Two Cape Town burger joints rank among the best in the world

Cape Town’s food scene has picked up another international nod, this time for the humble burger. Two restaurants in the Mother City, Zuney Wagyu Burgers (#22) and Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room (#17), feature on Big 7 Travel’s list of the 50 best burgers in the world.

For travellers planning a trip to Cape Town, it’s a handy tip: two proven burger stops, with very different takes on the same idea.

#22 Zuney Wagyu Burgers: farm-to-table Wagyu

Zuney is no newcomer to the spotlight: Time Out ranked its Wagyu burger second best in the world in May 2026, behind only Tokyo’s Smash Things.

What sets it apart is the beef. Zuney raises its Wagyu on its own farms, so the meat comes from South African pastures rather than being flown in, which gives the burger a genuine farm-to-table story. The classic cheeseburger keeps the focus on the beef, and the bacon and cheese version suits anyone who wants even more of it.

You’ll find Zuney Wagyu Burgers on Kloof Street in Gardens and at Time Out Market Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront. The Waterfront branch is the easy option if you’re sightseeing nearby or short on time.

#17 Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room: the old-school classic

Clarke’s is a long-time Cape Town favourite for a relaxed meal and a quiet drink, and for many visitors the burger is the highlight. It keeps things simple: a thick, well-cooked patty of South African beef with minimal toppings, the old-school way.

You’ll find it at 133 Bree Street in the Cape Town City Centre, within easy reach of many central hotels, hostels and sights. That makes it a good fit after a long day of sightseeing, when you want something satisfying rather than spectacular.

How the ranking works

Big 7 Travel’s annual list looks beyond the patty. It considers the quality and cooking of the beef (or alternatives), how well the bun, cheese, toppings and sauce work together, signature creations, diner feedback, atmosphere and value for money. That makes it more useful for travellers than a simple “biggest burger” contest.

The top 10 burgers in the world

For context, here is where the top of the Big 7 Travel list stands. Cape Town’s two entries sit further down the ranking.

1. Hamburger America, New York City
2. Bunsen Burger, Dublin
3. Black Bear Burger, London
4. Smash Things, Tokyo
5. Eat at ROBs, Sydney
6. High Joint, Dubai
7. Bleecker Burger, London
8. Uniburger, Montreal
9. Fergburger, Queenstown
10. RoyAl’s Chicken & Burgers, Perth

The top 10 spans six continents’ worth of burger cities, from New York and London to Tokyo, Dubai and Queenstown, so the list works as a ready-made bucket list for burger-minded travellers. Zuney and Clarke’s don’t crack the top 10, but they’re in the same list as places that travellers plan whole city breaks around. 

Why this matters for travellers

Cape Town is already known for wine, seafood and fine dining. A world top 50 burger adds a casual option for anyone who wants a great meal without booking a tasting menu.

With a short stay, a simple plan works: Zuney at the V&A Waterfront for lunch, Clarke’s on Bree Street for a relaxed meal. Opening hours can change at short notice, so check before you go.

And for burger lovers? South Africa just got another reason to visit.

 

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These South African burgers are officially among the best in the world

South Africa’s food scene has earned another major international accolade — this time for burgers.

Time Out’s global food team has released its latest ranking of the 14 best burgers in the world, and two South African burger joints made the prestigious list. Cape Town’s Zuney Wagyu Burgers claimed an extraordinary second place globally, while Johannesburg’s Mafia Bite landed eighth place.

For travellers planning a South African city break, foodie road trip or culinary adventure, the ranking is further proof that the country’s dining scene continues to compete with the best in the world.

The list included burger destinations from Tokyo, Madrid, Paris, New York, Sydney and Buenos Aires, placing South Africa firmly among the world’s top burger destinations.

Cape Town’s Zuney Wagyu Burgers ranked second best in the world

Cape Town’s Zuney Wagyu Burgers was the highest-ranked African entry and came second worldwide, losing out only to Tokyo’s Smash Things burger bar.

Located on Kloof Street in Gardens and now also operating at Time Out Market Cape Town in the V&A Waterfront, Zuney has built a cult following around its farm-to-table Wagyu smash burgers.

According to Time Out, the signature Classic Zuney Burger stands out for its juicy Wagyu beef patty, crisp smashed edges, buttery brioche bun, caramelised onions and house sauce that enhances rather than masks the flavour of the beef.

What makes Zuney particularly interesting for travellers is its strong local identity. The Wagyu beef is sourced directly from the Zuney Valley farm in the Eastern Cape, giving the burger a distinctly South African farm-to-table story.

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A post shared by Zuney /zoo•knee/ (@zuneywagyu)

Cape Town has long been recognised as one of Africa’s leading food cities, but this latest recognition further strengthens its growing reputation as a global burger destination. Visitors exploring the city’s restaurant scene can now add one of the world’s top-ranked burgers to their Cape Town itinerary.

The timing is also notable. Zuney recently expanded into the Time Out Market Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront, one of the city’s busiest culinary hotspots for international visitors. That makes it especially accessible for travellers looking to sample the globally ranked burger during a short stay in the Mother City.

Johannesburg’s Mafia Bite lands in the global top 10

Johannesburg also secured a place on the international ranking thanks to Mafia Bite in Constantia Kloof.

Time Out selected the restaurant’s Frank Lucas Burger as one of the world’s standout creations, praising its nine-hour slow-smoked brisket, glossy honey BBQ sauce, caramelised onion rings and gherkins.

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Unlike many modern smash burger concepts, Mafia Bite leans heavily into slow-smoked Texas-style barbecue flavours, creating a richer and more indulgent burger experience.

Johannesburg's food scene is sometimes overshadowed by Cape Town internationally, but rankings like this continue to highlight how diverse and innovative Jozi’s culinary offering has become. For travellers, the city increasingly rewards food-focused exploration beyond traditional tourist attractions.

Mafia Bite’s inclusion also reflects the growing popularity of premium burger culture across South Africa, where local restaurants are combining high-quality beef, smoked meats and bold flavour profiles with global burger trends.

Burger Tourism Is Becoming a Global Travel Trend

For travellers, burger tourism has quietly become part of modern city travel culture. Just as visitors seek out iconic pizza in Naples or tacos in Mexico City, standout burger destinations are increasingly shaping urban food itineraries worldwide.

With Zuney Wagyu Burgers in Cape Town and Mafia Bite in Johannesburg both ranked among the world’s best, South Africa now officially belongs on that global burger map.

The full Time Out top 14 burger ranking

1. Smash Things — Tokyo
2. Zuney Wagyu Burgers — Cape Town
3. Nolita — Madrid
4. Hanbaagaasuuteeki — London
5. Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood — Montréal
6. Spécimen Burger — Paris
7. Eat at ROBs — Sydney
8. Mafia Bite — Johannesburg
9. Kiddo — Buenos Aires
10. Ground Burger — Lisbon
11. Red Hook Tavern, New York City
12. Clan BBQ, Rio de Janeiro
13. Sick! Burger, Hong Kong
14. Grind House 1%, São Paulo 

Why This Matters for Travellers

Food increasingly influences how travellers choose destinations, and international rankings like this help shape global culinary trends.

For South Africa, having two burger restaurants ranked among the world’s best is more than just foodie bragging rights. It reinforces the country’s growing status as a serious global dining destination.

For visitors planning trips to Cape Town or Johannesburg, both restaurants now offer an easy and memorable culinary stop that combines local flavour with international recognition.

And for burger lovers? South Africa suddenly has two more reasons to visit.