Let’s go back in time to the United States, when hamburger meat—instead of being shaped— was simply placed on a sizzling griddle and pressed, making it even more delicious thanks to the crust that gives it a special flavor. This is what we call smash burgers—a product distinct from typical hamburgers, of which we also have a few favorites.
Chemically speaking, this reactive process is called the Maillard reaction, which occurs when amino acids and sugars react (caramelization) at high temperatures on the griddle, releasing more than 100 types of aromas.
It’s true that the explanation isn’t very elegant, but it certainly makes anyone’s mouth water.
I’ve been enjoying smash burgers since I was a “little kid”
@vleandro
The first hamburger I ever tasted— on a bun, the way we usually eat them today—was when I was still a kid, at a restaurant across from the house where I lived until I was 18.
And it was a smash burger right from the start— a recipe that made its way over from Canada (via the father of a close friend)— who, more than 30 years ago, was already flattening and pressing ground beef against a sizzling griddle, delighting many neighbors and customers who saw this place as “their local McDonald’s” in town, back when the American giant still only had locations in major cities like Lisbon and Porto.
Today, I miss this place dearly, and I’m sure everyone still remembers its name. If only because, for me, it was the first burger joint to bring this technique to our country —a technique that’s now all the rage.
So, in this comparison article, we’re going to take a culinary journey through the tastiest smash burgers you can find in Lisbon.
Feisty (new addition)
Feisty Burger is one of Restelo’s newest hotspots and invites you to get your hands dirty with meaty, flavor-packed smash burgers.
With a lush outdoor terrace surrounded by palm trees and a minimalist interior accented with neon, the burger joint features a short menu focused on three main options, including the famous Spunky Bacon, made with select Spanish beef, melted cheddar, artisanal bacon smoked over fruitwood, and homemade pickles.
To accompany your meal, you can count on homemade, surprisingly crispy fries, as well as exclusive beverages like elderflower lemonade.
Make room for the soft-serve ice cream machine, inspired by the nostalgia of the 2000s.
Patty Smash Burgers (new addition)
A Patty, a burger joint inspired by classic American diners, continues to grow, and the new Odivelas location offers a special perk for families: a space entirely dedicated to children.
On the griddle, the technique of pressing the meat is applied with mastery, ensuring patties with thin, crispy edges that are full of flavor— which more than make up for a bun that still needs some tweaking.
Where the brand really stands out is in its condiments, with homemade jalapeño, chipotle, or truffle sauces, but if you want to experience it to the fullest, join the customers who’ve already adopted the unusual habit of dipping their fries directly into a milkshake. The contrast between salty and sweet works surprisingly well, especially if you go for the popcorn milkshake to finish off your meal.
We tried every single one on this list, without exception, and Stack’s smash burgers are, unanimously, one of the winners of this crispy showdown, which made our taste buds “dance” with joy.
With the first location opening in the former Mirari— a cultural space on Avenida 24 de Julho that brought together art, music, and food— it was at the Anjos location that Stack’s juicy, caramelized smash burgers won us over at the very first bite. We tried them all: the Original, the House, and the Exit Smash, served with fries and a Coke, for an additional €4.
Along with the burgers from Street locations, these are the crispiest; at Stack , the crispiness is even more pronounced, while at the same time trapping all the juices in the center of the bun —which, guess what, is made from potatoes, just like the traditional American hamburger bun.
At Stack , you’ll taste the true essence of the smash burger, but made with 100% Portuguese ingredients (except for the cheddar, which isn’t yet available in Portugal), which we liked even more.
Street Smash
It’s impossible to be a fan of smash burgers and not know about the delicious burgers at Street, which, overnight , saw its name spread like wildfire throughout the culinary scene in Lisbon— there’s no one we know who hasn’t yet tried one of these gems.
They’re foodies—big foodies —and we even went inside their kitchen to learn more about this dizzying success in the capital.
And yes, that’s really the secret— they’re simply delicious and “addictive.” After eating one, we immediately want another!
Thin and crispy, just the way you like them, Street’s smash burgers have a meatier center that locks in all the flavors between a brioche bun, two layers of cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, chopped onions, and the famous cucumber pickles that give them an extra fresh flavor.
And what about their fries—regular or sweet? They leave anyone blown away and craving another combo, which includes the smash burger + fries + drink, for €13.90.
The smash burger empire has arrived in Santa Apolónia, with the Ground Burger restaurant raising the bar in Lisbon, “escaping” the confines of the city center with a new space that features a massive industrial aesthetic and a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tagus River— ideal for groups who won’t compromise on artisanal quality.
This chain’s smash burger options were a real surprise, made with 100% certified Black Angus beef, with the Classic and Oklahoma Smash featuring the caramelized crust and artisanal potato bun that define the brand.
There is, in fact, a rare balance between scale and culinary precision, which is why this “new” spot (open since 2024) stands out as the ultimate destination for anyone seeking the perfect burger with the best view in the city.
On Calçada do Marquês de Abrantes, very close to the Santos neighborhood, Ugly was born — a minimalist spot riding the wave of smash burgers in Lisbon.
The concept is simple, with just three options on the menu: Classic, Bacon, and Ugly, served straight up in an environment designed for quick meals.
The standout is the “Ugly,” where the meat is pressed directly with onions, creating a caramelized flavor that sets it apart from the competition.
The french fries, though simple, serve as the perfect side dish, while O Lisboeta ’s desserts round out the experience on a sweet note.
If you’re looking for a unique smash burger full of personality, this new spot in Santos deserves a place on your culinary itinerary.
The burger joint specializing in smash burgers with the crispiest fries in Lisbon is (surprisingly) located in a shopping center—actually, in four of them, since this brand has already opened more locations in Greater Lisbon.
Our search for the best smash burger in Lisbon has found a strong contender in SmashVille, which, despite being located in shopping malls, is well worth a visit.
The star of the menu is the bacon smash (€10.90), which stands out for having “the thinnest and crispiest strips of pork belly” we’ve ever tasted in this type of burger.
The biggest surprise, however, was the classic french fries. They are, without a doubt, the best fries we’ve had in recent times, highly praised for their unmatched crispiness compared to the competition.
The smash burger trend continues to grow in Lisbon with the opening of yet another spot specializing in this way of cooking and eating burgers. Today we’re introducing you to No.Sense, in Saldanha.
This place offers burgers with names inspired by famous personalities, such as Brad Pitt, Kennedy, Monet, and Pirlo.
The smash burgers stand out for their unique flavor combinations, such as the truffle sauce in the Monet version and the basil sauce in the Pirlo. But it’s the Brad Pitt version that’s particularly notable for its “Brad” sauce, bringing a different twist to traditional smash burgers.
In addition, the restaurant offers excellent sauces that pair well with the fries, both regular and sweet potato varieties.
The experience at Sinner restaurant is a delight for smash burger lovers.
We started with the traditional Smash Burger (€9.50), featuring Portuguese beef, American cheddar, pickles, onion, mustard, and ketchup. It was a simple yet delicious combination , standing out for its caramelized beef and well-balanced flavors.
We also tried the restaurant’s second specialty, the House Smash (€10.50), which adds a fresh and creamy touch with iceberg lettuce and the house’s special sauce. Both burgers impressed us with the quality of their ingredients.
Overall, Sinner offers an unpretentious yet memorable dining experience, focused on the excellence of its smash burgers.
The new smash burgers from the Spanish chain VICIO have arrived in Lisbon to make everyone’s mouth water.
For now, we’ve tried two of the Spanish brand’s best sellers: the VICIO Originals (€11.90), two crispy aged beef smash burgers with cheddar cheese, French lettuce, pear tomatoes, pickles, special sauce, and a brioche bun; and the Truffle Cheeseburger (€13.90), featuring a double smash burger, a fried egg, cheddar cheese, and black truffle sauce, all on a brioche bun.
They are, without a doubt, the stars of the show, on a menu that consists of nine different options, though not all of them are smash burgers—such as the chicken burger created in partnership with Pollos Hermanos (€11.90) (yes, from the TV series *Breaking Bad*); or the Vegan Burger (€12.90).
Smash House
The burgers here are 100% Halal-certified and are also among our favorites.
To try them , you’ll have to head to Odivelas, to a beautiful, spacious spot that—judging by the quality and juiciness of its products— will surely be expanding into the heart of Lisbon before long.
At least that’s the explanation from the two friendly partners who served us and let us sample two of their specialties: the House (€9), which features two patties (160g), cheddar cheese, iceberg lettuce, pickles, and house sauce; and the Old School (€7.50), with two beef patties (160g), cheddar cheese, chopped onions, pickles, mustard, and ketchup. We paired them with zigzag-cut fries (€2) and a Coke (€1.95).
Although they assured us they’re still fine-tuning some details and new recipes, our first reaction was: “Get this done quickly and, please, open a store in Lisbon as soon as possible. More Lisboners will love trying your product!” We’ve become big fans.
Goons Burger
From a dark kitchen (restaurants that only do delivery), we tried the smash burger from the Spanish chain Goons Burger, which , let’s face it, is spectacular.
We were skeptical, because food delivered to your home is never quite the same as eating at a restaurant, but the truth is that everything was piping hot and had that “just-made” flavor.
They let us try the Goons Burger (€11), which features two properly smashed beef patties, American cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and house sauce. Mmm… what a wonderful meal!
They’re good—really good… and if you order them with the “Fuck Fries” (€3.50)— which are french fries lightly seasoned with Cajun, a dark blend of spices that includes garlic, onion, black pepper, turmeric, paprika, hot chili, cilantro, oregano, and thyme— then you’re really going to go crazy.
Meanwhile, they’ve opened a brick-and-mortar store, but we haven’t had a chance to try it yet.
Smash Burger Lisbon
Near the Arroios neighborhood is one of the restaurants that specializes in this technique of smashing the meat against a hot griddle.
The smash burgers here, though delicious, didn’t caramelize enough for us to enjoy that delicious umami flavor, which was a shame.
Still, we loved the bun and all the fillings, especially the cheddar, which doesn’t overpower the flavor of the meat—which is great for those who aren’t big fans of this cheese, which many find a bit cloying.
Smash burgers are, without a doubt, the new culinary craze in Lisbon! And it’s great to know that the best ones are sold right here, with that umami flavor we often seek in food— and that satisfies us so much.
Many of these restaurants are already expanding rapidly to open new locations, not only in the capital but also in the surrounding areas and even in Porto, so we’ll be keeping track of the new openings so you’ll know where the restaurants closest to you are located .
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