The Ten Best Burgers in Sydney

By: Zoe Crane, ellaslist explorer

Taking the kids out for burgers goes back generations, but there is no need to settle for typical fast food fare, now that there are family-friendly restaurants with seriously tasty burgers popping up all over Sydney. Next time you treat the kids to a burger make it a treat for yourself as well, with our top ten burgers in Sydney.

1. The Milk Bar by Café Ish, Redfern

Start by choosing from eight burgers then add your choice of topping (basically the salad part) to
create your perfect burger. With everything from a classic cheeseburger to Korean fried chicken there is a burger for everyone. There are smaller dishes like mac’n’cheese if you have little kids that couldn’t finish a whole burger, although you could always finish it for them! You can’t come to The Milk Bar and not try one of the deservedly famous shakes, but with 18 to choose from you may need to come back more than once. Prices are pretty reasonable too, with a cheeseburger, chips and a shake deal for just $17.50. The meat is sustainable sourced and free-range and they make all the milkshake syrups themselves. An old-fashioned jukebox and arcade game table are a fun addition for the kids too.

 

2. Chur Burger, Surry Hills & Sydney City

When Chur Burger opened in Surry Hills, it caused a revolution. One of the early diner-style burger bars selling top notch burgers, Chur Burger was the word, and the burger on everyone’s lips. But they haven’t let the fame go to their heads. Their succulent burgers are still only $10-$12 and you can get a burger, fries and a milkshake for $15. Although not specifically aimed at families, burger lovers of all ages are welcomed. They also have a Chur Express in the city and two shops in Brisbane. Having made it to just about every “best burgers” list around, if you haven’t tried on of their burgers yet, you owe it to yourself to go.

3. Papi Chulo, Manly

Part of the seemingly omnipresent Merivale group, Papi Chulo describes itself as a “destination for all ages”. The group’s owner, Justin Hemmes, has said that as he gets older (with a bub of his own on the way) his venues are becoming more of a family-friendly affair and Papi Chulo is no exception. While not a dedicated burger restaurant, their grain-fed beef burger made Time Out’s list of top ten burgers. The food is a little hard to define mixing Asian, South American and Canadian flavours with a menu of smoked meat platters, sandwiches – including the famous burger, salads and seafood. Let’s just say it works, and it seems just about everything on the menu is delicious. They have high chairs and colouring and a fantastic kids’ menu with real food on it, not a chicken nugget to be seen. If you aren’t a local, the location just steps from the ferry and Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, coupled with views of our lovely harbour make this place worth the trip.

 

4. The Burger Shed, Mosman

The Burger Shed seems to have all the ingredients for the perfect burger joint – Justin North – one of Sydney’s top chefs at the helm, free-range grass-fed meats, home-made sodas, a casual ambience, great prices and friendly staff. The beef is all grass-fed Angus & purebred Wagyu, and they also do chicken burgers and a veggie option. Add a side of truffle and parmesan fries for decadent treat. There is a small but tasty kids menu, and take away specials for a family consisting of two burgers, two fries and two kids meals for just $40. A good excuse not to cook tonight!

5. Hello Kitty Cafe, Chatswood

Though not officially open at the time of writing, the highly-anticipated Hello Kitty Café is set to become one of Sydney’s top burger restaurants and an obvious hit with the kids. The menu has been designed by none other than Warren Turnbull of Chur burger fame, however don’t expect a replica of his Surry Hills restaurant. The menu has an Asian twist and will serve Korean fried chicken and diner-style ribs along with their delicious gourmet burgers. Of course, Hello Kitty will be present throughout, including a life-size statue and merchandise store, but it won’t be all kiddy-kitsch with a strong focus on good food and stylish design.

6. Excelsior Jones, Ashfield

The owners of Excelsior Jones moved from Le Monde in Surry Hills to open this neighbourhood gem in Ashfield. The much more family-friendly vibe of the area has been catered for beautifully. While not a dedicated burger restaurant, the juicy cheeseburger is becoming famous in its own rite. There is a kids menu and other diner classics including an old school lime spider. They are open for breakfast and lunch, seven days.

7. Paradise Road Diner, North Bondi

One of the new kids on the Bondi block, the Paradise Road Diner sits amongst Jo and Willy’s Depot and The Hill at the North Bondi bus interchange area, just up the hill from the beach. The open design is modern and casual, befitting of its location. Alongside a menu of six burgers you can order braised brisket by the gram, or the diner classic – fried chicken and waffles. They also have salads and a green smoothie. It is Bondi after all. There is a kids menu with a flamingo for colouring, a tropical motif that fits this casual but delicious diner perfectly.

8. The Tuckshop, Glenhaven

This suburban milk bar has been transformed by the boys behind The Baron and Nathan Hindmarch, of Eels fame, into a contemporary “tuckshop”. But this is no school canteen, and has already earned some serious foodie cred. Produce is sourced locally so meals are super fresh and tasty, as well as having a feel-good factor. The burgers are definitely the drawcard at The Tuckshop, but they also have tasty salads and an all-day breakfast menu. This is parent heaven, or Glenheaven, as their sign cheekily calls it. The kids menu has a choice of chicken nuggets, or a healthy option of fruit and veg with Avo smash and they’ll lend you a rug to picnic at the adjoining park with a playground, so the kids can run wild, while you relax with a well-earned cheeseburger and single-origin coffee.

9. Paul’s Famous Hamburgers, Sylvania

The burger revolution in Sydney has brought us a slew of slick establishment serving seriously tasty diner food drawing foodie families and hipsters in equal measures, but what has become of the old fashioned burgers we grew up with? You’ll find them at Paul’s Famous Hamburger’s and they are better than ever. Opened in 1957, this hole-in-the-wall burger bar has been serving traditional burgers for generations. Touted the best value burgers in Sydney, locals and visitors queue out the door to get their burger fix. There is a kids’ burger too, but no veggie option. Grab some burgers and a two-litre pineapple crush drink, which has been described as liquid sunshine, and head down the hill for a picnic by the Saint Georges River. The whole thing won’t set you back much more than $30 for a family.

 

10. Grill’d, Multiple Locations

While the burger’s here are not quite the same standard as those we’ve listed so far, they’re still pretty good and this is such a good option for families we thought it deserved a mention. With locations across the country Grill’d bridges the gap between trendy burger restaurants and fast food chains. Kids will love the mini me packs with a mini beef or chicken burger, mini chips, a water or juice and a farm puzzle activity. Parents will love the “healthy burgers” ethos, of wholesome natural ingredients sourced locally and prepared freshly.