There aren’t many cuisines that Birmingham doesn’t excel with, and it just so happens that those looking for a burger in the second city are in for a treat. There are a number of exceptional restaurants that will offer visitors a burger, unlike anything that they can experience anywhere else. So, if you’re looking for a vegan speciality or beefy experience, you will find somewhere regardless. These are the ten best places to grab a burger in Birmingham.
The Meat Shack
One of the standout places that will immediately get your attention is The Meat Shack. The restaurant initially grew to prominence for selling street food, but there is now an excellent 60-seater restaurant in the heart of the city. You will be able to find The Meat Shack on Thorp Street. As well as getting one of the tastiest burgers in the city, you will also be able to take advantage of some of the best beers in the city. The standout burger on the menu is the Hell Shack, which is a beef burger, with hot sauce, ketchup and mustard.
17 Thorp St, Birmingham B5 4AT
Original Patty Men
The Original Patty Men is another excellent place for the combination of local beer and excellent burgers. It is a restaurant that is in collaboration with the Siren Craft Brewery and is located right in the heart of the city near the Bull Rings. Orders can be taken through Uber Eats or at the eat-in garden area. It is open 12-10 pm Thursday to Saturday, 12-7 pm on Sundays, and 5-10 pm on Wednesdays.
9 Shaw’s Passage, Birmingham B5 5JG
Bonehead
Of course, burgers aren’t all about beef, as some visitors will prefer to have a chicken burger. If you’re looking for the best chicken burger in the second city, then Bonehead is the ideal place for you. The restaurant is located on Lower Severn St and open daily until late most days. The chicken is unlike anything else that you can find in the city, with the Hothead Burger being a standout choice for those that like a bit of spice. The Dragon Burger is also one of our favourites, as it is served with spicy sriracha honey butter sauce.
8 Lower Severn St, Birmingham B1 1PU
Gas Street Social
There aren’t many better locations in the city to enjoy a juicy burger than Gas Street Social. Located on the canal, you can unwind in this swanky bar with a couple of cocktails and a delicious burger. It is one of the hippest places in the city to get a burger, with the gluten-free options exceeding what you could expect to experience elsewhere. Gas Street Social is the best place for a burger in the summertime.
The Mailbox, 166-168 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RL
Bill’s Bullring
Bill’s Bullring is one of the most glamorous places to get a burger in the second city and is open 8 am to 10 pm Monday to Wednesday, 8 am to 11 pm Thursday to Saturday, and 9 am to 9 pm on Sunday. The Dirty Vegan Burger is one of the best vegan options in the city, and it is served on a vegan brioche with truffle hot sauce. The Classic Burger is also an exceptional choice if you’re not looking for something vegan.
Middle Hall East, Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham B5 4BE
GBK
With multiple locations in Birmingham Gourmet Burger Kitchen is the spot for the perfectly built burger. Here you will be able to get a sophisticated eating experience with a number of high-end burger options available. It is perfectly tailored for all dietary requirements with excellent veggie burgers available. You will need to make sure to book a table to avoid disappointment.
Unit 4, The Waters Edge, Brindley Pl, Birmingham B1 2HL
Unit LG04, Resorts World, Pendigo Way, Birmingham B40 1PU
The Botanist
The Botanist is one of the swankiest bars and restaurants in Birmingham. It is the ideal place for brunch and roasts, but the burgers here are also divine. There will be a choice between a Cheeseburger, a Crispy Chicken Burger, and a Grilled ‘Nduja Chicken Burger. Vegan visitors will also be delighted with the plant based option that is available. All of the burgers are served with seasoned chips to make the most perfect meal.
House 14, Cheltenham, 16 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5BG
The Distillery
The Distillery is one of the best-placed restaurants in the city, as it is located on the canal and just around the corner from the Utilita Arena. There is a wide selection of drinks available for visitors to this restaurant, while the burger is also one of the best in the entire city. The classic cheeseburger is our personal favourite, as it is served with tomato, onion, pickle, lettuce, burger sauce, and a portion of fries too.
4 Sheepcote St, Birmingham B16 8AE
Fargos
Most people who visit Balsall Heath for dinner are there to try out one of the many curry houses within the Balti Triangle. But for those who fancy something a little more laid back, Fargo’s is a great alternative. Although the location of the restaurant is just an everyday high street, the place stands out as a sort of large diner style venue, full of colour and very modern in design. The menu was designed to evoke global dishes, as can be seen by the flavourful sauces and ingredients found in the Yankee, Chilli Bomb, and Machete burgers. Vegans are covered with their Bean Basher, and those on the complete opposite scale who want all meat all day have the option of adding more chicken or meat to their meal to make a Brick burger.
377 Ladypool Rd., Balsall Heath, Birmingham B12 8LA
Bun and Steak
Small and simple, Bun and Steak is (as the name suggests) if a steak house and a burger restaurant had a love child. If you want a taste of America right here in Birmingham, then look no further. The burger options are inspired by USA dishes and cultures, with dishes such as The Jawbreaker containing a whopping FIVE beef patties along with pulled beef and bacon! Their chicken buns are worth a try too, with Peri Peri and BBQ dippin chicken burger on the menu, as well as the Stacker which comes with everyone’s favourite: the humble hashbrown.
1152 Stratford Rd, Birmingham B28 8AF
HANBAO
We’ve save the best ‘til last. HANBAO is the ultimate in burger decadence. After travelling to Hong Kong and China, then LA and New York, the owners returned to their hometown of Worcester to create something wonderful. In April 2022, they opened a second restaurant in Birmingham, and the rest is history. You would not believe the options they have! The Mac Daddy Kane comes with a mac ‘n’ cheese patty, the Piggie Smalls evokes a barbeque with pulled pork and baconnaise. But the greatest of them all is the Odd Future which comes with a smashed patty, American cheese, bourbon bacon jam, maple streaky bacon, baconnaise, and fresh chilli all served on… a glazed donut bun. It’s a heart attack in the making, but it is worth every mouthful.
