Let’s go back in time, to the United States of America, when hamburger meat, instead of being shaped, was simply placed on the griddle and pressed, making it more delicious due to the crust that gives it a special flavor. This is what we call smash burgers, a different product from typical hamburgers, of which we also have some favorites.
Chemically speaking, this reactive process is called Maillard, which is when there is a reaction between the amino acid and the sugar (caramelization) that reaches a high temperature on the griddle, releasing more than 100 types of aromas.
It’s true that the explanation isn’t very pretty, but it certainly leaves you salivating. We believe that the video below exemplifies this whole process very well.
Tasting smash burgers since childhood
The first hamburger I ever tasted, on bread, as we usually eat it today, was as a boy, in a restaurant opposite the house where I lived until I was 18.
And it was a smash burger, a recipe that had traveled all the way from Canada (through the father of a good friend), where more than 30 years ago he was spreading and pressing the ground meat against a boiling griddle, delighting many neighbors and customers who saw this place as their local McDonald’s, when the American giant still only had stores in big cities like Lisbon and Porto.
Today, this place is sorely missed and I’m sure everyone will still remember its name. If only because, for me, it was the first burger restaurant to bring this technique to our country, which is now so fashionable.
That’s why, in this comparative article, we’re going on a gastronomic journey to the tastiest smash burgers you can find in Lisbon.
Table Of Contents
No.Sense
The trend for smash burgers continues to grow in Lisbon with the opening of yet another place specializing in this way of cooking and eating hamburgers. Today we introduce 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 burgers stand out for their unique flavor combinations, such as the truffle sauce on the Monet version and the basil sauce on the Pirlo. But it’s the Brad Pitt version that is particularly notable for its Brad sauce, bringing a different twist to traditional smash burgers.
In addition, the house offers excellent sauces that complement well with the fries, in both normal and sweet versions.
Address: Avenida Duque Loulé 5C (Saldanha)
Opening hours: every day from 12pm to 3pm and from 6pm to 11pm
Menus: on the website
Sinner
The experience at the Sinner restaurant is a delight for lovers of smash burgers.
We started with the traditional Smash Burger (€9), with Portuguese beef, American cheddar, pickles, onion, mustard and ketchup, which was presented in a simple but delicious set, standing out for its caramelized meat and balanced flavours.
We also tried the second house specialty, the House Smash (€9.5), which adds a fresh and creamy touch with iceberg lettuce and the house special sauce. Both burgers impressed with the quality of the ingredients.
Overall, Sinner offers an unpretentious but memorable dining experience focused on the excellence of its smash burgers.
Address: Avenida Álvares Cabral 62A (Rato)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 12pm to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 10pm
Menus: on the website
VICIO
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 smash burgers with crispy matured beef, cheddar cheese, French lettuce, pear tomato, pickles, special sauce and brioche bun; and the Truffled Cheeseburger (€13.90), with a double smash burger, fried egg, cheddar cheese and black truffle sauce, on a brioche bun.
They are undoubtedly the company’s stars, on a menu consisting of nine different options, although not all of them are smash, such as the chicken burger in partnership with Pollos Hermanos (yes, from the Breaking Bad series); or the Vegan Burger.
For now, you can just order from Glovo (link below) or go to Rua do Centro Cultural to pick up your menu. We’re looking forward to the first opening of a physical space, where we can enjoy the whole VICIO experience.
Address: Rua do Centro Cultural 39
Opening times: information not available
Menus: at Glovo
Stack
We’ve tried everyone on this list, without exception, and Stack’s smash burgers are unanimously one of the winners of this crunchy comparison, which made our taste buds “dance” with delight.
With the first store opened in Mirari, a cultural space on Avenida 24 de Julho that brings together art, music and food, it was in the Anjos store (opened a few weeks ago) that Stack’s succulent, caramelized smash burgers won us over at first bite. We tried the Exit Smash (€11.90), accompanied by fries and cola, for an extra €4.
Along with the burgers from the Street stores, they are the crispiest, and at Stack the crispiness is even more prevalent, while conditioning all the juices in the center of the bun which, you guessed it, is made from potatoes, like the traditional American hamburger bun.
At Stack you’ll taste the true essence of the smash burger, but with 100% national products (except the cheddar, which is not yet available in Portugal), which pleased us even more.
That’s why we’ll be going back more often… not least because we need to try all three of the burgers on the menu, some of them with original recipes and lots of tasty secrets.
Address: Rua Jacinta Marto 1A (Anjos); Avenida 24 de Julho 170 (Mirari)
Hours: Thursday to Monday, from 12pm to 11pm
Menus: on the website
Smash House
Along with the smash burgers from next door, the burgers from this house, 100% certified Halal, are among our favorites.
To try them, you have to go to Odivelas, to a beautiful, spacious space that has only been open for a few days but which, judging by the quality and juiciness of its products, will soon be expanding to the middle of Lisbon.
At least that’s the plan of the two friendly partners who attended to us and gave us a taste of two of their specialties: the House (9€), with two burgers (160gr), Cheddar cheese, iceberg salad, pickles and house sauce; and the Old School (7.50€), with two burgers (160gr), Cheddar cheese, chopped onion, pickles, mustard and ketchup. We served it with zigzag fries (€2) and a cola (€1.95).
Although they told us they were still working on some details and new recipes, our first reaction was: “Do it quickly and please open a store in Lisbon as soon as possible. More Lisboners will love to taste your product!” We were fans. Thank you!
Address: Rua Rainha Santa Isabel 9 (Odivelas)
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm (Fridays and Saturdays until 11:30pm)
Menus: on Instagram
Street
It’s impossible to be a fan of smash burgers and not know the delicious burgers at Street, which overnight saw its name spread to the seven gastronomic winds all over Lisbon, and there’s no one we know who hasn’t tried one of these specimens.
They are greedy, very greedy, and we even went inside their kitchen to find out more about this dizzying success in the capital.
And yes, that’s the secret: they’re simply delicious and “addictive”. After one, we want to eat another!
Thin and crispy, just the way you want them, Street’s smashburgers leave a meatier area in the middle, which holds all the flavors in a brioche bun, two layers of Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, chopped onion and the famous cucumber pickles that give it an extra fresh taste.
And what about their fries, regular or sweet? They’ll knock anyone’s socks off and leave them craving another combo, which includes the smash burger + fries + drink, for €13.90.
Address: Rua Almeida e Sousa 36B (Campo de Ourique); Rua da Boavista 34 (Cais do Sodré); Av. Defensores de Chaves 77 (Saldanha)
Hours: every day from 12pm to 11pm
Menus: not available
The Wall Burger
Our first experience of tasting smash burgers in Lisbon was at The Wall Burger, a restaurant created by two Brazilians who, “tired” of the so-called ” gourmet burgers” that were all over the capital, decided to return to the origins of the “real” American burger.
Located on Rua Andrade Corvo, near the Saldanha area, at The Wall Burger you’ll find one of the most complete menus in this comparison, with nine delicious options, all with smash burgers: we tried The Cheese Salad (€6.30), also with two smash burgers (much smaller than the competition, but tasty), Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and homemade mayonnaise. Together with a menu, which includes a large bag of French fries and a drink of your choice, it all comes to €9.
To accompany these delicacies, you have the bread, which is brioche (it contains an ingredient that is a secret), the fries or the Chicken Fingers; and the drinks are the usual ones, such as coke, juices or other soft drinks.
Address: Rua Andrade Corvo 3C (Saldanha)
Opening hours: every day from 12 noon to 2 a.m.
Menus: on the website
Smash Burger Lisbon
Close to the Arroios district is one of the restaurants specializing in this type of technique, smashing meat against a hot plate.
The smash burgers at this place, although delicious, didn’t caramelize enough for us to enjoy that delicious umami , which was a shame.
Still, we loved the bread and all the fillings, especially the cheddar, which doesn’t overpower the flavor of the meat, which is great for those who aren’t so fond of this cheese, which for many is a bit cloying.
Address: Rua Barão de Sabrosa 146 (Arroios)
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 11am to 11pm
Menus: on the website
Goons Burger
From a dark kitchen (restaurants that only deliver) we tried the smash burger from the Spanish Goons Burger which, let’s face it, is spectacular.
We were reluctant, because food delivered at home is never the same as eating in a restaurant, but the truth is that everything was very hot and tasted freshly made.
We were given a taste of the Goons Burger (€9.25), which comes with two beef burgers, American Cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and house sauce. Hummm… what a wonderful meal!
They’re good, very good… and if you order them with Fuck Fries, which are fries lightly seasoned with Cajun, which is a dark mixture of spices that includes garlic, onion, black bell pepper, turmeric, paprika, spicy chilies, coriander, oregano and thyme, then you’ll really go crazy.
Address: delivery only
Hours: Thursday and Friday, from 7pm to 11pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 3.15pm, and from 7pm to 11.15pm
Menus: on the website
Smash burgers are undoubtedly the new gastronomic scene in Lisbon! And it’s great to know that the best ones are sold here, with that umami taste we often look for in food, and which satisfies us so much.
Many of these establishments are already expanding to open new spaces, not only in the capital but also in the surrounding areas and even in Porto, so we’re going to keep track of the new openings so that you know where the restaurants closest to you are.