On the bustling streets of Bangkok, under the lines of the BTS and down the city’s many sois, where the aroma of fish sauce and spice usually dominates, there lies a burgeoning burger scene that’s flipping the script on traditional Thai fare.
Because we all get a hankering for a burger once in a while, even when dining in one of the world’s greatest food cities. And for when that hankering hits, we’ve got you covered; here are the best burgers in Bangkok.
Street Burger Sukhumvit 48, Sukhumvit
We begin our list of Bangok’s best burgers in seemingly insignificant surroundings; on the steps of a 7/11, on Sukhumvit 48. It’s here that you’ll find one man and his hotplate, serving up a simple smashburger that is simply known as ‘the street burger’ to the legions of fans making the pilgrimage just past Phra Khanong for a bite.
Officalled dubbed the ‘beef cheese bun’ by the chef here, one Nattanon ‘Pump’ Sukkamnerd, the burger’s prosaic description is both faithful to its no frills nature and belying of the deliciousness within.
The crisp, crumbly beef patties come gloriously unadorned in nothing more than a little mayo and a slice of American cheese, with the pillowy brioche bun holding things together ‘till the last bite. It – and every one that preceded it – reveals a truly satisfying burger.
And the best part? A double here is just ฿135 – around £3. The perfect excuse to order another, we think…
Address: Soi Sukhumvit 48, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Read: Top restaurant chefs reveal how to cook the perfect burger at home
Bun Meat & Cheese, Silom
From the streets of Sukhumvit to the shopping malls of Silom, all in search of another of Bangkok’s best burgers; this time, at Bun, Meat And Cheese.
Yep, we too note the similarity in name to Pump’s burger from just two paragraphs previous, but this burger is a little different to that street rendition. Here, the bun is toasted and crisp, its structural integrity essential to contain a filling that verges on the sloppy.
Not in an unpleasant way, we should add. Quite the opposite, in fact; the patty is juicy as-you-like, full of the umami-rich flavours of dry aged beef that are tempered by a sweeter-than-sometimes bun. The accompanying cheese has been melted in such a way as to almost completely envelope the patty, before a slice of American cheese is added. Tomatoes and lettuce bring further moisture, making this one feel light but indulgent. Oh, it’s good, and there are crinkle cut chips for a little side of nostalgia, too.
Part of the slick Commons shopping complex, there’s a little outdoor space with step-seating here; a nice spot to recline as you take down your burger.
Address: 126 Saladaeng Soi 1, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Facebook: bunmeatandcheesebkk
Crackhouse, Silom
Though there has been a proliferation – and, in some cases, subsequent retraction – of weed shops across Bangkok in recent years, the vibe hasn’t fortunately extended to crack yet.
Nope, the Crackhouse in question here is actually a poorly conceived pun that reveals itself to be a genuinely delicious egg-focused restaurant, if you can just get past the name.
Here (in the same complex as The Bun Meat and Cheese above) an all-day breakfast menu features The Big Crack – a monstrous marvel replete with dry-aged Angus beef, cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelised onion and a fried egg, all sandwiched between a warm brioche bun. Whilst it’s perhaps not quite as irresistible as crack – or so we’re told – it’s certainly pretty moreish.
Address: 126 Saladaeng Soi 1, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Instagram: crackhouse.bkk
Read: How to cook the IDEAL egg, 5 ways
25 Degrees Burger Bar Bangkok, Silom
Next we’re heading to the Pullman G Hotel’s restaurant 25 Degrees Bangkok, a spot that’s got the city’s nightowls – of which there are many – and early birds – of which there are perhaps fewer – covered with its 24-hour service. This Californian import doesn’t just serve up a mean burger; it lets you play chef/mad scientist/tedious experimentalist with its extensive list of toppings to craft your bespoke bun masterpiece.
The Number One is their pièce de résistance, a towering, teetering, tottering creation adorned with caramelised onions, gorgonzola, and a slathering of Thousand Island dressing. Or, for a Thai twist, the pork laap burger is an interesting idea that doesn’t quite deliver, to be honest. Either way, be prepared to share – these patties are not for the faint-hearted!
Address: 188 Si Lom, Khwaeng Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Instagram: 25degreesinbangkok
Arno’s Burgers, Sathon
Next up is Arno’s Burgers, a success story with a legion of (at last count) 12 branches across Bangkok and beyond. Or, at least, in Chiang Mai and Pattaya…
Conceived by master butcher Arnaud Carré, their Traditional Burger is a testament to simplicity done right – a juicy patty hugged by a fluffy, floury house-made bun, with a choice of sharp American or tangy blue cheese.
For all the carnivores out there (a safe assumption if you’ve made it this far), Arno’s isn’t just a burger joint; there’s a whole host of other prime cuts of beef served here. Cooked over open flame, this is a great place to satisfy your steak cravings.
Address: Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra, Soi 15, Chong Nonsi, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Website: arnosgroup.com
Artisan Craft Burgers, Sukhumvit
Artisan Craft Burgers is a burger joint that’s serious about its craft. Their signature Artisan burger features a Charolais and Limousin beef blend, each chosen for their distinctive texture and mouthfeel when combined, seared to succulent perfection.
Topped with cheddar, caramelised red onions, and a ‘secret’ artisan sauce that tastes about as close to a Big Mac sauce as you’ll get without crossing under the golden arches, it’s nestled between a buttered sesame scallion bun that’s nothing short of a revelation – crisp and pillowy simultaneously, which isn’t an easy feat to pull off.
Pair it with their russet potato fries (skin on for us, please!), and one or several of the varied craft beer selection here, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Website: artisancraftburger.com
Paper Butter & The Burger, Phaya Thai
Served out of a shack with a few alfresco benches opposite making up the dining room, Paper Butter and the Burger may appear unassuming from the outside, but their burgers certainly pack a punch, flavour wise. This one’s a globetrotting affair, from Hawaii and Mexico via a quick detour in Chiang Mai. Hey, there’s even fish and chips if the mood takes you.
Playing to the home crowd somewhat, the Chiang Mai Spicy Burger is the highlight for us here; a minced pork patty with satisfying fat distribution reveals a pleasing spiciness from red curry paste, and plenty of intrigue from finely chopped jungle herbs. It’s essentially a sai ua in burger form, just one that’s been topped with some properly plasticky cheese for good measure!
Address: 51 Phahon Yothin 5, แขวงพญาไท Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Instagram: paperbutter.official
Billy’s Smokehouse, Lumphini
Billy’s Smokehouse is challenging the ‘bigger is better’ burger philosophy with its Billy’s Burger, and, sick of getting lockjaw from absurdly stacked burgers, we’re very much here for it.
At Billy’s, it’s all about the crust – that golden brown, caramelised joy that comes from a perfect griddle sear. With two thin, well-crusted patties and simple yet effective toppings, this burger is a masterclass in balance and flavour.
If you’re the kind of person who likes a burger as an amuse bouche (can we be friends?), then why not head upstairs next, to the team’s highly-regarded Mexican chef’s table restaurant, Santiaga?
Address: มหาทุนพลาซ่า 888, 23-24 Phloen Chit Rd, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Instagram: billysbkk
Read: The best Mexican restaurants in Bangkok
Chef Bar, Sukhumvit
For those who appreciate the finer details, Chef Bar is a must-visit. Their Tassie Angus Burger is some feat of engineering, featuring in-house ground Aussie beef and homemade ketchup, all lovingly assembled on a crusty tomato butter bun. Rife with umami (too-mami?), Chef Bar offers a gourmet experience in a cosy 15-seater setting, a welcome respite from the more insalubrious surrounds of Sukhumvit Soi 23.
Address: 66/4 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Facebook: ChefBar
Daniel Thaiger, Bang Kapi
No burger roundup would be complete without a nod to Daniel Thaiger, the food truck pioneer that arguably sparked Bangkok’s burger renaissance. Their Mr. Steve burger is a thing of legend – a buttery, greasy delight that’s earned its place in the city’s culinary folklore. Track down their iconic red truck and sink your teeth into a piece of Bangkok burger history, which was one of the first properly delicious burgers in the city.
Right now, you’ll find a more permanent branch of Daniel Thaiger in Bang Kapi. Named the Burger Hub, it sits in the shadow of several of Bangkok’s major hospitals, which could be useful for getting your clogged arteries seen to following your burger binge.
Instagram: danielthaiger
Jamie’s Burger, Phaya Thai
Sometimes, all you need is a straightforward, no-frills burger, and Jamie’s Burger delivers just that. Their namesake burger is a testament to the power of simplicity, with a perfectly crusted patty, a soft, charred bun, a little slice of cheese and not much else.
It’s small but mighty, the kind of burger you can take down in four mouthfuls and be excited for the next burger before the third bite is even done, and with four branches across Bangkok, you’re never too far from a satisfying bite.
Address: 351 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Website: jamiesgrill
No Drama Burger, Sukhumvit
Just outside the strangely sombre Marché Thonglor you’ll find No Drama Burger. Housed inside a black container not much larger than a freestanding ATM, these guys are knocking out arguably Bangkok’s best smash burger.
Perhaps that’s why it’s called No Drama; as these patties are so comprehensively caramelised that there’s no danger of a bathroom drama from the ol’ “I like my burger pink” nonsense. Or, more likely, it’s just an always-welcome dose of jai yen yen.
Either way, this is a burger that takes the Maillard reaction to its natural conclusion. That is, double-pattied, double-plastic cheesed, and dressed in pickles and a piquant, pokey hot sauce. A second act of lubrication, the signature No Drama sauce, seals the deal.
Address: 190 Phiphat 2 Silom Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand 10500
Website: nodramaburger.com
Little Donkey, Sukhumvit
At Little Donkey, East meets West (or, in their words, ‘from Jersey to Japan’) in a burger that’s as indulgent as it is innovative. Helmed by former Top Chef Thailand contestant Steve Doucakis, this modern-day take on an izakaya serves up a burger that’s a fusion feast for the senses.
Expect a hard-seared patty topped with foie gras and green chilli mayo, all held together by a brioche bun from Conkey’s Bakery just down the road. Slip a few of the homemade crisps in the burger, as everyone seems to here. It’s a decadent treat that’s worth every calorie (and baht).
Instagram: littledonkeybkk
*Please note that Little Donkey is temporarily closed*
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a purist or a pioneer (or, you know, just someone who likes a good burger), there’s a burger in Bangkok with your name on it.
And if there isn’t, why not instead check out these brilliant Bangkok pizza restaurants. Save us a slice, hey?