40 burgers. 40 burger joints. 40 belt-loosening, food coma-inducing stacks to tick off the bucket list.
How many have you done? How many will you do? How many can you do before 2022 is over and out?
Look, there’s no time to waste.
For groups heading to a UK stag destination for their big celebrations this year, we’ve got the fuel for your big night out covered!
Get set to drool all over your phone/keyboard/tablet as you check out the utterly stacked and downright delicious UK Top 40 Burger Bucket List – 2022 Edition!!
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SOUTH WEST
Smiths Of Bourton
📍 Where: Cheltenham (Bourton-on-the-Water)
The Joint
This bangin’ burger boutique is a family-run venture packed with passion. Their creativity knows no bounds and their desire to deliver means not only do you get the best quality bites but you’re guaranteed to be served up something that WOWs.
Our Bucket List Pick
Bacon Butter – Dry-aged patty, American cheese, pickled white onion, thick-cut pickles, bacon & burnt butter aioli
Whatever you do, you need to make sure this burger is ticked off your Burger Bucket List. The Smith family did not come to play with this thumping creation. From the bread to the beef to the bacon and burnt butter aioli, you won’t be disappointed with this absolute feast!
Veggie Alternative
Symplicity is Key – Plant-based burger, lollo lettuce, pickles, tomato, red onion, mayo
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Sam’s
📍 Where: Cornwall (Fore Street, Fowey)
The Joint
Sam’s diner has it all. From award-winning burgers to artisan hand-rolled pizzas, and all the shakes, fries, pasta, and wings that you could possibly want/need/imagine in-between. No one leaves Sam’s hungry… NO ONE!
Our Bucket List Pick
The Super Beast – A one-pound monster burger with extra melted cheese, loads of smoky bacon, double egg, fries and slaw
This Bucket List Burger is MASSIVE in size and taste. Yes, offering some big, big flavours, it’s truly god-like in stature. This chonky fella is not for the faint-hearted or the small-stomached, so ensure you’re suitably starving before you even contemplate this guy.
Veggie Alternative
Moving Mountain Burger – 100% plant-based burger, iceberg lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo, gherkin slice, onion rings, fries and vegan slaw
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Craftworks
📍 Where: Wadebridge, Newquay, Padstow
The Joint
These converted shipping containers make for a unique visit. After opening in 2015, Craftworks began delivering global street food to the people of Cornwall. This super chilled venue makes it a great place to hang out with friends as you make your way through some super special burgers.
Our Bucket List Pick
Ain’t No Lonestar – Beef patty, pulled pork, hard fried onions, BBQ sauce, cheddar, gherkins, red onions, mayonnaise, and French mustard.
This is how you do burgers, people! This top choice perfectly executes each individual element of patty stacking down to a tee. As if this juice-filled beef patty wasn’t enough – with the added pulled pork and that delicious BBQ sauce, our mouths are watering just writing about it!
Veggie Alternative
The Pretender – Craftworks bean burger, Monterey Jack cheese, chipotle mayo, Craftworks chilli jam, lettuce, bun
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Burger Theory
📍 Where: Bristol (St Stephen’s Street)
The Joint
This place has been blessing Bristol with the best burgers in town for the last ten years. If you’ve not had a chance to swing by, you’ve been seriously missing out. They’ve been pushing their topping game to the absolute limits and have come up with some OUTRAGEOUS creations in the last decade.
Our Bucket List Pick
Clucking Nuts – Grilled satay chicken thigh, peanut sauce, slaw, crunchy peanuts, pickled cucumbers, red chilli, spring onion
The clue’s in the name: it’s absolutely ‘Clucking Nuts’! This one is up there with the best of the best as it preaches new flavours to the masses with its peanut-heavy content. Not one for the burger purists, this Asian-inspired take on an American classic is for the freethinking burger enthusiasts.
Veggie Alternative
Southern Hippie – Southern-fried portobello mushroom, slaw, halloumi, blue cheese dressing, and Frank’s Hot Sauce OR Bourbon BBQ sauce
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Three Brothers Burger
📍 Where: Bristol
The Joint
This place is burger HEAVEN! Not only do they have tons of glowing reviews, but it’s not their first rodeo in one of our burger-related blogs, and it sure as hell won’t be their last! They’re experts in their field when it comes to meaty goodness and you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Our Bucket List Pick
Three Brothers Triple Burger – Triple American cheese, triple sweet cured American bacon and triple patty.
Stacked to satisfy is their mantra, and they certainly practice what they preach. There was no need to choose anything too extravagant here because simplicity is king when done right. HOWEVER, you either go big or go home! We’re talking triple patties, triple bacon and cheese in triple quantities!!
Veggie Alternative
Smokey Bro Burger – Plant-based patty, brioche bun, house dressing, lettuce, red onion, smoked Applewood cheddar, sweet cured bacon BBQ relish and crispy onions
Website | Instagram | Facebook
WAX Watergate Bay
📍 Where: Newquay
The Joint
The South West became a better place the moment that WAX opened its doors overlooking the iconic Watergate Bay. The burgers are meaty, the fries are crispy, and the beers are most definitely ice-cold. It’s 100% worth a visit if you’re in the vicinity and worth a trip if you’re further afield.
Our Bucket List Pick
WAX Stack – 6oz Wagyu beef burger, chicken breast, pulled beef, hash browns, bacon, double cheese, and wax sauce.
This lot are all about the meat. Yes, the WAX Stack combines not one, not two, but three different varieties as well as throwing in some hashbrowns for good measure. Not only is the patty made from the crème de la crème of beef, but it all comes together with one of WAX’s top-secret sauces.
Veggie Alternative
Shaun Bean Burger – Indian-spiced breaded bean burger and vegan-curried mango mayo
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Magu
📍 Where: Bath
The Joint
Our StagWeb base is just down the road from this independent gourmet burger bar, and let us tell you – this is no ordinary burger joint. These burgers are OUT OF THIS WORLD. Big, bold, even Biscoff-filled – they really push the burger-making boundaries.
Our Bucket List Pick
Flying Lotus – Smashed beef patty, Biscoff Lotus, peanut and pecan peanut butter, chilli jam, American cheese, maple bacon and baconnaise.
WTF! These chaotic flavour combos really do work. Who would have thought that a Lotus spread would slide alongside a beef patty… not us! But it tastes so right with all the other experimental ingredients stacked up and showing off. Photos can’t capture flavours, so get yourself down there!
Veggie Alternative
Vegi Smoked Garlic Mayo Cheese Burger – Veggie burger, smoked garlic mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and American cheese
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Dorset Burger Company
📍 Where: Weymouth
The Joint
This award-winning eatery has been serving up towering burgers to the people of Weymouth for over ten years. With a top reputation for their big specials, there’s always something to tempt you here – and you should defo give in to this temptation!!
Our Bucket List Pick
Return Of The Mac – Beef patty, salad, homemade slaw, creamy macaroni cheese, bacon and mature cheddar cheese.
With a huge range of beef, chicken, pork, veggie and vegan options available, it took us a while to pinpoint the perfect burger. However, we managed to whittle it down to this carb-on-carb contender. Pasta on a burger not only sounds a bit of us, but it’s truly unique and truly superb!
Veggie Alternative
The Dirty Veggie – Homemade meatless party with Monterey Jack cheese, dirty moo sauce, vegan bacon and BBQ pulled jackfruit
Website | Instagram | Facebook
SOUTH EAST & EAST
Really Happy Chicken
📍 Where: Brighton
The Joint
Get down and dirty with these ‘chicken’-based burgers. Yes, Really Happy Chicken has taken a national favourite and made it wholesome! We’re talking vegan chicken and Really Happy are on a mission to make sustainable living more accessible to the masses. And it helps that their food is tasty AF.
Our Bucket List Pick
Sticky Burger – Crispy, golden fried vegan chicken coated in a sweet and sticky Korean BBQ sauce, slaw, mayonnaise, spring onion and sesame
Holy cluck this isn’t your average burger! We’d perhaps say this one sits at the top of the pecking order (not sorry!). It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savoury with the sticky BBQ sauce and seriously good vegan chicken.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Red Dog
📍 Where: Southampton (Also: London, Nottingham, Liverpool)
The Joint
This American hickory-smoked Bar-B-Q joint has absolutely nailed the perfect ratio of burgers and cocktails. Their unrivalled knowledge of how to construct the ideal drool-inducing stacks is second to none. Red Dog restaurants are popping up all over the UK, so no excuses, get yourself there ASAP!
Our Bucket List Pick
Buffalo Bill – Boneless thigh, buffalo sauce, American cheese, shredded lettuce, blue cheese dip (Heat Level: Hot)
Cheese lovers, where you at?! We picked this one, especially for you! Yes, if this doesn’t get your mouth watering, we’re not sure you’re a true burger lover. The Buffalo Bill is bound to bring the house down as it takes the humble burger and elevates it to new cheesy heights.
Veggie Alternative
Beyond Meat – American cheese, mixed leaves, heritage tomato, fresh-cut vidalia onion, homemade dill pickles, Red Dog sauce
Website | Instagram | Facebook
7 Bone
📍 Where: Southampton
The Joint
Burgers, beers and good times – what more could you ask for in a burger joint?! Yes, with legendary burgers, thick shakes, craft beer and feel-good vibes, this is the perfect place to enjoy a beefy stack. Get. In. Ma. Belly.
Our Bucket List Pick
Frankie Says Rilassare – Smashed meatballs, Nona’s marinara, garlic butter mayo, Grana Padano and melted mozzarella
We could play it safe by choosing a classic cheeseburger with all of its usual salady and saucy accompaniments. But no. Here at StagWeb, we take risks, and this risk has more than paid off. Eating is believing!
Veggie Alternative
Katnip Sando – Vegan fried chicken, crustless white bread, dirty slaw, jalapenos and curry sauce
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Zak’s
📍 Where: Norwich, Norfolk
The Joint
Zak’s American-style diner has been a part of people’s lives in Norwich and Norfolk since 1976 (NINETEEN. SEVENTY. SIX!!) and is often referred to as Norwich’s original street food! To be at the top of the food chain that long must mean they’re doing something right. And *spoiler* they are!
Our Bucket List Pick
Meltdown – 6oz patty, beef tomato, lettuce, red onion, dill pickle, mayonnaise, crisp bacon, mushrooms, and jalapeno cheese.
If you’re looking for a proper sloppy feast to sink your teeth into, look no further than the Meltdown. The clue’s in the name, so get set for oozing cheese, crispy bacon and pure burger insanity. Get stuck in!
Veggie Alternative
Veggie Meltdown – The same as above but a veggie burger and facon!
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Haché
📍 Where: London (Multiple locations)
The Joint
Haché (pronounced ‘ashay) promises juicy, fresh and damn tasty beef with every topping you desire. The Parisian-inspired settings are some of the most Instagrammable gaffs in town and the burgers – WOW – the burgers are simply sublime.
Our Bucket List Pick
Steak Truffle – Truffle aioli, caramelised onions, Gruyère cheese, truffle shavings
This is burger decadence. It’s sophisticated, it’s enhanced, and it truly is superb. As much as we love a sloppy number, we’re also big fans of something a little more meticulous. The Steak Truffle is a big win.
Veggie Alternative
Hot Cauliflower Cheese Burger – Crispy cauliflower tossed in hot cayenne sauce, melted cheese sauce, mustard mayo, beef tomato, onion, rocket, pickled guindilla chilli pepper
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Patty & Bun
📍 Where: London (Multiple locations)
The Joint
If you’re looking for some no-nonsense burgers with some cracking sides to accompany them, Patty & Bun are the one! Check out their socials and see for yourselves – these loaded stacks are ELITE. Find your nearest, grab your dearest and fire on down for some top-tier grub.
Our Bucket List Pick
Smokey Robinson – Beef patty, cheese, tomato, lettuce, mounds of caramelised onions, bacon, ketchup, and smoky Patty & Bun mayonnaise.
This one executes each of the most crucial elements of a burger to perfection. With years of experience behind them, they know how to crack the perfect lettuce-beef-bun ratio. Smokey Robinson is a mighty fine example of what we’re saying!
Veggie Alternative
Vegan Hot Chic – This isn’t fried chicken patty, pickled cucumbers, lettuce, smoked garlic aioli, bun
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Flaming Cow
📍 Where: Eton & Windsor
The Joint
With juicy burgers, ribs, wings, speciality beers and killer milkshakes on offer, it’s always an epic experience at Flaming Cow. The endless great reviews speak volumes of their super satisfying and supremely unique burgers, and their talents seem to know no limits.
Our Bucket List Pick
Santa Fe – Beef patty, roasted green chillies, Swiss cheese, grilled onions & jalapeno mayo
We’re going HOT with this one. Yes, this burger is bringing the noise and bringing the spice with its roasted green chillies and jalapeno mayo for an extra bit of zing. If you’re looking for something different and something fiery, you need look no further.
Veggie Alternative
Portobello – Portobello mushroom, two panko-crumbed halloumi slices, roasted red peppers, mixed leaves and homemade pesto mayo
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Please Sir!
📍 Where: Kent
The Joint
Mr Steve Lawrence is the face behind the phenomenal Please Sir and their top-class burgers. His passion for cooking fuels his work, and his team work tirelessly to ensure their bites are “impeccable, not just the first time, but every time.” Yes, we’ll certainly eat to that!
Our Bucket List Pick
Splash – Steak patties, American cheese, & a pot of beef dripping gravy.
This place truly has made a splash since it burst onto the scene, and the Splash burger is everything we love about 21st-century burger creation. 100% rump steak patties and beef dripping gravy – what an un-bel-ieve-able combo.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Henry Burgers
📍 Where: Essex
The Joint
There’s no messing about at Henry’s Burgers – just straight-talking American comfort food. Boasting good vibes from brunch until sunset (and even after the sun goes down), it’s got it all at this Essex eatery. Name a better combo than great cocktails and even better burgers. We’ll wait.
Our Bucket List Pick
Swiss Toni – 155g beef patty, Swiss cheese, bacon, pickles, lettuce, horseradish mayo, brioche bun and fries
If you’re in the Essex area, make sure you pop by to get this top contender ticked off your bucket list. It’s stacked high *nod of approval*, it has horseradish mayo *chef’s kiss*, and it’s insanely tasty *standing ovation*. It’s impossible to leave Henry’s hungry.
Veggie Alternative
Rueben Not Too – Moving Mountains 100% plant-based patty, vegan pastrami, vegan cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, dressing
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Flower Burger
📍 Where: Brighton, London
The Joint
Big and bold with some serious burger bravado on show, Flower Burger are seriously UNIQUE. It’s all vegan and they all taste as good as they look. Which, quite frankly, is the greatest thing we’ve ever cast our burger-loving eyes on.
Our Bucket List Pick
Ladybug Burger – Lettuce, tomatoes, red bun with sesame seeds, pea and rice patty, basil sauce and Pomorella sauce.
We’re almost certain that you’ve never witnessed a burger like this before. Not only is it incredibly colourful, but it’s also mind-blowingly tasty, too! From the funky sauces to the insane vegan patty, it’s nothing short of perfection encased in a bright red bun.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
MIDLANDS
Boo
📍 Where: Leicester
The Joint
After spending years exploring an insane array of international cuisines and a ton of top burger joints, these guys finally put their wealth of knowledge into action when they opened Boo. Taking American burger classics and adding their own unique spin, their bites are OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD!
Our Bucket List Pick
Big Boo – Angus beef, smoked beef rashers, crispy onion strings, round leaf lettuce, tomatoes, gherkins, American cheese, and house sauce.
What could be better than a juicy burger patty topped with cheese? How about three juicy burger patties sandwiched together with layers of melted American cheese and topped with smoked beef rashers, crispy onion strings, round leaf lettuce, tomatoes, gherkins, and house sauce? Yeah. That.
Veggie Alternative
Booloumi – Halloumi cheese, crispy onion strings, round leaf lettuce, tomatoes, sweet onion relish, brioche bun
Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Slamwich Club
📍 Where: Stoke
The Joint
Yes, guilty. These are technically sandwiches, not burgers. But we’re not going to quibble over technicalities. Served in a beefy white bloomer that’s been stuffed full of top ingredients and grilled to perfection, who cares if it isn’t a purist’s burger?! It’s tasty AF, and that’s ALL that matters to us.
Our Bucket List Pick
Porkie Pig – Slow-cooked BBQ pulled pork, split pork sausage, potato and onion rosti, mature cheddar, homeslaw and BBQ sauce served on a white bloomer.
Yes, we’re going to be porky pigs if we eat too many of these hog-stuffed slamwich stacks. Twice the BBQ, twice the pork, twice the taste!! We really can’t stress enough how important it is you pay a visit to these guys. Go. GO NOW.
Veggie Alternative
Yes You Mexi-can – Roasted squash and quinoa patty, avocado smash, vegan cheese, tomato and corn salsa, tortilla crumble, spinach and rocket
Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Beefy Boys
📍 Where: Hereford
The Joint
We don’t have a claxon, but we could do with investing in a Food Porn horn that we could use every time we mention Beefy Boys. We love them. There. We said it. These guys have been, and always will be, at the forefront of the UK burger scene and, eventually, they WILL take over the world.
Our Bucket List Pick
The Jurassic Classic Nozboy – Honey mustard mayo, ketchup, spinach, fried egg, American cheese, Swiss cheese and bacon.
This outrageous stack was co-designed in conjunction with Jurassic 5 and local Herefordshire festival Nozstock and we’re here for it. We’re up for some Quality Control tasting if we’re ever needed – but we’ve enjoyed enough of them to know they’re a solid Jurassic 5 out of 5.
Veggie Alternative
The Jurassic Classic Nozboy – Just swap out the bacon and the patty for their veggie alternatives
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Hanbao
📍 Where: Birmingham & Worcester
The Joint
This belting bar and restaurant offers up an outstanding east-meets-west culinary mash-up. Serving big bites and big cocktails in a great atmosphere – it’s truly an award-winning combo. The burgers are stacked, the fries are loaded, and the cocktails are simply sublime.
Our Bucket List Pick
Odd Future – Beef patty, American cheese, bourbon bacon jam, maple streaky bacon, fresh chilli, baconnaise, and a glazed doughnut bun
“Diet starts Monday”. Yeah, yeah – whatever! We’re not here to judge and nor are Hanbao. This insane topsy-turvy doughnut creation ticks off all the flavours, from sweet to salty to spicy and, of course, MEATY!
Veggie Alternative
Hard to Please – Double vegan patty, double vegan cheddar cheese, shredded iceberg, tomato, white onion, vegan baconnaise, vegan brioche bun
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Crafty Burger
📍 Where: Leicester
The Joint
Crafty Burger have been blowing away customers and curing hangovers for the party people of Leicester since 2014. This secret-not-secret pop-up has a carefully crafted menu, a love for locally sourced food and some really (really) tasty beers on show. Get some.
Our Bucket List Pick
Bhaji Burger – Spiced corn and onion bhaji, raitha mayonnaise, mango chutney, pickles, iceberg lettuce, brioche bun
For most of us, the meat is not just an integral part of the burger, the meat IS the burger. However, we’ve now changed our mind thanks to the guys at Crafty. They’re showing us the meat-free way with their delicious Indian stack that packs a serious taste punch.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
NORTH
The Orange Tree
📍 Where: Newcastle
The Joint
The Orange Tree in Newcastle is modern, sleek and stylish – not phrases usually synonymous with a burger eating experience! However, this is refined burger dining, and we’re big fans. Don’t fret, though, this is certainly not style over substance by any stretch.
Our Bucket List Pick
Wagyu Beef – Wagyu beef covered with a black garlic hollandaise, crispy onions, watercress and vintage cheddar
Yep. Even the burgers are stylish. We’d never even heard of black garlic hollandaise. But we have now and we want gallons of the stuff. Don’t miss out on this unique burger experience. Next time you’re in the Toon, head to the Orange Tree.
Veggie Alternative
Crispy Coated halloumi in Kentucky spices with roasted peppers and roasted garlic mayo
Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Brandling Villa
📍 Where: Newcastle
The Joint
This local boozer is famous for its delicious burgers and excellent cask ales – two staples of any great watering hole! Yes, part of the burger-eating experience is the setting you’re in, and it doesn’t get much better than this place. Turn up, grab a pint, and chow down on some outrageous grub.
Our Bucket List Pick
Porco Rosso: Turbo Edition – A double-stacked beef patty topped with pulled pork and beer cheese sauce with crispy onions.
Two patties topped with an irresistible combo of deliciously tender pulled pork, crispy onions, and beer cheese. It’s as stacked, juicy and downright tasty as it sounds. What more do we really need to say?!
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Down the Hatch
📍 Where: Liverpool
The Joint
This place is committed to filling stomachs and curing hangovers with its overflowing plates of feel-good food. The people of Liverpool are lucky to have these miracle workers so close to home. So, fill your boots, stuff your faces, and lap up some damn good food!
Our Bucket List Pick
The Eastender – Salt beef bagel with sliced pickles, mayo, slaw and mustard.
Yes, it’s time to get out of your burger comfort zone and delve into the dark arts of the different. Forget your classic cheeseburger, you only live once and you need to enjoy some variety. The Eastender is the gateway stack to a whole new world of indulgence.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Burgsy’s
📍 Where: York
The Joint
This independent family-run restaurant started out as a tiny bun-slinging van and has blossomed into a bangin’ burger joint! With a mouth-watering array of stacked towers to pick from, plus an impressive selection of sides, you’ll be well and truly spoilt here.
Our Bucket List Pick
Billy The Kid – 6oz beef patty, a trio of goat’s cheese, rocket, caramelised onions, and balsamic reduction
This outrageously creamy goat’s cheese trio pairs flawlessly with some of the finest patties York has to offer. Oozing with flavour and topped with some crunchy rocket, this combo is one that’s bound to impress!
Website | Instagram | Facebook
We Don’t Give A Fork
📍 Where: Preston
The Joint
An independent burger bar with a zero-faff tolerance. The clue’s in the name and the rules are simple: build your own or pick from their list of classics! We’re talking about great quality food and zero pretension. What’s not to love?!
Our Bucket List Pick
KFC – Korean fried chicken, Gochujang sauce, Asian slaw and kos lettuce.
Whilst building your own is always enticing, you can’t beat one that’s been made by the experts. This Korean-styled stack has that bit of Asian flair that everyone needs now and again. It was a real tough list to pick from, but fear not, we did it.
Veggie Alternative
You Had Me at Halloumi – Sesame halloumi, sweet chilli sauce, kos lettuce, red onion, tomato, and garlic and rosemary fries
Website | Instagram | Facebook
The Laundrette
📍 Where: Manchester
The Joint
This Laundrette isn’t what you’d usually expect for a place that washes dirty clothes! Prepare for some unique liquors, creative cocktails, craft beers and some mouth-watering burgers. This place covers all areas. Well, apart from cleaning your clothes. Definitely do not bring your dirty clothes!!
Our Bucket List Pick
Chorizo, Bacon & Pork Burger – Pork patty, roasted chorizo, crispy bacon sliced gherkins, roasted pepper, and smoked paprika mayonnaise.
For all you meat-lovin’ legends, you will LOVE this pick. It’s meaty, it’s stacked, it’s smokey and, let’s face it, who doesn’t love chorizo?! All the elements come together and taste SO right. Grab one for yourselves and give in to the hype.
Veggie Alternative
Cauli KFC Burger – Crispy fried cauliflower, krispy kale, vegan cheese, bloody may ketchup, vegan bun
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Unit
📍 Where: Sheffield
The Joint
This industrial-style American diner specialises in bringing the people of Sheffield gourmet burgers and freakshakes. Yes, freakshakes. You don’t want to head here if you’re still full – you need a ravenous appetite to conquer their stacks.
Our Bucket List Pick
The Destroyer – Two juicy beef patties served with a heap of brisket, jalapenos, and onions, crowned with cheesy nachos, beef mince and spring onions.
Something called The Destroyer was hardly going to be dainty now, was it?! With nachos erupting out of the top and a cheesy, juicy, meaty concoction flooding out the sides, it’s exactly what you’d want from a dirty burger.
Veggie Alternative
Just Beet It – Handmade vegan beetroot and red kidney bean burger with a dollop of guacamole.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
SCOTLAND
Burgers & Beers Grill House
📍 Where: Edinburgh
The Joint
The home of Scotland’s Best Burger (apparently). Whilst we’ll let you be the judge of that, we’re here to tell you that this immense grill house is definitely one of the best burger joints in the UK. FACT. Homemade sauces, award-winning produce, cracking beers. It. Has. Everything.
Our Bucket List Pick
Frying Scotsman – Patty, haggis fritter, onion rings, mature Scottish cheddar cheese with a side of creamy pepper sauce, served on a freshly bakes brioche bun.
Yes, you can enjoy a proper taste of Scotland with this haggis-infused stack. We’re celebrating the standout creations in our 2022 Bucket List and this one most definitely caught our attention. Be sure to wash it down with one of their delicious Scottish beers.
Veggie Alternative
Same as above, just swap the patty for a veggie alternative.
Boozy Cow
📍 Where: Edinburgh
The Joint
Edinburgh’s burger scene is highly competitive, but Boozy Cow stands out from the crowd thanks to their (1) super creative cocktails, (2) brilliant burgers, and (3) their great name. This underground bar is a must-visit if you’re in the vibrant Scottish capital.
Our Bucket List Pick
The Capaldi – Two 6oz beef burgers topped with a white sugar sprinkled ring doughnut, maple syrup, melting house cheese sauce, Buckfast fried onions, and crispy bacon.
The hilarious Scottish musician now has a Boozy Cow burger named after him to add to his list of accolades. And there’s no messing about with this one. Replacing the brioche bun with a sugared doughnut was a brave move, but one that has definitely paid off.
Veggie Alternative
Bangkok Bad Boy – Spicy Bangkok chickpea burger, melting pepper cheese, coriander, Asian pickles, shredded lettuce and five-spice mayo
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Scotch & Rye
📍 Where: Inverness
The Joint
A bar that also doubles as a time machine taking you back to Chicago in the 1920s couldn’t be missed from our Burger Bucket List. Their signature New York and Chicago-inspired burgers are a homage to the hard-working, harder-drinking people of that era.
Our Bucket List Pick
Scotch & Rye Burger – Scotch & Rye recipe burger, served on a pretzel roll, topped with grilled bacon and melting Swiss cheese.
Running with a simple idea but adding extra flair is something Scotch & Rye manage to nail… every. single. time! Whilst the bun itself is pretty cool, it’s the parts in between that have us hooked. You need to get over to Inverness to give this one a try. STAT.
Veggie Alternative
Big Dipper – Swap out the steak for a plant-based option and enjoy with lashings of cheese sauce, crispy Cajun onions and a four-cheese sauce
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Bread Meats Bread
📍 Where: Glasgow & Edinburgh
The Joint
Make sure you’re feeling extra hungry when you arrive at Bread Meats Bread. They’re far from stingy on portion sizes, and the food is so damned good that you won’t waste any. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on providing a frill and fuss-free experience, and that’s what you get.
Our Bucket List Pick
Wolf Burger – Bacon cheeseburger loaded with pulled pork in smoky BBQ sauce, crispy fried onions, and gochujang mayonnaise.
If there’s one thing you should know about this place, it’s that you’ll need to set some time aside to get through their mighty menu selection! We managed to whittle it down to this fine contender, but we can’t lie, it took us a while. You can’t really go wrong with any of them.
Veggie Alternative
Angry Vegan – Grilled plant-based burger smothered in buffalo sauce, chillies and jalapenos, mellowed down with Russian dressing on a bed of lettuce and tomatoes
Website | Instagram | Facebook
WALES
The Grazing Shed
📍 Where: Cardiff
The Joint
The Grazing Shed team pride itself on ‘Super Tidy’ burgers. And we can confirm they are exactly that. They’re impressive, they only use locally sourced ingredients, and they’re damned good for grazing. And from all the excellent reviews, it seems that their loyal customers agree, too!
Our Bucket List Pick
Truffle Shuffle – Two 6oz Welsh beef patties, smoked bacon, chorizo, jalapeno-infused sour cream, red onion confit, ketchup and lettuce.
The Truffle Shuffle may sound like a dad dance super move, but it’s actually a juicy, stacked, perfectly balanced burger with the ideal meat-to-heat ratio, making it a hard one to beat. Seriously, once you’ve tried this, the burger game changes… FOREVER!
Veggie Alternative
Veggie Hula Hula – Mozarella, grilled pineapple, spicy mango sauce, Boom Boom mayo, lettuce.
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Smokin’ Griddle
📍 Where: Swansea, Cardiff, Essex
The Joint
If you’re considering Smokin’ Griddle for your next burger-eating adventure, check out their insane Insta feed and it will instantly make up your mind. It’s Food Porn at its finest and includes some truly dirty dipping sauces.
Our Bucket List Pick
Signature – Stateside bacon, hash brown and cheese.
This signature special is cutting no corners. Sack off that diet because no diet is worth missing out on this. And no matter which burger you decide to indulge in, you MUST get a side of Smokin’ Griddle’s homemade Dunkin Cheese sauce. You won’t regret it!
Veggie Alternative
Sweet & Spicy – Plant-based patty glazed in homemade vegan BBQ sweet sriracha, crispy onions, lettuce, pickles, pink pickled onions and cheese
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Hills Brecon
📍 Where: Brecon
The Joint
We’ve been seeing a lot of noise about this buzzing establishment in Brecon and when you take a look at the burgers being served up to the people of Wales, it seems like the rest of the UK has been missing out on some seriously meaty feasts. Check. Them. Out.
Our Bucket List Pick
Chips & Gravy Cheeseburger – Beef patty, cheese, skin-on fries and house gravy.
“Gravy, cheese and chips… taste nice on my lips!” The classic dish of chips and gravy seems to have travelled down from the north to this Welsh burger gaff and has been given a mighty makeover! This burger/gravy combo is simply outstanding. Dive in, you won’t regret it!
Veggie Alternative
Korean BBQ Tofu Burger – Korean fried tofu, BBQ sauce, mixed pickles
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Tribal Burger
📍 Where: Belfast
The Joint
Forget fine dining, we’re introducing Trial Burger who are the fun dining experts. Head Chef Paul’s mission is to take high-end burgers to the masses. We’re talking stunning flavours, great cuts of beef and stacked ingredients, all at affordable prices. Paul, you are truly a man of the people.
Our Bucket List Pick
Tribal – Beef patty, rocket, American-style cheddar, balsamic onions, and Tribal black pepper sauce
This is how you do burgers! Bringing you the homemade meaty goodness (as well as some lavish burger sauce) with all of the best accompaniments to make for a top burger-eating experience. This is the sort of Tribal tattoo we’d get.
Veggie Alternative
Kofte Burger – Red lentil kofte burger, rocket, caramelised onion hummus, and mint and lime vegan mayo
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Bunsen
📍 Where: Belfast, Dublin & Cork
The Joint
This place has clearly done its research on how to make the perfect burger. After extensive testing, they’ve nailed down every element that makes up a classic American-style hamburger. From the bun to the meat to the crispy lettuce leaf, it’s all a well-thought-out process that has clearly paid off!
Our Bucket List Pick
Double Cheeseburger – 2 beef patties, cheese, pickle, onion, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
CAUTION: These stacks are extremely unstable due to ingredient overload. The beef patties are almost unrecognisable once that cheese starts melting, so take caution and enjoy every bite. This burger is taking the standard comfort food to new levels of WOW.
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Pyke ‘N’ Pommes
📍 Where: Derry
The Joint
Pyke ‘N’ Pommes opened its doors in 2013 and changed the burger scene in Derry forever. Founder Kevin Pyke’s journey began years earlier as he refined his burger craft in some stellar kitchens before returning to his homeland to revolutionise the stacked patty game and elevate it to refined new levels.
Our Bucket List Pick
Vegenderry Burger – Chickpea and sweetcorn patty seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika and lime, crispy slaw, coriander, and lime mayonnaise.
The insane flavours going on in this absolute feast couldn’t go unnoticed. Not only is it a meat-free /guilt-free option, but it’s also switching up the nation’s favourite meaty burgers that are dripping in cheese and other wacky sauces. We want light, fresh, and zesty – and we’ve found it.
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