Where to Find the Best Burgers in Toronto

Almost two decades into its run, celebrity chef Mark McEwan’s sophisticated restaurant remains a Financial District mainstay. Before the premiumization of the humble burger was de rigueur in Toronto, the signature Bymark Burger raised eyebrows with its elevated ingredients (and elevated price to match) in the restaurant’s early days. Finished with brie de meaux, shaved truffle, and grilled porcini mushroom, the burger has become an iconic menu staple that exemplifies Bymark’s refined take on classic cuisine. 

Notable chef David Lee’s restaurant Planta was a pioneer in Toronto’s plant-based scene when it opened in 2016, bringing fine-dining flair to vegan cuisine along with an emphasis on local, scratch-made fare. The Planta Burger is among the restaurant’s most celebrated entrees, regularly touted as one of the city’s best veggie burgers. It features a delicious black bean and beet patty topped with vegan queso and buffalo aioli.

Skyflower offers a retreat from Toronto’s urban streets on its plant-filled rooftop patio. Helmed by MasterChef Canada winner Eric Chong, the menu brings an upscale, chef-driven approach to nostalgic dishes. The deluxe meltdown burger is a prime example, taking the beef-and-bun combo up a notch with black truffle fonduta, bacon jam, and truffle aioli.

This stunning new restaurant set in the sustainably minded 1 Hotel focuses on farm-to-table cuisine. Much of the menu is plant-based, with many ingredients grown in an onsite garden, while meat dishes feature locally sourced proteins. The 1 Kitchen Burger is made from Nolan Farms Angus beef from Ontario’s Grey Highlands and other toppings are sourced through farm-fresh supplier 100km Foods.

Casa Loma’s lavish steakhouse offers premium beef cuts sourced from across the globe. The restaurant’s burger is no exception to its splurge-worthy menu, featuring wagyu beef topped with aged cheddar and served with hand-cut duck-fat fries.

Founded in 1999, plant-based mini-empire Fresh introduced Toronto to vegan fare before it became mainstream. The menu emphasizes hearty yet wholesome cuisine, including a selection of patties such as the barbecue burger, which sees a housemade grain burger topped with barbecue sauce, a pair of quinoa-breaded onion rings, garlic mayo, and napa cabbage. Cold-pressed juices and craft cocktails made with ingredients like turmeric and organic craft kombucha pair well with lunch or dinner.

Star chef Susur Lee’s long-running King West restaurant blends Southeast Asian flavours with French culinary techniques on its playful, small plates menu. The signature cheeseburger spring roll is a light, fusion-style take on the beloved handheld featuring AAA Angus beef, smoked chile mayo, pickled veggies, and aged Canadian cheddar, all wrapped in a crisp lettuce cup.

This charming restaurant in the Junction specializes in French-Cajun fare and Southern-inspired classics. The piled-high Roux burger gets a savoury kick from chipotle mayo and pickled onions, plus there’s the option to up the ante by adding pulled pork, bacon, cheddar cheese, or a fried egg (or, if you’re particularly hungry, all of the above). Opt for hand-cut fries or balance out the meal with a light salad.