The best burger spots around Perth

Whether you like them stacked high or home-style, Perth is jam packed with some top burger spots – here’s a massive lineup that should keep you going for a while (and a few belt notches)…

Oh and don’t think for a second we haven’t written a list devoted to just fried chicken burgers and more recently, vegan burgers.

NORTH OF THE RIVER

Hoodburger

Hoodburger has been capturing the hearts and minds of Perth since their low-key beginnings; popping up in laneways and at parties around Perth, then in the Tiger Bao test kitchen, in their current Old Shanghai outpost. We’ve talked about these guys heaps already, but with good reason – succulent smashburgers, dropping with nostalgic Americana. We can’t help but think of Scrooge McDuck when we see their heaving trays of fries – you almost want to dive right in.

123 James Street, Northbridge
848 Beaufort Street, Inglewood
31 Kearns Crescent, Ardross
Mandurah Forum, Mandurah

Bad Love Burger Co.

After making the jump from pop-up to bricks and mortar in West Leedy, Bad Love has maintained its status as quite possibly Perth’s best burger joint every year since. Big, juicy, smashed-to-within-an-inch-of-their-life patties + booze is a winning combo as far as any sane person is concerned, and Bad Love’s continued full house every night is a testament to just how darn well they do it.

3 & 4, 39 Harrogate Street, West Leederville

Short Order Burger Co.

Another pop-up success story! From low-key beginnings in Freo’s Sunshine Harvester Works, you can now find a couple of Short Order Burger Co.‘s in the city and Fremantle. Pillowy soft brioche, juicy grass fed beef patties cooked perfectly to medium rare, plus all the fixin’s. Honestly, what more could you ask for?

800 Hay Street, Perth CBD
3 William Street, Fremantle

Varsity

After humble beginnings in Nedlands as a sports bar/burger joint hybrid, Varsity has become one of the Perth burger scene’s biggest success stories. With nine venues all over town, Varsity’s credo is “for the love of burgers, sports and good times,” and it’s hard to argue with. And despite an ever expanding empire, they still do the basics right – their burgers! From their heccas burger of the months to classic cheeseburgers and fresh fried chicken options, it’s a tried, tested and most importantly, tasty formula.

Various Locations

Alfred’s Kitchen

Ok, look. These might not be the fanciest, most glamorous, gourmet burgers you can find in Perth. But as they say, without darkness, there is no light, and you can’t have gourmet without home-style goodness – and that’s what Alfred’s is all about. Pull up to this roadside spot in Guildford for a complete lack of pretentiousness, a super, tasty affordable feed, and a cosy fireside chat with mates.

Cnr Meadow & James Street, Guildford

Meet & Bun

Meet & Bun has built an almost frenzied, cult-like following since its launch in 2015. Whether you’re into a basic cheeseburger or a stacked high skyscraper of a meal – the star of the show will be the WA produce, especially the juicy pink, hand pressed Euro Chef beef patties. Cop ’em in Mt Lawley and the city.

Shop 114 Trinity Arcade, 72 St George’s Terrace, Perth
7//609 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
3 Cantonement Street, Fremantle

Back Bar at Hylin

We’d like to say some of the specials at Hylin’s Back Bar are hidden gems, but the pumping crowds there just about every night of the week betray that the cat really is out of the bag. Thanks, in no small part, to the heart-stoppingly low prices. Thursday is burger night ($12 each thank you very much), and you can choose from a classic cheeseburger, buttermilk fried chicken or felafel. Noice.

178 Railway Parade, West Leederville

The Peach Pit

While it may be nestled right on Scarborough beach, The Peach Pit has anything but your beach bod on its mind. Their regular selections of smashed burgers are dangerous enough (the potato buns a big plus), but its their burgers of the month that’ll haunt your dreams. This month (March) the Gangnam Style has been given an extension, and you’ll need one after trying to put this bad boy away:

148 The Esplanade, Scarborough

Hellburger

Hellburger by name, hell-good burgers by nature. As you can see in this list there is plenty of competition for excellent burger joints in the 6019, and Hellburger more than holds its own with their take on smashed-style burgers with regeneratively-farmed WA grass-fed beef. They also may just be low-key serving up the best fries in the hood, their special sauce is like Big Mac’s on crack and the whole combination may just send you straight to you-know-where.

80 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough

Compton Burgers

If there’s one thing we know, it’s the passion with which Perth locals will stand by their favourite burger – and boy oh boy, did we get the message about Compton. Endorsed by the O.G himself, Coolio – we’re not inclined to disagree! You can expect smashed patties, oozing cheese and crispy fried chicken to write home about.

196 Stirling Street, Perth

The Generous Squire

Feeling duty-bound to keep you informed of the best new smashed burger options around at the moment, we’d love to point your hungry eyes to our latest obsession, CBD brewpub The Generous Squire. They’re big in the smashed patty game, and along with rocking a couple of great deals (including a huge Burger Tower for $65), they’ve just launched a Brewer’s Bun series pairing a new burger creation with a new brew. Just make sure you don’t have any work meetings on after lunch, it’ll knock you right out!

397 Murray Street, Perth

Local Bird

After earning legions of local fans, Local Bird has become a name we can barely go a day without hearing. With some practically pornographic burgers, we’re not surprised they’ve created such a furore. Smashed patties are beaten to within an inch of their life, and stacked with more queso than you can even comprehend. That chicken has the crispiest, crunchiest coating you ever did see. We’ve broken out into a sweat just thinking about it, to be honest.

91 Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill

Flames Burgers & Grill

You can bet your sweet, smashed butt we’re going far and wide for this list baby, and Flames Burgers out in Wanneroo and Balcatta is one of many on this list worth the mission. As with basically this entire list, make sure you leave a few notches on the belt before you get there. The menu is HUGE with heaps of breakfast and lunch options, but real ones will have eyes on the BIG BOY burger menu only.

Shop 41, 950 Wanneroo Road, Wanneroo
TO1, 732 Karrinyup Road, Balcatta

Big Dog’s Burgers

Big Dog’s is a bit of a hidden gem – literally it’s hard to find the front door. While you’d hope that would slow people down and get you in there quickly, Morley crew back Big Dog’s in hard. Generally busy all the time, they’re always on top of it customer service-wise and will do everything they can to get you your burgs on time. Some of the best value around town when it comes to burgers of this size, their secret weapon is the ridiculous chicken tenders.

54 Walter Road W, Bedford

BurgerFreak Belmont

Head along to Belmont and you’ll find a bunch of freaks doing some very weird and always wonderful things to your burger-smashing experience. BurgerFreak Belmont offer excellent family deals that’ll put the most energetic of young’uns into a food coma, and if you’re real game have a crack at whatever “Stunt” burger they’re rocking at the time. A recent example: The Meatball Massacre: Parmesan & herb crumbed chicken schnitzel, Nonnas meat balls in a rich tomato sugo, melted mozzarella cheese, roquette, aioli and a garlic bread top! Pro-tip: Cop your burg with a side of – and just go with us on this – crispy brussel sprouts.

Unit 2/110 Robinson Avenue, Belmont

Christo’s Lunch Bar

Next time you’re wandering out Wangara way make sure you pop in to Christo’s Lunch Bar. With burgers as big and delicious as Christo’s, you’ll usually have to wait a little bit for the pleasure but trust us when we say it’s more than worth it. If you really want to clear the rest of your working schedule, hook into The Big Drip – double smashed patty, fried chicken, double cheese, bacon, pickles, caramalised onions, Christo’s BBQ sauce and special sauce. OOFT.

1/20 Christable Way, Landsdale

115 Collective

Head due north for Merriwa for the lo-fi cafe vibes of 115 Collective. Don’t let their chill community attitude fool you though, they’re not messing around when it comes to great breakfast options but most importantly they make a mean smashed burger. Even better they’re all $15.50 or less and come with gluten free options – the Slippery Pig is hard to go past on our end.

869 Connolly Drive, Merriwa

Charlies BBQ

Two things happen when you hook into a burg at Charlies BBQ: you get real messy and you get real full! Both of which are huge positives when you’re in the smashed burger game, and Charlies has been doing it right for longer than most. Their monthly burger specials should always be on your radar, just leave plenty of petrol in the tank for those spicy wings.

Shop 113/1244 Marmion Avenue, Currambine

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

Smash Grill

An ode to classic midwestern American burgers, Smash Grill are truly nailing the basics. After a long intermission awaiting the opening of FOMO, Smash Grill are finally back, and we couldn’t be happier. Succulent smashed patties, oh-so-crispy fried chicken, and sandwiched between GOAT buns, Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls… Well, gosh – that’s worth waiting for.

FOMO Freo, Fremantle

Juicy Buns

As if it wasn’t already obvious, Perth loves a pop-up, and Juicy Buns is no exception to that rule. Popping up since the start of 2018, these guys have found a permanent home in the Tribute Coffee & Kitchen in Shelley. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (and lunch seven days a week!), get your fill of these epic burgers that are are just as juicy as their name implies.

8/19-21 Tribute Street W, Shelley

Big Rigz Burger Co.

Big Rigz has been taking on the big job of Freo for a few years now, and you’ll be hard-pressed trying to find an unhappy customer. Along with just having a huge range of huge burgers, they obviously understand the neighbourhood and will cater to many dietary requirements, including gluten free buns, vegan cheese etc. Most places on this list will drop some kinda loaded fries, and Big Rigz are up there with the best of ’em.

1/231 South Terrace, South Fremantle

Two Stacks

As evidenced by this list, Fremantle ain’t short on great burger joints, and we get the feeling no one down that way is complaining. Two Stacks in the Sunshine Harvester Works rightly sit alongside all of them as one of the best, especially when it comes to smashed patties. Their fried chicken tendies are also to die for, throw ’em all together with some fries and their special sauce, and we guarantee you’ll be dead and gone to hamburger heaven!

1 James Street, Fremantle

3230 Smoke + Grill

Formerly one of our community tips down the bottom, we had to bump the big ‘orses at 3230 up this way after indulging in a few their burgs. One of the biggest ranges of burgers you’ll find going around, the hardest part can just be picking one to fill up your boots with. Given how massive they are (patty stacking is strongly encouraged) the pricing is also off the charts, and being suckers for spice it’s hard to go past their Flamin’ options (meat or chicken).

Shop 2, 262 Canning Highway, Como
6/5 Armadale Road, Jandakot

Brookton Burger Co.

You’ve just spent a glorious afternoon exploring the tulips at Araluen or going for an invigorating hike through the Hills… your next stop? Brookton Burger Co., of course. It’s the logical step after such a wholesome day – these gourmet burgers will have you feeling pretty naughty.

198 Brookton Highway, Kelmscott

More picks from the community…

North of the river: 
Rack City Ribs in Morley
Joey’s Swan Valley Diner in Herne Hill
RoyAl’s Chicken and Burgers in Wembley, Northbridge
8 Napkins in Bassendean & North Perth
Bump in Burger in Woodvale
Chimek in Northbridge, Vic Park

South of the river:
Cave Man BBQ in Rockingham
Johnny’s Burgers in Canning Vale
RoyAl’s Chicken and Burgers in East Victoria Park
Chimek in Victoria Park

Header image: Hoodburger