About two years ago, one of the first articles we wrote in our search for the best food in Athens, was our tribute to the best burgers in town. Today more mature and after many suggestions from our readers, we are ready to make an update of our previous list. We are sure that apart from these ten places that we suggest in this article (December 2021), there are others that we have not yet discovered. Also, in some cases the places, although some of them are very popular, did not reach the top ten according to our criteria.
1. Juicy Grill: There was a reason why people were looking for this once small place in the streets of Holargos and huddled outside to try their excellent burgers. Today nine years after its opening, the restaurant has moved to a bigger place and has also opened a new establishment in downtown Athens. But the quality remains the same. The meat is always fresh and the brioche bread baked the same day. The burgers are grilled perfectly according to your request and the combinations are tasty and original. The burgers are served with excellent fried potatoes or a baked potato. The salads also are very tasty. Our favourite burger: New Yorker. (Leoforos Perikleous 37, Cholargos / Paleon Patron Germanou 7, Athens)
2. Burger Joint: This is one of the first places (if not the first) to introduce the Athenians to a more sophisticated approach to burgers. The burgers are made with black Angus meat, they are grilled medium-well and the bread is homemade. The variety is sufficient but it is the quality of the ingredients that makes these burgers really special. They are served with freshly fried potatoes. You can find also delicious starters, salads (and pizza for those who don’t want burgers), and also a very good variety of non-beef burgers. Our new favourite burger: El Professor (with double marinated bacon, bourbon marmalade, and bourbon Chipotle mayo) (Dionisiou Solomou 4, Neo Psychiko / Plateia Nymfon 1, Glyfada / Leoforos El. Venizelou 93, Nea Smirni)
3. Tarantino Burgers: Although the place opened this year, it has already gained a fanatical audience among residents of the city but also tourists visiting the bustling neighbourhood of Koukaki. Delicious and properly grilled beef burgers with fluffy bread are what you will taste here. The choices and combinations are many but without any of them being too loaded with ingredients so that the taste is lost. The side dishes are also very good and large in size. Our favourite burger: Jack (perfect in its simplicity). (Dimitrakopoulou 17, Koukaki)
4. Pax Burgers: This place in downtown Athens has taken Athenians by surprise, after a successful career in Thessaloniki. This is a self-service restaurant on Aiolou street near Monastiraki Square. The burgers (for which you have a choice between a burger 140 gr and 200 gr) are extra tasty and juicy. They are well grilled and with very good fillings. Good variety and very quick service despite the crowds that are usually waiting to be served. The only complaint is that the fried potatoes are quite oily. In our opinion the best burger you can taste in the city centre. Our favourite burger: Bourbon Bacon Jam (34 Aiolou Street, Athens)
5. B for Burger: In one of the busiest spots in Pagrati, this place has become one of our favourite burger joints in the city. The brioche buns are fluffy and delicious, the juicy burger is made from 100% ground beef and all the ingredients are fresh and of great quality. They also have a delicious burger with pulled pork and two vegan options. Our favourite here: Kevin Bacon & Cheese – The American. (Archimidous 1, Pagrati)
6. Mpar Mpee Kiou (Μπαρ Μπε Κιου): What started as a common secret among the citizens of Piraeus, has spread all over the city and you can taste these really big burgers in 4 different spots. The burgers here are all XL, the variety is big, the combinations are unique and the names of the burgers are quite imaginative (e.g. Lemmy, Jackie Chan, The English Patient, and many more). The mince is tasty but not very juicy, and if you want you could add to your burger extra ingredients. All burgers are served with fried potatoes. The place is usually overcrowded and you have to wait to find a table. Our favourite burger: Montana Jones. (13 Leoforos Freatidos, Freatida – Piraeus & 3 more spots)
7. Burger AP: The famous Greek chef Akis Petretzikis said a few years before that he wanted to create the most delicious burger in the city. He created a cosy self-service restaurant and a selection of burgers with various fillings. There is a variety of beef burgers but also burgers with chicken or pancetta, and two no-meat options. You can add extra ingredients and there is a surprising variety of sides dishes. The quality is excellent and this place is definitely an alternative to the classic burger house. The queue is usually long but the service is well organized and quick. Nowadays they have opened a second location in downtown Athens. Our favourite burger: the classic Burger AP. (16 Helvetias Street, Agia Paraskevi / Romvis 9, Athens)
8. BarBara Que: Very close to Pentelis Avenue in Vrilissia, you will immediately distinguish this restaurant, since the aesthetically perfect space and its uniquely delicious food, have made it one of the favourite hangouts of the area. The very good and juicy Angus burgers in quite original combinations are accompanied by handmade fried potatoes. The place has also some side dishes which stand out, such as chorrillana (freshly fried potatoes with eggs, gouda, chorizo sausage, and cheddar sauce) and halloumi sticks (panned in panko with sweet chili sauce). Our favourite burger: Blue Black. (Ethnikis Antistaseos 27, Vrilissia)
9. Burger’s Hood: Burger’s Hood is an authentic American restaurant in the heart of Peristeri. The burgers here are large with excellent ingredients and juicy minced meat. They are accompanied by a large portion of hand-cut potatoes. The place also serves special salads such as pasta salad (with chicken, sauce tartare, and fresh herbs) as well as a range of excellent meat dishes. Our favourite burger: Hoody (with a double beef burger) (Papadiamanti 2, Peristeri)
10. Po’Boys BBQ: This restaurant in the centre of Psyri is a special case because it brought to Athens the flavours of the American South. Here the philosophy of slow cooking and the smoker technique is applied to the food. All meats have been prepared for hours in order to reach your plate deliciously perfect. And of course, here you will eat authentic burgers which are put in the smoker to get a special smoky taste. Amazing meats and unique quality ingredients combined with a beautiful open space offer a unique gastronomic experience. Our favourite burger: the gigantic Pitmaster Burger (a 200 gr beef burger with mustard mayo, iceberg, bourbon glaze, cheese fondue, caramelized onions, and brisket of pulled pork or crispy belly). (Agatharchou 12 and Lepeniotou, Psyri)
The quest for the best at Food and Travel never ends, stay tuned because the best is yet to come…
*[Photo at the top by Niklas Rhöse on Unsplash]
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