Ask RiotACT: Canberra! Where is the best burger at?

I always love whenever these topics pop up that you get so many first time posters so blatantly astro-turfing for their own establishment.

WOW!!! Thanks Canberra for all your suggestions, corrections, and commiserations! In particular thanks to @devils_advocate, @John Moulis, @bigred, @spades, @digitalchet, @dungfungus, @Weaselburger, @Tommy Southern, @HWish, @Jennifer Frisby, @greensareliars, @Mess, @Mysteryman, @Holden Caulfield, @Quickwits, @Genie, @theHoff, @Kiriel, @Mischa Rippon, @spades, @Kim F, @Sarah Marie, @emd, @Brooke Dennis and @K_c24! I disagree K_c24, I think many folks love an old fashion Burger, great addition!

I will do my best to work my way around Canberra and these suggestions will keep you posted!

Elias Hallaj, I do agree about home made. I am excited though, your comment sounds like an invite to make burgers for 100 folks in Canberra! I can see it already, folks chatting with friends or reading while they wait for you to make them burgers! I’m in Elias! Serina Huang to make the chips?

Not that anyone will particularly care, but for an old fashioned, cafe style takeaway burger, the Karabar takeaway (Queanbeyan) used to do a phenomenal burger with the lot for $8. I haven’t had one for years but i used to struggle finishing it. It’s completely unpretentious, and as standard as they come, but just freaking awesome in its simplicity. Pineapple, beetroot, egg, bacon, cheese, salad, beef. Amaze.

THE G SPOT CANBERRA!!! Not just the best burger and chips but the best food FULLSTOP! Made fresh and honestly Andrew and the crew give the best service every single time, you’d travel far just for the service. If you have a burger from anywhere, the g spot canberra is a MUST!

I only know about vegie burgers, but the best ones are at Brodburger, Sweet Bones on the corner of Lonsdale St (vegan – the coconut-based smoked bacon chips are magic), and Grease Monkey.

Best burger in Canberra is hands down the G-spot in Gungalian!!!! I think they have the best food in Australia to be completely honest!

Kingston Pub do a fine burger. Plus you can ring ahead and pick it up at a “Drive through” window !

Mischa Rippon said :

Soul Cartel’s Farr Side Cafe has phenomenal burgers, and their waffle fries are absolutely to die for, best chips I’ve had as far as I can remember.

Ok I’m gonna have to check this out. Upon further online investigation it seems the main Soul Cartel cafe is in Braddon but there is a Farr Side cafe branch in Isaacs. Do they have the same menus? I can see the Soul Cartel menu on their website but the Farr Side menu is nowhere to be found.

Soul Cartel’s Farr Side Cafe has phenomenal burgers, and their waffle fries are absolutely to die for, best chips I’ve had as far as I can remember.

I reckon that the Durham at Kingston’s burgers walk all over Brodburger, which I have found overrated and overpriced. The Durham also has a very good burger deal on Wednesday nights.

Killer chips are a separate thing and for those I recommend Schnitz…. soooooo gooood.

Soul Cartel’s Farr Side Cafe – https://www.facebook.com/FarrSideCafe – No Question

The G Spot !

A burger with the lot will only set you back $10 and it’s ready within minutes.
Plus their chips are delicious You can’t go past a cheesy box (chips, cheese and gravy) or a mud bucket (chips, burrito sauce, cheese, sour cream and sweet chilli sauce).

Plus for an added bonus you can get a deep fried mars bar for dessert.

Worst burgers I’ve ever had are from London and I’ve never successfully had a burger from Brodburger. I flat out refuse to wait that long for one.

Ask 100 Canberrans where is their favorite burger joint and you’ll get at least 50 different answers! I reckon home-made is best.

Personally, if I’m near the lake I like Brodburger (yeah I know you have to wait, but you can call ahead and order takeaway if you’re in a super hurry, or talk to your friends, or read?) Greasemonkey is good too, as is Burger Hero are good too.

I liked that you asked though Rachel, as there are a few places in the feedback I’m yet to try, and intent to now 🙂

spades said :

I cycle through Brod, Grease Monkey and London (Belco only; heard bad things about the Tuggers branch).

London has been closed in Tuggeranong for a few months. They all closed except Belconnen.

Brodburger, still, for best burgers overall.

The Snack Shack in Fyshwick for best old school takeaway burgers.

Grease Monkey for Canberra’s most overrated burgers.

I have tried a lot of burgers around Canberra. A lot.

Overrated burgers:
Greasemonkey – over priced and underwhelming. Small.
Brodburger – good taste, but the wait time is pathetic. They really need to work on their staff training and their cooking procedures. There’s no reason cooking a patty and some fries should take 30-60 mins.
Hopscotch/Duck’s Nuts/Every other Canberra pub – over priced, generally average flavour.
London – good price, but burgers are very greasy/oily. Way too much sauce.

Hands down the best burgers I’ve had anywhere in Canberra are from BurgerHero in Braddon. 31 Mort St, at the base of the apartment complex. If this place was on Lonsdale St, it would be chockers every night. The burgers have amazing flavour, they are very consistent, and the price cannot be beaten.

Brodburger is massively overrated. The burgers are OK, but very over hyped.

Grease Monkey however does very decent burgers.

Jennifer Frisby said :

Ace High in Tuggeranong. Great Burgers, chips, hot wings and onion rings!

I think you are talking about a sit down dinner (open sandwich type hamburger with trimmings) and given the hand-held version depicted in the OP you and a few others are talking about something entirely different.

Pick Up Sticks at the National Hockey Centre make a great burger

Ace High in Tuggeranong. Great Burgers, chips, hot wings and onion rings!

Beef & Barley at kingston foreshore is a good one – make sure you get the fiery sauce!

One of the best burgers I’ve had in Canberra was at Stand By Me in Lyons.

Alas. the Belly burger from the old Pot Belly is no longer…May it Rest in Peace.

The one in the photo looks great. Where is it from?

In the meantime I’ll stick to the regular ones from the takeaway a Chisholm shops.

I work around the Fyshwick area so when we’re hankering for a good meaty, tasty, and filling meal (usually for a social Friday work lunch ;P ) we visit The Station Bar & Cafe, down Dairy Road near the Wetlands.
We’ve been going there for years and have enjoyed many fine meals, but I always go back for the classic Grilled Chicken Troppo Burger, which has a Chilli aioli that has some days set my mouth on fire. Those are some of the best lunches.
The burger meals are served with thick, well-salted & spiced chips, but I often get them bathed in gravy or with an extra side of chilli aioli for that extra oomph.
One of my mates who long ago moved on to another job in the North-side will still often make the trek down here for a Friday lunch to enjoy the ‘Troppo.’

I should also state that these aren’t your run-of-the-mill hand-held burgers… these are pretty big beasts you usually have to eat with a fork and a steak knife they’re that packed with meat and goodies, so you’re unlikely to leave wanting for more.

The burger meals range around the $18 mark, but they’re well worth it.

Always wanted to try Meating Room as I live close by.

I cycle through Brod, Grease Monkey and London (Belco only; heard bad things about the Tuggers branch). I know there are more that have popped up recently. Been wanting to try Burger Hero.

I have been developing a taste lately for the burgers prepared by the chefs in the Meating Room at Weston Creek.

Brodburger is probably the best in Canberra, a former owner of RiotAct was especially fond of them. Ace High in Anketell St Tuggeranong also does good burgers.

The old Canberra Inn (Lyneham)
Ostani (Realm Hotel bar)
The District (Crace)

Sadly, Brodburger has fallen right off. Overcooked beef patties and highly inconsistent sauce ratios.