Few gastronomic trends are more established than the sophistication of fast food products, and the smash burger is one of the clearest examples. It is literally about smashing the meat of the burger until it is as thin and crispy as possible. The higher point of contact with the heat creates a crust that, according to smashing devotees, enhances the flavor.
1. Galgo
The crispy crust of the smash with perfectly caramelized meat and a buttery and tender potato brioche bun are the hallmarks of Galgo, which after opening its first location in Albacete now also has a branch in the capital. All their burgers are bold but balanced explosions of flavor that combine to perfection, with a good smasheado technique and top quality ingredients. Each bite of these burgers pairs perfectly with any of the craft beers they have on the menu.
So that no one is left without enjoying Galgo, you can also order any of their burgers in chicken version or try the vegan burger. Of course, we especially recommend (and in its original version) the undisputed star of their menu, Galgo, with bacon jam and Emmy sauce, winner of the award for the best burger in Castilla-La Mancha in 2024 and the favorite of the regulars.
If you are near Malasaña, you can go to their place, or enjoy their smash burgers at home, placing an order through Glovo.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Calle del Espíritu Santo, 40 (Malasaña)
2. La Prensa
At La Prensa they flatten the meats so much that they are almost the thickness of a sheet of paper. Danilo “Smasher” was an engineer, but he made such good homemade burgers that his friends insisted that he set up a restaurant, and thus La Prensa was born.
Their commitment to smash burgers is such that they even have a chicken version that, like the rest, has two 70g pressed meats. One of the keys to the success of their best-selling cheeseburgers is that they make the cheese themselves. It also adds that their beer menu is almost as long as that of the burgers, and there are both tap and craft beers.
Price: €€€€€
📍 Location: Calle de Colón, 3 (Malasaña); Paseo del Gral. Martínez Campos, 11 (Almagro), Calle de Echegaray, 11 (downtown), Calle de Sagasta, 12 (downtown) and Calle de la Granja, 5 (Alcobendas).
3. Burgerjazz
Burgerjazz has only been in business for three years, but they were among the first to specialize in smash burgers, and although they were born as a delivery service, they already have 8 locations. Their burgers are manageable, with juicy old beef that looks like butter. Plus, you can add a very gourmet extra: Formaje’s artisan Pitchfork Cheddar cheese, which makes them even tastier.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Various locations.
4. Pink’s
The idea that they can be sold out makes you want to try them, as in fashion, gives them exclusivity. At Pink’s they make 100 smash burger per shift, and when they run out, the place closes. The success of their business model has led them to multiply their premises and expand outside the M30, although not all of them have tables to eat there.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Several locations.
5. Pacifico
Simplicity and concreteness is the key to Pacifico’s burgers. They have only three types of burgers: the classic and the Pacifico, plus a vegan option. Their meat is so smashed that it stays crispy as if it were bacon. The place is more for delivery than for eating there, there are few places to sit and the seats are stacked Coke boxes. They make their own lemonade and iced tea, a plus, especially if you don’t like carbonated drinks.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Calle del Conde de Xiquena, 2 (Salesas)
6. Milwaukee
Coming from the place where burgers are the national dish is to play with an advantage. This burger joint is owned by a group of friends from Milwaukee and Wisconsin who decided to bring the smash burger recipe with butter and sauce from these American cities to Madrid. The trip was a success, so much so that they won the third prize for Best Burger Delivery 2023 and opened a third location in the capital. The pickle topping all the burgers and the Yankee-style shakes are its hallmark.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Av. América, 33 (La Guindalera), Manuela Malasaña street, 9 (Malasaña), Bretón de los Herreros street, 54 (Ponzano) and Narváez street, 26 (Ibiza).
7. BPD Smash
BDP took the opposite route to many restaurants, first opening in Coslada and then expanding to the capital. With their more classic burgers they won at the end of 2022 the award for the best burger in Madrid given by Showdown Madrid. Now they have launched with the smash burger with two locations specializing in this format burgers with pressed meat.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Plaza del Mar Caribe, 4 (Coslada) and Calle de las Infantas, 32 (Chueca).
8. Manteca
Manteca’s were recognized as the best smash burgers in Madrid in 2023, according to gastronomic influencer Alberto de Luna. The name not only refers to the butter they use in one of their burgers, but also to how soft and juicy the meat is. The bright and fluffy potato bun stands out.
To enjoy the full experience, you can start with some tequeños as a starter and close with a havannet for dessert, a small bite of bitter chocolate.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Calle del Príncipe de Vergara, 56 (Salamanca)
9. Cesar’s Burgers
Cesar’s Burgers is the project of chef César Peña, creator of the best burger in Spain in 2022. His menu offers three smash burgers, such as the famous Campeona 2.0, made with Galician blonde beef, bacon from the Sierra de Guadarrama and his secret sauce.
They have recently closed their restaurant in Chueca.
Price: €€€€€
📍Location: Calle Méndez Álvaro, 74 (Arganzuela)