We visited the largest Ground Burger still in 2025 (it opened in 2024), but it’s only now that we’ve managed to digest our entire gastronomic experience here, which we can tell you right now: it was incredible!
From the handmade mortadella sandwich to the addictive smash burgers, we went to try Ground Burger’s new stopover in the capital of Lisbon, in a space that is further away from the city center, but still very accessible by city transport or, if you want, by car, as there is some parking next to the place.
Welcome to Ground Burger in Santa Apolónia, right next to the train station.
A place where size (finally) matters
There are names that become institutions and Ground Burger is undoubtedly one of them when it comes to burger culture in Portugal.
But forget the hustle and bustle of the locations prior to the opening of this new location; the latest address in Santa Apolónia plays in a different league, especially when the sun decides to shine over the Tagus River.
As soon as you arrive in Santa Apolónia, you’ll come across this new Ground Burger (yes, for us it’s still “new” because we’ve only been there a short time) and prepare yourself for a very positive visual shock: you’ll be faced with a giant space, designed with an industrial and cosmopolitan aesthetic, capable of accommodating dozens of people without anyone feeling “cramped”.
The great asset? The terrace facing the Tagus. It’s the ideal setting for a long weekend lunch or a group dinner where the light of Lisbon does half the work of entertaining.
It’s undoubtedly the restaurant that was missing in the area to bring friends and family together without the stress of impossible reservations in tiny spaces.
The surprise that wasn’t a hamburger: the GB Morty Sandwich
From what we saw on the website, you can still find this sandwich at Ground Burger in Santa Apolónia, as we were told at the time that it was a special, limited edition that we really had to try. Well, that’s exactly what we did!
Although we came here to try this chain’s smash burgers, we were surprised by something new that stole the show: the GB Morty Sandwich (€16.95).
It’s not just any sandwich! Imagine 200g of thinly sliced IGP Bologna mortadella, served on a homemade potato bun with sesame seeds that looks like a cloud.
Now for the master touch: a perfect balance between provolone cheese, relish, smoked mayonnaise and mustard, transforming this sandwich into a robust, intense proposition capable of satisfying even the most voracious appetite.
If you’re looking for something different from the usual “bread with meat”, this is the obligatory choice.
The science of the smash burger: intensity in every bite
It was very hard to resist eating the whole GB Morty Sandwich, but we had to because it was really delicious, but the truth is that we came here especially to try the restaurant’s versions of the smash burgers... and we tried the two new and already big stars of the house:
Classic Smash
It’s the definition of a well-executed classic, and “the icing on the cake” is the fact that it’s made with 100% Certified Black Angus beef, pressed on the griddle until it creates that delicious caramelized crust. It comes with cheddar, onion, pickles, ketchup and mustard. The price starts at €13.95 (double) and goes up to €16.95 (triple).
Oklahoma Smash
If you prefer a more unctuous experience, in this version the pickles give way to the special GB sauce, while maintaining the quality of the Angus beef. The price varies between €15.95 and €18.95.
The difference between an ordinary burger and these is undoubtedly all the crunch these smash burgers offer, with a handmade potato bun capable of holding the “juice” of the meat without falling apart, something rare to find with this consistency.
The obligatory finale: Cookies and Donuts Crush
No one leaves Ground Burger without passing through the luxury American pastry department. No kidding, if you like sweets and still have a little room in your stomach, don’t pay the bill without trying one of these delights, either of them.
We tried the Chocolate Chip & Nuts Cookie (€5.95), which uses Valrhona chocolate (a benchmark in the gourmet world) and a touch of sea salt that elevates the flavor of the hazelnuts and pecans; but the trophy for “ultimate sin” goes to the Crème Brûlée Donut Crush (€5.95), filled with a genuine Madagascan vanilla cream and finished with that layer of burnt sugar that pops when you bite into it.
It was the perfect end to a meal that thrives on comfort and quality ingredients.
Verdict Secret Lisbon
In our opinion, since we know a thing or two about smash burgers, Ground Burger in Santa Apolónia has managed to combine the convenience of a large, bright space with the artisanal quality that has always characterized them.
All the options we tried were perfectly cooked and stand out from all the others we’ve tried, especially because they offer an ingredient that makes all the difference, their Certified Angus beef, which also increases the price of these smash burgers, which we still think is reasonable in terms of value for money.
Whether it’s the view over the Tagus, the mortadella sandwiches and other smash novelties, or the sweets, there will always be new reasons to return to this Ground Burger.
Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique 9 (Santa Apolónia)
Opening hours: open every day from noon to midnight (kitchen closes at 23:30)
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