The craving for a burger has got to be one of the most visceral food-related feelings. Even just thinking about eating one, you can almost taste the components — the patty, sauce, bun, pickles and salad.
Maybe it’s a spicy chicken burger you’re after, a decadent vegan burger or just a good ol’ hamburger. Whatever your craving, there’s no denying that the popularity of the delicious fast-food staple is only rising, further promoted by restaurants and pop-ups offering limited-time-only burgers that are here for a good time, not a long time.
Here are the most insane burgers that have us drooling right now, including some you have to be quick to catch.
Smash Patty Burgers from Baby G Burger
This cult burger pop-up laid down permanent roots earlier this year, swiftly going from secret spot to one of the city’s most-loved grab-and-go joints. Baby G specialises in the ‘smash’-style patty, a technique whereby the patty is pressed firmly down on the grill to flatten it, creating even more deliciously craggy edges for caramelisation.
Beef Burger from The Store
The Store is a Britomart icon and it can always be relied upon to deliver exactly what we need, when we need it the most — like this insanely good, classic Beef Burger, stacked with cheddar, pickles, burnt onion aioli and a healthy side of agria chips. And for a perfectly indulgent brunch option that satisfies any mid-morning craving, add bacon and a fried egg for a fully-loaded take.
Pretzel Burger from Parade
There are several among us who could commiserate over the disappointment of arriving just as Parade‘s pretzel burgers have sold out — they are heavily in demand, sometimes disappearing before 7:30pm. And with good reason, for the house-made pretzel buns are truly something special. Should you get there in time for supply to be readily available, we can safely recommend any one of the burgers, and you won’t regret ordering a side of secret sauce fries on the side. With their Ponsonby Road location offering beers, burgers and all the comforts of dine-in, it’s a place you’ll find us time and time again.
Glazed Doughnut Burger from Sneaky Snacky
When we’re in the mood to really push the boat out, there’s one place we can’t look past: Sneaky Snacky. This popular joint cooks up some of the best fried chicken in town, both in the form of wings and a hot chicken sando. However, it’s the doughnut burger that has become Sneaky Snacky’s decadent signature, a shiny shrine to gluttony that probably shouldn’t be repeated too often, but in the name of balance, we say it’s a must-try.
Kiwi Classic Burger from Burger Burger
Auckland’s OG beloved burger joint Burger Burger is a failsafe go-to for those craving comfort food, but don’t want to overdo it. With outposts now in Commercial Bay, Newmarket, Ponsonby, Takapuna, Torbay, and Mission Bay (plus a few out of town outposts), you never have to go far to find the eatery’s stalwart menu of burgers and satiating sides. The Kiwi Classic is hard to pass up — Burger Burger’s elevated take on a Kiwiburger, with NZ grass-fed beef, bacon, aged cheddar, pickles, cos lettuce, tomato, fried egg, beetroot, tomato jam, mustard and mayo, best eaten with a side of charred broccoli.
Spicy Buffalo Chick’n Burger from Wise Boys Commercial Bay
Luckily, unlike some of the other burgers on this list, there’s usually no shortage at vegan burger joint Wise Boys, which is not to say that they’re not just as in-demand. Saucy and decadent, our current favourite is the Spicy Buffalo Chick’n, which features Wise Boys original recipe Southern fried chick’n with spicy buffalo sauce, tangy apple slaw, jalapeños, pickles and vegan buttermilk ranch dressing — all on a toasted bun, and all with no animal products in sight.
Wagyu Beef Burger from Jo Bro’s Burgers food truck
Known for their no-fuss yet full-of-flavour burgers made with premium ingredients, the duo behind the Jo Bro’s Burgers food truck can be found all over the city at various markets, and we suggest you prioritise a visit if you see them parked up. Here, find a variety of flavour combinations from grass-fed beef to Wagyu patties, a vegan Beyond Meat version and a free-range chicken and free-range bacon burger. Follow them on social media to keep updated with where they’ll be next.
Smashed Wagyu Beef Burger from The Brit
This Britomart pub is the perfect location for an easy afterwork knock-off, or a midday drink if the occasion calls for it. What many people often forget is that The Brit’s kitchen also offers a pretty delightful and positively elevated take on traditional pub grub, with their signature smashed Wagyu burger, served in a brioche bun with bacon, American cheese, pickles, mustard, relish and a side of shoestring fries, being one of the best bites in Britomart.
Old Bae Burger from Lowbrow
St Kevins Arcade’s resident fast-food-but-better outpost is one of our first ports of call for the ultimate burger thanks to its delightfully decadent ‘sando’ menu. And, while the whole menu is hard to fault, with the Hot Chicken sando, the ‘O-Fush’ and the Macdaddy all strong contenders for our favourite, it is the ‘Old Bae’ that has our hearts. Cornflake free range chicken thigh pairs perfectly with creamy swiss cheese, Old Bay mayo, pickled courgette, and a smattering of iceberg for a touch of virtuous greenery.
Crumbed Fish Burger from Hotel Ponsonby
Since the minute it opened its doors, Hotel Ponsonby has been known for turning out some of the most elevated pub fare this side of London, and the bistro’s irresistible burgers are certainly no exception. Housed in a supremely tasty potato bun, the crumbed fish burger, with tartare, iceberg, and cheese is a failsafe order, washed down with an ice-cold glass of something tasty, of course.
Double Cheeseburger Hoagie from Good Dog Bad Dog
Hotdog experts Good Dog Bad Dog have proved they also know their way around the flavours of a burger with their double cheeseburger hoagie. Served in a long bun, this indulgent burger features double smashed patties, double cheese, special sauce, pickles and onion.
Classic Fish Burger from Fishsmith
Both Herne Bay locals and those from further afield know that this Jervois Road neighbourhood chippy is absolutely no joke. While most diners here opt for a healthy helping of the famed fish tacos, we can’t look past the Classic fish burger, which is so soft and incredibly fresh — just what we crave for those moments where you want something a little decadent, but not totally dirty. Of course, it’s best served with a side of the signature chips.
BLT Cheeseburger from Schapiro’s
Ever since Schapiro’s flung open it’s Eden Terrace doors to excitement and great need, Aucklanders haven’t been able to get enough of the sports regalia and simple offerings. We praise this spot as being the glue that hold relationships together — offering every sport imaginable for one half, and divine food for the other. The one menu item we can’t look past is the BLT Cheeseburger, bringing the greatness of their humble burger, with the refreshing taste of the classic sandwich. Here, bacon, lettuce, tomato, American cheese, sauce, white onion, and pickles are all stuffed into a delicious, cloud-like bun.
Classic Double Cheeseburger from Ralph’s Bar and Eatery
This Dominion Road cornerstone perhaps hasn’t quite gotten the attention it deserves (yet), but we like it that way — it means we’re always guaranteed a mouthwatering burger. The team at Ralph’s specialise in smash burgers, and they’re some of the crispiest patties we’ve found in the city. While we can never look past the classic cheeseburger, exceptions are made when the double is on the menu. With double patties, double cheese, and all the usual trimmings, getting through one of these bad boys is survival of the fittest.
Signature Burger from Burgout
For those seeking a refreshing take on burger night, the newly-opened Burgout offers burgers that are a tasty Korean iteration of the American classic. The menu is concise and carefully conceived, with just five flavours to choose from, but we opt for the Signature burger time and time again. The soft buns are stuffed with a handmade beef patty marinated with Korean BBQ (bulgogi) sauce, crisp iceberg, and onion, which we think is best accompanied by a side of fries with owner Lee’s signature seasoning.
