The Best Burger in Toronto

At this space-themed Leslieville takeout spot, tavern-style patties are made from dry-aged beef that's ground in-house. Hefty enough solo, they're paired up in the signature Space Cadet, then draped with real cheddar cheese, atomic sauce, pickles and onions. Craggy, falafel-style Martian burgers are goodwill offerings for veg-heads.

Hand-ground, hand-smashed burgers are, you guessed it, hand-crafted with all of your favourite fixins at this buzzy Liberty Village joint. Though subtle, the differences between the OG and the American should be carefully considered, especially if you have dogmatic opinions about the merits of onions that are fresh and diced versus those that are griddled.

It's been a decade since Toronto was introduced to the nostalgic classics at this multi-location chain. A collection that includes the signature Rudy, towering Big Rudy and fried onion-topped Crudy, it rests on fresh beef that's ground on-site, seasoned, then pressed and griddled into the type of crisp smash patty that sparks addiction.

In Queen West, the Financial District and more, the scent of sizzling beef emanates from locations of this diner-inspired local chain. Craving newfangled toppings, outré combos and unprecedented options? Look elsewhere. If, however, you find supreme solace in the synergy of quality beef, American cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard, this spot has your number.

A Matty Matheson destination for the frugal set, this West Queen West burger shop specializes in caramelized AAA beef accessorized with American cheese, white onions, pickles and Matty's signature sauce. Those requiring more substance than the standard 3-ounce smash patty can provide will find nirvana in the Matty, a still-pink-in-the-middle, 7-ounce monster. 

Signature smash patties find their way into a host of menu items at this quick-service restaurant with locations in King West and Little India. Order yours with simple garnishes or go wild, with spicy back bacon, garlic mayo, spicy ketchup and hot peppers. Either way, you'll discover that the team's aggressively squashed, 4-ounce beef patties are always the stars. 

Modesty—by way of a name that stands for "Just Another Burger Spot"—is built into this St. Clair West burger shop's DNA. Still, with its menu of smashed and Oklahoma-style burgers made from generously seasoned beef that's crowned with sweet onion jam, zippy signature sauce and other non-negotiables, other names might be more apropos. 

Locations of this home-grown chain abound, meaning that its OG smash burgers are never hard to find. Though there's plenty to love about the classic, the team's creative bent also means that burgers can be sandwiched between grilled cheese buns, topped with fried jalapeños or crammed with a golden, panko-crusted, cheese-stuffed mushroom cap.

Of all the ingredients used in the towering burgers, sauce-slathered fries, dirty sodas and ice cream-forward shakes at this Yonge & St. Clair restaurant, restraint is conspicuously absent. Made from aged beef that's ground fresh daily, the menu of juicy burgers—from the fiery Raging Bull to the onion-loaded Oklahoma Cow—is bold bait for those wanting to lean into the excess.