Independence Day celebrations are taking place in the States this week (4th July), providing the perfect excuse to celebrate that well-known American dish, the humble hamburger.
TripAdvisor has compiled a list of the top 10 restaurants in the UK to satisfy that patty craving, according to the reviews and opinions of TripAdvisor travellers*.
The UK’s number 1 is revealed as the two-man operation in Brighton, Burger Brothers, which serves up variations of the meat and bun combo.
If you’ve got a hankering for a hamburger this weekend or any other time for that matter, here are the best rated burger joints across the UK to hit up. Let the salivating begin…
1. Burger Brothers, Brighton (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 339 reviews)
Located in the bustling North Laine food district of Brighton, this small burger joint is run by two friends. Unusually, their buns are made from a Challah bread recipe, a Jewish bread usually plaited and eaten on special occasions. Burger Brothers burger options include the Bennetton (stilton, pancetta and wasabi mayo) and The Favourite (goat cheese, roast peppers and secret sauce).
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Tastiest and most mouth-watering burger that will ever grace your mouth. Went for one and came back for 2 more within one week! Big up burger brothers”
2. The Burger Joint, Bristol (pictured top)(4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 264 reviews)
Opened in 2009, The Burger Joint serves its burgers up in specially made ciabatta and brioche buns. The Burger Joint offers Welsh lamb, chicken, venison, wild boar and two types of vegetarian burgers. Patrons here get to choose their meat base, followed by the toppings and sides to compete their Burger Joint burger.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Good tasty food. Plenty of choice to create your own burger. Good, friendly and attentive service. Warm and welcoming atmosphere. Much better than the competition!! We will be back!”
3. The Dorset Burger Company, Weymouth (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 320 reviews)
The burgers here are made from beef, lamb and chicken sourced from local Dorset farms. The Dorset Burger Company’s burgers include The Mexican (beef burger with a delicious Mexican cheese and salsa topping), The American (burger topped with American cheese, bacon, gherkin, onion & mustard) and The Brie and Bacon (beef burger topped with local brie, Denhay bacon and cranberry sauce).
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Without doubt the best burger I have ever tasted! The staff were friendly and efficient, good atmosphere, we will definitely return.”
4. Patty & Bun, James Street, London (4 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 287 reviews)
With two locations in London’s Liverpool Street and James Street, Patty & Bun’s mission is simply “Burgers and good times” and as they put it, “who needs more?” Burgers on the Patty & Bun menu include ‘Jose Jose’ Chilli burger, a beef patty with cheese, tomato, lettuce, chilli chorizo relish, pickled onions, ketchup, smokey P&B mayo on brioche and the ‘Lambshank Redemption’ burger, a lamb patty with coriander and chilli, lettuce, buttermilk baby courgettes, pickled aubergine, cumin aioli and feta on brioche.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Have tried burgers in very many places but Patty and Bun is simply THE ONE! Perfect taste, perfect patty, perfect bun! And excellent french fries! Rather long queues, but absolutely worth waiting. Unforgettable!
5. The Burger Brothers, Deal (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 100 reviews)
This nautical back street pub in Deal gives a nod to the American diner with classic burgers made with fresh local Kent beef. Diners here can sample the Brother from Hell but should see the waiter before ordering. This burger is served with xxxx hot sauce, cooled with Jalapeño sour cream and topped with extra Jalapeños and melted mozzarella – fiery! M
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “So welcoming, service was charming, burgers were tasty and chips plenty, so many could not finish. Can’t wait to go back.”
6. Blas Burgerworks, St Ives (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 472 reviews)
Small and cosy, this restaurant can get busy very quickly but fear not, there is a lot of beach outside to sit and enjoy a burger – Porthminster, Porthgwidden, Porthmeor (a hot surfing spot) and Harbour beaches are all within a few minutes of the Blas Burgerworks front door. Burgers on offer here include the Truffle, Cornish blue, wilted spinach, field mushroom and truffle aioli and the Beet; beetroot, watercress and horseradish and roast garlic mayo.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “You cannot appreciate a truly decent burger until you’ve eaten at Blas. They take the burger game to a whole new level!”
7. Burger Meats Bun (BMB), Glasgow (4 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 220 reviews)
Two friends, James and Ben started BMB after quitting their jobs at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Fife to pursue their dreams of making delicious burgers. BMB Burgers are served on a brioche bun and variations include the Big Cheese, with beef, Barwheys Cheddar and BMB burger sauce and the Cluckin BLT, with confit chicken leg meat, home cured smoked bacon, mayo and salsa verde.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “Great burgers, great service, nice presentation, good beer, great sides. A new contender for best burger in Glasgow.”
8. BURGER OFF, Hove (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 75 reviews)
If you like hot food, you’ll love Burger Off. Located in Hove, East Sussex, Burger Off is renowned for its XXX Hot Chilli Burger that is so hot it carries a health warning. Made from a secret sauce that is smothered on the meat patty before cooking, the burger is not for the faint hearted as it is allegedly twice as hot as police pepper spray and has put five people in hospital!
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “If you want a simple, no-nonsense, tasty scoff served by a couple of friendly guys who know their trade well, head along here – best burger I’ve had for a while!”
9. Hub Box Exeter, Exeter (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 124 reviews)
Opened in 2003, in the centre of St Ives, on the harbour front, Hub Box Exeter serves burgers made from Cornish rare breed beef, a range of local seafood and seasonal specials. Burgers on the menu include the Big Kahuna, two 4oz burgers, bbq sauce, pulled pork, Swiss cheese and onion rings and the Bella, homemade falafel, sweet chilli jam, charred corn and avocado salsa.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “I’ve eaten many many burgers and have not found anywhere in the UK which gets anywhere close to the kind of quality you get from American burgers until now.”
10. Real Burger, Cheltenham (4.5 out of 5 bubbles on TripAdvisor, 90 reviews)
Using 100% pure Gloucestershire beef, Real Burger offers a range of classic, deluxe and exotic burgers which include the Italian, with mozzarella cheese and homemade basil pesto and the Lamb & Mint with caramelised red onions and mint jelly.
A TripAdvisor reviewer said, “With a name like ‘Real Burger’ you would expect that the Burgers need to be spot on and to be fair to this hidden gem, the burgers are mightily tasty!”
*The TripAdvisor list of the 10 best burger joints in the UK is based on the reviews and opinions of TripAdvisor travellers, taking into account the quality, quantity and ratio of reviews mentioning burgers, as well as overall reviews for the establishment. Establishments in the list are independently owned with a maximum of two restaurants belonging to the same chain.