Burger places near me: Riley’s Kai, BurGround, Big Buns
When it comes to amazing burgers, Melburnians are spoiled for choice. We’ve searched the suburbs for the juiciest, yummiest burgers out there.
East
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From old favourites to new kids on the block, we’ve searched the suburbs for Melbourne’s tastiest burgers.
If you’re after a classic cheeseburger, a smashed patty or even a burger with its own potato cake, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our top picks.
Mum’s Burger Kitchen
5-6/159 Boronia Rd, Boronia
They’ve dubbed themselves the home of “the best burgers in the burbs”, and after a feed at Mum’s Burger Kitchen, it’s fair to say they’ve got the goods to back up their claim.
True to the name, Esther Sun and her mum Rita opened their store near Boronia Mall in 2015, and the family-owned store has drawn an army of fans in Melbourne’s outer east.
On Friday and Saturday nights, with the help of Esther’s partner Loic and four others in their team, they whip up about 200 burgers a night, regularly selling out of supplies.
“We get our meat from (a supplier) up the road and our vegies are delivered fresh every morning, so if we sell out, we sell out, we don’t like to keep things hanging,” Ms Sun said.
The homemade burger patties come from a family recipe created by the mother-daughter duo and Ms Sun’s two brothers.
They’re cooked over a charcoal grill, which Ms Sun believes gives them an extra edge and sets them apart from other stores.
“It gives it the texture, it is messier and way more expensive, but for the quality its worth it,” she said.
Among the most popular items on Mums’ menu is its Juicy Lucy burger which boasts cheese-injected beef with jalepenos, maple bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomato and onion and chipotle mayonnaise.
The shop’s ‘Bad Boy’ chips are also a huge hit, along with their “lit” chicken wings, mac and cheese and shakes.
Ms Sun said the shop’s loyal customers had been the backbone of their success, and they also got regular visits from extreme food challenge eaters, including one who scoffed “12 patties straight up”.
“The locals are legends, no joke,” Ms Sun said.
“Since day one we’ve had regular customers come every week for the last seven years, and we’ve got to know them like family and friends.”
Riley’s Kai
23 Synnot St, Werribee
A glance at Riley’s Kai’s Google and Facebook reviews tells you all you need to know about their burgers.
In a nutshell: they’re amazing.
Within four years of launching out of a food van in Werribee, Taitty Roxburgh and her family have become renowned around Werribee as having some of the area’s best burgers.
Though these are far from your ordinary burgers.
What sets Riley’s Kai apart from other shops is their use of Maori frybread, instead of traditional buns, which they make from scratch; using a secret family recipe.
Ms Roxburgh said the idea behind opening the business was to live out a dream had by her brother-in-law, who passed away a few years ago.
“The name ‘Riley’ gives reference to my sister’s husband who passed and his dream was to have an Aussie food truck, but we opted for a little taste of New Zealand and Maori food because that’s where home is for us,” she said.
“There aren’t many food places for people to eat Maori food. Whenever we felt like we want something from home, we found there wasn’t a lot of going around so we decided to jump on that wagon.”
Their most popular burgers are the ‘kiwi classic’ and fish burger.
There is also the ‘Riley Hungers’ for those “who are really hungry”, which consists of double angel beef patties, coleslaw, barbecue sauce, onion rings, double bacon, egg, a potato cake and mayo.
Meaghan’s
5 Riverside Ave, Werribee
Tucked away inside Werribee’s industrial district is one of the area’s hidden food gems.
Not only is Meaghan’s the lunch option of choice among nearby factory workers, but a popular spot for breakfast, coffee and, of course, their burgers.
“We take a lot of pride in making the burgers. Even though it gets quite busy during lunchtime, we make sure that everything we put out is really good,” owner Meaghan Allen said.
“Our meals are quite big, they’re definitely worker’s meals which is why a lot of the factory workers around here love them.”
All the ingredients used are fresh, while the team also makes its own burger sauce.
Among the popular menu items is the burger with the lot, as well as the chilli burger and chicken wraps.
Despite burgers traditionally being enjoyed at night, Ms Allen has opted to capture the day time crowd by setting up an outdoor cafe-like set up in front of the truck for customers to enjoy their burgers.
“I like being outside and watching the world go buy. I think this set up is something that the customers really like as well, I don’t think a traditional shop here would be as successful,” she said.
BurGround
84 Puckle St, Moonee Ponds
BurGround is the talk across the ponds after carving out a niche with their Korean-inspired burgers which have left residents begging for more.
Owners Millie Chan and Martin Au started out their Asian-fusion inspired burger shop four years ago just before the Covid pandemic.
It all started after the pair decided to follow their interest in cooking after spending around a decade in the restaurant industry cooking up a storm.
“I’d been working in the restaurant business for more than 10 years and cooking as a chef in Italian restaurant and cafe,” Mr Au said.
“Cooking is our passion.
Ms Chan added: “We’re a local family business so we like to chat with the customers as though they’re our friend and have that community.”
The burgers can be complemented with Korean fried chicken while the fridge is stocked with quirky yet popular beers hailing from as far away as Seoul in South Korea.
With options ranging from Korean pork belly to their charcoal black bun and beetroot bun, BurGround is one vibrant burger shop.
The visually striking charcoal black bun is shown on the ‘swing’ burger which has proved a favourite of the owners and customers alike.
“We wanted to add something different compared to just a normal burger and maybe some Asian style could come in,” Ms Chan said.
“Because we’re not born in Australia [it’s important to have that connection].”
Big Buns, Mornington
Shop 7/210 Dunns Rd, Mornington
The kitchen may be tiny but that hasn’t stopped this burger joint producing big flavours.
Big Buns prides itself on producing everything in house, including the buns used for its burger range.
Owner Penny Stylianou said the brioche style buns helped set the business apart from other burger shops.
“A lot of places buy in their buns so you end up with the same buns at every place,” she said.
“We wanted to do something different and came up with a recipe that people love.”
House made patties that were “super juicy” and full of flavour also helped make Big Buns burgers stand out, Ms Stylianou stand out.
“We don’t need to add a lot of different sauces to the burger to make it juicy and that means it doesn’t get sloppy.”
Big Buns opened at Bentons Square shopping centre just six months ago and has already secured a loyal following.
The beef and bacon combo is a crowd pleaser along with Ms Styluanou’s favourite the fried chicken burger.
Sweet tooths are also drawn to the business for its decadent range of doughnuts.
Burgerchiefs
2/18 Laser Drive, Rowville
Recently voted the best burgers in Knox, the owners of a popular Rowville burger business love serving the community.
Husband and wife team Michelle and Steve Iordanou started Burgerchiefs in 2019, after incredible feedback to Michelle’s tasty burgers at a local footy club.
Michelle started making burgers when she was the canteen manager of the Lysterfield Wolves Junior Football Club, and they proved to be a big hit.
The couple decided to branch out on their own, operating from a mobile van, and even serving customers from their driveway at home during lockdown.
The couple said using fresh produce, sourced locally, was the key to making their burgers so tasty.
All patties are handcrafted, with meat grounded fresh daily.
“They are simple and consistent,” Steve said.
“I like to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy,” Michelle said, with the business also offering vegan and gluten free options.
The couple also make all their own sauces.
When it comes to the most popular burgers on the menu, nothing beats the original cheeseburger, but the Rowvillian double smash is also a hit.
The business is based in Laser Drive Rowville, and operates from Project Brewing Company from Thursday to Sunday.
The couple also plan to open their own shopfront this year.
They said without the support of the community they wouldn’t have been able to make their business such a success.
“We try and give the best service we can to our community; that’s our focus,” Steve said.
Monroe’s Burgers & Beers
228 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Monroe’s has become famous for its “weird and wacky” weekly burger specials since opening in 2016.
Burger lovers travel from all over Melbourne to try the different flavour combinations at the Healesville restaurant, including a mac and cheese burger and Thai yellow curry burger.
Co-owner Paul Stephens, who started the business with his mate Gary, said the restaurant had become well-known on social media for its weekly specials.
“Every week we have a different burger, featuring some random blending of different cuisines you wouldn’t normally see,” he said.
“The Thai yellow curry burger was one of my favourites – it was different to any other burger I’ve ever tasted.”
Mr Stephens said Monroe’s also had a core menu of simple burgers done really well.
“At the heart of it, and every burger joint you speak to will tell you this, but (the key to making good burgers) is based around really high quality, fresh ingredients,” he said.
“One of the things we do differently that very few burger joints are still doing; we grind the beef fresh in-house daily.
“Although we do get a lot of attention for the weird and wacky stuff we do, the core menu is designed around relatively simple burgers but executed to a really high standard.”
Popular burgers include the Nashville hot chicken and Truffle or Nothing, featuring three different cheeses.
There is also a secret menu for customers to explore via a QR code, featuring some of the restaurant’s most popular specials.
Blue Marlin Fish N Chips
Shop 15, 13/15 Lake St, Caroline Springs
Not only do they serve some of the best fish and chips in Melbourne, the burgers are also a hit at Blue Marlin Fish N Chips in Caroline Springs.
Brothers Tony and Joseph Fadlallah started the business back in 2016 with the aim of creating a venue where customers could have a great experience and enjoy good quality food.
They said “love and passion” helped make their food so tasty.
“We have a strong drive for what we do,” Tony said.
“We try and produce the best product we can.
“Whatever we wouldn’t eat we don’t serve.”
The brothers said they were supported by many loyal customers, with some even making two visits on the same day.
“They might start healthy with grilled fish with brown rice and salad for lunch, then come back a bit later for dinner and enjoy a burger as their cheat meal.”
They said the Blue Marlin special signature burger was their most popular – featuring a double beef patty with special sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles and American cheese in a brioche bun.
A fried chicken burger and spicy Marlin burger are also a big hit.
Pattysmiths
Lynbrook, Corio, Endeavour Hills, Elwood, Moorabbin, Flemington, Bundoora, Eltham, Templestowe, Caroline Springs, Corio
The burgers at Pattysmiths are inspired by the Los Angeles Food Truck scene, where smashed patties are all the rage.
“We get very good quality Wagu/Angus patties and we smash them with a special patty smasher when they’re on the grill, and that just helps to get that golden crust on the patty,” brand manager Ruby Heaslip said.
“In the LA food truck scene there are people in their backyards selling smashed patties, and Pattysmiths was inspired by that scene.
“It’s the reason why we’re obsessed with what we do and the craft around it.”
Pattysmiths’ focus is on two main burgers – the cheeseburger and original (OG) Pattysmiths burger.
“I would say they are the best burgers in Melbourne,” Ms Heaslip said.
Pattysmiths started in Melbourne and there are now 10 stores around Victoria and 37 in Australia.
Huxtaburger
Collingwood, Sunshine, Hawthorn, Footscray
Huxtaburger is also a Melbourne-born chain that has spread around Australia and is much- loved by burger fans.
“One of the original founders was a hatted chef and he believed in using the best quality ingredients,” brand manager Ruby Heaslip said
“Huxtaburger is about staying true to the restaurant roots and having resident chefs.
“What’s really important to us is the signature flavour, we use Victorian grass-feed beef which is HGP (Hormonal growth promotants)-free.
“We also have local farmers in each state to deliver fresh produce.”
The original Huxtaburger, featuring a grass feed beef patty, cheese, mustard, tomato sauce, mayo, tomato, lettuce and pickles is still its most popular.
Burgers and Cream Australia
270 Yarra Street, Warrandyte South
The burgers and ice creams at this new Warrandyte venue are winning rave reviews.
Locals Jane and Danial Caneva, the owners of Coburg pub The Post Office Hotel, opened Burgers and Cream last June.
Jane grew up in the area and the couple moved to Warrandyte five years ago.
“We just wanted to open a business locally and employ local staff as well,” she said.
“We’ve got a really good team.”
The community has welcomed them with open arms, enjoying a range of classic and special burgers, including a double cheeseburger, bacon deluxe, chicken burger, and fancy fish burger, featuring a lobster tail.
A breakfast burger, with egg, bacon, cheese, tomato sauce and a special sauce, along with an optional hash brown or beef patty, is also a big hit.
Jane said their burgers came from McGregor’s Artisan Butchery and Catering in Templestowe Lower.
“It’s got wagyu in it; it’s all premium meat, and there are no additives, so it’s a high-end patty,” she said.
They source their ice cream from Boca Gelato in Ivanhoe, where everything is made from scratch.
There’s also fries and waffle fries, milkshakes, gin and tonic and negroni spritz cans, and soft drinks and energy drinks on the menu.
Burgers and Cream is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
OTHER TOP PICKS
300 Grams
Richmond, Coburg, Northcote
Sideshow Burgers
Vermont, South Yarra, Rosanna, Wantirna, Williamstown, Seddon, Blackburn, Healesville, Cranbourne, Mount Evelyn, Frankston, Caulfield Croydon
Burgertory
Black Rock, Prahran, Caulfield, Box Hill South, Southbank, Richmond, Boronia, Surrey Hills, Bulleen, Braybrook, Fairfield, Niddrie, Werribee, Coburg North
The Resistance Bar and Burgers
6/672 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn
St. Burgs
Maribyrnong, Caroline Springs
Greenwich Deli
70 Hall St, Newport
Meat Frankie
93-97 Lygon St, Brunswick East
Andrew’s Hamburgers
144 Bridport St, Albert Park
Danny’s Burgers
360 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
Did we miss your favourite? Tell us below.
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