When the craving hits, there’s nothing that will satisfy quite like a juicy patty sandwiched between two golden brioche buns. The capital city’s burger bars are showing the rest of the country how it’s done, topping their burgers with anything from mushroom-and-miso sauce to fried halloumi with crispy bacon. Eat Out critic Alida Ryder shares her pick of the top burger joints in the Jacaranda City.

Burger Bistro (Hazelwood)

If you’re after OTT burgers with toppings that will blow your hair back, Burger Bistro is the place to go. The burgers, all stacked with a range of great toppings, are paired with funny names and even funnier descriptions. The Miss Piggy is definitely a fan favourite: a 200g beef patty is topped with fried halloumi, streaky bacon and salami for R87.50.

The cowabunga burger at the Burger Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Capital Craft (Menlo Park)

The place where the cool kids hang out also happens to serve a pretty great burger. The Big Smoke sees their 200g free-range beef patty prepared in the house-smoker, Iron Maiden, before being topped with smoked mozzarella, tomato relish, onions, lettuce and pickles (R70).

A burger onion rings and chips at Capital Craft. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

DK Burger Bar (Waterkloof Ridge)

The little, edgier sister to fine-dining establishment De Kloof, DK Burger Bar serves some of the best burgers in Pretoria paired with really cool craft beer options. Their Wagyu beef burger (R129) is definitely the highlight, with a 200g Wagyu patty topped with fresh rocket, mature cheddar and house-made caramelised onions.

Ginger & Fig (Brooklyn)

These guys don’t joke around when they say that every element of their burger is homemade. The soft, fluffy rolls are baked in-house daily; every condiment is lovingly crafted; and the patties are made from hand-chopped rib-eye steaks to create one of the most mouthwatering burgers in Pretoria. The mushroom burger is a crowd pleaser, and comes topped with mushroom ketchup, house pickle, cheddar and mushroom-and-miso sauce (R105).

A burger at Ginger & Fig accompanied by potato crisps. Photograph courtesy of the restaurant.

Hinterland (Hazelwood)

You might expect the place that serves some of the best red meat in the capital to have good burgers – and you’d be right. Their juicy free-range beef patty comes topped with caramelised onions, mature cheddar and bacon (R95). The shoestring fries served alongside aren’t half bad either.

A free-range beef patty with caramelised onions, mature cheddar and bacon at Hinterland Vleishandelaar. Photograph courtesy of the restaurant.