Brace Your Buns: The 11 Best Burger Places in Wellington NZ
David Harris
| Last Updated: February 2024 Why do hamburgers go to the gym? Because they want better buns!
Dad jokes aside, Wellington’s burgers do have some of the best buns around—not to mention the beef. Honestly, just thinking about the burgers in this city makes my mouth water.
So, one bite at a time, I’ll share with you my must-try places for all the best, juiciest burgers in town.
1. Burger Liquor
Address: 129 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6443851104
Burger Liquor’s crown jewel is the smoky burger. Crisp smoked bacon, barbeque sauce, crunchy buttermilk onion strings, melted cheese, and a creamy mayo tie this burger altogether. It’s a flavour bomb that will have you bowing your head in burger reverence.
For the truly ravenous, Burger Liquor offers the double smoky. Two beef patties, twice the smokey goodness, and double the cheese—it’s a burger that demands your full attention (and maybe a nap afterwards).
Pro Tip: You can turn any of their burgers into a vegetarian or vegan burger.
2. Dirty Burger
Address: 237 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6446501202
The burgers at Dirty Burger are juicy, messy, and full of flavour—everything you look for in a good burger. Their classic Donald burger is a beef lover’s dream. The burger oozes with their signature BBQ sauce and cheese. You’ll be reaching for napkins right away.
Then there’s the namesake—the dirty burger—where their legendary dirty sauce takes centre stage.
Pro Tip: Their chicken burgers are equally drool-worthy. Give the Stormy Daniels burger a try.
3. Lucky
Address: 105 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 1:30 AM
Forget luck—these burgers will charm your tastebuds. The single bomber is a classic done right: a juicy beef patty, melted cheese, and their signature lucky sauce. Simple, yes, but the flavours are anything but.
Plus, Lucky isn’t just about beef burgers. Their happy burger consists of a fried halloumi patty, and it definitely delivers. Veggies hold their own (and then some) with this burger.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying their monster mash. No, it’s not a scary creature, but a concoction of fries, pulled pork, cheese, and, of course, Lucky’s magical sauce.
4. RE Burger
Address: 5/100 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +640274660834
From classic comfort to mind-boggling burgers, they’ve got your burger cravings covered. The great king burger is a burger fit for a king. And the sticky bishop burger is a bacon bonanza—you’ll be licking your fingers clean.
The legend burger is for those who like their burgers with a little more . . . personality. This burger has a runny fried egg, beetroot, tangy mayo, and all the toppings you know and love. It’s a messy masterpiece.
Pro Tip: Get their cheeseburger fries.
5. Platform 145
Address: 145 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 9:45 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8:15 PM
Phone: +6443330322
Platform 145 is a haven for juicy, flavour-packed burgers that’ll tantalise your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Two burgers, in particular, stand out as Platform 145’s crowning glories: the 145 burger and the sticky garlic burger.
The 145 burger’s kiwi spicy chicken bursts with fiery heat that’s tempered by pickled red cabbage and crisp dill pickles. It’ll leave you with a satisfied grin and a slight sweat on your brow.
And the sticky garlic burger is for the garlicky fiends out there. It’s both decadent and dangerously addictive.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on Platform 145’s craft beer selection on tap! They’ve got a rotating lineup of local and international brews, perfectly paired to wash down your burger.
6. BurgerFuel
Address: 191 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Friday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Phone: +6448010188
When those juicy patty desires hit, one name pops into our team’s heads: BurgerFuel. BurgerFuel’s classic burgers—the American muscle single and the Ford freakout—are among their top-sellers.
The American muscle single is a true ode to American burgers. A juicy beef patty with cheddar, pickles, Dijon mustard, and, of course, BurgerFuel’s signature aioli.
Craving something with a bit more flair? The Ford freakout is amped up with crispy bacon, avocado, and yes, that addictive aioli.
Pro Tip: BurgerFuel is all about customization. So, don’t be afraid to swap the cheese, add an extra patty, or go meatless with a veggie patty.
7. Mama Brown
Address: 250 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443843604
Mama Brown’s burgers are slingin’ tasty, with their southern fried chicken burger and halloumi hash brown burgers being some of their best.
The southern fried chicken burger is a party in your mouth: melty cheese, crunchy chicken, and crispy bacon—definitely don’t wear white when eating this burger. And you definitely won’t be missing meat after one bite of their halloumi burger.
Pro Tip: Give their sloppy BBQ burger a try—it’s a sloppy joe in burger form.
8. Burger Wisconsin
Address: 57 Cleveland Street, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 3 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6443848468
Burger Wisconsin is a haven for burger connoisseurs. Forget generic patties and limp lettuce—this joint crafts gourmet burgers that’ll leave you licking your fingers for more.
The beef boss is the classic, the king of their castle. The boss sauce is the secret weapon for this burger, adding a tangy, zesty flavour that’ll keep you coming back for another burger.
Craving something a little more bougee? Then, the beef & blue cheese burger is your burger. The caramelised onions add a touch of sweetness that mingles with the sharp, creamy blue cheese.
Pro Tip: For the vegans among us, get the vegan hemp burger.
9. Wilson Barbecue
Address: 1 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
This low-and-slow BBQ joint doesn’t mess around with the patty. Their brisket cheeseburger is legendary, boasting layers of tender, smoky brisket with cheddar cheese, pickles, and their signature BBQ sauce.
Don’t sleep on their brisket burnt ends burger either—the caramelised ends add a whole new dimension of sweetness and crunch.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on Wilson’s mac and cheese bites. These gooey, golden bombs of cheesy goodness are the perfect substitute for fries.
10. The Botanist
Address: 219 Onepu Road, Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6448910198
The Botanist’s burgers are mouth-watering to the core. If you’re a cheese fiend, brace yourself for their gooey masterpiece—the dirty cheeseburger.
The jalapenos add a fiery kick, while the dirty burger sauce brings everything together. And for those who crave a touch of heat, the Sriracha chicken burger is your ultimate weapon.
Pro Tip: Get an order of their zucchini. Crispy, fried, and delicious.
11. Parrotdog Bar
Address: 60/66 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday & Wednesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +6443848077
Parrotdog Bar is the perfect place to unwind, catch a game, and, most importantly, devour a drool-worthy burger. They don’t mess around here when it comes to their burgers.
You won’t find any dry, flavourless slabs—these burgers are packed with beefy unami that’ll have you grinning ear to ear with every bite.
Order the original beef burger or their chicken burger—both are delicious.
Pro Tip: Vegetarian? Ask for any of their burgers to be made veggie-style.
