Czehoski
The ultimate in bourgeois decadence, burgers at Czehoski are made with organic sirloin beef and bison, mixed with green peppercorns and topped with Italian truffles, porcini mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, smoked bacon, espelette peppers, capers and foie gras. They’re served on a toasted sesame seed bun—and a silver platter, naturally.

Golden Star Restaurant
A Thornhill institution, this family-run burger joint has been open since 1965. And it’s easy to see why: the six-ounce, house-made patties are char-grilled and juicy, served with fresh lettuce and tomato, and house-made special sauce.
7123 Yonge St., Thornhill, 905-889-6891.

Black Camel
Forgive us for stretching, but Black Camel’s pulled pork sandwich is spectacularly good—and more satisfying than most burgers in the city. Once you try it, you’ll find it hard to go back to a regular beef patty.

South St. Burger Co.
This may come as a surprise, but one of the city’s best burgers comes courtesy of a fast food chain. A new spinoff of New York Fries, this Leaside shop has an interior that smells like a backyard barbecue. And the flame-licked meat is topped with a choice of such house-made offerings as peach or mango sauce (take that, McDonald’s), four kinds of cheese, chunky guacamole and fresh veg. The shakes and fries should not be missed.
45 Wicksteed Ave., 416-421-8559.

Johnny's Hamburgers
So the burgers come out of a box, the staff wear paper hats and service can be surly. Who cares? Johnny’s does hamburgers the way you imagine they were back when “McDonald” was a Scottish surname and Mike Myers, a former customer, lived locally. They’re cooked hot—with fire—and dressed to order on a soft and satisfying white bun. All for $2.65.
2595 Victoria Park Ave., 416-491-7222.