Looking to try the best burgers in Toronto? These are my favorite burger spots in the city, you won't go wrong with any of them.
Toronto's burger landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. What was once dominated by fast-food chains has evolved into a rich tapestry of gourmet creations, chef-driven concepts, and nostalgic smash burgers that rival any major food city.
Downtown Toronto, in particular, has become a hotbed for burger innovation, with established restaurants and pop-up concepts alike competing to create the perfect combination of beef, bun, and toppings.
From upscale restaurant burgers using premium ingredients to no-frills classics that focus on execution, Toronto's downtown core offers something for every burger enthusiast. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a late-night indulgence, or a sit-down dining experience centered around a truly exceptional burger, this guide highlights the absolute best burgers that Toronto has to offer.
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The best burgers in Toronto
We're truly spoiled for choice in Toronto, and there are so many hamburger spots to choose from. This is a collection of my personal favorite burger spots in downtown Toronto to help you choose where to eat.
Aloette
Tucked beneath its fine-dining sibling Alo, Aloette (and it's to-go version, Aloette Go) brings casual French bistro vibes with their now-legendary Aloette Burger. This beauty features a perfectly seared 6oz patty topped with aged cheddar, pickled onions, and lettuce on a beautifully toasted potato roll. What truly sets it apart is the beaufort cheese-infused sauce and the impossibly crispy fried onions that add textural contrast with every bite.
Must Try: Aloette Burger
Location: 163 Spadina Ave
Rudy
Rudy's has earned its reputation as one of Toronto's premier smash burger destinations. Their no-frills approach focuses on execution: thin patties smashed on a flat-top grill to create maximum caramelization and crispy edges. The classic "Rudy" comes with cheese, tomato, lettuce, and their signature "rudy sauce" on a soft potato roll. It's simple, unpretentious, and absolutely delicious.
Must Try: Rude Dude
Location: 619 College St
Burger Drops
What began as an Instagram-famous pop-up has evolved into one of the city's most sought-after burger spots. If I had to pick, I'd say this is the burger I've eaten the most in Toronto. Their original cheeseburger with house sauce is a masterclass in burger minimalism.
Must Try: Original
Location: 116 Atlantic Ave
The Burger's Priest
A Toronto burger institution: The Burger's Priest continues to deliver consistently excellent smash burgers. Their "The Priest" burger combines two patties with cheese and their signature sauce on a freshly baked bun. Don't forget to ask about their secret menu, particularly The Vatican – a double cheeseburger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
Must Try: Vatican (secret menu)
Location: 121 Yonge St
Richmond Station
This upscale restaurant from Top Chef Canada winner Carl Heinrich serves one of the city's most celebrated burgers. The "STN Burger" features house-ground beef with aged cheddar, beet chutney, pickled onions, and a rosemary aioli. The patty includes braised short rib mixed in, creating an incredibly rich and flavorful burger experience.
Must Try: STN Burger
Location: 1 Richmond St W
The Burgernator
This Kensington staple creates some outlandish burgers that cater to a hungry clientele that enjoy extravagant burgers. Their namesake specialty, "The Burgernator" includes three 6oz patties between grilled cheese buns, topped with mushrooms, caramelized onions and Burgernator sauce.
Must Try: The Burgernator
Location: 269 Augusta Ave
Happy Burger
A relative newcomer to Toronto's burger scene, Happy Burger has quickly made a name for itself with its classic smash burgers. Their signature "Happy Burger" features a smashed patty, American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and happy sauce on a potato roll. The result is juicy, flavorful, and unpretentious.
Must Try: The Happy Cheeseburger
Location: 76 Lippincott St.
Harry's Charbroiled
After being revived by chef Grant van Gameren, Harry's continues its legacy of serving exceptional burgers. Their classic burger features a patty with a beautiful char, topped with American cheese, pickles, lettuce, onions, and Harry's sauce. It's worth noting that these are classic smash burgers, they're not actually charbroiled!
Must Try: Classic Jane
Location: 255 Coxwell Ave
A&W
You won't get any extra streetcred for suggesting A&W to your foodie friends, but you will get a tasty burger that's a staple Canadian burger franchise.
Must Try: Mama Burger
Location: So, so many.
W Burger Bar
W Burger Bar offers a more customizable approach to their burgers, with a wide variety of toppings and cheeses to choose from. Their 6oz patties are hand-formed daily and cooked to your preferred doneness. The "Kobe Burger" features marbled beef raised the Japanese way, flat top grilled, and served on a toasted bun with your choice of toppings.
Must Try: Kobe Burger
Location: 10 College St
Holy Chuck Burgers
For those with a truly hearty appetite, Holy Chuck delivers some of Toronto's most indulgent burger creations. Their signature "Holy Chuck" burger features two 4oz aged beef patties, maple smoked bacon, caramelized onions, cheese, and chuck sauce. For the truly adventurous, try their infamous "Go Chuck Yourself" – six patties with six cheese slices and all the fixings.
Must Try: The Holy Chuck
Location: 1450 Yonge St
Ozzy's Burgers
Ozzy's Burgers has built a dedicated following with their handcrafted, generously sized burgers. Their signature "Ozzy Burger" features a thick, juicy patty topped with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and their special Ozzy sauce. What sets them apart is the quality of their beef and the perfect balance of toppings. Their hand-cut fries are the ideal complement to their outstanding burgers.
Must Try: Ozzy Burger
Location: 66 Nassau St.
Matty's Patty's Burger Club
Founded by celebrity chef Matty Matheson, this retro-inspired burger joint serves picture-perfect, smash burgers. The "Patty's Burger" features two thin patties, American cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce on a potato roll. The nostalgic diner aesthetic adds to the experience. Expect lots of sauce.
Must Try: Double Patty's Cheeseburger
Location: 923A Queen St W
The Final Bite
Toronto's downtown burger scene continues to evolve, with new contenders regularly entering the mix. What makes the city's burger landscape so exciting is the diversity of styles – from nostalgic smash burgers to chef-driven gourmet creations, there's truly something for every burger lover.
Whether you're a visitor exploring the city or a local looking to expand your burger horizons, these 13 spots represent the absolute best that downtown Toronto has to offer. Each brings something unique to the table while maintaining the core elements that make a great burger: quality ingredients, attention to detail, and that perfect balance of flavors and textures.
My personal favorites are Burger Drops, Rudy's, and Aloette, but now it's your turn to chime in. What's your favorite burger spot in downtown Toronto? Have you tried all the places on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
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