Looking to dig into the best burgers in Edinburgh? Scotland’s capital has very different options: specialist burger joints, local pubs, well-known chains and vegan cafés.
Here are ten of our favourite places for a burger in Edinburgh, in the city centre and nearby neighbourhoods. Prices and offers change, so check the current menu.
1. The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JB
For years, this New Town bar has focused on burgers, and that must be why they do them so well.
You’ll find a great range of burgers and beers, in a casual, lively place with a very local feel, good music and friendly staff who are always happy to help.
Enjoy their wide selection of beers, the sides and some of the best burgers in Edinburgh. Highly recommended.
2. O’Neill’s Hunter Square
9 Hunter Square, Edinburgh EH1 1QW
This pub on Hunter Square, also known by its old name, The Tron, is a central option for a burger after exploring the Royal Mile.
It’s casual, with pub food and live sport, popular with football and rugby fans looking for a relaxed meal and a pint. Check the current offers and prices before ordering, as deals change depending on the day and the event.
3. Bread Meats Bread
92 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9BE
One of the best gourmet burgers in Edinburgh, in a pleasant restaurant with fast and friendly service, very handy if you are staying near the city centre.
There is a huge variety of burgers and sauces, as well as all the classic sides, such as nuggets and onion rings, plus vegetarian and vegan options and salads.
4. Red Squirrel
21 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2DJ
Good classic pub food in a very nicely decorated place. Ideal if you are in the West End and fancy this kind of menu.
They make very tasty burgers in brioche buns, served with chips and coleslaw. There’s a wide range of beers, so it’s the perfect place for a burger and a pint.
5. Otherworld Bar & Kitchen
17 Albert Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HN
On Albert Place, just off Leith Walk, Otherworld Bar & Kitchen occupies the venue formerly known as The Black Fox. An interesting stop if you want to combine casual food with craft beer.
The food may change in this new chapter of the venue, so before going specifically for a burger, check the day’s menu and kitchen hours.
6. Five Guys
12 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HB
Five Guys is a simple option if you want a burger cooked to order right in the centre. The Frederick Street branch is close to Princes Street and George Street.
Choose your burger and customise it with different toppings. A practical option for a casual meal during a day of shopping or sightseeing in the New Town.
7. The Standing Order
62-66 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR
The Standing Order is one of Edinburgh’s best-known pubs. It’s in a former bank, which gives it a very special atmosphere.
Both food and drink are very affordable: you can have one of the cheapest pints in Edinburgh with a very decent burger at a good price.
The kitchen also stays open late, at least by UK standards.
8. Luxford Burgers
9 Brandon Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 5EA
Luxford Burgers is a good choice for burgers with more creative combinations. Its Brandon Terrace restaurant is north of the New Town, near Canonmills.
The menu includes beef and chicken burgers with a variety of sauces and sides. If you want to get off the tourist trail, combine your meal with a walk around the neighbourhoods north of the centre. Check the menu and booking conditions on their website.
9. Happy Bean Cafe
14 Easter Road, Edinburgh EH7 5RG
Happy Bean Cafe doesn’t look like a specialist burger joint, but it has beef burgers on its menu, along with breakfasts, crêpes and sandwiches.
It’s on Easter Road, a handy stop if you are staying around Abbeyhill or Meadowbank, and an informal option for breakfast or lunch with a wider menu than a burger-only place.
10. Holy Cow
34 Elder Street, Edinburgh EH1 3DX
Holy Cow is a fully vegan café on Elder Street, near the bus station and St Andrew Square, very convenient for a break during a walk around the New Town.
Its plant-based burgers are one of its main attractions, along with cakes and other options on the menu. A great choice if you want a burger with no animal products in a central location. For more ideas, see our guide to the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Edinburgh.
