An Exploration of Cape Town’s Innovative Burger Landscape

4 mins read
burger culinary exploration

Cape Town is home to a variety of inventive burger options, including The Wynburger’s ‘OG’ Pumpkin Fritter Burger, Aiko Sushi Burgers’ fusion of sushi and burgers, Talladega Grill’s combination of burgers and mac & cheese, Newform Foods’ lab-grown meat burger, and The Dog’s Bollocks’ classic burger with unique toppings like fiery banana. These establishments are revolutionizing the burger landscape, and offer a chance to experience a new level of culinary creativity.

What are some innovative burgers to try in Cape Town?

Discover a range of creative burger options in Cape Town, including The Wynburger’s ‘OG’ Pumpkin Fritter Burger, Aiko Sushi Burgers’ fusion of sushi and burgers, Talladega Grill’s indulgent combination of burgers and mac & cheese, Newform Foods’ lab-grown meat burger, and The Dog’s Bollocks’ classic burger with unique toppings like fiery banana. These establishments are redefining what a burger can be and offer a unique culinary experience.

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Cape Town, a city known for its rich culture, offers an equally abundant culinary spectrum. This gastronomic journey through the city unveils a broad range of inventive culinary approaches that dare to rethink traditional cuisine. Among these innovative delights, the humble and adaptable burger shines. These are not your average burgers; they embody the essence of reimagining and imagination.

Section 2: The Wynburger: The Intersection of Innovation

One such place that’s redefining the burger experience is The Wynburger, nestled in 71 Castletown Road, Wynberg. This establishment blurs the edges of what can be considered a burger. An example of their culinary boldness is the ‘OG’ Pumpkin Fritter Burger. This dish cleverly combines the savory and sweet, replacing the conventional bun with two pumpkin fritters and topping it off with a caramel sauce. The litchi-flavored onion rings, humorously referred to as ‘Kaan Get’ basting, bring added depth to the meal. If your taste buds crave more, the ‘Malaysian Persia-Asian’ burger, featuring crispy chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, and chargrilled coleslaw, offers a gastronomic adventure.

Section 3: Aiko Sushi Burgers: Bridging Cultures

On the other side of the city, at 4 Bree St, Portside, Foreshore, Aiko Sushi burgers create a culinary crossroads between traditional burgers and sushi. Their unique twist on the burger concept features deep-fried sushi rice as the bun, topped with seared salmon or tuna, lettuce, carrots, avo cabbage, sesame seeds, and a unique sauce. This innovative combination provides an ideal solution for those conflicted between choosing sushi or a burger.

Section 4: Talladega Grill: Indulgence Amplified

The Talladega Grill, an American-style BBQ smokehouse situated at 343 Imam Haron Rd, offers a more decadent approach to the classic burger. By combining two universally loved dishes – burgers and mac & cheese, they provide a burger indulgence like none other. For smoked meat enthusiasts, the establishment offers a gastronomic treat, with meat smoked in a specially designed natural wood smoker using high-quality Apple and Oakwood.

Section 5: Newform Foods: Redefining Meat

In a different culinary direction, Newform Foods, a progressive start-up based at 35 Brickfield Road, Woodstock, is leading a transformation in the burger domain. They’ve achieved a groundbreaking feat by creating Africa’s first lab-grown meat burger. This juicy and flavorful patty recreates the taste and texture of a beef burger, but without involving a cow. Their mission is to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional food systems while maintaining taste and quality.

Section 6: The Dog’s Bollocks: Classic with a Twist

Lastly, but by no means least, The Dog’s Bollocks at 6 Roodehek Street, Gardens, retains the classic bun and protein formula but raises the stakes with its larger-than-life burgers. Patrons can select from pure beef or vegan patties, or chicken fillets, accompanied by caramelised onions and cheddar cheese. The selection of toppings includes everything from chilli con carne and cheese sauce to a vibrant Mozambican Portuguese sauce. And for those who prefer a little extra spice, fiery banana toppings are also on offer.

These five distinct establishments, each with their original take on the classic burger, are reshaping the burger scene in Cape Town. Their audacious reinterpretations challenge our perceptions of what constitutes a burger, encouraging us to discover and reimagine this popular meal. So, when you next venture to Cape Town, be sure to embark on this culinary exploration and treat your taste buds to these unique burger experiences.

What is The Wynburger and what makes it innovative?

The Wynburger, located in Wynberg, Cape Town, is a restaurant that blurs the lines of what a burger can be. Their ‘OG’ Pumpkin Fritter Burger replaces the traditional bun with two pumpkin fritters and tops it off with caramel sauce, offering a unique and creative take on the classic burger. They also offer the Malaysian Persia-Asian Burger, featuring crispy chicken breast, teriyaki sauce, and chargrilled coleslaw, for those looking for a gastronomic adventure.

What are Aiko Sushi Burgers and how are they innovative?

Aiko Sushi Burgers, situated in Portside, Foreshore, Cape Town, blends the world of sushi and burgers to create a unique culinary experience. They use deep-fried sushi rice as the bun and top it with seared salmon or tuna, lettuce, carrots, avo cabbage, sesame seeds, and a special sauce. This creative combination offers a solution for those who cannot decide between sushi or a burger.

What is the Talladega Grill and how do they innovate the burger?

The Talladega Grill, an American-style BBQ smokehouse on Imam Haron Rd, Cape Town, offers a more indulgent approach to the classic burger. They combine two universally loved dishes, burgers and mac & cheese, to provide an unmatched burger experience. They also use high-quality Apple and Oakwood to smoke their meats in a specially designed natural wood smoker.

What is Newform Foods and how do they innovate the burger?

Newform Foods, a start-up based in Woodstock, Cape Town, is revolutionizing the burger landscape by creating Africa’s first lab-grown meat burger. Their mission is to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional food systems while still maintaining taste and quality. Their juicy and flavorful patty recreates the taste and texture of a beef burger without involving a cow.

What is The Dog’s Bollocks and what makes it innovative?

The Dog’s Bollocks, located in Gardens, Cape Town, offers larger-than-life burgers with a twist. Patrons can choose from pure beef or vegan patties, or chicken fillets, accompanied by caramelized onions and cheddar cheese. They also have a selection of toppings that range from chilli con carne and cheese sauce to a vibrant Mozambican Portuguese sauce. And for those who prefer a little extra spice, fiery banana toppings are also on offer.

Why are these innovative burgers important to try in Cape Town?

These innovative burgers offer a chance to experience a new level of culinary creativity, where traditional recipes are reimagined and revamped. These establishments are revolutionizing the burger landscape, and their audacious reinterpretations challenge our perceptions of what constitutes a burger, encouraging us to discover and reimagine this popular meal. These five distinct establishments have their original takes on the classic burger, so trying them out provides a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.

Kagiso Petersen is a Cape Town journalist who reports on the city’s evolving food culture—tracking everything from township braai innovators to Sea Point bistros signed up to the Ocean Wise pledge. Raised in Bo-Kaap and now cycling daily along the Atlantic Seaboard, he brings a palpable love for the city’s layered flavours and even more layered stories to every assignment.

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