Best burgers in London West End?

[Lippitt]

My other halfs birthday is coming up and I'm taking him to a matinee show of Phantom of the Opera (he has odd taste but I can't complain because he chose me!) and afterwards I would like to take him for a really good burger as he really loves them - must be in or within easing tubing distance of the west end. Any recs?

[Luke.]

GBK on Frith Street maybe.

[option click]

BKB on Old Compton St
http://www.bohemekitchen.co.uk/

or for something a bit different, Mildreds on Lexington St do really, really nice veggie burgers (with sweet potato wedges and sour cream).
http://www.mildreds.co.uk/

Edited by option click on Friday 22 July 14:03

[bigtomski]

Best burgers in London? This place i reckon:

www.thehawksmoor.co.uk

I haven't actually had the burger, but i've had steak and chips and it's very very good.
Mmmmmm beef dripping chips........!
Nicely located in Covent Garden and the bar is very nice too.

[Lippitt]

Hmm thats the second person thats mentioned the Hawksmoor.... a friend offline did too. Am I right in assuming the Gourmet Burger Kitchen is overhyped? Or am I being a real snob?

[bigtomski]

I really like GBK but The Hawksmoor is pretty special.
Much more of a restaurant and pleasant place to be, much more of a birthday treat in my opinion.
It's where my girlfriend took me as a suprise for my birthday in fact and I was very happy!

[option click]

GBK is just a fast-food place, albeit better than MacDs or BK.
Good call on Hawksmoor - a friend went there last week and was raving about it.

[Roger645]

Gaucho or maze grill?

[Willo GT3]

I find that some of the chain gourmet burger type places can be very variable in quality, especially in the West End. I don't tend to go to them these days because of this. There are places that you can rely on though:

As others have said, Hawksmoor is good - Seven Dials venue would suit for the theatre.

Also worth a look is Goodmans on Maddox Street, just off Regent Street - as good as Hawksmoor in my opinion and sometimes better. www.goodmanrestaurants.com

My current favourite and without any doubt the best burger I have tasted in years - better even than the above two - is The Riding House Cafe - recently opened. Burger is cooked to your liking and I went with my sister last weekend. She had medium, I had medium rare and they were both cooked to perfection. It's going to be a regular of mine if they keep the standard up - I've been back twice this week already with other people who all liked it! For me it certainly qualifies as the West End's Best Burger and the place has a nice, relaxed feel about it with great service. www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk

[bga]

Lippitt said:

Am I right in assuming the Gourmet Burger Kitchen is overhyped? Or am I being a real snob?

It depends what your expectations are. If you want (imo) a nice burger, good portions & good service then GBK is good. If you are after something special then look elsewhere.

[lemonslap]

Byron Hamburgers in Covent Garden, great quality and plus they do proper milkshakes! http://www.byronhamburgers.com/

[benmc]

My wife and I have been on the hunt for the best burger in London.

Tried Byron last week. Good burger and would go back but not 'special'

Went to Hawksmoor last night and had the burger. It one word perfect. Great staff, cool bar with interesting cocktails. The burger was the best I have ever had. Very tasty and juicy.


Ben

bigtomski said:

Best burgers in London? This place i reckon:

www.thehawksmoor.co.uk

I haven't actually had the burger, but i've had steak and chips and it's very very good.
Mmmmmm beef dripping chips........!
Nicely located in Covent Garden and the bar is very nice too.

[Dick Dastardly]

Went here a few months ago and it was good: http://www.hacheburgers.com/

[RichB]

30+ years ago I'd have immediatly said the Hard Rock but I guess that's no longer the case

[Pothole]

is Sticky Fingers still any good?

[Carlton Banks]

Dick Dastardly said:

Went here a few months ago and it was good: http://www.hacheburgers.com/

Agree

[mattdaniels]

Lippitt said:

Am I right in assuming the Gourmet Burger Kitchen is overhyped?

Yes.

Find a Byron Burger place. Still hyped, but the best of the bunch and shows up GBK in so many ways.

[bga]

mattdaniels said:

Yes.

Find a Byron Burger place. Still hyped, but the best of the bunch and shows up GBK in so many ways.

Byron are OK, the restaurants are nicer but the food is no better than GBK in my experience. Both have nice burgers but neither are fantastic.

[Noger]

Ed's Easy Diner ? Actual burgers, and pretty good, as opposed to the "gourmet" variety. And a nice low key contrast finish to the evening. Wet fries

[Lippitt]

Gargh. I'm so torn! I think ideally I'd like somewhere between the two - somewhere a bit more nice than GBK but not as 'restauranty' as Hawksmoor.
Perhaps I'll toss a coin.

Edited by Lippitt on Monday 25th July 13:16