The Best Places for Burgers in Edinburgh

I know I’m committing to a neverending update post with “Best burgers in Edinburgh”.

The fact is that I’ve eaten loads of burgers in Edinburgh, but restaurants ebb and wane, and there are new challengers almost every week. What follows is in rough order and curated with appropriate harshness.

Side Street

Leith Walk

Girdy made the Side Street opening event and has been back many times since. The burger place is the size of a postage stamp and so relies on delivery orders – which means it must be good and price-competitive.

Consider Side Street if you want dramatic burgers, loads of taste, no health and something to fill the tummy.

Shakedown

Corstorphine

I find it hard to visit Edinburgh Zoo, our local conversation charity hero, without visiting Shakedown. The restaurant is comfortable and clean, and the burgers are impressive. For me, Shakedown is a reason to visit Corstorphine.

Shakedown is similar to Side Street but less spicy.

Burger Mama

Leith

Looking for Burger Mama on Google Maps? You need to search for The Lioness of Leith, a busy pub in which the Burger Mama lives.

I’m glad the Lioness of Leith has become a success. I used to visit friends on Academy Street, and the pub before would be one to avoid. Riot police charged into more than one time, and now we’ve the Lioness, which is a riot in all the good ways. My only gripe with the duo is that I’ve been looked at on more than one occasion as if I’m daft just for hoping there was a spare seat for a solo eater on Friday. Lemme try!

Good Burger

Dalry

A slightly controversial suggestion? As noted in my Good Burger review, I’ve always had a great visit, but Birdy and others do not have such a perfect record.

I’ve found the wee venue fantastic for towering burgers of goodness and worth a trip to Fountainpark. However, these same meaty mountains don’t deliver well and it is easy to imagine what 30 minutes in a bouncing backpack will do to a doner meat and cheese sauce burger.

Bread Meats Bread

Lothian Road

I’ve eaten at Bread Meets Bread on Lothian Road and North Bridge. The Lothian Road venue is my favourite, but I’ll concede I’ve only ever fought by way into North Bridge during the festival madness of August so perhaps it’s not a fair comparison.

For me, I think Bread Meets Bread is one of the original burger experts in Edinburgh. I know it’s not the first but the Lothian Road branch has been a mouthwatering destination for years. I’m especially fond of the friendly staff and the fact that the restaurant tends to be open after a dull/exciting conference finishes at the EICC around the corner.

The Bothy

The Murrayfield Hotel

The Bothy’s menu says their burgers are famous. I found this out when I popped in after a trip to the Zoo, as I’d never heard of them before.

However, what I’ll say is that The Bothy Murrayfield is more than just the restaurant in The Murrayfield Hotel. It’s big enough, exciting enough and good enough to be its own thing. I did have the burger and it was delicious.

The venue is a bit on the posh side for me, but I walked in looking like my shabby self, straight out of a rainstorm and dripping water all over those posh floors. It was no problem. They took me in, fed me and I left happy. I’ve been back three times (sans storm) since.

Down the Hatch

City Center

I’m told the Queensferry Down the Hatch is better, but I’ve never made it out there (one day). Instead, I’ve been to Antigua Street many times and never regretted it.

It’s not just big Canadian burgers on offer here but delights like roast beef rolls that you can dip into a jug of gravy and loaded fries/poutine. Staff are friendly and the place is a TARDIS. Don’t be fooled by the front door; go in and see if they can seat you.

One grumble? Their online booking form makes it impossible for solo eaters to book a table. It pretends there are no seats available, and I dislike that a lot.

OG Burgers

Gorgie

Birdy rates OG Burgers and I don’t dislike them, so this little Gorgie-based and Halal burger joint as made the list.

I suspect you’re supposed to order from OG Burgers on delivery and you see that in their burger designs. While they’re generous they’re not so generous that they can’t be wrapped up tightly, packed into a paper bag and given to a cycle courier. I’ve been in person and that’s not really what the place is designed for and on more than one occassion, I’ve thought I’ve waited a little longer than felt right – but then both my trips have been at weird times.

SoBe

Lothian Road

SoBe opened on Lothian Road in 2025 and quickly established itself despite the local competition. Come here for lunch deals and smash burgers. If you want fancier burgers, loaded fries and the add-ons that other places build up revenue with, you’d be better off looking in those places.

I like SoBe because it’s faff free, I know what I’m getting as its been consistent, and while it makes the burgers in response to orders, it does so quickly. I’ve been here before, seeing things in the nearby Usher Hall, for example, without angsting about being late. There are tables and chairs, but not enough space for all the chairs to be occupied.

Fat Hippo

City Center

The Fat Hippo is the first true chain on this list; there’s one on George Street. The rent for that restaurant can’t be cheap, and inside, it’s all rust-aesthetic industrial, which is a weird mix.

Aesthetics aside, if I’m in the centre of town and hunting a hamburger, then I’ll come here and that means passing by many other great candidates. There’s one rival which we’ll get on to shortly but for the most part Fat Hippo is the standout winner for meaty feasts in a bun. I especially like that they offer a dessert menu albeit in the limited form of cookie dough pots.

Best burgers?

I know. Starting this list is a lifetime commitment to eating out in Edinburgh and testing one of the most common meals there is.

Can I do it? I think I’m up to the challenge.

No, at the time of publishing, I’ve not tested all the burgers in Edinburgh and those restaurants not on the list either haven’t made the cut or haven’t been tried yet.

Honourable mentions to Lux Burgers for their chicken burgers and to the Indian restaurant Sabzi, who sometimes do pavs mashups, like a haggis pav, which, while aren’t burgers are interesting food in buns and therefore pretty close and always amazing.