These essential burger destinations range from high-end takes to nostalgic staples.

Vancouver has long been a formidable burger city, and it’s now operating at a new level. Across the city, kitchens are focusing on what matters: properly seasoned beef, the right bun, the perfect sauce and technique that holds up until the last bite.

From smash burgers to dry-aged classics, these are the Vancouver burgers worth chasing (with a few notable inclusions from the Metro region).

Monarch Burger

From chef Robert Belcham, Monarch Burger leans into a self-described “high-end sleazy” approach, built on premium hand-pressed patties made from locally sourced beef and cooked in beef tallow for maximum flavour. Focused on classic cheeseburgers and sharper spicy builds, it balances quality ingredients with unapologetic burger-shop energy. One of Vancouver’s strongest burgers.

The Victor

At Parq Vancouver, The Victor’s King River Wagyu Burger leans fully into steakhouse indulgence: an eight-ounce Wagyu patty with caramelized onions, aged cheddar and black truffle aioli, served with triple-cooked fries. Their 5 to 7 p.m. after-office happy hour ($39) makes it even harder to ignore, pairing the burger with baked apple pie and a Goose Tiny Tini martini for a full downtown power move.

Social Corner

With locations in Yaletown and Coal Harbour, Social Corner’s limited-quantity burger features an eight-ounce, in-house, hand-ground organic Alberta beef patty, fontina, truffle aioli and Syrah-caramelized onions on brioche. Rich and polished, it delivers exactly what it promises.

Pourhouse

Pourhouse remains one of Vancouver’s burger standards. Dry-aged beef, confit pork belly, aged cheddar, caramelized onions and grainy mustard mayo make this a structured, deeply satisfying classic. Their crispy portobello with harissa barbecue sauce also holds its own for a vegetarian move.

The Red Accordion

Located in a heritage house on Alberni, The Red Accordion builds its burger on a six-ounce, AAA Alberta beef patty with applewood-smoked cheddar, double-smoked bacon, house-made pickles, crispy shallots and aioli on brioche. Big, layered and satisfying.

Between 2 Buns

Between 2 Buns helped define Vancouver’s smash burger movement. With Chinatown and Fraser locations, it remains one of the city’s most recognizable smash burgers thanks to crisp-edged patties, soft buns and straightforward execution.

Juicy Joe’s

Juicy Joe’s focuses on six-ounce, grass-fed halal Canadian beef smash burgers done properly. The Original keeps things simple, while options like the Truffle Mushroom Swiss expand without overcomplicating.

Burger Crush

Burger Crush delivers a California-style smash burger with Canadian Angus beef, soft buns and a signature crush sauce. The single or double cheeseburger is the draw, with strong vegan options alongside.

Jackson’s Resto Butcher

Jackson’s is a full-service butcher shop with a restaurant. They smartly keep the focus on the meat. Built on a brisket and chuck patty with house bacon, onion jam and Creole mustard, it’s balanced and beef-forward.

The Gull

The Gull Burger pairs organic house-ground beef with caramelized onions, brie, pickles and pickled mustard seed aioli. Refined without overdoing it, this North Vancouver burger is worth the SeaBus ride over.

Black Kettle Brewing

Black Kettle Brewing brings a brewery-friendly wildcard to the list. Their Bourdain Burger, stacked with a chuck patty, mortadella, provolone and dijonnaise on a potato bun, leans playful without losing the plot. Pair it with a craft beer and it makes a strong case for North Van burger credibility.

White Spot

No Vancouver burger conversation is complete without White Spot. The Legendary Burger may not be chasing smash trends or Wagyu excess, but it remains part of the city’s burger DNA. Triple O sauce, pickle and nostalgia still count for something.

Where to grab a great burger in Metro Vancouver


Monarch Burger — 3034 Main St., Vancouver
The Victor — 39 Smithe St., Vancouver
Social Corner — 891 Homer St., Vancouver
Pourhouse — 162 Water St., Vancouver
The Red Accordion — 1616 Alberni St., Vancouver
Between 2 Buns — 105 E Pender St.; 4245 Fraser St., Vancouver
Juicy Joe’s — 2004 W 4th Ave., Vancouver
Burger Crush — 755 Nelson St., Vancouver
Jackson’s Meat & Deli — 2214 W 4th Ave., Vancouver
Black Kettle Brewing — 720 Copping St., North Vancouver
The Gull — 175 E 1st St., North Vancouver
White Spot — Multiple Metro Vancouver locations