Ottawa has slowly but surely made its mark as a burger city. From long-time beloved staples to new kids in the game making waves, there is seriously a burger for everyone now.
But when it comes to the best burger in Ottawa, it's a polarizing topic. Some people like a thick and juicy pub burger, whereas others prefer a thin, crispy smash burger. Some prefer a nice aged cheddar and others like the classic melt of American cheese. Some are looking for something quick and cheap, while others may be willing to dish out a bit more for a more unique, upscale experience.
One thing all burger lovers agree on, though, is that the best hamburgers need to be properly cooked, well seasoned and satisfy even the strongest craving from the first bite.
I've done my best to compile a list of the most beloved and highly celebrated burgers in Ottawa so that you and your burger-loving friends will never have to wonder again. From upscale sit-down restaurants and cozy pubs to grab-and-go food trucks and late-night joints, this is the list you've been waiting for! It's burger time.
Chez Lucien
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Tavern-Style Pub
Address: 137 Murray St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Chez Lucien is an Ottawa staple. It's a homey-feeling bar that's reminiscent of MacLaren's Pub in How I Met Your Mother. The vibe is just cool and laid back, the drinks are flowing and the atmosphere is buzzing in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable.
Their food menu is nothing to slouch at either, but we're here to talk about the burger... or burgers?
Restaurateurs and foodies from around the city rave about the burgers at Chez Lu. This is a pub-style burger that comes served a number of ways, but what's important is its consistency. No matter which flavour combo you opt for, the Chez Lucien burger will come out juicy, seasoned, piled high with toppings that make sense, and with a side of fries and salad that honestly could be too much food (not that I'm complaining).
The point here is if you like a good ol' fashioned pub burger, this one is a contender for best in the city.
Smash Daddy
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Smash Burgers
Address: 298 Preston St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: I honestly think it's safe to say that Smash Daddy started the revolution of the burger craze in Ottawa this year. There have always been solid spots to get a burger in the city, but when this food truck hit the scene, it took the capital by storm and had everyone talking about it.
From the choice of organic grass-fed beef, to the custom fat ratio, to making it halal, Smash Daddy put a lot of time and care into cooking up the best product possible, and it paid off.
This is an Oklahoma-style smash burger, which means the onions are smashed right into the patty, creating a caramelized flavour you can't get any other way. The thin and crispy patty is then simply topped off with American cheese, pickles and their Smash Daddy sauce, all on a brioche bun.
This is my pick for the best burger in the city.
Skinny George's
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Smash Burgers
Address: 2241 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: If Smash Daddy is my 1A, Skinny George's is my 1B in the smash burger game.
These guys are the newest restaurant on the list, and they're doing something pretty cool.
They're a secret menu! Hidden inside the Milano's at St. Laurent and Walkley, Skinny George's has no sign and works out of the same kitchen. When you approach the counter, simply ask for the Skinny George's menu and you'll receive an entirely different list of food to choose from.
They refer to their burgers as "Miami-style smash burgers." They come topped high with flat-top cooked onions, multiple paper-thin patties, a secret sauce AND secret seasoning, and of course, American cheese.
This burger is a messy one, but it's worth the extra napkin or two. Trust me.
Corner Peach
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Seasonal Bistro
Address: 802 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Corner Peach is hard to describe. Its menu is seasonal so it's always changing, its aesthetic is casual but elegant, and its theme is really just whatever Caroline and Emma feel is right in the moment.
Their dishes vary from things like beef tartare to fried fish sandwiches, and they always have features from local farms that really show how creative their kitchen can be. One thing that's entirely consistent is how amazing the people who work there are. A sense of warmth and friendliness radiates throughout Corner Peach, and it starts from the top down.
So... How's the burger?
In a word: Delicious.
In many more words, it's a marriage of a proper ratio of ingredients and a well-thought-out concept that resulted in a classic but unique smash burger that any burger lover will enjoy.
This is not going to be the most classic smash burger you've ever had, but it's well seasoned and juicy as ever! Expect groceries on this one: lettuce, tomato, fried onion and a special sauce come with, but things like cheese and bacon are extra.
My recommendation here is to hop in and sit at the bar, order a glass of natural wine and give it a try for yourself. It might just be your favourite!
Umbrella Burger
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Smash Burgers & Chicken Sandwiches
Address: 186 Preston St. & 2183 Ogilvie Rd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: One of the OGs in the elevated burger game in Ottawa is Umbrella Burger. The lore of this burger is that it's believed to have started as an item on the menu at their sister restaurant, Umbrella Bar. The burger and chicken sandwich were so popular as lockdown-era takeout items that a restaurant all of its own was born to dedicate itself to those two legendary sammies.
This is by far the largest smash burger on this list. It's massive. However, even in its size, it doesn't lose any flavour or technical flair. It's still a darn delicious burger and worth the mess that will inevitably ensue.
They've even recently opened a second location for all our burger-loving friends in the east end.
G Burger
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Refined Diner Food
Address: 380 Elgin St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: G Burger (or Gitanes Burger) is another case of a COVID lockdown adaptation turned permanent business.
What was meant to be a temporary pop-up burger spot to help supplement their sister restaurant Gitanes became a full-time endeavor.
G Burger is a chef-inspired take on fast food, where ingredients and atmosphere have been designed to feel more upscale. They offer a variety of menu items and beverage options that are meant to feel high quality but approachable.
This is a solid burger, and they're open late!
You can treat G Burger like a true date night out. Go grab a couple of combos and a bottle of wine, and let the time pass into the early hours of the morning. This is one of the most unique burger experiences in the city. I promise.
Ottawa's burger game has shot through the roof in recent times, and it's only getting better! With so many amazing options, I wouldn't be shocked to see us become the burger capital of Canada one day soon.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
The Senator exterior.
Entrance of The Senator.
The burger and fries at The Senator.
A close-up of the burger. Right: The Cacio E Pepe and garlic bread at The Senator.
Close-up of the cookie.
Mira Nabulsi holding up her burger.