Burger Bar
Kolksteeg 6
Warmoestraat 21
Reguliersbreestraat 9

It’s Amsterdam’s have-it-your-way burger place, and there are three convenient locations in the city. Start off by choosing your beef, from Irish to portobello mushroom. Then pick some seriously savory toppings, from blue cheese to a fried egg. The Warmoesstraat spot has the most room, with Pilsner beer on tap and a lively buzz. What’s great about these guys are their late grub hours, open until 3 a.m. daily, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Burger Bucks: €5 for a basic burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle and burger sauce.

Burgermeester
Albert Cuypstraat 48
Elandsgracht 130
Plantage Kerklaan 37

My top choice for a burger. Their creative list of burgers and monthly specials can be exotic like Korean, or far out like pigeon! Their beef with funky toppings make for some towering burgers, with “mini” sliders available if you feel like snacking.

Forget fries, sides are wholesome baked potatoes, or fresh fruit smoothies. That might sound odd, but so is their interior: big photos of cows watching you chow down on their relatives. Hey, whatever moooves you.

Burger Bucks: €7 – 8.50

Coco’s Outback
Rembrandtplein Thorbeckeplein 8-12

Coco’s Outback is probably the best-known spot in town for serious barbeque plates. Don’t let their motto of “Lousy food and warm beer” fool you, as Coco’s portions are packed with flavor and larger than life one-pound patties. Choose between beef or kangaroo, and get ready for American grill styles like blackened cajun or chili with Swiss. If you’re “burgered out,” go for the unlimited ribs or glazed chook, roo steak or double fillets. Arrive with an appetite!

Burger Bucks €10.90 – 15.90

Cafe ‘T Gasthuys
Grimburgwal 7

This is the local’s secret spot for a good meal. Located in a charming brown bar Dutch atmosphere, students here rant and rave about their cheeseburger with pancetta bacon, sharp Dutch cheese, whiskey sauce, pickles, tomatoes and onions. Have is with fries and a salad or as is, it’s a popular choice for lazy Sunday lunches. The beer selection is local and excellent, the staff is friendly, and the vibe is overall easygoing.

Burger Bucks: €6.75 – 11.50

The Butcher
Albert Cuypstraat 129

Although it may looks and feel like a Brooklyn knock-off (back when butchers were an obsession in NYC), and that’s why we love it. The place is tiny, with a slaughter-shop setting of white tiles and a steel kitchen. Tables are not part of the picture, but the storefront windows makes window shoppers drool. The menu is simple and straightforward, stretching out to satisfy vegetarians, hot dog hunters and fans of fish ‘n’ chips.

Burger Bucks: €8.50 – 10.95

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Still, a few chain restaurants have begun to pop up. Here are a few that are wallet friendly, fun, flavorful, and worth a look-see.

Bagels & Beans

The American classic rush breakfast of a bagel and coffee never took off in Amsterdam, but Bagels & Beans does a great job at a more relaxing and cozy alternative. These spots are little slices of American bagel house culture, with baskets of bagel varieties, an array of spreads and sandwich styles, fresh juiced fruit drinks and teas.

What surprises me is the staff is always incredibly friendly, helpful, and ready to take even the most complicated orders. It’s not a grab ‘n’ go place, but it’s perfect for a quick breakfast. And the free internet makes it all the more pleasant for business lunches.

Coffee Company

Amsterdam didn’t have a Starbucks in the city center until just recently. Rumor has it the authentic Dutch brown cafes weren’t very thrilled with the American style coffeehouse. What developed was Coffee Company, a Dutch chain that blends a modern coffee house style with a basic version of hot-and-frapped coffee drinks.

Internet is free to use when you type the username and password found on your order receipt. Opening hours are great for earlybirds, but closing hours are also early, around 6 p.m. usually. Prices aren’t very friendly, I’d say the medium-size deal is the best. Coffee Company doesn’t brew coffee beans, but I go for the Americano, and a whole grain croissant in the morning.

Burgermeester

There are three locations in Amsterdam, but Burgermeester seem to be expanding at a rapid rate. Their diner-style atmosphere is disturbed by large black and white photographs of cows watching you eat big and hearty beef patties. But for some reason it doesn’t bother most people. The open kitchen and easy-to-read burger menu (also in English) show that this burger chain is all about pure, healthy and as-organic-as-possible meals. Beverages include organic sodas, and healthy sides include mixed salads, baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus.

Chipsy King

I’m not saying these guys have the best fries in Holland, because I’m pretty sure they’re from bags of frozen ready-to-fry potato sticks. But they’re a good choice for late-night munches simply because the sauce menu is unusually extensive for a fries stand. With more than 20 choices ranging from garlic to spicy samurai, chopped onion toppings and peanut sauté sauce, you can stay basic or get inventive. And you can’t really go wrong with a cone of fries, or a shop serving until 6 a.m. on weekends!

Pata Negra

Pata Negra has three little casas in Amsterdam with tastes of fresh and tasty Spanish tapas. The atmosphere is 100% Spanish vibe, with mosaic tiles, candlelit tables with giant legs of mouth-watering jamon hanging all around. Come by in the evening, as some spots host live flamenco music, while others specialize in freshly-made €5 mojitos. It’s not the cheapest tapas place in town, but definitely the most authentic in flavor and style.

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Here are a few top diners for a double with cheese.

Betty Ford’s
Joaquin Costa, 56
Barcelona, 08001

This place is not new, but it is awesome. A restaurant and bar well-known among locals for its burgers and cocktails, Betty Ford’s is easily reached in the El Raval neighborhood just down the street from Gat Raval Hostal. Betty Ford’s also does one of the best garden burgers in town, that is, sin carne. While many burger joints try to make their own veggie burger patties, they fail for the most part. Betty Ford’s nails it, as does Fastnet.

Fastnet
Pssg Joan de Borbo, 22
08003 Barcelona
Tel: 93 295 30 05

Okay, Fastnet is not strictly a burger spot, but they do have amazing burgers served with fries, or “chips,” and pints of beer. This is an Irish bar in La Barceloneta, where a burger will set you back less than €7. Check out their terrace come spring.

Kiosko
Marquès de L’Argentera, 1 bis
08003 Barcelona
Tel. 933 107 313.
http://www.kioskoburger.com/

In the Born area, Kiosko only does burgers. Their specialty is gourmet burgers with names like “Japanese,” “Austrian” and “Catalan.” They offer many topping and bun choices, plus chicken patties and veggie patties. I had their veggie burger, and it fell apart. No bueno. But, their other burgers are extremely popular and on most nights you’ll see a line at the cash register made up of hungry burger seekers. They also serve “Rustic Fries” for just €3.

Big J’s
Carrer del Carme, 74 (El Raval)
Carrer Aribau, 18 (Eixample)
Av. Via Laietana, 20 (El Born)
http://www.bigjburger.com/

For an American diner experience Big J’s is the place to eat. There are now Big J’s in El Born, Raval and Eixample which just goes to show how excited locals are about hamburgers. A perk at Big J’s are the milkshakes, which are not easily found in Barcelona. They also do banana splits and cocktails. I didn’t see root beer floats on the menu, but that’s about all that’s missing!

Marmalade
Riera Alta, 4-6
Tel. 934 423 966
http://www.marmaladebarcelona.com/

The Wild West burger has been raved about by many of my friends. It’s served with a side of fries for €9 and was rated almost a perfect “10” by hungry and discerning customers. All in all, Marmalade is a great place to have a burger or a salad or just have drinks in El Raval. They also serve BBQ ribs, their house specialty. Their garden burger, the “Yoga Man,” is mushy and did not impress me. But hey, they also have a pool table!

Apolo Diner
Vila i Vila, 62
Tel. 93 329 8641
http://www.apolodiner.com/

Saving the best for last? Maybe. I do love the menu options at the newly opened and ultra hip Apolo Diner in the Para-lel area. Here customers can choose between hot dogs (veggie dogs), wraps, sandwiches, salads and “artisan” burgers (whatever that means). They also make their own condiments, which means if you want extra ketchup it’s another €0.75. Try their La Mala burger for €8 or a chicken burger for €6. Most nights of the week they have a DJ spinning tunes.

Also in our guide: If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona (or are already there, combing the streets for a burger joint!), you can also take our advice for great budget hotels. Our editors have visited, inspected and reviewed the best and most affordable hotels in Barcelona, each selected because it’s central, cheap and clean. Read more in our Barcelona guide.

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The long Parisian culinary tradition takes a sharp turn when it comes to the most quintessentially un-Parisian food, “le burger.”

I can hear the groans of purists who wince at the very thought of ordering “un burger” in Paris. But for better or worse, the hamburger has become something of a French staple, adopted mostly from the great American version.

Sadly, many French chefs who excel in delicious parmentier de canard and perfectly cooked steak frites have difficulty wrapping their head around the burger. Those of us aching for a diner-sized cheeseburger topped with cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato will be disappointed, but that’s not to say that all hope is lost.

Cheeseburger, coleslaw and beer at H.A.N.D. Photo: Shok

If you’re not ready to empty your wallet at Ralph Lauren’s restaurant (173 Boulevard St-Germain) for an “authentic” American version, have no fear. Armed with €15 at the most, you can fill up on a burger and fries à la française in some of these favorite spots:

1. Super Nature
12 rue de Trévise, 75009
Burger: €12

Super Nature, in the center of Paris’ right bank, is not a tourist destination at all. Located on an unattractive street in an otherwise dead zone of the 9th arrondissement, this all-natural restaurant boasts a pretty good burger. While not organic, like most of the restaurant’s offerings, the perfectly medium-rare burger is sandwiched between a delightful bun with a bed of alfalfa. The accompanying potatoes, reminiscent of tater tots, are a welcomed side dish. And it all just feels healthy.

2. H.A.N.D. (“Have a Nice Day”)
39 rue de Richelieu, 75001
Burger: €10-12

There are several American-style diners in Paris, but H.A.N.D – Have A Nice Day – is the one to try for a cheeseburger. Reviews are often mixed, but the burgers are “correct,” as the French say. While slightly small and with a mediocre bun, the Canadian bacon makes a nice, addition to a juicy burger. The fries are just fine, but get the onion rings for an extra dose of American nostalgia.

3. Le Floréal
73 rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010
Burger: €13

Le Floréal, a newly renovated café conveniently located down the street from me, is one of my favorite places, and not just because of its close proximity. This seemingly trendy but not-at-all intimidating spot does a mean burger. The meat was nestled between a perfect bun with plenty of cheese and onions to keep me satisfied. Paired with a cold beer, their burger is the perfect indulgence while people-watching from the café terrace.

More burgers to try

Some other addresses worth noting for a burger and fries under €15 euros while wandering other neighborhoods of Paris:

Café Crème
4 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003

Coquelicot (with a review)
24 Rue Abbesses, 75018

Coffee Parisien (with a review)
4, rue Princesse, 75006

Your favorite burger?

So Cheapos, what other places are there in Paris to get a classic – or not so classic – burger?

Also in our Paris Guide: If you’re planning your next trip to Paris, please check out our reviews of the city’s best inexpensive hotels. Our editors have visited, inspected and photographed more than 70 budget-friendly hotels in central Paris. Read more in our Paris hotel guide.

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