Melbourne has long been recognized for its diverse and exciting food scene, a city brimming with culinary delights from across the globe. One of the staples of this vibrant food culture is the humble burger, a beloved item that has evolved into a gourmet art form in recent years.

While traditional Australian foods such as meat pies and sausages hold their rightful place, burgers have gained substantial popularity in Melbourne, with countless eateries across the city offering unique spins on this classic comfort food. But what makes burgers so popular in Melbourne?

Let’s take a deep dive into this craze and explore the role that burgers play in the city’s rich culinary tapestry.

Are Burgers Popular In Melbourne?

Burgers in Melbourne are no longer just fast food items or cheap takeaway meals. The evolution of burgers from greasy, fast-food items to gourmet masterpieces has been a significant part of their popularity.

In the early days, burgers were primarily served by large multinational fast-food chains, but over the last decade, a cultural shift has seen burgers become a centrepiece in Melbourne’s gourmet food scene.

Independent burger joints and pop-ups have sprung up throughout the city, offering everything from grass-fed beef to plant-based patties, brioche buns, and an array of extravagant toppings. Melbourne’s chefs have taken this once-basic food item and turned it into an art form, pushing the boundaries of what a burger can be.

These burger establishments are experimenting with unique flavours, gourmet ingredients, and cultural fusions, giving food lovers endless options. Burgers are no longer seen as a quick meal but a culinary experience, adding to their appeal.

Restaurants like 8bit and Royal Stacks are prime examples of Melbourne’s gourmet burger culture. At 8bit, the focus is on simple, fresh ingredients, while Royal Stacks offers everything from Wagyu beef patties to decadent milkshakes on the side. The rise of specialty burger restaurants like these has solidified burgers as a key part of Melbourne’s food identity.

Why Do Burgers Stand Out In Melbourne?

Burgers’ popularity in Melbourne can be attributed to several factors, including versatility, quality, and social media influence.

 

• Versatility: One of the biggest reasons burgers have maintained their appeal is their versatility. Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat lover, there’s a burger out there for you. Chefs in Melbourne have embraced the trend of creating meat alternatives, giving vegetarians and vegans a vast array of options like black bean burgers, mushroom patties, and Beyond Meat products. This adaptability means that nearly everyone can enjoy a burger, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences.

 

• Quality Ingredients: Melbourne’s food culture places a premium on quality, and the burger scene is no exception. Whether it’s the type of beef being used, the locally sourced vegetables, or the artisanal buns, quality is a significant factor in what makes Melbourne’s burgers special. A focus on using fresh, often locally sourced, and organic ingredients elevates the humble burger to a gourmet level. Even traditional beef burgers are crafted from premium cuts like Angus or Wagyu beef, which adds a layer of richness to the flavour that wasn’t present in fast-food-style burgers of the past.

 

• Social Media Influence: Instagram and food bloggers have also played a major role in the burger craze. A burger is an inherently photogenic food item, with layers of colourful ingredients and mouth-watering textures. Restaurants are well aware of this and often go out of their way to make their burgers visually appealing. Melbourne’s foodies love to document and share their culinary experiences, and burgers, with their vibrant toppings and dripping sauces, make for great social media content. This has contributed significantly to the burger’s rise in popularity, as people are influenced by the mouth-watering pictures they see on their social media feeds.

Where Can You Find The Best Burgers In Melbourne?

Melbourne is filled with fantastic burger joints, catering to every possible preference and craving. Below are some must-visit and best burger restaurants in melbourne places to satisfy your burger desires.

 

• Easey’s: Situated in Collingwood, Easey’s is one of the most iconic burger joints in Melbourne, offering a unique dining experience in train carriages located on top of a building. Easey’s doesn’t just impress with its location; its burgers are equally top-notch. You can expect well-crafted burgers with juicy patties and fresh ingredients, along with a side of nostalgia as you dine on a 1970s train.

 

• 8bit: Located in the CBD and Footscray, 8bit is known for combining a love of retro video games with a passion for burgers. The menu offers a variety of creatively named burgers like the ‘Double Dragon’ and ‘Golden Axe’ that feature well-cooked patties, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables. Their sides, including loaded fries and onion rings, perfectly complement their burgers, making it a must-visit for burger lovers.

 

• Royal Stacks: If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, Royal Stacks offers gourmet burgers with premium ingredients like Wagyu beef and truffle mayo. The restaurant also has a fun, retro vibe, often packed with customers who can’t get enough of their beautifully stacked burgers. They are well-known for their milkshakes, including flavours like peanut butter and salted caramel, which pair perfectly with their gourmet burgers.

 

• Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co.: Betty’s has a national reputation for offering top-tier burgers, but their Melbourne locations are especially popular. Known for their signature ‘Shroom Burger’ (featuring a crispy fried mushroom), Betty’s caters to both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Their burgers are simple yet delicious, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bold flavours.

The Impact Of Burger Culture On Melbourne’s Food Scene

The rise of burgers in Melbourne has not only been a trend in itself but has also shaped other areas of the city’s food culture. The gourmet burger movement has encouraged innovation in other fast-casual dining spaces, pushing restaurants to elevate their dishes, from pizzas to sandwiches, and redefine the notion of “fast food.”

This trend has also created a community of food lovers who appreciate quality, affordability, and creativity. Burger festivals like the Melbourne Burger Invitational bring together some of the best burger joints, allowing patrons to sample a wide variety of burgers in one place.

Such events are a testament to the burger’s enduring popularity and influence on Melbourne’s culinary landscape.

Moreover, Melbourne’s burger craze has fostered a spirit of healthy competition among local restaurants, pushing each establishment to outdo the others with unique ingredients, bigger burgers, or better deals. This competitiveness has benefited consumers, offering them an almost limitless variety of burger experiences to choose from.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say that burgers are more than just a passing trend in Melbourne—they’re here to stay. The city’s vibrant food culture, emphasis on quality ingredients, and willingness to experiment with flavours have all contributed to the popularity of the burger.

Whether you’re looking for a simple, classic cheeseburger or a gourmet experience featuring Wagyu beef and truffle oil, Melbourne has it all. The burger craze has left an indelible mark on the city’s food scene, solidifying it as a go-to comfort food for Melburnians and visitors alike.

As long as food trends continue to evolve and chefs push culinary boundaries, burgers in Melbourne will remain a beloved and ever-changing part of the city’s rich dining landscape.