The best burgers in Manchester

By this point, Almost Famous need to consider rebranding as just Famous. Available at multiple locations around Manchester, they developed their iconic burgers in collaboration with butchers Aubrey Allen, whose clients include Buckingham Palace and whose beef is ranked among the top in the world. Chicken and plant-based options are available as well, and they all come fully loaded with all sorts of juicy toppings.

Burgerism is a local restaurant chain with a devout fanbase. Their signature trick is making their succulent burgers with two patties, resulting in a better bun-to-patty ratio and increasing caramelisation percentiles per patty, to put it in science terms. Different burgers are available here, including double cheeseburgers – for those doing the math, that's no fewer than four patties!

Yard & Coop is a must-visit for fried chicken enthusiasts in Manchester. Specialising in buttermilk fried chicken, the contemporary chicken shop caters to different dietary requirements, including veggie burgers and gluten-free crumb. An array of fried chicken burgers and other dishes are available, complemented by a wide selection of sauces. To top it all off, their burgers have tongue-in-cheek names such as the Karen or the Massive Spicy Cock.

Slap & Pickle, launched in 2017 and having honed its craft on Leeds' pop-up scene, offers its extremely popular burgers in Manchester as well. Located at the street-food hub Society in the city centre, their burgers, crafted from hand-balled heritage beef patties, are sure to tickle your fancy. You can choose from other American classics like loaded fries and shakes to round off your meal as well.

Honest Burgers can be found across the UK, offering a core menu along with unique, location-specific special burgers and dynamic monthly specials. The selection features beef, chicken, and vegetarian burgers, each garnished with premium toppings and complemented by a range of sides and diverse drink options. Their Bridge Street restaurant boasts a modern setting with both indoor and outdoor seating options.

Elnecot is one of Ancoats' culinary hotspots, coming up with creative twists on contemporary British cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu highlights at this stylish neighbourhood restaurant also include creative burgers made with locally-sourced ingredients, for example a Welsh Wagyu cheeseburger, or a plant-based Sloppy Joseph, with optional sides like fries.

Cane & Grain combines a craft beer taproom, rum bar, and American diner, all in one unique venue. Influenced by the skateboarding scene of the 1980s, it also offers a private lounge for booking. The drink selection boasts large cocktail steins and American draft beers, while the Southern-style menu features substantial meat platters loaded with ribs, burgers, wings, fries, and various sides.

That Burger Place is making a splash with its extreme California-style smashed burgers, known for their thin, crisply-edged patties. Topped with an array of ingredients, including their signature house sauce, the burgers are the highlight on a menu that also features chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, and a variety of sides and salads. You'll want to try the California Dreaming burger – it was a finalist at the 2024 National Burger Awards.

Smashville Burger Co, famed for its stacked burgers and unexpected virality on TikTok, is a haven for burger aficionados. It serves American-style smash burgers with perfectly crisped beef patties, oozing cheese, and an exclusive secret sauce, with varied choices such as the spicy Feisty and the gentler Earthy burger. Beyond beef, the menu at Smashville also includes chicken options, ground beef tacos, sumptuous loaded fries, a kid-friendly menu, and the perfect finishing touch: rich milkshakes.

Archie's, set in strikingly pink, Instagram-worthy interiors, offers a contemporary and whimsical dining experience across several Manchester locations. With a menu that's both unique and inventive, this restaurant prides itself on serving exclusively halal dishes made from local ingredients. Patrons can choose from among burgers, fried chicken, wraps, and fries, along with indulgent desserts like waffles and shakes.

Brewski are renowned for their generous servings of comfort food from the USA and Canada. The menu includes hearty classics like burgers served on a potato brioche bun, as well as regional favourites like poutine. Known for their enormous sharing platters best enjoyed with friends, the restaurant offers a snug, lodge-like ambiance, complete with an outdoor garden.

Operating out of a shipping container behind a hair salon, Yard Burgers isn't the most glamorous of burger joints, but who cares – you're here for the burgers, and they deliver. Walk up or order a takeaway to try these expertly-made classic American burgers, with inventive toppings such as a slab of Irish butter to take things to another level. Once they've sold out for the day, that's it.

Ranked the second-best steakhouse in the world in 2023, Hawksmoor might be more famous for their premium cuts, but they do a mean burger too. Don't go in expecting outrageous toppings or towering stacks – the Hawksmoor Hamburger is a simple beast made with top-quality ingredients, including your choice of Ogleshield or Stichelton cheese.

MLK Burgers in Old Trafford is a laid-back eatery known for grilling succulent burgers, frying crispy wings, preparing wraps, and generally serving an array of hearty comfort foods. It also features a selection of Lahori-style street food. This compact, modern eatery offers both sit-down dining and takeaway services, and is considered cherished hidden gem by locals.

Five Guys might be a burger chain you can find all over the world, but don't let that fool you – there's a reason it's a reliable standby when chefs, critics, and others in the know are asked for their burger recommendations. You'll find these recognisable fast-food eateries at multiple locations across Manchester, serving up loaded burgers in soft, toasted buns with melted American cheese.

The Old School BBQ began with a mobile kitchen set inside a converted 1982 Bluebird International American school bus. It's now permanently situated in a wilderness-themed indoor restaurant. Their burgers are served on a corn roll and feature hefty toppings such as smoked streaky bacon, American cheese, Bourbon BBQ sauce, and more. The unique venue features a fully stocked bar, live music on weekends, and a playground for children.

Located within a railway arch in Manchester's bustling city centre, Wholesome Junkies is a vibrant and contemporary vegan dining destination. Known for its vivid and bold decor, the restaurant offers a diverse array of plant-based menus packed with flavour, spearheaded by indulgent vegan burgers made with alternatives to animal products.

Yoh Burger & Desserts, established in 2018 in South Yorkshire, has achieved success with its build-your-own-burger approach, enabling customers to personalise their burger stacks. This family-run business adopts an open kitchen format, offering patrons a view of their food being crafted and tailored from an extensive array of salads and sauces. To complete the dining experience, a variety of indulgent desserts are available.