Beef up your appetite and ketchup with the latest burger trends, because we’ve done all the hard work and shortlisted some of the best stops to get a juicy burger in Singapore. From towering burgers with all the fixings to gourmet creations that will excite your palate, Singapore is home to some of the best burger joints around. Whether you’re a meat lover or a vegan, a purist or an adventurous foodie, there’s a burger for every tastebud and craving.
1. 25 Degrees Singapore
The Singapore branch of this swish Los Angeles burger and wine bar is named after the temperature difference between a raw and a well-done burger. 25 Degrees Singapore’s main menu is a tight one, featuring just six burgers. A must-try is the signature Number One, which has a 200g USA Angus beef patty and strips of smoky bacon, topped with creamy Crescenza cheese, gorgonzola and Thousand Island dressing. Number Two and Number Three contain beef patties with a variety of toppings like burrata or Monterey Jack cheese, while the Number Four consists of seared yellowfin tuna topped with fresh lettuce, fried onions and spicy aioli. Its original Hollywood location has also developed a reputation as a hotspot for A-list celebrities. Fret not if you’re on the meat-free bandwagon; there’s a veggie burger and an Impossible meat burger with all the fixings you need to hit that spot.
2. 3 Monkeys
Get ready to monkey around at this Asian fusion burger joint in Pasir Panjang with its menu that’s packed with creative and mouth-watering burger choices – these include a double truffle burger, a chicken teriyaki burger, a King Kong beef burger, and even a meatless option for the health-conscious. And let’s not forget about the fries; 3 Monkeys serves up a delectable plate of Ma Ling luncheon meat fries that’ll have you going bananas. But if that’s not your jam, you can always opt for the cajun or seaweed fries instead. With affordable prices, friendly staff and an impressive selection of craft beer, this burger joint is sure to be your new go-to spot.
3. Burger Labo
Burger Labo made a name for itself after coming out tops in a 2019 blind taste test by The Straits Times, against 11 other burgers in Singapore. The restaurant opened in 2015 with just a single item on the menu, a “Basic” Burger that was anything but. It comprised of a single or double patty made with a blend of 100% grass-fed Aberdeen Angus and Kuroge Washu grilled a la plancha (on a steel griddle), topped with red onions pickled in IPA, American cheese, Wagyu fat, a homemade special sauce and gherkins – all sandwiched between a buttered and toasted potato bun. While the Basic Burger is a signature that’s still available today, you can now try additional menu items like the blue cod fillet burger, chicken burger and even a Connecticut-style lobster roll. Sister establishment 2280 also has its burgers featured on the menu here, and you can expect a pared-down offering with smaller patties, topped with pickled red onions, American cheese, beef garum and house-made shio kombu burger sauce.
4. Fatboy’s the Burger Bar
This Singaporean burger joint boasts a 14-year reputation for its meaty offerings that have won over a loyal fanbase. Choose from the classic cheeseburgers, including an Impossible burger, or savour the speciality burgers crafted with chicken, pork, beef, or lamb patties. Indulge in the irresistible foie gras burger, the tangy bleu peppercorn burger with a blue cheese dressing, or the double beef chuck Fat Basterd burger with homemade BBQ sauce and cheese. Not intrigued by the menu? Customise your own meal with the build-your-own-burger menu.
5. Fatburger
This Los Angeles-based burger bar whips up your burger to perfection, just the way you like it. With real ice cream milkshakes and never-frozen chicken, beef and veggie burgers on the menu, it’s no wonder this spot has gained popularity in the Lion City. The Fat Burger, a fan favourite, comes in sizes ranging from small to XXXXL – perfect if you’re in the mood for a classic burger done right. For something unique, try the Impossible patty or a fish patty, or go for the keto-friendly skinny burger (sans bun). And if you’re feeling extra fancy, add your preferred toppings to really elevate your meal.
6. Five Guys
Hot on the heels of Shake Shack, Five Guys opened their first Singapore outlet in December 2019 where they sold over a thousand burgers on opening day. Like Shake Shack, Five Guys has a devoted following of burger aficionados that include former US President Barack Obama. Burgers here come with two 100g patties (or a single one if you opt for the “little” burgers) and you’ll have the option to add free toppings like onions, jalapeños, hot sauce and sautéed mushrooms. The burger menu here is kept restrained, offering regular and little burgers, with or without bacon and cheese, along with Cajun spiced fries, all-beef hot dogs and a decadent selection of milkshakes.
7. Meatsmith Telok Ayer
The meat mavens at the longstanding “full metal” smokehouse Meatsmith are savvy with more than just briskets and pulled pork. The Meatsmith Cheeseburger is a hefty proposition with two beef patties, American cheese and pickles sandwiched between a pillowy soft brioche bun. Come by daily between 11:30am and 2:30pm and you can enjoy their lunchtime offer, which includes crinkle-cut fries, slaw and a tap beer of your choice for $30. Other burger-adjacent offerings include Nashville fried chicken, pulled pork, brisket and eggplant sandwiches.
8. Shake Shack
Famed New York burger joint Shake Shack opened its first Southeast Asian outpost at Jewel Changi Airport with much fanfare (and snaking queues) in 2019. Signature menu items like the ShackBurger – a grilled Angus beef patty topped with American cheese and served between delicious potato buns – and the vegetarian ‘Shroom Burger, with crispy fried portobello mushrooms and a tangy blend of melted Colby cheddar, Monterey Jack and Tilsit cheese as its patty, are a must-try. The Jewel outlet is Shake Shack’s flagship in Asia but you can now grab their burgers at nine outlets across Singapore.
9. Social Smoker
While better known for its American-style barbecue offerings, Social Smoker’s burger certainly deserves its spot on the menu, alongside smokehouse requisites like brisket, pulled pork and tender fall-off-the-bone smoked pork ribs. The burgers here are deceptively simple, but it’s the attention to detail that makes them an essay in perfection. The Signature Smashburgers are crafted with a special blend of beef that’s ground in-house and smashed while on the grill to maximise the patties’ lacey, crispy edges. Topped with crunchy homemade pickles, the burger is served in a potato brioche bun that’s been tailored to the restaurant’s specifications. The side of pickled onions and jalapeños also allows you to add a little more complexity to your burger if desired.
10. Three Buns
Come for the burgers, and stay for a food coma at Three Buns, where every bite is a flavour explosion. Their commitment to quality is unmatched, using only 100% grass-fed, free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free vintage beef and lamb from Australia and New Zealand, paired with locally-sourced artisan buns and house-made sauces, pickles and garnishes. Sink your teeth into the Kool Herc, a Tasmanian vintage beef patty slathered with Tillamook cheddar, jalapeno and cucumber pickles, all topped with Three Island mayo and nestled between a perfectly toasted brioche bun. And don’t worry, vegetarians, they’ve got you covered with their delectable plant-based options like the Impossible Chedda, a juicy, char-grilled medium-rare Impossible patty hugged by a toasted brioche bun.
11. Wolf Burgers
What started as a modest gourmet food stall is now a must-visit destination with premium burgers at an affordable price point. Satisfy your cravings and take on the challenge of the Alpha – a double beef patty burger topped with tangy cheddar, pickled onions, and their signature WOLF sauce, all nestled between fluffy brioche buns. And for mushroom lovers, the Forager is an indulgent treat, showcasing a succulent beef patty draped in sautéed onions, shoyu mayo, melted Provolone cheese and plump white button mushrooms. But it’s not just for the grown-ups; Wolf Burgers caters to the whole family with a menu specially crafted for kids.
This article was originally published in the June 2019 issue of SilverKris magazine and updated on 5 May 2023.
