Burger joints to try in Melbourne’s southeast
MELBURNIANS are suckers for a burger, and there is no shortage of diners and bars to devour them. From Albert Park to Pakenham, Hastings to Springvale — here’s a guide to the burger joints in Melbourne’s southeast.
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MELBURNIANS are suckers for a burger.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of places at which to devour them. From American-style diner restaurants to cosy burger bars, tuck shop take-out joints and everything in between, bun dealers across the state are taking the humble two-handed sanger to the next level.
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From brisket burgers to ‘roo burgers and even hot potato burgers, here’s our guide to 23 bun joints in Melbourne’s southeast.
23 BURGER JOINTS TO TRY IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTHEAST
144 Bridport St, Albert Park
What would a list of Melbourne’s best burgers be without paying homage to one of the places where it all began. This Albert Park institution has been slinging juicy, old-fashioned buns since 1939 and is still one of the city’s best-loved burger bars. The classic Andrew’s Burger with the lot is hard to beat.
Central Hotel, 1 Princes Hwy, Beaconsfield
This outer eastern burger oasis is bringing seriously delicious vibes to Beaconsfield’s Central Hotel. Try the Sneaky Fried Chicken burger with buttermilk-fried bird, double-melted American cheddar, bacon, red onion, lettuce, pickles and sneaky house sauce.
Tradies and Ladies Cafe, 28 Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, Beaconsfield Upper
If you’re looking for a Ring Stinger, Fat Boy or Bogan Burger, this cheeky local bun dealer has all your two-handed sanger needs covered. Wash them down with a classic milkshake.
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3/240-246 Clyde Rd, Berwick
Healthy gourmet burgers with a side of supplement shopping? Because dead lifts and double beef burgers were a match made in carbo-loading heaven. Try The Incredible Bulk — double beef, double cheese, bacon, red onion, ketchup, BBQ sauce and mayo. Or, go full ‘straya and do The Benchpresser — which comes with the lot, including pineapple and beetroot.
Pantry, 1 Church St, Brighton
This popular Bayside burger spot is all about friendly service and fresh burgs. Seating is limited but worth the wait. Get around the Bacon Royale (beef, bacon, double cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles, mustard, mayo and Royale sauce) and wash it down with a milkshake made using churned-daily Lickings Fine Ice Cream.
273 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North
The ethos behind this Caulfield North burger bar is all about making humble, old-school burgers with a newschool, non-greasy twist. Regulars know the major burger, hand-cut, triple-cooked chips and Redskin milkshakes are where it’s at.
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433 Nepean Hwy, Frankston
Great tunes, trendy fit-out and fresh burgers — what more could you want from a local? Try the Southside Meat Market (beef, southern fried chicken, bacon relish, American cheddar, mayo, ketchup, lettuce and tomato in a toasted bun) and taco-seasoned fries.
14/6 Fordholm Rd, Hampton Park
Burgers, dogs and a selection of yummy side kicks (curly fries). It’s hard to go past the Classic with beef, double cheese, pickles, American mustard, house BBQ and tomato sauce, powered up with a mac ‘n’ cheese patty, onion rings or even some pulled pork.
165 Waverley Rd, Malvern East
For a David Bowie-themed, burger joint, Major Tom’s is where it’s at. Try their signature Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am burger, which has a wagye beef patty with a melted cheese and jalapeno centre, two free-range eggs, bacon, lettuce, pickles and secret sauce. Nom.
171 Nepean Hwy, Mentone | 15/459 Toorak Road, Toorak
If you like your burgers with a side serve of wit, Meet Patty is the place for you. The clever name alone is enough reason to pay a visit. The Black Magic — a crumbed black bean burger atop lettuce, tomato, grilled corn, cucumber salsa and lime mayo in a smoky charcoal bun — is an Instagram fave.
80A Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin
Try The Champion burger with pulled pork and salted, grilled pineapple on a bed of fresh crisp slaw.
12 Queens Ave, Springvale
If you’ve never tried a beef brisket burger, Cultural Commons is a great place to rectify that situation. Theirs comes loaded with 12-hour smoked Black Angus beef brisket, red slaw, house-pickled cucumbers and onions and BBQ aioli on a toasted milk bun.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Fountain Gate | Glen Waverley | Mordialloc | Mornington
Yo My Goodness is nailing the fro-yo and fresh stacks scene in the southeast. Though they are slightly more pricey, they are often cited as having some of the best burgers in Melbourne. Try The Muffler, which comes loaded with beef, southern fried chicken, double cheese, bacon, pickles, onion fries, BBQ sauce and mayo.
Bayswater | Ferntree Gully
This family-friendly burger bar is the ideal date night or family dinner spot. Their chips with bacon jam have garnered a cult-like following among Melbourne’s burger elite. Get clucky for the Never Say Her Name stack with panko-crumbed chicken breast, crispy bacon, American cheddar, lettuce, tomato, aioli and FT sauce.
Balwyn | Carrum | Huntingdale | Officer | Westall
With outposts dotted all over Melbourne’s outer east and southeast, this place is pretty much the people’s burger bar. The Macro Special with double beef, double bacon, quadruple cheese, BBQ sauce and aioli is a popular choice.
Chadstone | City | Brunswick
This pumped up burger bar has established itself as a go-to. Burgers are on the small side so, if you’ve got a big appetite, load up your fave (we love a single stack) with an extra patty or double bacon. Potato gems and shakes — made with frozen custard — are legit side kicks.
Berwick | Pakenham | Warragul (coming soon)
Prepare to wait for a table at this bustling burger bar. Try The Godfather — with beef, lettuce, caramelised onions, bacon, ham, salami, cheese and BBQ sauce — is a worthy meat-laden feast. They also have a good selection of veggie burgers (deep-fried hot potato patty, anyone?) and loaded onion rings.
Chirnside Park | Camberwell | Frankston
A classic, American-style diner dishing up all your US-style favourites. We’re talking buffalo wings, chilli cheese fries, ribs, dogs and, of course, burgers. The fried chicken burgers go down a treat.
OUT OF TOWN
27 Pier St, Dromana
These fell-good Aussie-style burgers are inspired by the Mornington Peninsula. Eat like a local and grab a McRae Light House (beef, tasty cheese, lettuce, tom sauce and house mayo on a milk bun), Dromana Deluxe (beef, cheese, spinach, roast capsicum, goat’s cheese, pesto, avocado and house mayo on a milk bun) or a Portsea Polo (marinated chicken breast, tasty cheese, lettuce, tomato, tom relish and house mayo on a milk bun).
3/97 High St, Hastings
This new kid on the burger and bagel block is creating some serious buzz. Chef Lochie Greig-Moore’s tasty burger treats are made using ethically farmed and sustainably sourced food — from neighbouring Nirvana free-range eggs, Hagens free-range bacon and Bannockburn free-range chickens to Latrobe River freshly ground Angus beef.
323 Bayview Rd, Rosebud
A cosy, coastal corner shop shelling out decent burgs and epic brownies. Get around their mac n cheese burger and follow it up with a gooey brownie loaded with Caramello Koala, Chomp or whatever the day’s creative choc topper might be.
9 Vista Pl, Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island
Fresh ingredients, friendly service and a funky fit-out make this place a welcome hangout for locals and visitors to Phillip Island. Load up with a classic, Aussie style Island Beef burger (beef, beetroot, pineapple, avo, tasty cheese and salad) or opt for something a little more adventurous — such as a kangaroo burger or a chilli crab burger.
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