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.
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.
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
- Smash Things — Tokyo
- Zuney Wagyu Burgers — Cape Town
- Nolita — Madrid
- Hanbaagaasuuteeki — London
- Casse-Croûte MangeDansMonHood — Montréal
- Spécimen Burger — Paris
- Eat at ROBs — Sydney
- Mafia Bite — Johannesburg
- Kiddo — Buenos Aires
- Ground Burger — Lisbon
- Red Hook Tavern, New York City
- Clan BBQ, Rio de Janeiro
- Sick! Burger, Hong Kong
- 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.
