Brighton’s burger scene has moved well beyond generic pub burgers. There are dedicated burger kitchens operating out of pubs, premium restaurants doing wagyu and lobster alongside their patties, and independent spots in neighbourhoods you would not normally wander into. This guide covers the best burgers in Brighton based on places that take the burger itself seriously, not chains doing a competent job. If you are looking for Brighton’s wider restaurant scene, we cover that separately. Every venue here has been checked and verified as currently open.
Table of Contents
Quick Reference
| Venue | Area | Style | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boysterous Burgers | North Laine (The Fountain Head pub) | Smash burgers, 28-day dry-aged beef | Burger fans who want quality in a pub setting |
| Moyos Burgers | Hanover (The Islingword pub) | Jerk-spiced, bold flavours, award-winning | Something different, halal options |
| MEATliquor | York Place (near London Road) | Cult burger chain, neon-lit, cocktails | Late nights, groups, the full experience |
| Matador Burger | Hove (Church Road) | Premium, stylish, gourmet toppings | Hove locals, sit-down burger dinner |
| Burger and Lobster | The Lanes (Market Street) | Premium beef, wagyu, lobster combos | Special occasions, seafood and burgers |
The Picks
Boysterous Burgers
Boysterous Burgers operates out of The Fountain Head pub in North Laine. The kitchen is run by chef Nick Wood, and the focus is entirely on smash burgers made with 28-day dry-aged beef. The patties are thin, crispy-edged and served in brioche buns with toppings that lean towards indulgent rather than restrained.
The Juicy Zeus adds truffle fondue and American cheese. Blue My Mind pairs Brighton blue cheese with horseradish sauce and smoked bacon. For non-beef options, there is a buttermilk fried chicken burger and a Moving Mountains vegan patty. The pub itself is dog friendly and has the kind of cosy, exposed-brick feel that suits a long lunch.
This is the pick if you want a proper smash burger in Brighton without the noise of a chain. The quality of the beef and the simplicity of the approach make it stand out.
Moyos Burgers
Moyos Burgers is a family-run kitchen inside The Islingword pub on Queens Park Road in Hanover. Chef Brian Moyo built the menu around bold, jerk-influenced flavours, and the signature Soulfoo Philly Cheese Burger was a finalist at the 2018 National Burger Awards. It is the burger that put Moyos on the map and it is still the one to order first.
Beyond the signature, the menu includes stacked cheeseburgers, a jerk chicken burger and a vegan option. Halal options are available. The setup is deliberately low-key. You order at the bar, grab a drink and wait for your food. There is no table service or fine dining pretension.
Hanover is not where most visitors end up, which is part of the appeal. If you are willing to take the walk uphill from the seafront, Moyos rewards the effort. The Islingword itself is a proper local pub with live music and quiz nights.
MEATliquor
MEATliquor on York Place near London Road was the first MEATliquor outside of London when it opened in 2013. The interior is neon, graffiti and caged booths. The music is loud. It is not a quiet dinner.
The Dead Hippie is the original and the one most people start with. There are also chilli burgers, chicken options and a vegan Tempeh Tantrum. All chicken is halal. Alongside the food there are cocktails, hard shakes and craft beers. The place doubles as a bar with pool and darts.
MEATliquor is a small chain rather than an independent, but its Brighton location has been running for over a decade and it has earned its place on this list. It works particularly well for groups and late evenings when the atmosphere picks up.
Matador Burger
Matador at 122 Church Road in Hove opened in 2025 and is the main dedicated burger restaurant on the Hove side. The space has a street art and mural-heavy interior downstairs and a more open layout upstairs where you can see the kitchen.
The menu covers classic cheeseburgers, a truffle option with mushrooms, and The Blue with blue cheese and caramelised onion. There is also a buffalo chicken sandwich and a vegetarian portobello mushroom burger with halloumi. It is a sit-down restaurant rather than a pub kitchen, so expect table service and a slightly more considered pace.
If you live in Hove or are visiting the western seafront, Matador is the closest thing to a dedicated burger restaurant without heading into central Brighton.
Burger and Lobster
Burger and Lobster on Market Street in The Lanes is the premium end of Brighton’s burger scene. The restaurant opened in 2025 and serves prime beef burgers alongside wild Atlantic lobster, oysters and brunch.
The standard burger uses quality beef and comes with the classic trimmings. The smashed wagyu burger adds American cheese and mac sauce. There is also a combo option pairing half a lobster with a burger and fries. This is not a casual burger stop. It is a proper restaurant with prices to match, but if you want something more polished than a pub smash burger, it fills that gap.
Beyond the Independents
Brighton also has the usual chains including Five Guys, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Smashburger. They do what you would expect from their menus. They are fine for a quick burger but none of them are the reason to search for the best burgers in Brighton.
Practical Tips
Walk-ins vs booking. Boysterous, Moyos and MEATliquor are walk-in friendly. Burger and Lobster and Matador are better booked, especially on weekends.
Vegan options. All five venues offer at least one plant-based or vegetarian burger. Boysterous and MEATliquor both have dedicated vegan patties. For more plant-based dining beyond burgers, Brighton has a strong vegan restaurant scene.
Halal. Moyos is listed as offering halal options. All chicken at MEATliquor is certified halal.
Delivery. Boysterous is on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. MEATliquor takes phone orders for collection and partners with delivery platforms. Burger and Lobster and Matador are also available for delivery or collection.
FAQs
What is the best burger in Brighton?
It depends on what you want. The best burgers in Brighton range from Boysterous at The Fountain Head for a smash burger, to Moyos for something bolder and jerk-spiced, to MEATliquor for the full experience with cocktails and atmosphere. Burger and Lobster is the pick if you want premium beef or wagyu.
Where can I get a good burger in Brighton on a budget?
Boysterous and Moyos both operate out of pub kitchens and offer good value. MEATliquor has offered weekday lunch deals in the past, so check their website for current offers. The best burgers in Brighton do not have to be expensive.
Are there halal burgers in Brighton?
Yes. Moyos offers halal options and all chicken at MEATliquor is halal.
Where is the best burger in Hove?
Matador on Church Road is the main dedicated burger restaurant in Hove. It opened in 2025 and focuses on premium burgers with gourmet toppings.
Can I get a vegan burger in Brighton?
Every venue in this guide has at least one vegan or vegetarian option. Boysterous offers a Moving Mountains patty and MEATliquor has the Tempeh Tantrum.
Final Thoughts
The best burgers in Brighton come from places that treat the burger as the main event rather than an afterthought on a pub menu. Whether that is a smash patty with crispy edges from Boysterous, a jerk-spiced creation from Moyos, or wagyu from Burger and Lobster, there is enough range across the city to keep coming back and trying something different.
