High Street Northcote runs for roughly three kilometres, and within that stretch you’ll find more burger diversity per block than most Melbourne suburbs manage across their entire postcode. From smash patty specialists to late-night fish shops turning out beef patties on Turkish bread, Northcote’s burger scene is wide-ranging and deeply opinionated.
We ate our way through eight venues over six weeks — dine-in and takeaway, peak and off-peak — to figure out which burgers in Northcote are actually worth your money and which ones are riding on postcode hype.
1. 300 Grams — The Smash King of High Street
Where: 313 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $12-$18, meal deals with fries ~$20-$25 Style: Smash patty, American fast-food nostalgia
300 Grams has taken the In-N-Out blueprint, stripped out the franchise sterility, and injected it with Melbourne personality. The 300 Gs is the flagship — a double smash patty with cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, pickles, and the house-made 300 sauce. The patties are thin, crispy-edged, and stacked with purpose.
The Norfcote is the local exclusive — beef, egg, bacon, onion, cheese, tomato, lettuce, beetroot, ketchup and mayo. It’s the burger equivalent of throwing everything from the fridge on a single plate, except it actually works.
The verdict: Best burger in Northcote, full stop. Consistent, well-priced, and actually delivers on the nostalgia it’s selling.
2. Sideshow Burgers — The Showman
Where: 392 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $14-$19, combo meals $20-$26 Style: Loaded American-style, fun and over-the-top
Sideshow doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is exactly the right energy for a burger joint. The Snake Charmer is a fried chicken burger with bacon that manages to be both indulgent and properly seasoned. The Plate Spinner is the vegan option — a cheeseburger built on a plant-based patty that doesn’t feel like a compromise. They serve breakfast through dinner (7am start most days), which makes it a genuine neighbourhood staple.
The verdict: A strong number two. The vibe is infectious, the menu is broad, and the quality holds up across the board.
3. Northcote Social Club — The Pub Entry
Where: 301 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $18-$22, with chips ~$24-$28 Style: Pub burger, classic Australian
The Northcote Social Club has been the suburb’s beating heart for over two decades — live music, a sunny deck, and counter meals that keep locals coming back on a Tuesday. The Angus beef burger is properly seasoned, cooked to your preference, and has meaty depth you don’t get from smash patty joints.
This isn’t a burger that will blow your mind on Instagram. It’s the burger you eat after watching a band, sitting on the deck with a pint, watching High Street roll by.
The verdict: Best pub burger in Northcote by a comfortable margin.
4. Sookie La La — The Diner Throwback
Where: 593 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $16-$21, shakes $8-$12 Style: 1950s American diner
The Art Deco fit-out is gorgeous — padded leather stools, vintage tilework, old-school filter coffee with real cream. The burgers are diner-style: thick, juicy, served on a soft milk bun. The shakes are thick enough to stand a spoon in. Not a quick in-and-out — it’s a sit-down, order a float, watch the world go by kind of place.
The verdict: The burger alone might not crack the top three, but the total experience puts it firmly in the top half.
5. Westgarth Fish and Burger — The Late-Night Contender
Where: 99 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $12-$16, fish and burger combos $18-$22 Style: Classic takeaway, late-night
The classic beef burger comes with the works on a soft white bun. It’s not reinventing anything. What it is doing is delivering a solid, satisfying burger at 10pm on a Wednesday when every other kitchen in Northcote has shut. The fish burger deserves a mention too: a whole piece of battered fish with proper tartare sauce.
The verdict: When it’s 10:30pm and you need a feed, Westgarth is the best option — and the food is genuinely good, not just available.
6. Northcote Fish and Chips — The Old Faithful
Where: 341 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070 Price: Burgers $13-$17, meal deals $18-$22 Style: Traditional takeaway, beer-battered
Has been on High Street long enough to have seen three waves of burger trends come and go. The English beer-battered fish burger is their calling card. The beef burger is straightforward and reliable — bread, meat, sauce, done.
7. Danny’s Burgers — The North Fitzroy Adjacent
Where: 358-360 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North VIC 3068 Price: Burgers $8-$14, double cheeseburger + drink ~$13 Style: Old-school, budget, late-night
Danny’s isn’t technically in Northcote — it’s five minutes up St Georges Road in Fitzroy North. But generations of Northcote locals have been crossing the boundary for Danny’s since 1945. A double cheeseburger and a can of coke for under $14. Open until 2am most nights. The queue on a Saturday night is part of the experience.
The verdict: The cheapest and most nostalgic burger on this list.
What We Skipped and Why
Coburger & Co (Coburg) — On Moreland Road in Coburg, a 20-minute walk across the creek. We’ll cover it in the Coburg burger guide.
Juanita Peaches (Brunswick) — Outstanding venue, but it’s on Edward Street in Brunswick. Check our Brunswick burger guide.
The Final Word
Northcote’s burger scene in 2026 is in good shape. The smash patty wars between 300 Grams and Sideshow have raised the bar for everyone, the pub burger at the Social Club is a reliable stalwart, and the late-night options at Westgarth and Danny’s mean you’re never far from a decent feed.
If you’re visiting for the first time: go to 300 Grams. Order the Norfcote double. Get the Mac fries. Sit by the window and watch High Street do its thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best burger in Northcote for under $15? 300 Grams’ original beef burger at $14, or Danny’s double cheeseburger across the border in Fitzroy North.
Where can I get a burger late at night in Northcote? Westgarth Fish and Burger stays open late on High Street. Danny’s on St Georges Road is open until 2am.
Are there good vegan burgers in Northcote? Sideshow Burgers’ Plate Spinner is the standout vegan option. 300 Grams also does a plant-based version.
The Verdict
Seven proper burger options within walking distance along High Street, covering everything from $8 old-school patties to $24 pub burgers. The 86 tram runs the full length of the strip, and Northcote station on the Hurstbridge/Mernda line is a short walk from most of these venues. Northcote has too many good burgers for any single list to settle the argument — and that’s the point.
Prices approximate as of March 2026. All venues visited anonymously and paid for by the MELBZ team.
More on Northcote: Northcote Suburb Guide · Cheap Eats in Northcote · Best Pubs in Northcote
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed