5 of the best places to get a burger in Edinburgh

Is there anything better than a well made burger? Picture: Lebowskis

HOLYROOD 9A

(9a Holyrood Road, EH8 8AE)

Their motto is “Great Beers, Great Burgers” and boy do they deliver.  Within close proximity of The University Of Edinburgh, The Royal Mile and Holyrood itself, this deceivingly large bar opens its doors right in the heart of the old town.  Sourced from Simon Howie the Butchers, their gourmet burger range is made using delicious beef, and their Halloumi and Veggie haggis burgers don’t disappoint for the herbivores among us.  If you are cool like us then you’ll obviously want to choose The Scotsman (a brisket patty, haggis, smoked cheddar and a whisky & cracked pepper mayo) or,for the more adventurous among you, why not check out The Black Deer (their venison and black pudding patty, smothered in beetroot chutney, blue murder & rocket).  Best of all, even though they normally serve their burgers on wooden boards, they will actually serve on plates - so, if you’re a subscriber to the #wewantplates movement, just ask.

The Cambridge Bar. Picture: Trip Advisor

BURGER (94A Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QA)

Sometimes, restaurants like to keep it simple. Naming themselves for the eponymous dish they are famous for, Burger elevate this fast food staple to the next level with Scottish beef patties covered in lashings of delicious toppings ready to make even the sternest of food critic’s taste buds tingle.  Go for succulent beefy bites like the Full Stop - topped with American cheese and bacon with onion rings, tomato and BBQ sauce on toasted brioche - or the Bacon Cheese, or mix it up with some of their enticing chicken burgers like the Fire Cracker (fried chicken with Red Leicester or blue cheese, chipotle slaw, Buffalo sauce, pickle, tomato and ranch on toasted brioche) or the Katsu (a Japanese inspired fried chicken burger with wasabi mayo, tonkatsu sauce, pickle and tomato on toasted brioche).

Whatever you choose, trust us, you won’t be disappointed.  

THE CAMBRIDGE BAR (20 Young Street, EH2 4JB)

Positioned just off Charlotte Square, this petite bar/restaurant is always pretty lively. With sports on the TV and regulars in the bar area, this place can get very cosy at the weekends.  Specialising in craft beer and gourmet burgers, customisation is watch word here. Choose from beef, chicken, buffalo or bean patties, then opt for one of a selection of toppings; perhaps a classic like the MOS (mushrooms, onions and Swiss cheese) or a new favourite like the Smokehouse (Homemade pulled pork, Coleslaw & BBQ sauce). 

As the team say, “Bun or no bun, one patty or three, you can have your burger just the way you like it,” all before adding a side of chips, onion rings or coleslaw to complete your meal.  Thankfully, there’s an array of flavour combinations on a handy blackboard to take the hassle out of picking your own.

BREAD MEATS BREAD  (92 Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH3 9BE)

Having already conquered Glasgow’s burger scene, BMB have made their way to the capital, bringing their award-winning fare to the east coast.  Regularly topping lists of the best places to grab the best burgers in town, we too are happy to join the blogging hordes and preach the word according to BMB.  Pushing a “no bookings, no frills, no gimmicks” ethos, and sporting a minimalistic interior, the focus here is all on the food with burgers made in-house from locally sourced ingredients, catering for everyone from carnivores and kids to vegans and celiacs.  Enjoy the ever popular Cali burger - layers of thin burger patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions and secret sauce - or go for the Edinburgh venue’s signature Lothian Wolf burger with American cheese, crispy bacon, pulled pork in BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions and ‘Nduja with sriracha mayo.  Just make sure to leave yourself some room to enjoy the poutine!

LEBOWSKIS (18 Morrison Street, EH3 8BJ)

This Coen Brother classic themed bar is famous in Edinburgh for two things: their massive menu of White Russian cocktails and their incredible burgers - and if you’re feeling adventurous and up for an eating challenge, then look no further.  Offering some of the tallest burgers in the city, you can choose from the classics like the Lebowski burger and the mouth-watering Bacon Mac and Cheese, through to seasonal specials like the Glasgow Oyster; a scotch pie sandwiched between a tasty double beef burger with melted mature cheddar and beef dripping gravy.

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