Sutton, Burgers, Etc Restaurant Guide

“A traditional pub with great ales and good food” – this madeover free house in Brentford claims justifiably (if ungrammatically) to be ‘a backstreet boozer doing it different!’. This includes an ‘eclectic’ food offering (from Moules Mariniere + fries to Sichuan Spiced Pork Ribs) and 14 kegs on tap (four with real ales, three with real ciders and the remainder natural wines).

Gordon Ramsay’s four-year-old fast-food chain – one of several diffusion brands from the TV chef – has half a dozen sites across the capital. Views on it have always been somewhat mixed and became even more polarised this year: between those who consider it “a great new discovery” and those who feel it’s “disappointing for an upmarket burger”.

“No gimmicks and great flavours” is the recipe for a “semi-religious experience” at this small group (which also has three delivery-only outlets): for its many fans, “still the gold standard by which all burgers in the UK should be judged”. “Gloriously juicy meat with just the right amount of extras” all “comes together in the most mouth-watering way”. You “don’t come for the experience” though: they are “very cramped when busy”, if “still somehow cool”. In August 2024 they opened a new site not far from London Bridge.

“Ambience is not key when you just want to stuff your face!” – you “just get a great dirty burger” at these tongue-in-cheek diners, whose signature offering is the ‘Dead Hippie’. Founded 16 years ago from the back of a truck by Scott Collins and Yianni Papoutsis, at the time a technician with the English National Ballet, it now has 15 London outlets and a national delivery operation.

“Love this new spot on the river off Barnes High Street” with riparian views from its upstairs dining room windows and “really good food”. It’s a passion project from local boy Joe Grossman, founder of Patty & Bun, that is “several cuts above regular pub standard” – “the waiting staff are friendly, and able to recognise exactly which glass of wine has been requested without having to point at the menu!”. On second thoughts, it “calls itself a pub, but is really a restaurant”.

Review: “Sinfully good” burgers are delivered with “quick and efficient service” – and “genius free soft serve ice cream” (which accompanies your bill) – at this independent group with a handful of outlets around London. Former nurse Liz Down and her husband Stew started out in 2016 with a stall on Broadway Market, inspired by working holidays in the Canadian Rockies. Top Tip – “indulge in the guilty pleasure of their dry-aged beef glazed in miso with double cheese”.

Gordon Ramsay’s four-year-old fast-food chain – one of several diffusion brands from the TV chef – has half a dozen sites across the capital. Views on it have always been somewhat mixed and became even more polarised this year: between those who consider it “a great new discovery” and those who feel it’s “disappointing for an upmarket burger”.