Where to find the best burgers in New Zealand

1 August 2016
By Fashion Quarterly
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Seriously, who doesn’t love a good burger?

We’ve searched high and low, covering the entire country to locate the very best:

Fergberger, Queenstown

Fergburger
42 Shotover Street, Queenstown.
What started out as a hole-in-the-wall burger joint back in 2001, has become a Queenstown institution with an international reputation for having New Zealand’s most lust-worthy burgers. It’s not often (or ever) that you’ll see this place quiet, with punters queuing onto the street and lines winding around the corner. Based on the success of Fergburger, it’s not surprising that Fergbaker and more recently Mrs Ferg Gelateria, have opened right next door to equal enthusiasm. It’s well worth the wait though and the buzzing atmosphere of this establishment makes for a great overall experience. This is a Queenstown rite of passage so be sure to set aside some time in your holiday schedule to experience the wonder that is Ferg.
Photo: @kayleelapthorrne

Ralph's burger

Ralph’s Bar & Eatery
225b Dominion Rd, Auckland.
Ralph’s Bar and Eatery is the second food venture for Vinyl Coffee Shop owner and chef Hadleigh Donald. Located on Dominion Road, it offers both a brunch and dinner menu as well as takeaway and a great selection of drinks in a cool relaxed setting. For burger lovers, Ralph’s cheeseburger which is served on a brioche bun and comes with a side of curly fries, is not to be missed. The potato skins are also pretty amazing FYI.

Bearded Clam burgers
The Bearded Clam
pop-up locations in Auckland
Voted Auckland’s second best burger by Metro magazine, this burger joint will not, we repeat, will not disappoint. The Bearded Clam menu is simple, offering a small range of classic burgers and rotating specials that are the latest greatest creations from the dynamic burger duo. Favourites of ours include the ‘Brisket Chilli Cheeseburger’ and the ‘Surf ‘n’ Turfer’ but whatever you choose, feel reassured your taste satisfaction is guaranteed. The Bearded Clam boys use 100% ethically-sourced free range meat and the demi brioche buns are made by a trusted local source. They’ve just finished a stint at the The Late Night Diner but keep an eye out as they pop up around town on a semi-regular basis. For more information on where they’ll be next, visit their Facebook  or Instagram @beardedclamnz.

Burger Burger

Burger Burger
Ponsonby, Newmarket and Takapuna locations in Auckland
Really good burgers, tasty-as sides, crazy-delicious shakes, plus a great selection of drinks… Throw in a cool aesthetic mix of retro-meet-urban street culture and it’s no wonder that Burger Burger is Auckland’s No.1 burger joint. Located in Ponsonby, Newmarket & Takapuna, Burger Burger has really captured this city’s tastebuds and love for enjoying a bloody good burger in a cool social setting. Everyone will have their favourites but we can’t go past the Market Fish and for non-meat eaters the Vege is also pretty awesome. As far as sides go, the Potato Skins with Truffle Aioli is incred but if you want a “healthier” option, the Charred Broccoli with Garlic Butter & Almonds is also pretty outstanding. Burger Burger is also a part of NZ’s Conscious Consumer program and use free range/organic produce and environmentally-friendly suppliers as often as they can.

Prohibition Burger New Plymouth

Prohibition
41 Brougham St, New Plymouth
Prohibition Burgers & Hooch takes its burgers seriously. They serve up a range of classic burgers using a local selection of free range meat and organic produce, that’s secured between a perfectly toasted brioche bun with their signature steak knife stabbed through the middle of the burger. The Prohibition Cheeseburger comes highly recommend as do the Onion Rings & Panko Crumbed Cauliflower with Smoked Cheddar Fondue & Truffle Oil. For beer lovers, Prohibition also offer an excellent selection of craft beer – because we all know if there’s one thing that can make a burger any better, it’s craft beer right?

Burger Liquor

Burger Liquor
129 Willis St, Wellington
Burger Liquor holds the title of being Wellington’s first burger bar. Great burgers are served with a tasty array of sides and shakes while the drinks menu is also pretty amazing with plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to keep your thirst at bay. Burger Liquor is open ’til late all week and will take bookings for groups with 8 or more people. We are loving the sound of the ‘Notorious P.I.G.’ BBQ pulled pork, crispy chicken skin, pickled peppers, red slaw & mayo – YUMMM! The ‘Smokin’ Smores’ also sound pretty amazing and er, not to mention being the perfect antidote to all of that time you’ve been spending at the gym *insert crying emoji face*

Ekim BurgersEkim Burgers
257 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Love a ‘hole in the wall’ food truck vibe? Love burgers? Then you need to check out Ekim Burgers. Mike Duffy is the owner and “burger master” of Ekim and his burgers are made and served straight from his bright orange caravan. Don’t let the size of this unique little establishment fool you; Ekim has 26 different burgers on their menu as well as French fries served with homemade ketchup. We also heard that there’s “Bottomless Coffee” on offer for breakfast-goers, which, we’re sure, is a very alluring prospect for fellow caffeine lovers.

Burgers and Beers

Burgers & Beers Inc. 
478 Cranford Street, Redwood, Christchurch
Burgers & Beers Inc. was created after the owners came to the conclusion that people love burgers and beer – so to combine them, well, they would be on to a winner. The menu promises “grown up burgers for grown ups” and that’s not a lie as these burgers are BIG! A quick glance of their menu and you can be sure you won’t be going home hungry, ‘The Billy Beef & Blue’ has got our name all over it and their signature Chips & Gravy sounds like it’d be impossible to pass up. As for beers, they have many. Done and done.

Pronto Burger

Pronto Mount Maunganui
1 Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui
Situated on Marine Parade overlooking the beach, Pronto boasts good food and a great view. Owners Cezar & Fiona are passionate about food and have worked in some of Sydney’s top food establishments. Their passion for good food is pretty clear when you try one of their delicious gourmet burgers (served with beer battered fries) – they’re made with freshly sourced local ingredients which, according to the locals, are the best in town. If this image of their Mexican Burger is anything to go by, we’d be inclined agree with them.


Words: Jessica Ksana Watson
Photos: Instagram

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