Jakarta’s burger scene has come a long way since the very first McDonald’s opened up here in 1991. Even in the two years since we last compiled a list of the very best burgers in Jakarta, a lot of new contenders have opened up aiming to win the hearts and stomachs of an increasingly sophisticated (and hungry) public. This new list has everything from surprisingly good burgers for a mere Rp 15k burgers to fancy fine dining patties topped with foie gras, but what they all have in common is that they’ll satisfy that caveman-like itch for immediate meaty indulgence we all get from time to time.
And if you’re a fellow Jakarta foodie, be sure to check out our previous “Best of” lists of including The Best Padang Restaurants, The Best “Secret” Pork Specialists and The Best French Fries.
Burger Bakar Qebul
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At a mere Rp 15k for a regular beef burger and Rp 18k for a cheeseburger, BBQ is definitely the cheapest burger joint on this list. But it’s also got glowing reviews and an overall 4.3/5 on Zomato and a 4.6/5 on Google which means you’ll almost always find a long line (of mostly Go-Jeks) at their Pasar Minggu location. It may seem too cheap to be trusted but as BBQ basically sells nothing but burgers (not even fries) they can keep costs low while still delivering a very tasty backyard barbecue-style burger. Burger Bakar Qebul, Jl. Nangka Raya No. 65, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta. 0858 10977110.
Nosh Kitchen
This comfort food purveyor in Citywalk Sudirman does a wide variety of hearty favorites well and their Grilled Beef Burger (Rp 98k) is no exception. A solid patty gets topped with tangy swiss cheese and sweet caramelized onions (always a great combination) but it’s the crisp and flaky croissant bun is what puts this one over the top. Citywalk Sudirman, Ground Floor, Jl. KH Mas Mansyur, Sudirman, Jakarta. Website
Bluegrass
One of Jakarta’s best bars also does one of its best burgers. The American Classic Burger (Rp 110k) comes with cheddar, your choice of pork or beef bacon and all the fixins. Wrapped up like a fast food burger for ease of handling, it’s a perfectly proportioned burger to hold in one hand while knocking back a beer with the other. Bakrie Tower, Lantai Ground, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan. Website
Three Buns
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This Potato Head Group venture is definitely one of Jakarta’s most famous burgers (and, with an outlet in Singapore and a pop-up in Hong Kong, the only burger chain invented in our Ibukota to have gone internasional). I’m partial to the Street Truff (Rp 95k) which comes topped with cheese, truffled onion jam and den miso mayo (they’re big on umami-boosting condiments here). Also definitely worth getting the Naughty Fries. Jl. Senopati No. 90, Senopati. 0813 83799958. Website
Burgreens
While this list is mostly focused on beef hamburgers, vegetarian burgers deserve more attention these days (especially since some of them are getting ridiculously apparently like the Impossible burger). Local vegan-friendly burger spot Burgreens not only made healthy eating accessible and hip for lots of Jakartans, they also proved it could be profitable judging from their latest outlet in Pacific Place mall and upcoming location in Mall Pondok Indah. They have a variety of patties but I’m partial to the bean ‘n’ cheese as well as the vegan spinach chickpea. Outlets in Dharmawangsa, Pacific Place and Tebet. Website
Flip Burger
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Another homegrown Jakarta fast food burger chain, Flip Burger comes from the folks behind the Holycow Steakhouses. Their standard cheeseburger is pretty good for Rp 35k but if you think your heart can handle it get an order of their fried chicken skin (Rp 16k) and put it in your burger (think of it as replacement bacon). You’ll die happy, at the very least. Outlets in Senopati, Pondok Indah Mall 1, Kebon Jeruk and Karawaci.
Union
One of Jakarta’s classiest bars (and ranked one of the best in Asia) does a burger that does the killer cocktails they serve there justice. Thick grilled patty, nicely sharp aged cheddar and bacon are a pairing as classic as gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Ordering the additional foie gras is probably over the top, but it’s nice to know the option is there… In Plaza Senayan and Pondok Indah Mall. Website
Outback Steakhouse
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Yes, the American-born steakhouse chain, which actual Australians find both perplexing and hilarious, makes some pretty good burgers. The Typhoon Burger (Rp 129k) is hefty and topped with the those unhealthily addictive fried onions that Outback is famous for. Outlets in Kuningan City, Pondok Indah Mall 1, Ratu Plaza and Lippo Mall Puri
H Gourmet
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This hip eatery / nightlife spot in Senopati does a lot of well-rendered takes on comfort foods (their cheesesteak is justifiably known as one of the best in the city) and their house burger, the H Stack, doesn’t disappoint either. The creamy coleslaw is a great counterpoint to this bodacious burger. Jl. Gunawarman No. 41, Senopati. 021 27510167. Website
Fatburger
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Among the new generation of high-quality burger chains in America (such as In ‘N’ Out and Five Guys), Fatburger is the only one to have made it to Indonesia’s shores but it’s a good representative. It prioritizes quality over both speed and thriftiness, meaning a combo here will cost you about twice as much as you’d pay at McDonald’s (but for a burger that’s more than twice as good). The veggies are always fresh and crisp while the 100% American Black Angus beef patties are substantial, juicy and not overcooked like at other fast food places. Their skinny fries are up there with McDonald’s. But fair warning, if you’re hungry you’ll probably want at least a Double Fatburger with cheese (Rp 91,589 for the combo with fries and a drink). Fatburger, Plaza Indonesia, Basement Floor, Jl. MH Thamrin, Jakarta, p: 62-21/2992-3852. Hours: 10 am – 10 pm. Other locations in Senayan City and Mall Pondok Indah. Website
De Hooi
All of the pubs owned by Dutch bar maven Bartele Santema (his group also includes Eastern Promise, Cazbar, De Burse) have solid menus filled with consistently well made pub grub, but De Hooi gets special mention for its Pub Burger (Rp 90k) which fulfills the platonic ideals of what a pub burger should be with a big plump patty stacked tall with fresh toppings. De Hooi, Jl. Metro Duta Raya Blok B4 No.31, South Jakarta, (021) 7500742.
JJ Royale Brasserie
You might not think it from their unusual decor (something like Japanese goth lolita meets Marie Antoinette) but JJ Royale Brasserie has a surprisingly ambitious menu, including their burgers. They recently debuted a new Benedict Burger (Rp 99k) featuring an Australian beef patty on ciabatta bread topped with cheese, a poached egg and Hollandaise Sauce. Brunch burgers don’t get much better than that. Outlets in Lotte Shopping Avenue and Senayan City.
The Goods Diner/The Goods Cafe
One of the best burger outlets in the city, they are also one of the few that consistently serves up perfectly medium-rare patties when asked. All of the burgers here are great but the Coffee-Rubbed (Rp 80k) is their signature for good reason. The coffee spice rub gives the patty a slightly bitter, earthy edge that plays off the flavors of the beef and the sweet tanginess of the barbecue sauce. The parmesan fries that come with the burgers are totally addictive. The Goods Diner, Fairgrounds, SCBD Lot 14, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, SCBD, South Jakarta, p: 62-21/515-2969. The Goods Cafes located in Lotte Shopping Avenue, Pacific Place and Pondok Indah Mall 2.
The Baconerie
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Obviously best known for their breakfast, this Kemang-based purveyor of homemade bacon also makes one mean burger. The Baconerie Burger (Rp 100k) plays on the restaurant’s strength by including bacon not only as a topping but also in the patty, which is 50% beef and 50% you-know-what. It comes on a delicate brioche bun, baked in-house, topped with a special sauce that compliments the pork-y richness of the patty and bacon as beautifully crisp as in your dreams. The only problem is that the whole thing tends to fall apart when you eat it, but it’s an utterly delicious mess. Baconerie, Jl. Benda 1C, Kemang, South Jakarta. 021 7883 8291
Common Grounds
One of the things Common Grounds is known for is getting the little details right, from their meticulously brewed coffee down to the plating on their dishes. Their Gourmet Beef Burger (Rp 99k) always seems to come with the cheese melted perfectly just like in their menu picture. The lightly battered, refined onion rings on top are next level. Outlets in Citywalk Sudirman, Neo Soho Mall and Pondok Indah Mall 2.
Mula Tex Mex
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Formerly the Blue Fox gastropub, this establishment’s management decided to switch gears and turn it into Lula, which serves solid Tex Mex fare. Fortunately, they’ve also kept the burger menu which was a favorite at Blue Fox. The Cheesy Melt (Rp 87k), has a luscious three cheese sauce and “frizzled” onions with the right amount of crunch. But what makes all of Blue Fox’s burgers great are the patties. Made with a custom blend of beef cuts, they have a greater depth of flavor than most burgers in its price range. Mula Tex Mex, Jl Suryo No 6, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. 021) 93700044
Pizza Barboni
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One of the best burgers in Jakarta can be found at one of the best pizza restaurants in Jakarta, surprisingly enough. Their Sexy Mushroom burger (Rp 80k) is indeed sexy, with a luscious cream-cheese based mushroom sauce and crispy bacon. But it’s the Crispy Cheddar Burger (also Rp 80k), which comes with a disc of crunchy cheddar and a fiery jalapeno relish, is so good it’s always impossible for me to choose between the burger and pizza here. Pizza Barboni 1. Jalan Kemang 1, No. 72, Kemang, South Jakarta. 021 718 1101. 2. Plaza Festival, 1st floor, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan. 021 52961411.
Belly Bandit
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A relative newcomer but this burger specialist tucked in the back of Mega Kuningan’s Noble House offers up what is undoubtedly one of the best burgers in Jakarta. Two things that are great about it: one, you can customize your own burger with tons of different options from patty (chicken and veggie alternatives) to bun to toppings and, two, most importantly the beef burger patties here are legit, made from a custom blend giving them a nice balance between beefy and juicy (the fact you can specify your doneness here also helps). While it’s fun to build your own, their signature Bandit Tower (Rp 80k), which comes topped with onions rings, bacon and bacon jam, is already a pretty great combination. Noble House Building, Lantai Mezzanine Jl. Mega Kuningan Barat, Kuningan. 021 50101862. Website
Is there a great Jakarta burger that you think is missing from this list? Help out your fellow foodies by leaving your best burger suggestion in the comments below. Selamat makan!
Paul Haubourdin says
If you’re ever near Kelapa Gading you should try Olah Burger Bar in Mall Kelapa Gading’s Food Walk. It’s a very unassuming little place (only seats about 6 inside) and has a very simple menu. The burgers served are absolutely stunning though, with good sized meat patties cooked beautifully and the best home-made fries in Indonesia (trust me, as a Belgian I know fries). It’s been my go to placr fot a good burger here in East/North Jakarta now for a while.