I first heard about this tiny husband and wife establishment in Fusionopolis from uber-foodie Veronica Phua. As soon as she started raving about the “butter burger” I knew it was inevitable that I head over to try it. Everything is handmade here, including the wonderfully soft potato flour buns. Their signature butter burger is a must try, at least once, and is literally a burger with a cold, thick slab of butter plopped on top of the beef. Usually though, I’m happy with the OFC Cheeseburger; it’s the perfect example of doing something simple incredibly well. Do note that OFC gets packed so if you want to visit, do so early or mid-afternoon or you may be waiting for a while.

—Aun Koh, editor in chief

The burger at Luke’s used to only be available at lunch time. It was the excuse I made time and time again to visit Travis Masiero’s pricey but wonderful New England-style steak and seafood restaurant. Travis’ Blue Label Burger is as close to a perfect gourmet burger as you could ever ask for. I recommend it with all the extras: cheddar cheese, bacon and a fried egg. This is the burger to get yourself when you want to reward yourself or pamper yourself. Plus the restaurant only makes a few a day, so getting your hands on one is a rare treat. 

—Aun Koh, editor in chief

I’m always up for a good burger—and good, halal-certified, gourmet ones are hard to find. (To be fair, I’ve not been super diligent about finding the best ones.) But since Fatburger, the fast-casual Hollywood favourite that hip-hop stars have waxed lyrical over, came to town, I’ve not (yet) looked at another. That first bite of the signature Fatburger went straight to my heart (tugged at my heartstrings and sent me to food heaven). The single beef patty (80 per cent lean meat and 20 per cent fat) is juicy and not dry thanks to the fact that it is freshly prepared and never frozen, and held its own in the flavour department despite the works—lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, relish, onions and pickles—between two soft brioche buns.

For those who are meat-hungry, go for the Double (XXL), Triple (XXXL) or Quad (XXXXL) stacks, but for me, the Original single is enough to satiate my burger fix. I like to add on the beef bacon—the slightly thicker cut used here, rather than the crispy version at other joints, has grown on me—and crispy onion rings for added texture. And of course, I “make it fat” (Fatburger speak for make it a meal) with fat fries and milkshake—because at Fatburger, you have to go big, or go home! 

—Hashirin Nurin Hashimi, senior editor

Some may think that an overload of ingredients can ruin the taste of a good burger. But what if it means pairing your usual gooey cheese and jalapeno pickles with unconventional garnishes like freshly made bawang goreng and watermelon relish on top of a 100 per cent grass-fed beef patty? Consider me sold. The first burger I tried at Three Buns was the Bun DMC, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. Chomping on it created quite a mess but I wasn't mad about it at all. It was all thanks to the generous amount of house-made sauces that drenched the juicy meat patty—but believe me when I say it was absolutely worth it.

And have I mentioned the soft, pillowy brioche buns used in their burgers? They’re baked daily at the restaurant so you never have to worry about sinking your teeth into stale, limp pieces of bread. So give your tastebuds a treat and order yourself one of their burgers, and if you can, add a milkshake on the side—the Madagascan Vanilla is my favourite because you can never go wrong with good ol' vanilla. 

—Andrea Saadan, digital editor

I don’t often indulge in burgers, but when the craving calls—Burger & Lobster never fails to satisfy. The London-based establishment is a cult favourite there for its signature dishes that celebrate simplicity and quality, and its Singapore branches have maintained a high calibre of fantastic food.

The Mayfair is my top pick for an ultimate burger indulgence; a luxuriously juicy 170g patty comes garnished with tangy house-made pickles, sweet red onions, fresh lettuce and a tomato slice to complete the set. A generous dollop of the house’s secret burger sauce brings the medley of flavours together, enveloped between two pillowy soft sesame brioche buns.

But if a trip to Burger & Lobster just doesn’t feel complete without savouring some delectable seafood dishes, consider opting for the Beast Burger—it presents the best of land and sea. Succulent chunks of lobster top a perfectly grilled beef patty, accompanied by brie cheese, truffle and tarragon mayonnaise, and a slightly acidic cabbage slaw that cuts through all that decadence.

—Sabrina Low, assistant digital editor

When I’m craving for a good burger at fast food prices, I look to Burgs. The halal-certified joint has everything I want in a wallet-friendly option: juicy patties, soft buns and great sauces. I’d recommend anyone to try the Classic Cheeseburger. The homemade pickled green chilli and signature sauce are what create the magic. My second pick would be the Beef Bacon Cheeseburger. If you can’t eat pork like me, the black pepper beef bacon is a good alternative for a topping. It’s perfectly crisp and salty, and goes down a treat with the barbeque sauce.

—Nafeesa Saini, features editor

Burgers are my ultimate comfort food. If I feel like indulging, I order my usual cheeseburger from Five Guys. What makes this so delicious are the two stacks of flavour-packed patties, made with 100 per cent grass-fed beef that's cooked well-done and draped with gooey cheddar cheese. The burger is designed to be customised and I always crown my order with fresh lettuce, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and, for an acerbic touch, pickles. Everything comes together with mustard sauce.

The all-time favourite milkshakes here are worth trying, too. Go for The Elvis, a surprisingly delicious concoction of banana, salted caramel and, yes, bacon bits. Skip the whipped cream—it's already sweet enough as it is.

—Dudi Aureus, senior editor, Tatler Dining

See also: From burgers to milkshakes, here’s what we love at five guys Singapore

Wolf Burgers is my go-to joint for delicious gourmet burgers at reasonable prices. While there are so many enticing options on the menu, I always go for the original Wolf Burger. It may look deceptively simple, however, it’s anything but. The secret lies in the patty, made with different cuts of premium beef grilled to juicy perfection. It also comes with a generous layer of gooey cheddar cheese and a secret sauce that adds an umami finish. I recommend ordering it with crispy fries and a luscious smoothie (which comes in mango and vanilla, Oreo, and berrie brulee flavours) for a truly indulgent meal. 

—Dudi Aureus, senior editor, Tatler Dining

While Eggslut sent netizens into a social media frenzy when it first opened its Singapore offshoot in 2021, I was deterred by the snaking queues that went on for months. So when the fad waned, I knew it was time for me to give it a try.

The classic Fairfax sandwich is just perfect. The scrambled eggs were perfectly cooked and seasoned—fluffy, soft, and just the right amount of saltiness. It was immaculately flanked between two buttery brioche buns, and was accompanied with melted cheese that oozes out every time you take a bite. If you’re looking for something light, go for the, well, Slut. Its jar of potato purée topped with salt, chives, and a coddled egg provides that hearty burst of different flavours and textures. And yes, it’s best enjoyed when you mix it all up and slather it on top of the crisply toasted slices of baguette.

—Sean Tham, social media editor

This story was first published on May 28, 2020, and updated on October 18, 2023.

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