’s Library where you’ll find an intimate room with an 8-person American Oak dining table. Beneath it lies the poker table…
3. Mary’s (aka the big bad burger bar) is now all over Sydney
Mary’s in Newtown – (dubbed Church of the Divine Burger), was the first of five super-cool burger joints that are now peppered across Sydney. In the owners’ own words, they have an “open-door policy that lays out a welcome mat for the local wasters, waifs, and weirdos” Open all hours, Mary’s in Newtown is busy and brash, with loud heavy metal music and walls covered in street art.
Now there are new Mary’s in Castle Hill, Circular Quay, the Entertainment Quarter, North Sydney, and a delivery service in Rozelle.
Styled after a fast-paced, grungy American fast food outlet, Mary’s menu features burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and fries. and the classic Mary’s Burger includes O’Connor grass-fed beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Mary’s sauce, served with golden fries. Rotating burger specials means there’s always something new to try, with a standout being the truffle burger, which features truffle mayo and crispy fried onions.
And if you want to throw a big party for your burger loving friends or colleagues, Mary’s Underground is a massive space in the heart of Sydney that fits up to 450 people standing, and 120 seated. Whether it’s a wedding, brand launch, a big birthday or just an excuse for a really cool bash with burgers on tap, Mary’s has you covered.
4. OG Truffle from the much-loved Mister Gee
The story of Mister Gee is one about a guy who had nothing but a big dream to have a famous burger joint, and he’s certainly done that, creating a Sydney institution.
On George Street in North Strathfield, you’ll find one of Sydney’s most beloved burger hotspots – Mister Gee. The menu may be short (burgers, fries, chicken tenders, donuts and choc chip cookies that some would kill for), but each burger and side is crafted to perfection and the staff are some of the friendliest around.
One burger that draws in the crowds is Mister Gee’s ‘OG Truffle’, and it features a grass-fed beef patty, havarti cheese, caramelised onion, rocket, and Gee’s truffle mayo sandwiched between a fluffy brioche bun. Make sure to finish it off with a brown butter soft serve ice cream, and you’ve got yourself the perfect meal that’ll have you heading back again and again, just like the local fans who flock here for more.
5. Cheeze please, and other plant-based goodness at Soul Burger
Vegan and vegetarian burger lovers all do a happy dance when discovering Soul Burger. With burger shops in Newtown, Glebe and Randwick, Soul Burger introduces a new world of burgerlicious possibilities with its purely plant-based menu that’s bursting with meat-free creativity. The classic Cheeze Please Burger is perfect for those cravings that only a burger can fix. Made with crispy baby cos lettuce, tomatoes, onions, smoked soy or chargrilled shiitake patties, plant-based melted cheese, pickles, tomato relish and mustard mayo, these burgers make for an unforgettably good meal.
Another standout is the BBQ ‘Beef’ Brisket, with lettuce, tomato, onion, vegan BBQ beef brisket, plant-based cheese, hickory bbq sauce, tomato relish and special Soul Burger sauce. How good?
For hot chip lovers, there’s lime-chicken, ancho-chipotle and classic sweet potato fries in thick-cut or shoestring, and for a delish side, tuck into the Southern fried cauliflower bites, loaded shoestring fries lathered with house-made cashew cheese sauce and crispy plant-based bacon bits. Those with a sweet tooth can polish things off with some cinnamon churros with a vanilla bean centre, that can be enjoyed with a caramel sauce. Yum!
6. Like ’em big and bold? Check out the Blame burger from BL Burgers
If you’re looking for a fantastically chunky, outrageously great burger, check out the burger institution that is BL Burgers, with super popular cafe-style burger joints in Darlinghurst and Parramatta. The street art on the walls is carried over into their colourful Insta postings for their 21,000 followers.
Touted as one of the best burger joints in Sydney by locals and tourists alike, it is home to the famous Blame burger. This huge burger consists of a wagyu beef patty, American cheese, maple-glazed bacon, maple aioli, and poutine stacked together for a hefty mouthful gushing with unami.
Families will love the fact that from Monday to Thursday, when you order any main meal over $20, the kids get a burger, fries, veggies and a chocolate treat for free!
7. The BEST American Cheeseburger from Next Door
The sister venue of Margaret in Double Bay, Next Door is a quiet bar with a specially curated selection of bar snacks, small plates and drinks.
It’s a sophisticated yet laidback space made for a relaxing linen furnishings, marble counters, and an open bar and kitchen.
Even chef superstar Neil Perry says that its American Cheeseburger is the best in the world! It features 160 grams of CopperTree Farm beef, cheese, pickles, tomato sauce, and a secret recipe rose mayo. You can also choose to add an egg, bacon, or chilli for an extra kick. Gluten-free buns are also available to ensure everyone can enjoy.
There are other delicious small plates on offer, such as woodfired grilled peppers, cherry tomatoes with oregano, braised zucchini with mint, chilli and pecorino, and a sumptuous selection of Consorcio, Cuca, Oritz and Real Conversas anchovies, or tuck into some Pollastrini sardines with amazing freshly baked sourdough from local legend Baker Bleu.
8. Sumptuous Smash Burgers from Wingmill in Neutral Bay and Dee Why
People flock to Wingmill in Neutral Bay (also in Dee Why) for its amazing range of chicken wings with an awesome offering of sauces – Louisiana Cajun, Sweet & Spicy Sriracha, Honey Chipotle BBQ, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard, Salt & Vinegar, Hot Hot and Original Buffalo – but its American Smash Burger is repeatedly hailed as the best burger on the North Shore.
The now-famous burger a simple yet delectable combination of a perfectly seasoned beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles and mill sauces on a potato bun. And here’s a secret – you can order turkey bacon for some extra deliciousness. Have a side of salt & vinegar corn wings and your meal is set. There’s a great range of beers, wines, and soft drinks to cleanse the palate.
Wingmill has recently added the Oklahoma Fried Onion Smash Burger to the menu, and it’s already gaining a following.
The staff are super friendly, there’s always a big screen with sports on, and dogs are welcomed with open arms.
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