10 burger places you should know in KL

KL’s burger bar scene is bursting at the seams. Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous boom in burger joints, each trying to stamp a signature onto their craft to set themselves apart from the rest. Here are some of the best burger places in Kuala Lumpur.

1. MyBurgerLab

Burger-making is both a science and an art form at My Burger Lab. Their special ‘smash’, for which meat is flattened into balls and mashed, ensure the juiciest patties which are then stuffed into a jet-black bamboo charcoal bun, lovingly topped and smothered in sauce. The buns are baked daily for that fresh-from-the-oven taste; they have the ideal balance of a light, crispy crust outside with a soft and fluffy inside.

The Beautiful Mess burger is exactly that; a beef patty oozing with sharp Cheddar cheese, fried portabellas, a sunny-side up and honey mustard sauce. If you are not completely satisfied with their glorious creations, you can personalise your burger with an array of add-ons. My Burger Lab: making the world a happier place one burger at a time.

See also: MyBurgerLab: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for My Burger Lab here

2. Burger Junkyard

If the smells seeping for Burger Junkyard’s kitchen don’t grab your attention, their eye-catching graffiti wall is sure to. This fantastically finger-licking burger joint (no cutlery supplied here) offers up classics with an inventive twist. Their unique ‘steamed cheese’ will get your digestive juices flowing; an almost magical concoction of pressed Cheddar, sharp Cheddar and smoked mozzarella all melted together and poured over your burger just before serving. Each patty is paired with well-thought-out ingredients and the sweet and buttery brioche buns add a wonderful sweet-vs-savoury element.

A popular pick is the Buffalo Soldier burger with char-grilled chicken thigh, Buffalo hot sauce, celery, tomatoes and scallion root sour cream; a winning combination of sweet, sour and spicy. The Balsamic Beefin’s Onions burger is a tangy delight with caramelized French onion chutney, roasted tomatoes, pickled beetroot, balsamic-raisin sauce and fresh garden greens. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available, such as The Ratatouille burger, spilling over with soft stewed courgette, aubergine, bell peppers and tomatoes; delightfully sloppy! Be sure to leave room for one of the stand-out desserts. The creamy panna cotta is creamy, light and wobbles obligingly when shaken.

See also: Burger Junkyard: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Burger Junkyard here

3. KGB Killer Gourmet Burgers

Following KL’s burger boom, KGB set out to distinguish their burgers from the rest. Their beef patties are made from Australian 100% grass-fed beef that contains less fat, cholesterol and calories than your average burger, but maintains all the flavour. KGB’s signature buttery, yellow-hued buns are proudly brandished with their logo; a stamp of quality perhaps? Mirrored walls give the illusion of space in this cosy, all-American-style joint. Hungry diners browse the chalkboard menu where there is the choice between regular or gourmet burgers; the latter using a thicker and juicier patty.

The Shack burger, a smashed patty, sharp Cheddar cheese and a zesty NYC-inspired ‘Shack sauce’,  is exactly what a cheeseburger ought to be; no more, no less. If you’re brave enough, take on The Bash. You’ll have to push down the layers of beef, bacon relish, Provolone cheese, caramelized onions and maple cornflakes, unless you have a mouth the size of a bulldog! This burger is sumptuously juicy and the Cornflakes provide a childhood-evoking ‘crunch’. Possibly one of the spiciest burgers around is The Bobcat. The tender grilled chicken is spread liberally with an eye-popping green chilli slaw and jalapeno mayo for a spicy-tangy burst. Wash it all down with KGB’s fresh lemonade or passion fruit juice, served in a clear pack punctured with a straw, just like your favourite childhood juice box.

See also: KGB Killer Gourmet Burgers: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for KGB Killer Gourmet Burgers here

4. Harley’s

Harley’s Malaysian founder dreamt of bringing no-frills, back-to-basics burgers to KL. Selected cuts of meat, crispy lettuce, melty cheese and tasty secret sauce make his burgers a simple and comforting treat. For extra hungry customers, there is the option to double- or triple-up on patties or order yourself a side of the moreish crunchy fried chicken.

For burger beginners, there are basic beef and chicken burgers for a cheap and cheerful RM6.90+. For the more adventurous eater, the 2×2 Beef Burger with its smoky and pleasantly charred patty and a choice of ‘classic’ or ‘secret’ sauce is a sure-fire winner. Harley’s outdoor seating section is perfect for a cool evening; inventively-designed for a family-friendly and spacious feel. When the sun is scorching, hop back inside for air-conditioned relief.

See also: Harley’s: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Harley’s here

5. The Grind Burger Bar

Situated on the highly competitive strip of Section 17 that houses the like of The Humble Pie Co. and Kanna Curry House, The Grind Burger Bar serves its gourmet burgers to brewing crowds. This is not your ordinary burger joint; with its exposed red brick walls, long bar and ingenious moody lighting, you’ll feel as if in an uptown Soho bar rather than a sloppy burger joint. The Grind is known to serve some of the best onion rings in town and their Swedish meatballs with house gravy and Lingonberry jam will have you ignoring the main attraction.

But back to the burgers; the JD Burger with secret Jack Daniel’s sauce, crispy bacon, Cheddar, onion slivers, tomato and a pork patty is an instant classic. Make the most of their revered onion rings with the Lord of the Rings burger, stuffed with a pork patty, onion rings and bacon. The crispy battered onions add a textural crunch to the ensemble. T

The Grind is all about helping you get your five-a-day. Expect the unexpected with peach halves and pineapple slices appearing in some of their concoctions. Finally, for the carb-avoiders among us, burgers are no longer ‘out’. Bun-free burgers are available too.

See also: The Grind Burger Bar: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for The Grind here

6. The Daily Grind

Hiding in the shadow of Bangsar Village is another trendy hangout for burger fans. Burgers at The Daily Grind draw inspiration from around the world. Representing the UK is the All Day Breakfast Burger; the whole works, topped with baked beans and a runny sunny-side up, all sandwiched into an English muffin.

Italy marks its ground with the Italian Mozza Burger; a beef patty with melted mozzarella, grilled peppers, smoky tomato sauce and basil pine nut pesto. Another Mediterranean marvel is the My Big Fat Greek Burger featuring a flavourful lamb patty, grilled eggplant, cucumber yoghurt and Greek salad. Heading over to Asia, The Daily Grind give you a spicy Vietnamese-inspired chicken Bahn Mi Burger with creamy chicken liver pate, pickled cucumber, carrot, jalapeno, chilli and fresh coriander. Attention to details is paid to every element of the burgers.

The Daily Grind even makes its own ketchup from fresh pureed tomatoes.

See also: The Daily Grind: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for The Daily Grind here

7. Burgertory

Sinning seldom gets deadlier than at Burgertory, where their juicy patties are transformed into burger bacchanalia. Rows of wooden workbench seating, complete with exposed nuts and bolts, and illuminated by industrial-type lighting give a surprisingly relaxed feel.The canteen-style ordering system will take you back to your school days; line up at the counter to place your order, fill your drinks cup at the ‘help yourself’ free flow drinks area and receive your meal stuffed into a brown paper bag and placed in a metal basket along with your choice of sides.It’s certainly not grand, but we love the laid-back, ‘dining amongst pals’ atmosphere.

The Pioneer burger; a pork patty partnered with blushing crab meat, cabbage, Cheddar cheese, tobiko and pimento sauce is pure gluttony, as is the Burgertory Treasure, brimming with croutons of crispy pork lard. For those who can resist the meaty temptations, try the Mixed Grain Burger with a protein-packed chickpea and bean patty topped with caramelized onions. Swap out your fries for a healthy apple salad which perfectly complements pork. Did you know: the restaurant was built by the staff members themselves; check out the ‘storyboards’ that line the restaurant’s walls.

See also: Burgertory: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Burgertory here

8. Buns Burger Bar

Image courtesy of Buns Burger Bar

Exposed brick walls, a concrete floor, steel chairs, light wooden tables and black-and-white illustrations give Buns Burger Bar all the airs and graces of a contemporary downtown art gallery rather than a burger joint. This ‘Instagram ready’ restaurant has become a trendy hang-out spot for carb-cravers.

The S.E.A Burger oozes Asian flair with a lemongrass-infused beef patty, fish sauce, coriander, sambal mayo, carrot, daikon radish and cucumber. The Guac is generously topped with lashings of house-made guacamole and hand-chopped tangy salsa for a taste of Mexico. For a lighter seafood offering, opt for the Scampi-dori with refreshing cucumber ribbons and citrusy lemon-mint mayo. The vegetarian options at Buns are no bland affair; The Shroom Burger comes with a juicy mushroom, crispy corn tempura and fiery siracha mayo.

What sets Buns apart from the rest are their unique side dishes, such as ox tongue with radish, cheesy potato croquettes with fruity raspberry sauce, garlic prawns and lamb meatballs; all served in mini skillets. Buns is also dedicated to giving you a sweet ending, calling upon the baking brilliance of Switch Café founder, Lim Cheng Cheng for her incomparable cakes.

See also: Buns Burger Bar: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Buns Burger Bar here

9. Fatboy’s Burger Bar

Fatboy’s provides diners with ‘build-your-own’ burger satisfaction, giving us the go ahead to pig-out with no boundaries in their black, red and white ‘art-attack’ eatery. Choose your bun, patty, sauce and add-ons to construct your perfect flavour symphony. Fatboy’s signature barbecue sauce is a popular choice, but if you are not a fan, try the roasted garlic aioli, wasabi mayo, chipotle, blue cheese, hot wings sauce or even peanut butter and Nutella! Add-ons are similarly plentiful in their variety, from classic salad items, pickles and cheeses to more inventive choices such as chutneys and even fruits for a sweet hit.

Feeling like a deer in the headlights? If you are overwhelmed by the choice let Fatboy’s do the hard thinking and order from their menu of creations. The Fat Basterd Burger is their ultimate combination of double beef patties, bacon, Cheddar cheese, an egg and their BBQ sauce. The Holy Caesar burger sandwiches tender chicken, classic Caesar dressing and crumbly parmesan into a fluffy sesame seed bun. All this burger talk is Jamaican me Hungry; Jerk-seasoned bacon stuffed pork patty with sundried tomatoes and crunchy house-made coleslaw.

See also: Fatboy’s Burger Bar: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for Fatboy’s Burger Bar’s here

10. The Counter Burger

The Counter elevates the concept of building your own burger to dizzying heights – pick from five types of patties (halal-certified beef, turkey, chicken breast, hand-cut ahi tuna or vegan veggie, in weight categories of 150gm, 225gm or 450gm), then choose from a dozen cheeses, 23 kitchen-made sauces and 44 toppings, packaged in a pretzel bun, brioche-style bun, multigrain bun, ciabatta, English muffin or sourdough bread. It’d take more than a lifetime to try every potential combination.

See also: The Counter Malaysia at Pavilion: Restaurant Review
Find: Contact details and map for The Counter Burger here

So there you have it; KL seems to have all bases covered on the burger scene, from fast-food simplicity to the more gourmet touch. Which one will win over your heart and more importantly, your stomach?