The Burger: A Global Dish With International Origins

From fast food joints to five-star restaurants, the mighty burger has become ubiquitous. Often hailed as a staple of American cuisine, its true roots are somewhat more complex. Join us as we take a virtual tour of the world’s best burger destinations to find out more.

Where better to begin than in America, the home of the modern hamburger? More specifically, in New York City, a destination as big, bold and bursting with flavour as the iconic dish itself. Burgers are something of an art form here, and native New Yorkers have strong opinions about which restaurant or street-side stall serves the ultimate version. Join them, and discover gourmet ingredients ranging from dry-aged ribeye patties, to savoury pretzel buns and melting gruyere. Best of all, in the city that never sleeps, you can satisfy your burger cravings at any time of day or night.

The motherland is another destination that punches way above its weight when it comes to serving burgers. From multicultural Shoreditch to upmarket Belgravia, every London borough has its own interpretation of what makes the best burger. Venison or wagyu patties? Jalapeños and blue cheese, or candied bacon and a brioche bun? It’s possible to get seriously fancy at the capital’s most lauded burger joints, although sometimes there’s nothing better than the original pub grub hero – a proper beef patty, dressed with crisp lettuce, thinly sliced tomato and a helping of mature British cheddar.

Sydney has close ties to the United Kingdom, with many of its residents claiming Anglo-Irish descent. But it also benefits from the influence of many other cultures, from Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to those of immigrants from all over Asia and Europe. Sydney’s burger scene reflects this diversity, as well as the country’s bountiful produce. Expect the unexpected when it comes to Aussie burger ingredients, from beetroot and pineapple to fish katsu or vegan-friendly portobello mushroom patties. Welcome to the next generation of the burger legend.

For a look into the burger’s past, take a trip to Hamburg. Although there are varying origin stories, we like the theory that the hamburger was born when chefs aboard the Hamburg America Line began serving Hamburg steak between two pieces of bread to emigrants on their way to the States. Today, many of the best burger restaurants in Hamburg celebrate the dish’s dual citizenship by paying homage to the golden era of the 20th-century American diner – which is where the simple recipe brought over from Germany became an international culinary sensation.