London’s burger scene has never been more competitive. From smash patties to dry-aged beef, from potato rolls to brioche, everyone has a take, and honestly, most of them are worth having. We set out to put eight of London’s best to the test, judging each on the same seven criteria: crust, seasoning, bun, vibe, texture, value, and the build.
Here’s what we found.
Meatstop
A solid entry. The brioche had real personality. Proper bounce, not too sweet, and the chunky pickles were exactly right: brash, vinegary, doing their job confidently. The meat blend was good, with a flavour profile that suggests someone has thought carefully about the grind. Our one note: the patty could have leaned a little harder on the seasoning, and the texture was ever so slightly on the grainy side. Small adjustments would push this from really good to genuinely great.
The Plimsoll
The much-adored Dexter burger. A bold and flavourful beef, and The Plimsoll backs it up. The brioche was one of the best buns of the day. Soft without being sickly, with a restrained sweetness that lets everything else come through. The beef was well handled, and the cheese was serious. The pickle was the one element that slightly overreached; in this instance, it was a touch too acidic, pulling focus when it should be supporting. A small recalibration and this would be hard to argue with. The vibe is unmatched here, the Four Legs team know how to draw a crowd.
Bleeker Burger
Bleeker is doing a lot of things right, as evidenced by countless awards and nominations. The dry-age funk came through clearly, a rich, funky depth that sets itself apart. The patty was juicy, pink, and cooked with obvious care. The sesame bun was soft in exactly the right way. The seasoning didn’t quite match the ambition of everything around it, which felt like the only thing standing between this and something genuinely excellent. The foundations are strong. We’d happily go back.
Black Bear Burger
Black Bear is doing interesting things. The miso sauce was a genuine highlight. Rich, layered, the kind of addition that earns its place rather than complicating things. The patty was well built, with a nice blush of pink and a depth of flavour that made the £11.90 price point feel very fair. The thick-cut onion wasn’t quite for us, a little too assertive against everything else, and we’d have loved to see pickles in the build. There’s real quality here, and the overall package is hard not to like.
Supernova
Martin’s potato roll. 115g patties. Three gherkins. Fresh onion. Supernova knows what it’s doing. The smash crust had that satisfying char that makes the whole format worthwhile, and the cheese was handled properly: melted, soft, woven into the bite rather than sitting on top of it. The bun caught a little more heat than it needed on our visit, which slightly dulled what should have been a perfect finish. One of the stronger builds we tried, and the details show.
Hanbaagasuteki
At £14 for a single patty on a potato roll, Hanbaagasuteki is asking you to trust them. You should. The crust was exceptional, a deep, even sear with real colour and texture. The seasoning was bold and confident, the sauce was lush, and the whole thing came together in a way that felt considered rather than constructed. This is a burger that knows exactly what it is, and executes it without compromise. A standout of the day.
Crunch
Crunch is clearly a concept with ambition, and there’s a reason they get lines out the door in their flagship. On our visit, though, the patty was tougher than we’d hoped, a chewier texture than the rest of the build called for. Unfortunately, the bun felt a little fragile for the job it was doing. For the price point, we’d love to see the components tightened up. A different take on a burger that didn’t quite leave us longing for more.
SoBe
Some numbers tell their own story. SoBe’s Miami Smash burgers are currently the fourth most sold burger in the country and having tried it, that’s not hard to believe. This is a smash burger built with real conviction: a proper crust, confident seasoning, and a build that holds together from first bite to last. The Miami influence comes through in the flavour: bright, a little punchy, unapologetically bold. The value is strong, the vibe is right, and it sits comfortably alongside the best of what London’s burger scene has to offer. The numbers don’t lie.
The Leaderboard
- SoBe
- Hanbaagasuteki
- The Plimsoll
- Bleeker
- Supernova
- Meat Stop
- Black Bear
- Crunch
Until next time,
Dan Sutton
Operations Manager
