Cover The smashed burger from Call Me Al (Photo: Instagram / @callmealhk)
The smashed burger from Call Me Al (Photo: Instagram / @callmealhk)
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We share our favourite spots in Hong Kong to have a bun-derful day
There’s nothing better than a good burger. While it’s long been regarded as a fast-food staple, the reputation of the burger has undergone a makeover of late, having infiltrated all levels gastronomy—much to our delight. Whether you like it juicy, meaty, cheesy, fancy or healthy, the burger offers a different version of itself for everyone.
Whether you prefer your burger smashed or sustainable, our Tatler editors have rounded up all that and more. Head to these joints to satisfy your meat-in-a-bun cravings.
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1. Sir Berwick’s Wagyu cheese and egg burger
For the last word in decadent American diner-style burgers by way of Harajuku street fashion, I always head to Sir Berwick for my fix. Founded by the team behind No Milkshake No Life, this joint is hidden down a nondescript alley in Sai Ying Pun; inside, almost every single inch is covered in bold, punchy, Japanese-influenced graphic design and tchotchkes in classic Ametora fashion.
The food is no less Instagrammable: oozing with hazard-yellow cheese is the crowd favourite, the double Wagyu cheese and egg burger with Cajun fries, featuring a double-decker Wagyu patty that’s been cooked just right. There’s a formidable selection of milkshakes for the brave at heart, alongside other menu items like grilled cheese, fried chicken waffles, and mac & cheese.
— Gavin Yeung, senior dining editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Sir Berwick The Comfort Food Club
Address: Shop E, LG/F, Lai On Building, Lai On Lane, 2 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
2. The Diplomat’s Diplomat burger
Some saunter into The Diplomat for cocktails, and I’m no exception; a Gibson with extra onions is my trusty companion. Yet, amidst these fabulous drinks worth the mouth stink, it’s the burger that holds my unwavering loyalty. So devoted, in fact, that I’ve entertained thoughts of setting up a direct debit just to ensure a constant stream of beefy bliss. Trust me in bidding farewell to willpower and diving face-first into The Diplomat burger.
Nestled snugly between two sesame buns, this juicy quarter-pounder boasts Japanese Ozaki beef that is served medium rare with a blanket of melted cheddar cheese. It is as straightforward as they come, yet the burger requires no entourage of toppings to make its mark. A lone slice of tomato, a pickle that knows its worth, and a handful of crisps complete the ensemble. And if you don’t join me, well, I’ll gladly go it alone.
— Fontaine Cheng, dining editor, Tatler Hong Kong
The Diplomat
Address: Shop 1, LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong
3. Triple O’s Original burger
OK, hear me out—Triple O's has the juiciest beef burger in the city. Just the thought of it makes me salivate. It's fresh Australian beef, crispy lettuce and their secret Triple O sauce (friends, it might as well be crack). It usually comes with a slice of tomato, but I always pluck it out. For that extra crunch, all you really need is their signature pickle that comes on top of the burger. It makes zero sense that it sits on top of the burger and not in it, but it just works and it's become my go-to when I need something delicious and filling. You don't need sides, and you don't need a shake. All you need is this one perfectly wrapped burger. You're so welcome.
— Tara Sobti, head, VIP content & community, Tatler Hong Kong
Triple O's Hong Kong
Address: Several locations around Hong Kong
4. Little Bao’s Kagoshima pork tonkatsu bao
Burgers are the ultimate comfort food, but beyond the usual patty and beef, they can also be a great medium to discover new flavours. Chef May Chow's baos have embraced this mentality since the opening of Little Bao in 2013 with their Chinese buns and Asian-inspired fillings. While a few classics always remain on the menu, from the delicious pork belly bao to the ice cream bao for dessert, Little Bao has always championed their seasonal menus. Lately, the Kagoshima pork tonkatsu bao has been my meal of choice.
— Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Little Bao
Address: Shop H1, G/F, Fashion Walk, 9 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
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5. Treehouse’s Forest and Reef Burgers
It’s hard to find a veggie burger in Hong Kong that doesn’t consist of synthetic meat. Dare I say it’s near impossible. Thankfully Treehouse has three options, out of which the Forest Burger is a clear winner. Sandwiched between two sourdough buns, the patty is made from beets, mushroom and a spice mix (roasted cumin power I believe?) which packs it full of flavour while simultaneously keeping it satisfying and light. You don’t feel weighed down by this—after all, it’s mostly vegetables and fungi, with a firm texture that contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the eggplant caviar and tang of the roasted red peppers. Pro tip: make it luxe by adding halloumi, avocado or both. The best ingredient is the not-so-secret garlic sauce, which makes everything go from good to great.
— Aaina Bhargava, arts and culture editor, Tatler Hong Kong
When I’m in a rush and feel like having something more decadent than a sandwich, I go for a Reef Burger at Treehouse. I like the combination of grilled tempeh and spiced tofu with a good amount of lettuce and tomatoes. The pickled cucumbers are also a refreshing ingredient for the hot summer days in Hong Kong. There’s the option to go for a combo that comes with sweet potato fries and mixed greens. Beyond the great flavours on offer, I also love the idea of supporting a brand that’s grounded in sustainability.
— Zabrina Lo, features editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Treehouse
Address: Several locations across Hong Kong
6. Call Me Al’s smashed burger
The smashed burger from Call Me Al is for the burger purists: a beef patty topped with melted cheese, onions, pickles and comeback sauce, sandwiched in a soft bun. It's savoury, meaty, juicy and pairs extremely well with a martini to cut through the grease. What more could you want?
— Amalissa Hall, style writer, Tatler Hong Kong
Call Me Al
Address: 123 Queens Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
7. Burger Circus’s crispy chicken burger
I usually avoid eating burgers because they can get a bit messy, but one that I can’t resist is Burger Circus’s crispy chicken burger. When they say “crispy” on the menu, they aren’t lying: the chicken skin delivers that perfect crunch which contrasts with the soft bread and the juicy meat inside. What sets it apart from other chicken burgers however is the garlic chilli mayonnaise, which rounds things off with a kick of just-right spiciness (just right for me at least!). Worth the mess, I'd say.
— Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, digital sub-editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Burger Circus
Address: 22 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
8. Shake Shack’s Shackburger
If you’re a perfectionist like I am, cooking meat can be a bit of a pain. Even when buying it, I do mental math to balance out quality, ethical production, carbon footprint and price—usually in this order. This is why, most of the time, cooking vegetarian works better for me. That being said, I don’t deny myself the occasional steak or umami fullness that comes with meat—I can’t—especially after a heavy workout or long hike when I feel completely drained. On those days, as my hunger levels get distractingly high, I give in and use my remaining energy to speed-walk to the most efficient meat-delivery system I know of in Hong Kong: your local Shake Shack. No time for mental math. No time for those fancy, seasonal, avocado peri peri chicken-or-whatnot burgers. Just get yourself the classic Shackburger and make it a double if you’ve been meat-deprived for too long—fries optional. Customise your order if you have to with extra pickles, extra onions and sauce on the side. Eat it right there, on the spot, but pace yourself. Open your eyes, live again.
— Khoa Tran, social impact editor, Tatler Hong Kong
Shack Shack
Address: Different locations around Hong Kong
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