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.

The post Barcelona: Best burgers and diners in town appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

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.

The post Paris: Where to find the best burgers (à la francaise) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.