For purists
Dirty Burger
Hidden in the car park of a Kentish Town office block is a very cool little corrugated iron shed where you can get excellent burgers (£5.50). If you’re an early bird, you can try a Dirty Breakfast (an egg and sausage or an egg and bacon bap, available until 11am). If you’re there later, enjoy a Camden pale ale or Aspall cyder.
79 Highgate Road, NW5 (020 3310 2010; eatdirtyburger.com)
For a quick, hearty lunch
Patty & Bun
This place is all about cheap chic, with a cartoon character prancing along the pipework. Get there early for lunch and grab a portion of posh fast food. Go traditional with a cheeseburger (£7.50), or try something spicier: there are lamb burgers with cumin aïoli, and a vegetarian option with Portobello mushrooms and slaw.
54 James Street, W1 (020 7487 3188; pattyandbun.co.uk)
For a soul-food feast
Lucky Chip at Sebright Arms
If brick cladding and a touch of neon do it for you, make haste to the Sebright Arms — this place is retro and fun. Lucky Chip was one of the first of London’s street-food sellers, but now you don’t have to trail around town seeking out its burgers (from £6.50) as it has set up shop at this East End pub (plus a couple of other locations).
31-35 Coate Street, E2 (luckychipuk.com)
Photographs by Steven Joyce
