The humble burger has been a popular menu choice for years but a few eateries in Brighton are taking them to the next level.
From the traditional beef burger with additions like smoky bacon and creamy cheese to a juicy pulled pork variety, there’s enough on offer to tantalise the taste buds, no matter your mood.
We tried and tested every burger ourselves to make sure these reviews are authentic and honest. Besides, we wouldn’t want to recommend a dull burger, would we?
Here are 5 delicious burgers to try in Church St, Brighton.
Soul Espresso
The burger: Wagyu beef burger ($15)
This burger is comprised of a dense, coarse and juicy wagyu beef patty served with tasty cheese, tomato, lettuce, pickles and Mamas Special Sauce – a sweet chilli mayonnaise which gives the burger a real zing. For those who like a decent bun for their burger, the thick white bread roll with linseeds and sesame seeds will hit the spot.
Value for money: 7/10
Soul Espresso is at 129 Church St, Brighton.
The Royale Brothers
The burger: Royale with cheese ($13)
Side: chips ($3.50)
The classic cheese burger from infamous Brighton burger joint The Royale Brothers was packed with flavour. The beef patty was a good size – not too thick or too thin – and was layered with a slice of gooey, melted cheese, onion slices, lettuce, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise and Royale sauce between a delicate milk bun. While there was no compromise on flavour in this burger, it was a bit of a challenge to eat as it quickly became sloppy to handle thanks to the juicy patty and generous amount of sauce. The best approach is to go all-in and expect to end up with a little sauce on your chin! The chips were tasty too – golden in colour, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, finished with a savoury salty seasoning. The upside is the super quick turnaround – simply place your order at the counter and collect when your buzzer rings.
Value for money: 8/10
The Royale Brothers is at the rear of 1 Church St, Brighton (behind The Pantry).
Track Three Espresso
The burger: Pulled pork slider ($7.50 small; $14 large)
For those who want to venture beyond the traditional beef burger, do yourselves a favour and get onto this winner at Track Three Espresso. The pulled pork is incredibly juicy and packed with flavour, and is served on a light but crispy bun. The highlight of this burger is the sweet onion jam (relish) which works well to offset the savoury flavours, while the house slaw balances it out with the right amount of acidity. All in all, the flavours work really well together and make for a satisfying meal. Just be sure to eat with a napkin in hand and these sliders are rather juicy.
Value for money: 8/10
Track Three Espresso is at 1 Railway Walk, Brighton.
The classic burger with heritage bacon from Half Moon.
Half Moon
The burger: Classic burger with heritage bacon, sweet mustard, aged cheddar, dill pickles and shoestring fries ($19)
It was hard not to enjoy this burger which incorporated so many elements that make a fine flavour combination. The beef patty was thick and juicy and paired with delicious smoky bacon, melted cheese, pickles, tomato and lettuce. A winning element of this burger was the house sauce which was the perfect addition to bring all the flavours together. The burger was served in a soft, seeded brioche-style bun, leaving more room to fit the good stuff in. The side of salty, shoestring fries was a great accompaniment.
Value for money: 9/10
Half Moon is at 120 Church St, Brighton.
White Rabbit Restaurant
The burger: White Rabbit Whopper ($21.90)
Of all the burgers we tried during our taste testing, the White Rabbit Whopper was a standout for its flavours, texture and one surprising element – a sweet yet tangy relish. The succulent beef patty was dense but juicy and served with smoky and crispy bacon, sharp provolone cheese, Dill pickled cucumber, lettuce and finished with a sweet beetroot and caramelised onion relish. This surprising ingredient made for an incredible and interesting flavour combination, putting this burger in a league of its own. The side of fat Bad Boy Chips were also good but we’ll be honest, we were pretty fixated on the burger.
Value for money: 10/10
White Rabbit Restaurant is at 118 Church St, Brighton.
