The Best Burger Joints in Madrid

In among the tapas bars of La Latina, Mad Café offers a meaty alternative for when you’ve had your fill of Spanish cuisine. Its US-themed menu includes burgers like California (guacamole and cheddar), the Hottie (jalapeños, buffalo sauce and crispy onion) and the Texas (onion rings, bacon, BBQ sauce and cheddar). There is also a vegetarian falafel burger option, as well as other American classics like chicken wings, onion rings and nachos. A great range of local and international craft beers make a great drink to wash down your burger.

Just because you don’t eat meat, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on Madrid’s burger offerings – luckily the city is home to a restaurant whose menu is made up exclusively of vegan burgers. Forget any image of dry nut burgers you may have, Viva Burger’s veggie burgers are delicious and possibly the most gigantic burgers you have ever seen. Options include the Mexican-inspired Chironga (corn bread, veggie patty, avocado and pico de gallo) and the Italiana (veggie patty, grilled vegetables and a basil sauce).

Since 2006, Home Burger Bar has been serving up a great range of burgers using the best, ecologically-sourced local ingredients. The restaurant, which looks like a stylish American diner, gets its meat from Ávila and uses local Madrid greengrocers for its vegetables. Burgers include the Hickory (hickory BBQ sauce, cheddar, bacon and onion) and the Home Special (Philadelphia cheese, nuts and onions), while club sandwiches include the Club Tandoori (Tandoori chicken, mango chutney, lettuce, tomato and mint yoghurt). All burgers can be made veggie by adding a chickpea and fresh vegetable patty.

Founded by a Venezuelan doctor who hung up his white coat for an apron, Goiko Grill has gone from small restaurant to massively popular local chain within just a few years. The burgers look mouth-watering and taste great – good quality meat and toasted brioche buns with a whole host of toppings. Options include the carnivore-licious Threeler (three meat patties and bacon), the Chipotle (guacamole and homemade chipotle sauce) and Goiko Grill’s bestseller – wait for it – the Kevin Bacon (bacon, crunchy onions and cheese).

With industrial-chic interiors and a setting in the cool neighbourhood of Chueca, MEAT is a haven for carnivores looking for a juicy and satisfying burger in hip surroundings. The restaurant keeps things simple, with just two burger options – a classic cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and a monthly special – a rotating choice that changes every four weeks. You don’t need a million different options when the product is this tasty.

This burger bar adds a huge dose of cool to the residential neighbourhood of Chamberí, just north of the centre. The walls are scrawled with graffiti and filled with vintage film posters, while the burgers on offer are big, tasty and satisfying. Options include the Bleu (sun-dried tomatoes, caramelised onion, mushrooms, rocket and blue cheese) the Mexican (tomato, cheese, onion, guacamole, jalapeños and spicy sauce) and the Veggie (a patty made from chickpeas with all the trimmings). Their stamp card will get you a free burger after nine visits – a great excuse to make it a regular stop.