Bar Margaux’s now-infamous burger consists of not one, but two 120-gram Wagyu patties. There’s also bacon, organic sliced cheese and a classic bordelaise sauce made from bone marrow, red wine, shallots, and – in this case – a truckload of pepper. How the 50-50 milk-brioche bun keeps it all intact is anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure: this is the most decadent two-hander in Melbourne.

From the mind of Raph Rashid (the chef behind the legendary, now-closed Beatbox Kitchen, this pastel-pink diner is all about fried chicken, burritos and a brisket cheeseburger we can’t stop thinking about.

The greatest of Leonard’s hits is undeniably its Melbourne-famous fried chicken, but that brisket-and-short-rib cheeseburger is certainly no afterthought. Plus, the team just added a roving food truck to the repertoire, so you might catch some of Leonard’s good love at a festival soon.

Sonny’s Fried Chicken and Burgers, the diner inside the Curtin Hotel, has been quietly doing its thing for years now. The fried chicken is excellent – and the spicy option is very spicy, be warned – but the cheeseburgers have been steadily gaining traction among Melbourne’s burger circles as the standout.

If you find yourself in the CBD after too many pints, hankering for $5 worth of saturated fat and regret at 11pm, keep moving. But if you’re after a simple, well-made hamburger comprising top-quality ingredients for less than a tenner, look no further.

This compact burger joint does whopping beef and plant-based cheeseburgers, Southern fried chicken and vegan Cocowhip sundaes. The whole experience feels faintly reminiscent of American chain In-N-Out, and we’re here for it. Also serving in Coburg and soon, Richmond.

Go for the 8bit burger with cheese, then level it up with a side of loaded fries and an ice-cold milkshake. You can do all of the above at 8bit’s sunny Footscray digs, the sequel over in Taylors Lakes or its brand new Broadmeadows outlet.

These Shake Shack-inspired burgers are franchise-worthy on their own. The double-stacker beef burger is the clear headliner here, but don’t overlook the perfectly crisp fried chicken. Potato heads: you can get your sprout fix in gem, shoestring or waffle form. Be sure to get some frozen custard, too.

This good-times bar swapped out pizzas for burgers on the food menu a little while back – to excellent results. All of the burgers, fries and bar snacks at Lulie are well worth checking out, but special props must go TJ’s Famous Whopper: a Hungry Jacks-inspired masterpiece.

Fancy a no-nonsense burger, served five storeys up, inside a train carriage? This is the place for you. This eye-catching rooftop joint in Collingwood's backstreets doesn't coast by on its looks though – these are some of the best burgers you'll find anywhere in town.

Huxtaburger arguably kick-started the Melbourne burger renaissance when it opened in 2012, and it’s still a go-to for many. Better still, there are now multiple locations dotted around town, so there’s probably one nearby to satisfy your burger cravings.

Burgers, booze and bands – that’s been the premise here since day dot. And years on, the B.East is still delivering. Every ingredient in these burgers is made on-site (except the potato buns). There’s a big range to choose from too, including a very respectable plant-based selection.

The extensive menu at this American-style diner is packed with classic options, as well as a few zanier ones (we see you, El Gringo). Beef, fried chicken and plant-based patties are all represented, and there’s a killer line-up of sides and desserts.

From humble St Kilda beginnings Fat Jak’s is now spreading like crazy, taking over everywhere south of the river, one bun at a time. We can see why: Fat Jak’s very satisfying American-style cheeseburgers, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, New York hotdogs and more are a takeaway no-brainer.

Kustom is one of the best takes on the American diner genre in Melbourne. This hot-rod-themed burger joint is the place to go to if you enjoy a tall, old-fashioned milkshake with your burger. Or if you’re just a big Grease fan. Worth a visit for the decor alone.

Grass-fed Angus beef and a top-secret marinade, served on brioche. Simple and consistent, these burgers are a certified Swan Street classic.

If you like old-school fish’n’chip shop burgers, this is the one for you. We’re talking about lettuce, a fried egg, bacon, tomato, cheese, tommy sauce and the crucial addition of griddle-cooked onions. It’s nostalgia in a bun.

Danny’s is the second oldest burger shop in Melbourne, after Andrew’s. But it’s kept up with the times, plus you can nab one of these old-school fish’n’chipper-style burgs (and maybe a dim sim spiked with soy sauce) until midnight every night.

You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the kitchen in this nondescript warehouse is churning out some of the Bayside’s best burgers. Pillowy buns and smoky, pink-centered patties are the stars – backed up by a roster of Southern diner sides.

In a town full of plus-sized burgs, the ones at this retro-steeped joint still manage to come in well taller than the average. But size isn’t everything, and these burgers have the quality to match their quantity. There’s baby back ribs and fried chicken, too.

Pulp Fiction fans will dig the name, but anyone can get around the wares at The Pantry’s epic hole-in-the-wall side hustle. The ratio of filling to bun is on point, which means you’ll have belly space for thickshakes and ice-cream. (Probably. Only one way to find out.)

This well-known lunchtime all-rounder puts burgers in pride of place. For fillings, you can choose from grass-fed beef, Southern-style fried chicken or a plant-based Beyond patty. If you’re going for beef, our pick is the Texan: a 150- or 250-gram beef patty with melty cheese, tomato, pickles, lettuce and Ziggy’s sauce. Available for pick-up and delivery.

The cult US burger giant's first location in Melbourne. Drop in for burgers starring double handmade patties (with free choice of toppings), daily-cut fries, hot dogs, shakes and more.