Best Burgers in Town

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Time Out has made a pretty bold claim recently, crowning the burgers from Doves, Dumbo's, and Four Legs at The Plimsoll as the best in town. And having tasted two out of the three, I can absolutely confirm that they have entered my psyche and lodged themselves firmly in the memory banks of my brain under the heading, "to be tried again!"

My first encounter was with the legendary burger at Dumbo's. It's not a place you just stumble upon; it’s an experience you seek out, and for good reason. My memory of it is less about the setting and more about the sheer, unadulterated pleasure of the thing itself. The burger arrived, simple and unassuming, but perfectly formed. The patty was a work of art – a thin, seared disc of beef with a crust that crackled with flavour, still pink and juicy on the inside. It was nestled in a soft, squishy potato bun with just the right amount of cheese and pickles to cut through the richness. It was a no-nonsense burger, a testament to the idea that when you get the basics absolutely perfect, you don't need any frills. It felt like a secret I was in on, a truly special discovery that lives up to all the hype.

Then came the Four Legs burger at The Plimsoll. This was a different kind of experience altogether. The Plimsoll is a proper pub, a place with a great atmosphere and a real sense of community. The Four Legs burger isn't just a menu item; it's the main event, the reason you go. When it arrived, it was a magnificent, glistening beast. The patty was thicker, the cheese was melted into an almost impossibly gooey layer, and the sauce was a creamy, tangy delight. This burger wasn't shy; it was bold and unapologetic, a masterclass in texture and flavour. Every bite was an event, a messy, joyful celebration of what a pub burger can and should be. The memory of sitting there, surrounded by the buzz of the pub, with that beautiful burger in my hands, is one I won't be forgetting anytime soon. It was a perfect harmony of setting and food.

And now, there's The Dove. It sits there in my mind as the final frontier, the third part of this holy trinity of burgers I have yet to experience. Having had two unforgettable meals, my anticipation for the third is at an all-time high. The thought of what their burger might be like, and how it will compare to the others, is something I'm genuinely excited about. I’ve heard whispers of its greatness and the unique spin it puts on the classic.

These aren't just meals; they're moments, experiences that prove that London's food scene, even at its most casual and comforting, is truly world-class. If you're a fellow burger enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to get on this journey. My brain has already made its decision. These are not just "burgers," they are "to be tried again!"

And for those of you who are now salivating, here are the details you'll need to find these temples of flavour:

Dumbo's

• Website: https://www.dumboparis.com/shoreditch
• Address: 119 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 7DG
• Opening Times:
  • Monday - Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
  • Sunday: 11:30 AM - 8:30 PM
• Closest Tube: Bethnal Green (Central Line) or Shoreditch High Street (Overground)

The Plimsoll (Four Legs)

• Website: No dedicated website, but you can find information about them at https://www.top50gastropubs.com/Pubs/UK/Greater-London/The-Plimsoll.html
• Address: 52 St. Thomas's Road, London N4 2QW
• Opening Times:
  • Monday - Friday: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
• Closest Tube: Finsbury Park (Victoria & Piccadilly Lines, and National Rail)

The Dove

• Website: https://dovepubs.com/
• Address: 24-28 Broadway Market, London E8 4QJ
• Opening Times:
  • Monday - Saturday: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
• Closest Tube: Bethnal Green (Central Line) or London Fields (Overground)

Dare to go off the beaten track and truly see what London has to offer!