With the mercury falling and most of us hurriedly unpacking our winter wardrobe, few things warm the heart like a hearty burger with a substantial side serving of chips. Whether you like yours beefy, BBQ-basted and flame-grilled, or gamey, pan-fried and drenched in creamy sauce, we’ve scoured the country’s eateries to bring you a list of some of the best burger joints in your ’hood.

Cape Town

Café Manhattan
Try: The Madison Square Burger, a 250g ground-beef patty topped with blue cheese and caramelised onion.
Side: Chips
Price: R59

Hudson’s
Try: The Works burger, a house-ground patty topped with cos lettuce, red onion, mature cheddar, mustard, mayo, dill pickle and tomato relish.
Sides: Fries or a house salad.
Price: R35–R46

Beefcakes
Try: Buffy the Hamburger Slayer, a 200g beef patty, topped with a thick slice of cheddar cheese, caramelised onion, avocado, bacon and drenched in a creamy mushroom sauce.
Sides: French fries, spicy wedges or a house salad.
Price: R79

Woodlands Eatery
Try: The vegetarian burger, a chickpea, lentil and oat bran patty topped with gooseberries, beetroot, cherry tomatoes and spring onion, with a yoghurt dressing. For something more decadent, try the 250g beef burger with three-cheese sauce, gherkins, mayo and home-made sundried tomatoes.
Side: Roast baby potatoes
Price: R40–R55

Fire and Ice
Try: Try the Spicy Killer Point, a Moroccan spiced lamb burger with cucumber raita and pickled eggplant. Choose from a huge selection of sauces, including unusual but tasty choices such as lemon wasabi, Lindt and chilli, and a delicious three-peppercorn cream sauce.
Side: Crispy chips.
Price: R85

Johannesburg

Dukes
Try: The flagship Dukes burger made with a pure beef patty topped with tomato relish, Cheddar, egg, mushroom, pineapple, bacon, deep-fried tomato, gherkins and onion rings. The Fokofpolisiekar is available on Band Night and comes highly recommended.
Sides: Sweet potato wedges, potato wedges chips or salad.
Price: R75

Gourmet Garage
Try: Build a burger of your own choice, using ingredients including bacon, egg and five different types of cheese. Choose a sauce from a selection of 18, including the interesting and delicious peanut butter sauce.
Sides: Chips, mash, salad, onion rings or stir-fry.
Price: R63.95

The Grillhouse
Try: The basted, flame-grilled 200g beef burger.
Sides: Chips, rice, baked potato, veggies or salad.
Price: R54.95

2B Cuisine
Try: The 250g lamb burger topped with red-onion marmalade and mint mayonnaise.
Side: Onion rings.
Price: R72

Fruits and Roots
Try: The Mighty Burger, with a patty made of borlotti beans, quinoa, butternut and shitake mushrooms, topped with a tofu mayonnaise.
Sides: Chips or salad.
Price: R49

Pretoria

Ed’s Diner
Try: The halloumi and sweet chilli burger, or the sun-dried tomato and mozzarella.
Sides: Chips, side salad, onion rings or veggies.
Price: R70

Lollipop Roadhouse
Try: The Blondie Burger, made with a pure beef patty and topped with cheese, bacon and egg and a 100g fillet steak.
Sides: Chips, salad, veggies or deep-fried onion rings. (Sides not included in price)
Price: R46

Durban

Deluxe Burger Bar
Try: The Camembert Burger, a pure beef patty topped with Camembert, crispy bacon and balsamic onions, or the Philadelphia, topped with cream cheese, sweet chilli sauce, bacon and coriander. Sides: Chips, sweet potato chips, salad or onion rings. Price: From R68

Billy the Bums
Try: The Johnny Chunk, a 200g freshly ground beef patty topped with bacon, avocado, cheddar and a Cajun and jalapeno sauce.
Sides: Chips or onion rings.
Price: R70

De Leuwen Jagt
Try: The Seidelburger, a 200g lamb patty topped with sautéed onions, bacon, mozzarella and tomato chutney.
Side: Chakalaka-spiced potato wedges.
Price: R89

La Vigna
Try: The gourmet sirloin burger with mature Brie, bacon, red-onion chutney and slow-roasted tomatoes.
Sides: French fries or salad.
Price: R78

The Red Leaf Restaurant
Try the: Signature Pinotage Burger, a 250g beef patty served with Pinotage onion marmalade.
Sides: Chips or salad.
Price: R80

By Annette Klinger