If there’s one type of street food I could eat over and over again, it’s definitely a good smash burger.
You know the kind that makes you understand, from the very first bite, why it has so many devoted fans. The juicy, thin beef patty with crispy edges, melted cheese, the right sauces and a soft bun come together to create a combination that, at least for me, is hard to beat.
So, it’s no surprise that smash burgers have become one of the biggest trends in the street food scene, with more and more places adding their own versions to the menu. And Athens is no exception!
After trying quite a few different spots around the city, I’ve put together this guide featuring the smash burger places that stood out to me and deserve a spot on your list. Because a truly great smash burger doesn’t need much to win you over, as long as it’s made right.
Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky is a small corner burger joint in Petralona (1 Deinocharous Street) that you absolutely have to add to your list if you’re a smash burger lover.
And the reason is simple: this is where I’ve had, by far, the best smash burger in Athens!
Even their simplest option, the Simple Cheeseburger, is truly excellent. Made with a soft brioche bun, a smashed beef patty, melted cheddar, iceberg lettuce, mayonnaise and pickled onions, it brings all the flavours and textures together perfectly, without needing anything else.
The patty is juicy on the inside, with that signature slightly crispy crust that makes smash burgers so special. All the ingredients come together beautifully in every bite, leaving you wanting to order another one straight away!
For me, it’s a solid 10/10. And a little bonus: their fries are incredibly crispy (I’ve never had a soggy batch!), with a generous coating of paprika for an extra kick of flavour.
Ps. You’ll also find it in Palaio Faliro (Ntavari Square 2).
Ekiben
Ekiben (35 Voulis Street, Syntagma) may be best known for its Asian cuisine, but it also has a delicious surprise in store for burger lovers. Its menu features one of the smash burgers in Athens that is definitely worth trying!
The Ekiben Smash comes with a double smashed beef patty, double cheddar, onion, iceberg lettuce, tonkatsu sauce and mayonnaise.
The rich flavour of the cheese combined with the distinctive, slightly sweet and umami taste of the tonkatsu sauce gives this burger an Asian twist, without taking away from the pleasure of a classic smash burger.
What I particularly like about it is that it offers something a little different from the usual burgers you’d find at a dedicated burger joint. You can also pair it with some of the other Asian dishes on the menu and enjoy a meal featuring a variety of flavours all at the same table.
SmashTag
At SmashTag, you’ll find plenty of smash burger options, featuring different ingredient combinations so you can choose whichever suits your taste.
However, if there’s one burger that stands out and that I keep coming back to, it’s the Smash Black Burger.
It features a smashed beef patty, white cheese, crispy bacon, rocket leaves and truffle mayonnaise.
It’s a refreshing change from the classic cheeseburger, bringing together the bold flavour of bacon, the distinctive aroma of truffle and the freshness of rocket. All the ingredients work beautifully together, creating a rich and flavourful burger that takes the whole smash burger experience to another level.
You can find SmashTag in Athens (68 Michalakopoulou Street), Glyfada (8 Giannitsopoulou Street) and Nikaia (48 Dim. Karakoulouxi Street).
Stack Athens
Stack Athens, located in Ilion (438 Thivon Avenue), is one of my latest smash burger discoveries.
Out of all the options on the menu, the one that stood out to me was the Truffle Burger, featuring a soft brioche bun, iceberg lettuce, cheddar cheese, caramelised onions, portobello mushroom and truffle mayonnaise.
It’s a particularly delicious combination, with the truffle and caramelised onions adding a distinctive character to the burger, while the portobello mushroom complements the other ingredients perfectly. It’s one of those options that goes beyond the classic cheeseburger and is definitely worth trying.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more special, you can also go for the Wagyu Burger, another interesting option for those looking to try something different.
And if you’re not based in the western suburbs of Athens, you can also find Stack Athens in Kypseli (67 Eptanissou Street).
4 Stoicheia
Right in the heart of Athens (1 Messolongiou Street), you’ll find 4 Stoicheia, a place that brings together smashed burgers and Greek hip-hop culture.
Two burgers worth trying are the 4 Stoicheia Burger, featuring a double patty made from 100% beef mince, Metsovone smoked cheese, garlic mushrooms and truffle mayo, and the A.C.A.B Burger, with a double 100% beef patty, double cheddar, caramelised onions, pickles, bacon jam and homemade Creole sauce.
And if you’re in the mood for something other than burgers, 4 Stoicheia also serves generously filled sandwiches.
Nob
Nob hardly needs an introduction, as it’s already on many people’s lists of go-to smash burger spots in Athens.
Its menu features a small but delicious selection of burgers, including the Double Wagyu Beef Burger, made with two patties of 100% Wagyu beef, cheddar, homemade pickles and truffle mayo.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try the Brisket Burger, featuring slow-cooked sliced beef brisket, soy syrup, smoked cheese, sautéed onions, pickles and spicy mayo.
P.S. Apart from its Pangrati location, you can also enjoy Nob burgers in Chalandri (15 Kolokotroni Street and 10 Gyftopoulou Street) and Kypseli (2 Zakynthou Street).
Starlight
You can find Starlight in the centre of Athens (1 Praxitelous Street), as well as in Glyfada (9 Artemidos Street).
One of the most popular choices on the menu, and for good reason, is the House Double Burger. It features a potato bun filled with two smashed patties made from 100% Black Angus beef (180g), pickles, American cheese, grilled onions and Starlight’s signature house sauce.
Big Nick
Big Nick is located in Neos Kosmos (145 Vouliagmenis Avenue) and is one of my favourite spots for smash burgers in Athens.
There’s a wide variety of burgers to choose from, but if I had to recommend a couple, I’d go for the Sheburger, featuring a smashed beef patty, truffle goat cheese, mushrooms, caramelised onions, American cheese and truffle mayo, and Big Nick’s Double Burger, with two smashed beef patties, double American cheese, iceberg lettuce, caramelised onions and Big Nick’s signature sauce.
Apart from smash burgers, Big Nick also serves chicken burgers. One worth trying is the Truffalo Burger, made with crispy breaded chicken, American cheese, baby rocket, Philadelphia cream cheese, spring onions, Parmesan, caramelised onions and truffle mayonnaise.
Smash’n Bun
Last but not least, in Kolonaki (48 Patriarchou Ioakim Street), you’ll find Smash’n Bun, with plenty of options to suit different tastes.
Make sure to try the Moldo, featuring a potato bun, creamy mushrooms, organic cheddar and roasted garlic mayo. Pair it with the Hotslaw, a refreshing slaw made with cabbage, carrot, apple, chilli and coriander.
Smash’n Bun also serves my favourite kind of comfort food: crispy free-range chicken.
