Where to go for the best burgers in Brisbane

Straight away, you’re going to notice that Ze Pickle is a little different. Browse the menu on the back of a car’s license plate to find burgers with names like “Southern Hick” and “Kanye’s Mum” as craft beer flows on tap behind gritty cool decor.

These burgers are truly Instagrammable, completely over the top, and combine flavours you never thought would work together, but somehow do.

Find them at two spots in Brisbane: Fortitude Valley and Camp Hill (as well as the original location in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast).

Brewski

You’ll find Brewski on the iconic Caxton Street. Along with the 150 types of bottled beers and 12 beer taps they rotate every day, they serve up some serious burgers.

There are a few things that set Brewski apart from the others. They smoke their meats low and slow in-house, and offer some of Brisbane’s best burgers for vegetarians that go above and beyond the standard veggie pattie burgers you’ll find anywhere else. Their smoked pulled jackfruit burger and famous vegan cheeseburger are worth a trip here alone.

If you’re a carnivore, you just can’t beat the Brewski burger with hearty, smoky beef patties and plenty of bacon.

Ben’s Burgers

With just three burgers on the menu, classic simplicity are two words to describe Brisbane favourite, Ben’s Burgers. Hidden away in Winn Lane in Fortitude Valley, you’ll find a tiny burger joint that focuses on perfecting the crowd-favourite flavours that have Brisbanites packing the place out for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Pro tip: Add a chocolate peanut butter or salted caramel milkshake to round out your burger experience.

Fritzenberger

This burger brewpub delivers really simple burgers, done right, made with thoughtfully curated ingredients and beer brewed onsite. The beef is sourced from the nearby Byron Bay Hinterland, minced and mixed with dry aged beef and served on a soft milk bun.

But it’s the range of custom chip seasonings that top off a perfect burger meal. Choose from Vegemite salt, roast chicken dinner salt, beetroot salt or one of their other salt creations.

Find Fritzenberger on Petrie Terrace and at Wilston and Albany Creek.

Burger Time 69

Milkshakes and burgers are a proven dynamic duo and Burger Time 69 have the pairing down pat. You’ll need two hands to hold these stacked creations, which pack unique flavour punches like blue cheese and buffalo ketchup (the Gorgon Zola burger), or buttermilk fried chicken with char sui sauce and miso mayo (the Chicken Chin Chin burger).

You can try their tasty burgers in five spots around Brisbane: Bulimba, Everton Park, Corinda, Redcliffe and West End.

5 Boroughs

You’ll find this New York-inspired burger chain scattered around Brisbane, but don’t be fooled by their slick shopfront – these guys make a mean burger. They’re also serious about the quality, sourcing their beef from Mandalong station in New South Wales. They’ve mastered the classic American spread of burgers, chips and wings.

Track them down at Everton Park, Ascot, Stones Corner, Paddington, and Balmoral.

Miss Kays

Some of the best burgers in Brisbane can be found at Miss Kays in the CBD’s George Street, Mitchelton, and Springwood.

This hearty burger joint is known for its crazy monthly burger specials that produce memorable eats like the Hoff (featuring bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, pickle, cheese, and mustard). Their standard burgers are hard to beat too, such as their Poutine burger.

Remy’s

Remy’s in Paddington has totally mastered the three Bs: burgers, beer and breakfast. From midday, the burgers start coming out hot and fast.

Vegetarians aren’t forgotten here, with two burgers to choose from and the option to swap any of the meat burgers for a vegetarian substitute. The burgers are filling, but it would be a shame not to add on a side of chilli fries.

Fat Belly Jack’s

If you’re all about a Southern fried chicken burger, then head to Petrie Terrace because Fat Belly Jack’s does the best chicken burgers in Brisbane (you won’t find any meat burgers here).

Their Nashville-style burgers are packed with flavour yet use few ingredients, but what really sets them apart is the secret batter that coats their chicken. Choose your own heat level and wash it all down with bourbon or whiskey.

Grassfed

Brisbane’s best vegan burgers can be found at Grassfed in South Brisbane. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking Grassfed’s burgers cater to the carnivores, but the entire menu is plant-based.

Unlike any vegetarian burger you’ve probably ever tried, these ones are hearty and far from boring. There are options inspired by the beef, chicken and pork classics, or for the vegetarian traditionalists, try the Herbivore burger with a falafel patty and apple slaw.

Red Hook

Tucked away down Gresham Lane in the CBD, this hole-in-the-wall burger eatery combines comfort street food with cool New York-inspired cocktail bar vibes in a cosy space that spills out onto the laneway.

The Shaolin Soul chicken and miso mayo burger is as Instagrammable with its black brioche bun as it is tasty, whereas the staple Brooklyn Cheeseburger is hard to pass up if you love a classic all-American burger.

The takeaway window caters to those who need to eat on the run. If you’re on a budget, check the Monday to Thursday specials.