Where to Eat Burgers in Sydney When Mondayitis Hits Hard

Betty’s is all about classic, fresh, no-fuss burgers served in a charming, bright beach shack setting. The concise menu features five burgs: classic, crispy chicken, mushroom, pork belly and the massive, stacked concoction that combines a good ol’ beef burger with its delicious ‘shroom sibling. Throw in some fries and onion rings and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid Monday pick-me-up. Take things a sweet step further with one of their signature ‘concretes’: frozen custard concoctions that come with things like lemon cheesecake, pecan pudding or peanut brittle mixed through. You’ll emerge from Betty’s ready to breeze through the week with new-found energy.

Serving up some of the city’s best burgers, Bar Luca is the place to go when those Monday blues are particularly bad. With a pumping soundtrack, cosy booths and a bustling outdoor terrace, just stepping into this place will have you feeling rejuvenated — and that’s before you’ve taken a look at the menu. If you haven’t tried the much-talked-about Blame Canada yet, there’s no better time than a miserable Monday to do so. This mountainous concoction sees a wagyu beef patty topped with maple-glazed bacon, cheddar, poutine and maple aioli. It’s totally outrageous and absolutely delicious — no surprise, then, that it was named the city’s best burger by The Fatties Burger Appreciation Society. There’s also the ever-changing list of weekly specials to keep you coming back for more, and more, and more.

Like its predecessor, Mr Crackles, Thirsty Bird is a mono-meat venue. On the menu you’ll find chicken — and not much else. But rest assured, it’ll be some of the best chicken you’ve had in awhile. In addition to four chicken burgers, the chook-centric menu features buffalo wings and chicken piece meals with waffle fries, chicken crackling and mac ‘n’ cheese as sides. We’re cuckoo for the Katsu, which sees Japanese crumbed chicken topped with kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce, as well as the aptly-named Stinger, featuring spicy southern-fried chicken, fresh slaw, cheese and ‘special’ sauce. The tiny storefront is best suited for a takeaway meal, so get your food to go and eat in nearby Rushcutters Bay Park. Between the Vitamin D and the delicious chicken, you’ll be more than ready to face that post-lunch to-do list. Or you’ve just found a great way to knock-off after a long day.

We know a spot right in the CBD where you can have a cheeky drink and a Mary’s burger. Make your way to the somewhat-hard-to-find Ramblin Rascal Tavern (look for the three white skulls near the corner of Park and Elizabeth streets). The dimly-lit watering hole has paired up with Mary’s city outpost, so you can settle down into a comfy leather booth, drink in hand, and get one of the city’s best burgs delivered straight to your table. What’s not to love? While you could pair your meal with a little something off the all-Aussie beer and wine list, we recommend ordering a Rascal Spider to bring up that mood even more, with your choice of booze topped with Coke and ice cream. Mondays have never looked this good.

Is there a better remedy for the Monday blues than a meaty, cheesy, carby burger? If so, we have yet to find it. For a pretty great version of this holiest of cures, make your way to Paddington’s Cheekyburger. Here, the chuck-brisket cheeseburger is a melting, soft affair with expertly charred edges, complete with a good amount of cheese and a generous squirt of ketchup. Another great option is the oh-so-tender Philly cheesesteak, which sees bits of steak topped with onions, peppers and cheese.

There are also Oreo shakes for when things are looking particularly grim and you need to call in backup. And beyond the food, our favourite thing about this place is the sun-dappled courtyard out back. With walls covered in tin and quirky murals, it feels a bit like being at a mate’s barbie. Perfect for pretending it’s still the weekend.

This Chippendale favourite is great any day of the week but, on Mondays (and Tuesdays), the $10 lunch and dinner specials make it even more appealing. Our favourites here are the juicy cheeseburger and the buttermilk fried chicken number with cheese, slaw and sriracha mayo. Whichever burger you order, you can rest assured that the talented kitchen crew never commits the common crime of overcooking the meat. Served with a side of thin, salty fries, this is some of the best nosh that a tenner can buy. Plus, the pub’s decor is as cosy as the food, with plenty of exposed brick, a tartan carpet and a large outdoor courtyard.

Named after a notoriously bad-ass New York neighbourhood, Five Points brings some serious American attitude to the Sydney burger scene. This translates to soft, glossy milk buns, liquefied cheese, salty pickles and medium-rare patties cooked smash-style on the grill. The short menu has just four burger offerings, each named after one of the Big Apple’s boroughs. We especially love The Bronx, a heavily charred beef patty topped with a layer of liquid cheese and smoky bacon, and vegos will be more than satisfied with the Staten Island, a giant portobello mushroom drenched in tzatziki with marinated peppers. The beer battered chips here are thick and salty, and the milkshakes are exemplary — creamy, frothy and ice-cold. Kiss those Monday blues a sweet goodbye.

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