Melbourne's Best Burgers

A beautifully set table complete crisp white table cloth, gleaming silver cutlery, and an attentive waiter to do that weird decrumbing thing after a basket of artisanal breads. Plate after dainty plate of exquisitely crafted haute cuisine, prepared with incredible skill and with microscopic attention to detail. What could be better than fine dining at a top class, swanky-pants restaurant? A massive, juicy, grab-it-with-both-hands-and-get-it-in-ya-face burger, that’s what. When that glorious marriage of bread, meat, salad and condiments is just right, nothing beats it. Here are some of the best to sink your teeth into in Melbourne.

Ziggy’s Eatery
Carlisle St, Balaclava

There’s plenty burger-shaped genius on offer here, but one mighty creation stands out. The Recovery Burger – a mammoth tower of mouth-watering deliciousness comprised of two 150g patties, cheese, bacon, caramelised onions, salad and Ziggy’s special sauce – will make you jealous of snakes who can dislocate their jaw: getting the whole thing in your gob in one bite is pretty much impossible. Veggies don’t miss out either, with a halloumi option, or for the less health conscious, an artery-clogging mac ‘n’ cheese patty.

Dude Food Man
Buckley St, Essendon

Aside from this joint’s awesome name (we’re a sucker for a rhyming couplet) these manwich masters aren’t afraid to load up a burger with so much tasty matter that its structural integrity is pretty tenuous before your lips touch the bun. These are burgers in the American style with grade-A produce: Wagyu beef pattie, classic American cheese (the very yellow kind), salad, pickles and tomato, plus relish. If it aint broke, don’t fix it friends.

8bit
Droop St, Footscray or Swanston St, CBD

Cute, arcade-inspired design meets made-to-order and genuinely fast fast-food at this personality-packed diner. You’ll find all the familiar staples here, but there’s also some culinary flare in play with Sriracha Mayo, house-made slaw and crumbed mushroom also on the menu. Those with room to spare should check out the milkshake menu, which includes peanut butter, salted caramel and chocolate bar flavours available.

Danny’s Burgers
Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

The grills at this Fitzroy institution have been firing up since the mid-1950s, so you better believe the cooks at Danny’s know what they’re doing. Forget any pretentious affectations like brioche buns or wasabi-infused aioli. Here, the burgers are classic and home-style, served up with an air of no-nonsense nostalgia. Traditional, delicious and filling, they may not be fancy by god they taste good.