Delectable, fluffy buns surrounding juicy beef patties, melted cheese, ketchup, mustard, or other sauces, tomato, lettuce. That’s how I’d describe a burger. A burger you bite into and if you’re not careful you might make a mess, but even if you do, who cares? What’s a stain compared to the burger’s deliciousness and the pleasure it offers? Personally, I love burgers. And I’m always on the lookout for their best versions. Below, you’ll find a list with five place where it’s worth trying this American street food.

16

Smash ‘n Bun

At this shop on Patriarchou Ioakim street the smash burgers, with the thin beef patties with the crispy edges and the juicy middle are the main event. Chef Mihalis Nourloglou is in charge of the menu that is based on organic and homemade ingredients. So, the patties are made with 100% 40-day dry aged beef, the chicken is free range, the potato rolls are made using select Greek flours, the cheese, the bacon and the tomato are organic, the sauces are prepared by them, and the potatoes are from Naxos.

I’d recommend trying the classic Teddy’s with the double patty; the Moldo for mushroom lovers; and the Korean Fried Chicken with the nicely crispy, breaded chicken and kimchi.

48 Patriarchou Ioakim str, Kolonaki, tel. 0030 2107249802

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Photo: Facebook
Chef Mihalis Nourloglou is in charge of the menu that is based on organic and homemade ingredients/ Photo: Facebook

Birdman

Aris Vezene was the one who introduced us to smash burgers. And he did it in the most delicious way. In his small restaurant in the Syntagma area, he created Birdman Smash that you can make disappear in two to three bites, but it’s deeply delicious. He uses two thin patties made of grass-fed cows (he creates his own blend of different cow meat), melted American cheese covering them, homemade tonkatsu ketchup, chopped lettuce and onions, and homemade, fluffy potato rolls.

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Photo: Facebook
Photo: Facebook

The result is extremely delectable. To be honest, one of these scrumptious burgers is never enough. They may cost a bit more, but it’s worth it.

35 Voulis str, Athens, tel. 0030 2103212800

Po’ Boys

Vasilis Sporos’ love for meat, and especially smoked meat, is clear from the first moment one enters the American style restaurant in the Psirri neighbourhood. He has set up a smoking station through which all the meats he serves pass. As do the juicy patties he makes for his filling and luscious burgers.

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Photo: Facebook
Photo: Facebook

My favourite is Holy Cow: smoked beef patty made with beef from Serres, caramelised onions, barbeque sauce, cheddar, cheese fondu, and buttery fluffy brioche bun. When you bite into it you’ll see the meat is a bit pink, but don’t worry, that’s not to do with how it’s prepared, but with it being smoked. It’s truly delicious, trust me. And this formidable burger – like everything they serve – comes with a generous serving of crunchy golden fries.

12 Agatharhou & Lepeniotou str, Psirri, tel. 0030 210 3234672

Juicy Grill

We got to know it a few years ago in the neighbourhood of Cholargos, when it was housed in a small space and the menu consisted of 4-5 burgers and nothing else. Very soon its fame spread all over Athens, and the first queues started to form. So, they needed to get to a bigger space, which they did. But the city centre was lacking these delectable burgers, so last year, during the lockdown, they opened a second store in the Agii Theodori square.

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I’d suggest trying the classic Bill Murray with the cheddar stuffed beef patty, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion rings and chipotle mayonnaise/ Photo: Facebook
Photo: Facebook

From their very long menu I’d suggest trying the classic Bill Murray with the cheddar stuffed beef patty, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion rings and chipotle mayonnaise; the equally scrumptious The Billion with garlic buns, regato cheese, double bacon, iceberg lettuce, tomato and Caesar’s sauce; as well as the Chicken Hallooney with chicken filet wrapped in bacon, haloumi cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and honey-mustard sauce. All of them come with many many fries.

7 Paleon Patron Germanou str, Athens, tel. 0030 2103229027

Food Str

Even though it’s centrally located, this place is at the same time hidden away on the pedestrian Kalamiotou street, right next to Dude (a true bar with great music and drinks) and the fabric shops. Their burgers might be small but they’re also cheap, they’re what we’d call “honest”. So, you can easily get two together with fries.

Try the mushroom burger with 3 different kinds of mushrooms (portobello, white agaricus, and oyster) with parmesan flakes, lettuce and a generous serving of mayonnaise, but also the chicken burger with the nicely grilled chicken breast with pickles, homemade tomato sauce, and of course mayonnaise. The Mediterranean with feta and olive paste is also interesting.


14 Kalamiotou str, Agias Irinis Square, Athens, tel. 0030 210 3211003.