Nothing takes away your hunger better than a burger after a long flight to Johannesburg. From a basic beefy treat to gourmet offerings, you’ll find something to suit your tastes and fuel your explorations in the City of Gold. Here are our tried and tested recommendations for the best Burgers in Johannesburg.
Dukes – Greenside
This is the home of the Drunken Onion Burger which is an impressively large creation slathered in homemade BBQ sauce, and topped with blue cheese, bacon, blue cheese and onions marinated in Southern Comfort. If you are a tea-totaller, you can hold the onions or choose from a selection of flavours from around the world instead.
Are you up for the Captain America challenge? This involves clearing your plate of 1½kg of beef patties piled high with rich toppings in 20 minutes. Winners get a R200 voucher towards their next visit.
The Grill House – Rosebank, Melrose Arch and Sandton
The name says it all, this eatery sticks to one thing and does it well. Venison, ribs, fillet, rump and spatchcock chicken are all served to char-grilled perfection at this well-established restaurant.
It can be said that the true test of a menu lies in the familiar, and the Grill House burger certainly meets the grade. Simple, hearty and classic, this robust all-beef creation is a purist’s dream come true. If you like you can have chips with that – crisp, curved, golden masterpieces befitting the restaurant’s upmarket yet homely vibe.
The Local Grill – Downtown Johannesburg
The simple name of this field-to-fork establishment belies its impressive pedigree. The Local Grill has won acclaim at The Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships as well as Eat Out’s Best Everyday Eateries Awards.
These old-school variety burgers are elevated to gourmet status with a choice of delish toppings. Choose from tomato and pepper relish, bacon, avo and sweet chili, blue cheese and rocket, or cheddar melt. For a few rand more you can make it a double and there are a huge range of sides to choose from too.
Trumps Grillhouse and Butchery – Neslon Mandela Square, Sandton
Although Trumps Grillhouse has no connection to any president living or dead, apart from its location in Nelson Mandela Square, this restaurant does subscribe to a bigger-is-better philosophy. Up to 400 people can enjoy this all-in-one outlet which boasts a butchery, wine shop and liquor store on site. All the meat served here is carefully cured on site and the attention to detail shows on every plate.
In amongst the vast menu of prime fillet, rump and rib-eye steaks you’ll find a choice of 6 fat burgers including 2 vegetarian options as well as chicken. All burgers come with a choice of 5 incredible sauces from delicate sage and mushroom to ‘boom-boom’ Peri-Peri.
Lucky Bean – Melville
Experience sophisticated dining under the mural of the lucky bean tree at this intimate restaurant, lounge and bar within spitting distance of the swish nightspots and coffee shops of eclectic Melville.
Here you’ll find the humble burger sandwiched among a range of quirky offerings. These succulent patties are hand-crafted to include sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and green peppercorns and crowned with fried red onions and tomato. Chips and a simple salad complete the plate.
JB’s Corner – Clearwater Mall, Melrose Arch
Located with street side views, these trendy eateries pride themselves on preservative-free wholesome dining. A wide range of simple freshly prepared and quick eats are offered and you’ll find no shortage of burger choices either.
You can take your pick from chicken or beef and lose the bun in favour of cauli-rice if you prefer. All burgers are basted in their signature BBQ sauce and available with extras like cheese, creamy mushroom, pepper, Peri-Peri and Mexican. Alternatively, you can settle for bacon with egg, cheese, avo or blue cheese.
Thundergun Steakhouse – Palala Centre, Beyers Naude
This rustic steakhouse has been sticking to its guns for the last 40 years with a menu that’s remained true to its distant origins. While you won’t be able to get a burger for the original price of 55c, you can rest assured that the quality has remained the same.
Known colloquially as guns, these 150g mouth-watering meaty creations are served up with chips or baked potato and toppings that remind one of days gone by. When last did you munch down on a monkeygland or Hawaiian burger? Naturally you’ll find all the usual suspects up for grabs too such as mushroom, pepper, garlic or bacon partnered with cheese or egg.
Strike Gourmet Gold
Whether your tastes lie with classic meaty eats or more refined vegan, vegetarian or banting dishes, you’ll find something palatable for both your pocket and your taste-buds in Johannesburg.
Take advantage of cheap domestic flight offerson all major SA-Airlines to Johannesburg and sample some of the sights and tastes that Johannesburg has for you. We’ve got you covered when it comes to finding the best deals on airfares all over South Africa.