Finding a great burger that doesn’t cost a crazy amount in Tokyo is no easy task! In the recently published The Burger Map Tokyo, there were over 40 shops listed, and those were just the ones considered “the best of the best”. While some of the places on their list are also on ours, we took the liberty of adding a few Tokyo best value burgers that were more economically friendly. As the author of this article has only personally been to a small fraction of the burger shops in Tokyo, be sure to check back for updates!
Pricing notes: All of these burgers are in the “sensible” ~1000yen burger region, except Freshness and The Third Burger which are both in the 400–700yen range.
Authentic – Akasaka
Famous for their amazing broccoli cheeseburger and peach cheeseburger, it seems like Authentic can make almost any combination, no matter how unusual, go together. Don’t worry though, they have more conventional burgers and other sandwich options as well. Be sure to get the point card, because you WILL be back again (and again)!
Firehouse – Hongo
Voted several years in a row as “Tokyo’s #1 Otona (Adult) Burger”, Firehouse is your best bet for a great burger in the Bunkyo/Chiyoda area. Be sure to show up before the lunch/dinner rush, because the seats will fill up quickly with students from nearby Tokyo University. Popular items include the apple burger, mozarella mushroom burger, and avocado burger. For those with a big appetite or a devil-may-care attitude regarding cholesterol, there is the MAD burger: 3 patties, chili, cheese, and a fried egg.
Freshness Burger
With hundreds of locations all over Japan, Freshness Burger is the most accessible and most healthy upper-tier burger you can get. Grass-fed free-range beef, freshly squeezed juices, a plethora of condiments, and vegetarian options? Easy no-fuss burger dining for those in between settling for typical fast food and cork-sniffing self-proclaimed gourmet types is just around the corner!
See our review and info here.
Gaburi Share – Shibuya
Update from the editor: Looks like they’ve taken “Hamburger” off the menu, and instead it’s Japanese “Hamburg” (Salisbury steak) now.
Right across from the New South Exit of Shibuya Station, Gaburi Share features a lunchtime burger lineup that tastes just like it came off a BBQ grill. A side salad along with a generous helping of fries and a drink come included. If you miss lunchtime, there is always the “tea time” menu, which starts at 3:00pm and seems to be overflowing with pancakes.
Grill Burger Club Sasa – Daikanyama
Only seconds away from Daikanyama Station, Grill Burger Club Sasa serves up a variety of burgers made with 100% Grade A Japanese beef patties in 80g, 100g, 0r 200g denominations. Soft drinks come included during lunchtime but keep in mind that they are closed every third Tuesday of the month. If this is the case, avoid nearby Hollywood Burger, because it just doesn’t compare.
Martiniburger – Kagurazaka
Fresh New York-style burgers, cheesecake, and martinis done right – this is a place that will captivate the senses and make you want to keep coming back to try everything on the menu. On top of that, Martiniburger might be one of the most fashionable bars in the humble neighborhood of Kagurazaka.
The 3rd Burger
Somewhere in the same niche as Freshness Burger, The 3rd Burger leans even further towards the “healthy burger” end of the spectrum with mustard greens, burdock root, edamame, and other vegetables available. A nice change of pace with affordable prices, but serious carnivores may need to look elsewhere.
Village Vanguard Diner
With locations in Shimokitazawa, Ogikubo, Nishi-Ogikubo, Kichijoji, and Machida, Village Vanguard Diner serves up some quality burgers for around 1000 yen and stocks a decent selection of imported bottled beers. Keep an eye out for their creative limited edition burgers as well.
418 Kamiyama – Shibuya
A short walk from Shibuya or Yoyogai-Hachiman Station leads to this cozy little dining bar that has Brooklyn Lager on tap and burgers that go perfectly with the beer. Order the chili cheeseburger and have your taste buds bathed in seemingly endless waves of meaty goodness; it’s as if someone decided to combine a cheeseburger and a sloppy Joe. If you’re not in the mood for burgers, try their fish and chips or jerk chicken. Also open for bunch on Sundays – like them on Facebook to keep up to date on any changes to their hours.
