Monkey Bar
If buns were wishes, Monkey Bar is surely a ‘wish’ing well of burger manna. It’s right on the money with that perfect plump fresh bun with its burgers that are packed with a juicy succulent patty, beef, chicken, lamb and ham, in a zany plating and some great fries too. Not spilling over, yet with each ingredient doing its bit to make it delicious. There are many options that make it worth your while... the ham burger has a large and small patty offering, and the cheese burger is replete with taste. We love the Mo Burger which comes with bacon and caramelised onions and there’s also the Lamb, Rooster and Veg for some gourmet delights. And we have the maestro chef Manu Chandra to thank for it — the idea is to take your stomach seriously but not yourself. And the chef has, with his team of wonders, given the city it’s best burger, yet.
Add-ons: We like the bacon and onion zing and the fact that it does not do too much just gives you a comfortable nice biteful. Try the oreo shake with it.
Chomp factor: 10 on 10 on how it fits into a hungry mouth
Fries: Great crunchy, perfectly done fries that come in a plating that will make you smile.
Price: Between Rs 290 and 500, it is on the higher bracket.
Cafe Thulp
Cafe Thulp seems to be on the right track with their large juicy burgers. The burgers offered in large and small sizes along with the option of coleslaw or fries, compliment the burger, tremendously! Though the hamburger menu isn’t vast, it has enough options that make it worth your while. We love the Moo’s Yo Daddy Burger which consists of a large grilled, juicy beef patty on a sesame crusted bun that is sure to delight your tastebuds. The Moo burger which is available with bacon and a veg option too deserve bitefuls. Started around seven years ago by the talented Gautam Krishnakutty and Padmakumar Pillai, the cafe is one of the best burger joints in the city.
Add-ons: The fiery buffalo Chicken wings with cheese dip does wonderful things to your tastebuds!
Chomp Factor: 10/10
Fries: With just the right amount of crunch, they are salted to perfection
Coleslaw: The creamy coleslaw is a delight to the eyes and makes for the perfect dressing.
Price: Starts from Rs 200
TRUFFLES
You know a place is legendary when people will stay around to grab a burger even if it’s a two-hour long wait for a table. And Truffles is legen-wait for it-burger-dary. With a burger the size which will make you wish for a bigger jaw and a side of chips it makes for a perfect palate pleasure. With different burger sizes, Truffles caters to the foodie and not so foodie in you with its regular,double, XL, XXL burger custom-made to suit your appetite. The succulent patty lathered with mayo and sandwiched between the fluffy buns is as appetising as it looks. We recommend you indulge in a peri peri chicken burger with a succulent chicken patty sauted in peri peri sauce. The sloppy joe burger loaded with chicken or lamb chunks, sausages,and salami with a side of eggs and coleslaw is the answer to every meat lovers prayers.
For the vegetarian, the all-American cheese burger is the best go-to option.
Add ons: The ferrero rocher shake pairs up perfectly with the burger to add the ice to your spice.
Chomp factor: 9/10
Fries: They serve crisps but you can order a seperate portion of fries.
Price: Very easy on the pocket, burgers start from Rs 155.
The Local Burger Bar
This relaxed pub and cafe that’s buzzing with rock music has now taken its food a notch higher with a floor dedicated to delectable, mouth-watering burgers. Local BYOB (Build Your Own Burger) menu is printed with boxes that can be ticked with options of patty (chicken, mutton, beef, pork) you want in your burger, the type of bun (white, brown, multi-grain, herbed tomato), style (Goan caffreal, Kerala roast, Chettinad, Achari, makhani), top-up with (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion rings, grilled onions, jalapeno, cheese slice) and an option for the sides as well. Started recently by Rajiv Ramnane of Jimi’s and The Local in Koramangala, it’s already a hub for when you want to satiate your hunger pangs. The juicy, succulent and bountiful burgers are definitely worth every bite. We also like how they smoke their meat and veggies in the BYOB burgers over charcoal, tealeaves and sawdust for a lovely, smoky aroma. The tenderloin bacon burger is a must have.
Add-ons: For sides you can select from fries, potato wedges, pickled veggies or mixed salad.
Chomp factor: 10 on 10 for keeping the crunchy and chunky factor.
Price: Rs 125 for vegetarian and Rs 170 for non veg burgers is very easy on the pocket.
Smally’s
Founded by 30-year-old Nikhil Hegde in February 2014, this list would be incomplete without a mention of the burgers at Smally’s Resto Café on Church Street, Ulsoor and Kamannahalli. For those of you who dig beef, there’s much to choose from. The recommended though, is the Trucker, an old school, double beef patty burger with potato chips on the side. If you cluck for chicken, the traditional Afro-Portuguese flamed grilled special in a spicy chilli sauce under the bun, the peri peri chicken burger should be on your plate (not for the faint of tongue – you have been warned!). The chickaboo is another delight that is stuffed with chicken strips marinated in a classified recipe, topped with onion rings and a secret, tangy sauce. Vegetarians can revel in the Farmville burger – a true garden burger peppered with zucchini, carrots, green peas and potatoes in a patty!
Add-ons: The chorizo is delicious and the double burgers are a delight.
Chomp factor: 8/10
Fries: You can order them.
Price: Starts from Rs 200, with a side of mayo and potato wafers
