Top 5 Burger Spots in Toronto
- founder6237
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Toronto's burger scene is a dynamic slice of the city's broader culinary tapestry, reflecting trends, traditions, and the competitive spirit of the food industry. Whether you're chasing a perfectly caramelized smash patty, an over the top stacked creation, or a nostalgic late night bite, Toronto delivers. Below are five must try burger destinations that capture the range and excellence of the city's offerings.
5. Happy Burger: Comfort Food Done Right
Happy Burger is an iconic Toronto burger spot that nails the fundamentals. It’s an approachable place where burgers are consistent, prices are reasonable, and service is friendly. Happy Burger emphasizes classic cheeseburgers, well seasoned patties, and simple but crisp fries. The menu doesn't aim to reinvent the wheel; instead, it focuses on well executed standards an important lesson for operators who want to build trust and steady foot traffic.
Located in a few busy pockets around the city, Happy Burger also benefits from smart operational choices: efficient kitchen workflows, a straightforward ingredient list, and a local supply chain that keeps costs manageable without compromising flavor. For many Torontonians, it’s the comfort food stop they crave after a long day.
Signature Smash Burgers: The core offering consists of thin, beef patties with crispy, caramelized edges and a juicy, flavorful center, served on soft buns. A standout item is the "Happy Stack": two smashed patties topped with cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and a signature "stack sauce" served on a three layer sesame seed bun.
Sides and Other Menu Items: Happy Burger is famous for its crispy waffle fries, available plain or as a poutine with cheese curds and gravy. The menu also includes hot dogs and chicken sandwiches, including the "Happy Hot Chicken," a spicy fried chicken breast with coleslaw and pickles.
Dietary Options: To meet evolving consumer preferences in the food industry, Happy Burger offers Impossible meat patties, making it easy to order vegetarian or vegan versions of their signature burgers without sacrificing the smash burger experience.
4. Burger Drops
Burger Drops is a Toronto based smash burger concept in Liberty Village known for high quality, thin patty burgers with a caramelized crust. The shop focuses on simple, refined, and juicy burgers made from a signature blend of AAA Canadian beef, house made "Drop Sauce," and toasted Martin's potato rolls. Burger Drops blends craft techniques and approachable pricing, often drawing comparisons to top tier smash styles.
Key Burgers
Double Original (Signature): Two beef patties, griddled sweet onion, American cheese, house pickles, and savory Drop Sauce on a soft Martin's Potato Roll.
Double American: Two beef patties, ketchup relish, fresh diced onion, lettuce, American cheese, and Drop Sauce.
Veggie Original/American: A house made mushroom and barley patty featuring the same signature toppings as the beef versions, offering a vegetarian option that aligns with evolving food industry trends.
Pastrami Burger (Specialty): Features Linny's Famous Pastrami in either a "Deli" or "Cali" style, created in collaboration with other local culinary partners.
Located in Liberty Village, Burger Drops prioritizes quality ingredients, focused menus, and collaborative local partnerships.
3. Ugly Delicious: Wagyu Smash Burgers
Ugly Delicious is a quick service restaurant in Toronto's Kensington Market specializing in premium Halal Wagyu smash burgers. They are known for hand formed Australian Wagyu and AAA beef patties, smashed thin for a crispy, caramelized edge. The menu and technique reflect influences from Japanese and Korean comfort food, resulting in a dirty style smash burger that embraces bold, messy flavors while focusing on quality ingredients.
Key Details about Ugly Delicious Burgers
The Patty: A blend of Australian Wagyu and premium AAA beef, smashed thin on the grill for maximum crust and juiciness.
The Style: Inspired by Japanese and Korean comfort food, these are intentionally messy smash burgers that favor texture and bold seasoning.
Signature Menu Items
The Classic: Wagyu patty, American cheese, "Ugly sauce," pickles, lettuce, and tomato.
Onions We Crazy: Features Oklahoma style smashed onions and American cheese.
Burger Royale: A patty served on sourdough bread for a sturdier bite.
The Ugly Delicious: A massive 7 patty burger built for sharing or a serious appetite.
Ugly Delicious has made a name for itself by blending inventive flavor combinations with a playful, no frills presentation. The burger offerings are bold: think pickled elements, spicy aiolis, and non traditional toppings that challenge expectations while maintaining balance. The kitchen thrives on surprising contrasts — sweet and spicy, creamy and crunchy, familiar and exotic — which makes every bite interesting.
The venue tends to attract food forward diners who appreciate culinary experimentation. Many burgers are built to be Instagram friendly, but the creativity is grounded in solid technique: quality beef, thoughtfully selected condiments, and buns that are sturdy enough to handle big flavors. Ugly Delicious represents the experimental edge of Toronto’s burger culture and contributes to the city's reputation as a hub for culinary innovation.
2. JABS Burgers
JABS (Just Another Burger Spot) is a popular, acclaimed smash burger brand in Toronto and Vaughan, with locations on St. Clair Ave W and in Woodbridge. Specializing in high quality, house made smash burgers, JABS is known for perfectly imperfect crispy edged patties, toasted buns, and a signature sauce that elevates classic cheeseburgers and specialty items. The menu features single and double cheeseburgers, the "Big Jab" (often compared to a premium Big Mac), crispy chicken sandwiches, and standout sides like regular fries, cheese fries, and lechon fries topped with pork belly. Ingredients are fresh and in house whenever possible, including house made pickles, sauces, and custom ground beef.
What sets JABS apart in Toronto’s food scene is its balance of comfort and refinement: slightly sweet, tender buns, house made sauces that add depth, and meticulous attention to cooking times and seasoning. Patties are crafted to showcase the beef while toppings complement rather than compete, delivering generous yet refined portions. JABS exemplifies a modern approach to burger making respecting tradition while perfecting the essentials that matter to discerning diners and industry professionals alike.
1. Cabanos
Topping the list is Cabano's Comfort Food, with a burger that brings together robust flavor, thoughtful sourcing, and an unmistakable devotion to the craft of burger making. Cabano's is best known for its high quality Angus beef used in thin, expertly seared smash patties, most famously the "Cabano Burger," often served as a double smash with deep fried jalapeños, melted cheese, and the house signature sauce. Execution is precise: sear, seasoning, and assembly are all tuned to ensure the patties stay juicy while delivering a crisp, caramelized exterior on a flat top grill.
Its menu includes cheeseburgers, beef tallow fried fries, chicken sandwiches, and chili cheese fries, and the combination of inventive toppings with elevated classics makes Cabanos a frequent "hidden gem" in Toronto's dining scene.
Signature Item: The "Cabano Burger" (often a double smash patty with deep-fried jalapeños, cheese, and special sauce).
Menu Items: Includes cheeseburgers, beef tallow-fried fries, chicken sandwiches, and chili cheese fries.
Tips for Trying Them All
Go during off peak hours to avoid long lines and get a fresher, quicker experience.
Order a variety of styles, try a classic at one spot and a specialty at another to compare techniques and flavors.
Share sides to sample more without overstuffing yourself; poutine or fries are great complements.
Ask about sourcing and cooking style if you care about provenance many of these places are proud of their beef and preparation methods.
Comments