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Canada's 8 Greatest Burger Restaurants

Extra greasy or über healthy, creative gourmet with scads of cool toppings, or just a plain classic cheeseburger… the sky’s the limit when it comes to the possibilities between the buns. Grab some fries, don't forget the ketchup and bring extra napkins for Canada’s best hamburger restaurants.

By Sue Campbell & Jen McMorran for readersdigest.ca

3. M:brgr, Montreal

Though Montreal’s M:brgr does serve some regular style burgers, they also boast a unique, seriously upscale gourmet creation that will set you back $100! So if you really want to put your money where your mouth is, slap down a C-note to buy bragging rights of tackling their two Kobe beef patties, bacon, grilled pear, foie gras, brie, fig jam, asparagus, Piave del vecchio cheese, garlic roasted ham, porcini mushrooms, honey truffle aioli and truffle carpaccio along with sides of sweet potato fries, French fried onions, arugula and sweet cherry tomatoes. Sound rich?

(Photo: M:brgr)

Tags: toronto | ottawa | hamburgers | hamburger | Halifax | Canada travel | Calgary | BBQ

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96 comments

    While Peter's maybe more known, the burgers are not as good since the original owers sold the business. The best burgers are just down the street at Boogie's Burgers. They have been there since 1969 and their menu is amazing.

    Submitted by F. Morgan on Tue. 2012-05-29 8:05am

    You can't get Kobe beef in North America or anywhere else for that matter due to it's popularity in Japan there are not enough cows bred and slaughtered to even have an export of the beef. Kobe "style" beef is probably what the Montreal joint is selling so its misleading or someone is making a killing selling them fake gourmet beef much like true Extra Virgin Olive oil which is hard to find.

    Submitted by Neet How on Sun. 2012-08-26 1:08am

    For those in Southern Ontario, try Grover's in East Amherst next time you fly out of the Buffalo Airport. I couldn't believe the size, quality, friendliness and price. It was a great experience and I haven't found anyplace comparable in Southern Ontario, at least

    Submitted by Amnuk on Fri. 2012-08-31 10:08am

    Ok...a couple points that need mentioning. Weber's in Orillia serves a burger pretty much like a Harvey's burger. Nothing to write home about. We used to stop ther on the way to the cottage but it is all hype and not worth the wait. Burger's Priest is good...very good in fact. BUT nowhere near as good as "The Stockyard's" on St. Clair Ave in Toronto. I live about 4 blocks from the Priest and about 30 blocks from The Stockyard's but will always travel the extra to get the best burger I've ever had...."The Stockyard's" - best Burger in Canada.

    Submitted by T. Williams on Sun. 2012-09-02 10:09am

    The local Winnipeg Burger Club had Ms. Mikes ranked #37 in the city. So I find it funny to see it in the top 8 in Canada.

    Submitted by Mike on Tue. 2012-09-11 9:09am

    First....Great little artilce ! I do agree withth eWebers comment....I remember my dad taking me there......meh... Website = Slow......affecting the readers experience

    Submitted by John on Sun. 2012-09-09 11:09am

    Been to Weber's, I agree T. Williams, nothin' to write home about. Priest... can't help but feel it's a bit overrated. Great Burger Kitchen (Toronto) makes a fantastic all-beef burger (get the Great Burger with two patties) and if you're looking for absolutely delicious there's The Grindhouse in Kensington Market (Toronto) that makes the Spanish Fly burger. If they have a black truffled aioli when you go, get that on the burger and order a side for dipping. Best. Burger. Ever.

    Submitted by E. Barrios on Wed. 2012-09-12 10:09am

    Johnny's Buger in Toronto should be up there

    Submitted by Antonio on Sun. 2012-09-16 1:09pm

    Are there no worthy burgers in Vancouver?

    Submitted by Howard Schumann on Wed. 2012-09-26 12:09pm

    Ms Mikes has nothing on Superboys in Winnipeg! A shame they were left off the list.

    Submitted by Xaiadar on Sun. 2012-09-30 1:09am

    Try Star Ave. burger in Whitby ON.......hwy12 north. It's a " no coke...Pepsi" kind of joint, but the burgers are "no soup for you" good!

    Submitted by Vinnieboombotz on Fri. 2012-10-05 6:10am

    I have to agree with several other comments here - Webers north of Orillia is nothing to write home about. It used to be a lot better, however it has become just another burger place. I would have to agree that you need to add a few others to this list - Harpers in Kingston and Johnny's in Toronto.

    Submitted by Bob on Tue. 2012-10-16 12:10pm

    Vera's. Fantastic burger with an even more astronomical price to eat that great burger. Eat slowly and enjoy... this is one you don't want to just "hork" down!

    Submitted by calvin on Mon. 2012-10-08 4:10pm

    You're missing on a local classic: Harper's Burger Bar in Kingston, Ontario. Better than Webers and The Works (only 2 I've tried off this list). CHECK IT OUT! Delicious combinations offered and build-your-own menu as well. THE best burger I've ever had. I will dream of it tonight.

    Submitted by burger lover on Mon. 2012-10-08 9:10pm

    Peters Drive in? Their burgers are absolute crap. Preformed, frozen patties boiled in a crappy bbq sauce. I can't believe Peters came even close to making the top 10. Top 1000 maybe.

    Submitted by joe on Tue. 2012-10-09 10:10am

    Are you kidding me? Webber's burgers are flat, boring and tasteless. Imagine a McDonalds burger cooked on a bbq instead of a flat top. There is no way Webber's is in the Top 10 in Ontario let alone the country. Me thinks this list was compiled by someone in the "Muskoka" crowd who enjoy paying more for the perception rather than the product.

    Submitted by Rob on Tue. 2012-10-16 6:10pm

    Peter's is only rated the 23rd best burger in Calgary: http://burgerquest.com/scoreboard/

    Submitted by Peter Robinson on Wed. 2012-10-17 4:10pm

    Bubi's in Windsor, Ontario should be on this list. I've only had Webers of the current listed burger joints, but Bubi's tops Webers hands down. Garlicky Sauce is Mmmmm good!

    Submitted by Donnie S on Thu. 2012-10-18 7:10am

    Holy Chuck, Toronto; hands down. Burger's Priest and Weber's both overrated. The Stockyards should also rank.

    Submitted by GoboyPrime on Mon. 2012-10-22 10:10pm

    You know how I know that the person who wrote this doesn't know a thing about a good burger? Peter's in Calgary, the home of the dissapointing burger with a side of soggy frozen fries. Not even close to being the best in the city, let alone the country. You need to change the title of the article to "Canada's 8 longest lines for a burger", "Canada's most overestimated burgers" or 'Why we don't know a thing about burgers: these are our favourites..."

    Submitted by Claude on Tue. 2012-10-23 3:10pm

    The Works in Ottawa is highly overrated. You pay top dollar for what is basically fast food. The popularity baffles. The Hintonburger is Ottawa's best burger joint. In Montreal, it has to be Copoli near the Vendome Metro.

    Submitted by Burger Boy on Wed. 2012-10-24 10:10am

    If you're in the Metro Vancouver area and don't feel like driving 2 hours up to Whistler, try Hamburger Heaven in New Westminster. They make a lot of different works of art for almost any taste.

    Submitted by Bobo on Wed. 2012-10-24 6:10pm

    This list is for burger tourists, not people who want the best. Webers...you know, I love stopping there on my way up to Muskoka as much as anyone. But it's really just about the setting and the nostalgia. The burgers really aren't all that good. No real flavour to speak of, and unless you order two patties, the bun-to-burger ratio is way too high. That said, I enjoy every visit there...especially when the weather is good and the mosquitoes aren't biting. The huge outdoor eating area (and the train cars for indoor munching) make Webers a pretty unique spot....very family-friendly (including pets). Just don't expect anything special when it comes to the food. If you want a quality burger in Ontario, Holy Chuck in Downtown T.O. is THE spot at the moment. I'd actually put Chuck's Burger Bar on Hamilton's Locke St. pretty high on the list as well. They offer angus beef, lamb, venison, turkey, chicken, bison, veggie and ground bacon burgers.

    Submitted by James on Sat. 2012-10-27 5:10am

    Piling a lot of stuff on a bun doesn't often make a "great" burger.....

    Submitted by Sister Ethel on Tue. 2012-10-30 12:10pm

    Burger Priest in toronto is hands down the best burger ANYWHERE!!!

    Submitted by dave on Tue. 2012-10-30 1:10pm

    Having only been to two of the places on this list, I question the validity of it. Weber's is GARBAGE. Sure, it is a nice novelty for my daughter (eating in a train), but I can make super small frozen patties at home and don't have to pay $4.75 each, nor stand in line for 30 minutes. If I was full after all of this waiting I'd be ok with it, but the burgers barely scratch the surface. Burger's Priest is all hype...again, super long wait and while the burgers are way better than Weber's they are appetizer size (I am only 165 lbs so I am not an over eater by any stretch of the imagination) and the employees look as though you have asked them for money; could you find a more miserable group of Hipsters??? The other places featured burgers that actually looked like they would satisfy an adults hunger, however, BP and Webers BOTH fall significantly short of the mark and arent even the best burgers in the area. The Drake Hotel's burger and Sassafras BOTH blow BP out of the water and neither are much more expensive.

    Submitted by Jay on Thu. 2012-11-08 11:11am

    I am amazed by this review - I LOVE burgers and thought "oh good, I'll check some of these out!" but in almost all cases I scratch my head. First, who wants a burger that is 7 inches high - how is anyone supposed to eat it? Lately these specialty burger joints seem to be popping up with mile high burgers you have to disassemble to eat - what's the point of that? (IMHO). Relating to Peter's Drive in, I love the nostalgic feel and have been there a few times, but they are so far from one of the "8 Greatest burger joints in Canada". They are greasy, small mashed up burgers served in paper bags. Nostalgic? Sure. Cheap? Sure. Great? NO. If you want a good burger go to the White Spot and order a Double-double with bacon and mushrooms. Go to Milestones and order a California burger. Go to red Robin and order a royal red robin. GREAT burgers that will actually fit in your mouth. I'll be happy to take the author around to a few of the real "great" burger joints in Canada. Hope it helps.

    Submitted by David Burton on Fri. 2012-11-16 1:11pm

    Burger's Priest Secret Menu is online and it's one of the best secret menus I've seen, so creative and brilliant.

    Submitted by nathan colquhoun on Mon. 2012-11-19 4:11pm

    I'm sorry, but listing Peter's Drive Inn, in Calgary as a "best burger joint" is a gross mistake. Granted their milkshakes are ok.. Their burgers are frozen, low quality patties that you would buy in any grocery store and their fries are simply, McCain-type fries that a person could also pick up in any grocery store. I am not now, nor have I in any way shape or form been a part of the Peter's Drive Inn team, nor have I ever had any desire to be (i'm sure they are all great people!) but their food is sub standard at best.

    Submitted by TheAng on Thu. 2012-11-22 2:11pm

    Guys and girls honestly go to oakville, onatrio Canada of course! Go to Moe's family restaurant. Great burgers. They even have a burger challange three huge patties with a large poutine and of course a litre of your choice of drink! Try it out.

    Submitted by Rome on Wed. 2012-11-28 9:11pm

    Oh man guys and girls you should go down to Oshawa at the corner of Ritson and Dean theres a burger joint called MDs mmmmm

    Submitted by DAveV on Sun. 2012-12-09 10:12am

    the best burger for dollar ammount and flavour as well as size is in brantford ontario at admiral subs guaranteed best round

    Submitted by mike on Sat. 2012-12-15 10:12am

    Webers in Orillia hands down!!!!!!!!The best burger's in the WORLD... They have the look of a chip stand,but they go through more burgers then any Mcdonalds any where.The line up is over a hundred feet long all the time but the wait time is like being next in line at any other fast food joint.You haven't lived until you have eaten there!!!

    Submitted by Alain on Sun. 2012-12-16 2:12pm

    sad to see such a bias towards the east restaurants with the exception of Whistler. funny that not one Vancouver restaurant or burger joint was represented. guess we don't have any good places to eat here lol. try the tomahawk, vera's, red wagon or upteen dozen other great places to nosh. diners, drive-ins and dives seemed to find them very tasty.

    Submitted by Phil on Tue. 2013-01-08 2:01pm

    Personally, I've been to Splitz (Vanouver) and Webers'. Splitz is fantastic while Webers' is, well, just so-so-so. The cool thing about Webers' is the picnic area behind the restaurant. You can eat in a train car too. Splitz is terrific. Love the selection of burgers. Only downside? A little high price-wise but they more than make up for it with great burgers with many different options. Still, my favourite burger place is Lick's. A chain restaurant in Southern Ontario. Best major chain: Harvey's.

    Submitted by S. Gill on Thu. 2012-12-27 8:12pm

    Peter's are possibly the worst burgers in Calgary. Not sure how they made this list but Boogies is a thousand times better....5 Guys is better, Smashburger is better, Wendy's is better. Peter's has great milkshakes and crap hamburgers.

    Submitted by Dave T on Thu. 2013-01-31 2:01pm

    It sounds like a few of these burger joints have passed their prime. Webers isn't about quality burgers but the kids (and our dogs) like the break on our way to the cottage. We pass by if the line-up is too long. Burger's Priest is tasty but their arrogance left a bitter taste in my mouth. I tried to order one of their secret burgers and I couldn't get the name right, the cashier didn't want my money bad enough to help me out so I didn't get my burger. That's bad for business. Torontonians (and apparently Calgarians) seem to love a line-up (maybe that's how they know its good?) Maybe like Webers those restaurants are more about the social experience and less the food. I'm off to try Stockyard's.

    Submitted by Tony on Sat. 2013-01-12 8:01am

    Little Louie's in Cambridge, ON Talk about Gourmet!!!! Hands down, one of the best in Ontario!

    Submitted by Tim Willcox on Tue. 2013-01-15 8:01am

    The reynolds in Lillooet BC makes a good burger called the "whole house" i think it was.

    Submitted by SId on Wed. 2013-01-16 11:01am

    Peter's restaurant used to be good. For a really great burger make the 1.5 hour drive to Drumheller and visit Bernie & the Boys. Check them out on Urbanspoon and you'll know why it's the best

    Submitted by NailGirl on Fri. 2013-01-25 9:01pm

    An absolutely great burger, shake and fries is Chicken Burger, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia! Though they are better known for their excellent chicken burgers they also have good regular burgers.

    Submitted by Emily on Mon. 2013-01-28 3:01pm

    Five Guys Burger and Fries makes awesome old fashioned burgers and fries that are cooked in peanut oil...

    Submitted by Linda on Sat. 2013-01-26 9:01pm

    Hintonburger won Ottawa's best burger for 2012. The Works was second place.

    Submitted by kristine on Sun. 2013-01-27 11:01am

    How could you miss The Harmony Lunch in Waterloo On.

    Submitted by B Good on Mon. 2013-01-28 8:01pm

    Surprised no one from Calgary has mentioned the Chuckwagon Cafe in Turner Valley. Their house burger is amazing and well worth the drive.

    Submitted by Bryan on Fri. 2013-02-01 5:02am

    Dock'N'Duck Pub at Balfour BC (Just east of Nelson) serves the best burger. I've eaten at Peters Drive In in Calgary and it doesn't come close.

    Submitted by Kelly on Fri. 2013-02-01 5:02am

    Ate at Burger Priest this fall and although a good burger I don't think it quite lived up to the hype. All I can say is I'm glad I get to Winnipeg more often that Toronto........The White Star Diner makes the best burger ever!!! Home Made. Never Frozen. Inventive variations! If your doctor clears you, go for the Mortimer burger with cheese and pulled pork!!! Yum!!! Milkshake extracts are home made! It's a very small place but the food is unbelievable.

    Submitted by M. Clark on Tue. 2013-02-12 1:02am

    Webers shouldn't be on this list. If anything, they should be on the list of worst burgers in Canada. Their burgers are like terrible imitations of Harvey's made from lower quality ingredients and the lowest grade of commercial beef. They're disgusting. My choice as best in Ontario: the Fluffy Burger at the now defunct Fluffy's restaurant in the Esso station on highway 48 in Sutton. 18 ounces of pure high-grade beef chuck with just the right amount of fat. Yum.

    Submitted by JimboToronto on Sat. 2013-02-02 4:02pm

    Red top winnipeg RULES!

    Submitted by dpvd on Sun. 2013-02-03 1:02pm

    My fav around Halifax has got to be Ace Buger Co. Killer Flat top grilled gourmet burgers. And it's run out of the back of Gus's pub, a Halifax indie landmark! Here's a link http://brooklynwarehouse.ca/aceburger/

    Submitted by john on Mon. 2013-02-04 11:02am

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