As one of the most picturesque cities in England, York might not be your first go-to for a big juicy burger. But amongst the cobbled streets, old-style architecture and Viking history, there are plenty of top-notch burger restaurants in York just waiting for you to take a bite of their meaty goodness. From suave steak houses and cosy pubs to independent market stalls and fail-safe chain options, York has a whole host of delicious burgers to offer. So many, in fact, that finding the best burger in York can be a real challenge.
That’s why, to help you get your comfort food kick, we’ve compiled a list of where to get the best burgers in York in 2022. With 11 mouth-watering York burgers to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect burger to suit your tastes. Whether you always opt for a chicken burger, a classic beef patty or something totally different, we’ve got the best burger restaurants in York below.
Discover our guide to the best pizza in York, too.
8 best burger restaurants in York
Clucking Oinks
If you’re a fan of chicken, then Clucking Oinks might just be one of the best burger places in York for you. Having been part of Spark, an outdoor community space home to some of the city’s most exciting start-ups, since it opened in 2018, this burger restaurant in York serves the best buttermilk fried chicken burgers in the city and beyond.
The menu comprises a good selection of chicken burgers in different styles and with different toppings. The Rodeo comprises buttermilk fried chicken with smoked bacon, crispy onions, BBQ sauce and American cheese sauce. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Blue is made up of buttermilk fried chicken with blue cheese slaw and buffalo hot sauce. At this York burger restaurant, you can also order fried chicken strips and a range of sides, including garlic rosemary fries, halloumi fries, spicy cheese fries, and blue cheese slaw. So, as the masters of fried chicken, Clucking Oinks in Spark undoubtedly serve up some of the best burgers in York, especially if you prefer your burger to cluck rather than moo.
Burgsy’s
After gaining a reputation for serving up some of the best burgers in York, Burgsy’s was voted by TripAdvisor as the second best UK burger joint in 2018. An independent family-run business, this burger place in York relocated from Whitby in 2019 and has since been producing some of the best burgers in York from scratch and using fresh, quality local ingredients. Inside, the décor is trendy but minimalist, with wooden beams, exposed brick walls and rope lights, while outside, they have just opened a heated al fresco space.
This York burger restaurant specialises in handmade patties with fresh onion, gherkins and American mustard. All burgers are also served with salad and mayo in brioche bun and a side of skinny fries and homemade tomato ketchup. Choose from traditional beef burgers, chicken, pulled pork or vegetarian, all with a range of your favourite toppings. Think caramelised onions and cheddar cheese, streaky bacon and stilton, jalapeno peppers and honey sauce, and spiced mixed bean patties with garlic mayo and barbecue sauce. Want to upgrade from normal fries? Choose from a selection of loaded fries, coleslaw, Mediterranean vegetables and dips.
Pavement Vaults
A modern Smokehouse and BBQ canteen, Pavement Vaults is one of the best burger places in York, with a diverse range of options. The chefs at this burger restaurant in York were trained by three-times UK National BBQ Champion Andy Annat, so it’s no surprise that the burgers are out-of-this-world good. Within, you’ll find a specious room centred on a significant wrap around bar and distinct seating areas. The decor is very on-trend, with pastel coloured wood cladding, exposed brickwork and a silver pressed ceiling.
The menu consists of a range of beef burgers, (not) beef burgers and pitmaster trays, a choice of meat and two sides. From the beef menu, opt for The Reaper (two 6oz patties, double jalapenos, double Jack cheese, and Master Exploder Hot Sauce), The Notorious P.I.G. (two 6oz patties, double layered spicy pulled pork, double Jack cheese, pickled red onions, and fresh coriander), or The Blue Bull (one 6oz patty, smoked pulled beef rib, Yorkshire blue cheese, and jalapenos). Not a beef eater? Take your pick from pulled pork, buttermilk fried chicken, BBQ jackfruit and spiced celeriac burgers. Alongside some of the best burgers in York, Pavement Vaults also serves great beer, with 8 cask ales and 12 keg lines to choose from. So, if you’re looking for a burger restaurant in York that has mastered both burgers and beer, make sure you head down to this one.
Spielburger
Fancy a movie while you tuck into the best burger in York? Then look no further than Spielburger at the York Everyman cinema. This burger place in York allows you to order some of the most sumpuous burgers to your seat in the cinema. Made from the finest quality British beef, there’s no better cinema snack than a burger from Spielburger.
All of the burgers from this burger restaurant in York is served on a soft brioche bun with baby gem lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickle, with hand-cut skinny fries on the side. Wanting something a little different? Opt for the special, crispy Korean chicken with chilli glazed crispy chicken, pickled slaw and mayo. Or, choose our personal favourite, the The 1216, which comprises cured bacon, red Leicester, potato scraps and harissa mayo. They’ve even got a shrimp & avocado burger with a king prawn patty, avocado seeds, sweet chilli, and avo and lime mayo. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your movie snack from the usual popcorn and pick a mix, give this burger place in York a go.
The Taylor Made Kitchen
The Taylor Made Kitchen is an independent food truck on Shambles Market that serves up some of the best burgers in York in 2022. Chef Christian Taylor has been cooking up delights for over 15 years now and set up his own food truck business out of the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough. The Taylor Made Kitchen has now become one of the best burger places in York city centre, using the finest local produce to create showstopping takeaway options.
On the menu, you’ll find gourmet buffalo burgers, burgers with halloumi cheese, burgers with streaky bacon, and even a nut roast pattie for the non-meat eaters. Alongside their selection of burgers, they also serve up mac n cheese, loaded nachos, loaded fries, burritos, a range of sides and drinks. So, if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat in York, head down to The Taylor Made Kitchen.
The Cut & Craft
Situated in St. Sampsons Square, The Cut & Craft is a fun and lively steak and beer restaurant, specialising in flat iron steak and craft beers, as well as (of course) burgers! The space is focused around a central bar and an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant.
Unsurprisingly, the menu at this burger restaurant in York is very carnivore heavy, but there are a few vegetarian options thrown in the mix, including a falafel burger and harissa cauliflower steak. When it comes to the burgers, though, you’ll find classic beef with a twist, pulled pork, and chicken with a huge selection of toppings; think butter-cut bacon, fried eggs, caramelised onions, camembert cheese, and truffle aioli. Aside from some of the best burgers in York, The Cut & Craft also serves up some other British classics like fish and chips, premium steaks and braised beef. If you’re looking for a melt-in-the-mouth burger and a suave, sophisticated place to eat it in, head down to this burger restaurant in York.
Fat Hippo
Due to open in November 2022, Fat Hippo already has burger joints in Newcastle, Leeds, Durham, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Shoreditch. Now, though, it’s York’s turn. Guaranteed to deliver on our claim that they’re the best burgers in York, Fat Hippo offers an extensive menu and options with a real twist.
On the menu, find fully-loaded beef burgers, crispy buttermilk fried chicken burgers, and indulgent vegan burgers, alongside a selection of sides, including dirty fries, tater tots, waffle fries, onion rings and slaw. One of our personal favourites for beef fans is the PB+JJ, a double patty with American cheese, chunky peanut butter, bacon jam and smoked chilli jello. Prefer chicken? We’d recommend the Great White Buffalo – buttermilk chicken with American cheese, smoked bacon, hot honey Buffalo sauce and purple slaw. Not a meat eater? Opt for the Notorious VFC 2.0 – Southern fried plant based chkn with waffle fries, vegan cheese, lettuce, pickles, BBQ sauce and zinger mayo. So, if you’re looking for the sloppiest, jam-packed York burgers, make sure to visit the newest Fat Hippo haunt.
Cosy Club
Located on one of the city’s favourite streets and housed in its first electric cinema, Cosy Club chain restaurant that takes on classic vintage charm, with velvet furniture and statement wallpaper. On entering this burger place in York, you’ll be welcomed by a grander than grand staircase that leads up to the restaurant above. Here, you can enjoy some of the best burgers in town!
Although there’s not a huge choice of burgers, unlike some of the other York burger restaurants on this list, Cosy Club ensure that the few are outstanding. From the house beef burger and the dirty chicken burger to the vegan cheeseburger and even the Cosy Club sandwich, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Alongside these, you’ve got a large choice of other lunch and dinner options for those who don’t want burgers, including chestnut mushroom and mascarpone risotto, harissa torn lamb shoulder and salmon fishcakes. And, complete with a trendy bar, this is one of the best burger restaurants in York to sample some delicious cocktails, too.
Be sure to take a look at our guide to the best Sunday dinners in York, too.
Techno-Mads 