The ultimate burger checklist

Chard, Delhi – ️ ️ ️ ️ ️

We love our fried chicken. But when it comes to finding the best burgers in Mumbai and Delhi, it’s time to up the spice level. With a double act of jalapenos and ghost chilli rub, the Hot Fried Chicken burger from Chard is a bombshell in the disguise of a burger. Might we add, that the pear slaw acts as a welcome relief?

Louis (multiple locations) – ️ ️ ️

After K-dramas, K-pop, Kimchi and Kimbap, here’s the next Korean sensation we can’t get enough of. The crowning glory of Louis’ Korean Fried Chicken Burger is the hot and sweet Korean sauce, and of course the fried chicken. 

Fan of truffles? (Who isn’t?) You’ll love their Truffletake Burger overflowing with shitake and shimeji mushrooms, truffle mayo, truffles, English cheddar, parmesan, gold warak and truffle oil to soothe the spice. Be it Mumbai, Delhi or Bengaluru, the best burgers have penchant for bling.

Jimis Burger (multiple locations) – ️ ️ ️

Is it peri-peri or piri-piri? We cannot settle this debate but we can endorse the limelight enjoyed by this Portuguese spice. Jimis Burger’s Peri Peri Paneer and Peri Peri Chicken burgers bring together house spiced grilled steaks, caramelised onion, pickled onion and peri mayo and a dash of hot sauce. Brownie points for the crispy potato sticks!

Basco and Fry, Bengaluru – ️ ️ ️

Everyone keeps raving about the Bengaluru weather. But sweater weather in monsoon just does not sit right with us. Can the solution come with a side of fries? The Nashville Hot Chicken burger from Basco And Fry certainly does. Consider yourself warned, the Tennessee heat might leave your tastebuds screaming while reaching for seconds.

And for the fanciest of us, spice suits up in the sophisticated Bougie Hamburger. “The kind of burger you’d eat with your pinky finger raised,” claim its creators. A Charred tenderloin patty, arugula, hot cheese mix, house special jus and red wine cabbage, need we say more?

CUR8 Four Seasons, Bengaluru – ️ ️

While we love a lip-smacking burger, the appeal of food extends beyond the palette. The Four Seasons Southern Style Fried Chicken Burger goes overseas to dive into African-American culinary heritage. 

With red cabbage slaw, cheddar cheese and barbecue sauce complimenting the golden crust, it’s a visual feast as well. These full flavours pair well with the earthy aroma of petrichor

Veronica’s, Mumbai – ️

Broccoli always gets a bad rep but have you seen its hot new makeover? Veronica’s jumps on the make-greens-cool-again campaign with their unconventional Bandra Bro-ccoli Falafel Burger.

Between a Dutch crunch bun and in the company of crispy falafel, creamy garlic labneh, sharp cheddar, tomatoes and lettuce, broccoli gets its act together. But a zesty jalapeno herb sauce makes this burger born in the queen of Mumbai’s suburbs an irresistible catch. 

Sly Granny, Delhi – ️

Grandmas know best but Sly Granny might know better. A bite of this Sly 9 is a ticket to Cloud 9. 

On the milder side of the spice scale, this burger with a tenderloin patty and mustard aioli with pickles packs a pungent punch. 

Berliner Bar, Mumbai – (outlier)

All that spice got you craving something sweet? You’ll find Berliner Bar’s Whiskey Bacon Jam Sliders are an indulgent choice. A perfect combination of flavours, this barside find is the best companion on your night out and perhaps also on the morning after.

Team ELLE DECOR India says…

Walters, Mumbai – ️ ️

A burger is like a skyscraper. No matter how hard-hitting the spice, the structure needs to withstand the bite. And while we love a messy burger moment, sometimes you need your spice delivered in a convenient package. 

Walter’s is an ode to the namesake creator who invented the one-handed burger in 1921. With a generous dusting of Sriracha, the Hot Fried Chicken burger stands out from the rest. Looking for a vegetarian option? Spicy Peruvian Potato Burger brings an ingenious flavour profile with its Jalapeno salsa and the Truffle Shroomson Burger sports a delectable mushroom patty, smoked gouda, shiitake mushrooms and black gold sauce. Their OG Smashed Lamb Burger deserves a special mention too! While we all agree that the burgers travelled well and retained their crunch, it was also their new-age pink packaging that sealed the deal for us. “Despite the Hot Fried Chicken burger’s compact size, the slider was quite filling,” notes Junior Features Writer Chiransha Prasad.

Sloppy Bros, Mumbai – ️

The Vada Pav is an all-season pick-me-up but it’s even better in the rain. But can vada pavs be considered burgers? This unconventional creation by Sloppy Bros leaves us questioning yet wanting more.

Dubbed Sloppy Vada Pav, its roasted sweet potato and pumpkin tikki is coated in their in-house sauce and sandwiched between a burger bun slathered with tomato chutney. What did ED think? “If you try to overcomplicate simple basic stuff which are classics for a reason you end up ruining it, this does not do that,” adds Managing Editor Shriti Das. Another glowing review comes from Junior Graphic Designer Sakshi Shrivastava, “I’m going to replace my regular vada pav with the Vada Pav 2.0!”

In the mood to step out? You may like: Hot batch of tacos and craft cocktails! 14 new restaurants in India to cure your monsoon blues