Best burgers in Amsterdam

Bon Burger

Few things say 21st-century life more than a smash burger-focused wine bar. But before you dismiss it as another product of gentrification, give it a chance – because these burgers are good. Run by one of the brains behind Bottleshop in Oost, Bon Burger Bar combines a flair for wine with a flair for flame (grilled) goodness. Soft buttery brioche buns, smashed patties, special sauce and plenty of oozy cheese make these burgers close to unmissable. The surroundings you’ll find them in are pretty gorgeous too –  clean-lined wooden furniture and sparse tiles all whipped up into a gorgeous ambience courtesy of candlelight. Grab a glass of wine, a date or a friend – we’ll be there on any occasion.

Bon Burger Bar | Jacob Van Lennepkade 334

The Beef Chief @ The Brewery

Oedipus is one of the coolest breweries in Amsterdam, especially if you enjoy eating the best burgers in town surrounded by beer tanks. Here, you can savour a Thai Thai or Mannenliefde beer alongside a Kimchief burger. Or the other way around. You really need to give this burger spot a try!

Beef Chief North | Beitelkade 4

Cannibale Royale

Don’t worry, they won’t actually try to turn you into a cannibal here. But for all other carnivores, Cannibale Royale is the perfect place. Meat can be ordered by weight, from 200 to 1000 (!) grams, and the burgers follow suit in terms of specularity. The Cannibale Burger is the jewel in the crown, featuring pulled pork, sauerkraut and bourbon-flavoured barbecue sauce. Of course, a craft beer wouldn’t go amiss here, and so several varieties are on offer. Cocktails are on the menu too, which is especially handy as Cannibale Royale is one for the night owls, open until 2 in the morning on weekdays and until three on weekends.

Cannibale Royale | Handboogstraat 17A / Lange Niezel 15 / Rozengracht 114 / Ruysdaelkade 149 / Amstelveenseweg 170 B-H / Mt. Odinaweg 32

Ter Marsch & Co

Ever since the opening in 2014, the burgers from Ter Marsch & Co have come to the attention in the Netherlands and abroad. Originally from Rotterdam, but finally (and thankfully) available in the heart of Amsterdam. According to the judges of the Best Burger Benelux competition, the Mexico-inspired Holy Moly hamburger stood out in the meat-based category for “its taste, creativity, originality, looks and presentation”. The burger with a Wagyu and Spanish Black Angus beef patty, sweet-and-sour tomatillo, coriander-avocado mole, chilli-carnitas pork belly, chorizo cream, cheddar, crispy bacon and lime Jarritos cream is a lot to handle but after tasting it, we understood why they’ve walked away with the prize for the second year running.

Ter Marsch & Co | Vijzelstraat 4 / Kalverstraat 96 

Burgerbar

The Burgerbar is the best place for DIY freaks and those that can never find their perfect burger. The build-your-own system lets you choose every element of your own customised burger. And the options are extensive, from the meat – Irish beef, chicken or Wagyu? – through the toppings – fried egg, blue cheese, avocado – to the sauces. It’s hard to not go overboard here, but create with care and you will be rewarded with your perfect burger.

Burgerbar | Kolksteeg 2 / Warmoesstraat 21 / Reguliersbreestraat 9 / Prinsengracht 478 / Stadionweg 255

The Butcher

All burgers here are prepared using Aberdeen Angus beef. So far, deliciously traditional. But when it comes to toppings, there are some more exotic varieties: there is a version with truffles and grilled onion, a lamb burger, a veggie one and The Babaganoush, which has, well, baba ganoush on it. Don’t tell the purists, but there’s even a hotdog on the menu.

The Butcher | Albert Cuypstraat 129 / Paleisstraat 14 / Overhoeksplein 1 / Bellamyplein 51

The Butcher Smashed Burger

The Butcher has now launched another sister restaurant next door and the focus is solely on the burger de jour: the smash burger. Order a single, double or triple cheese burger – you can grab a veggie or crispy chicken one, complete with lettuce, pickles and the Butcher’s sauce, plus a heaping side of fries or even popcorn chicken, chicken tenders and wings. It’s a small menu but done exceptionally well, which is really what a burger joint should be. 

The Butcher Smashed Burger | Albert Cuypstraat 59

Bistro TG

Previously known as Thrill Grill, Bistro TG is a neighbourhood restaurant where you can walk in anytime to have a delicious dinner out for a reasonable price. Whether it's a Steak au Poivre with classic French fries, a Penna alla Vodka, a Ramen noodles or a Steak Tomate, Bistro TG strives for the elegant balance in cooking between authenticity and spontaneity.

Bistro TG | Gerard Doustraat 98 

Burgermeester

No fewer than twelve burgers are on the menu at Burgermeester’s three locations spread across town. Beef, lamb, chicken, lentils, salmon or goat’s cheese burgers… if you’re not the most decisive person in the world, prepare for some dithering. Thankfully, there is one thing to make one’s order easier: choose the variety option with three mini burgers. If, after that, you still think you can do it better, compose your own burger, fill in a form and hope that it gets selected as the customers’ special, which changes monthly.

Burgermeester | Albert Cuypstraat 48 / Elandsgracht 130 / Plantage Kerklaan 37 

Biertuin

Hamburgers and craft beers are match made in heaven, and Biertuin's wide range of both means you'll have plenty of combinations to try. Our burger tip: the Porkbelly Beef Bun made with slowly cooked pork belly, crispy Spanish ham and a delicious chorizo mayonnaise.

De Biertuin | Prinsengracht 494 / Linnaeusstraat 29 / Jan Evertsenstraat 135