Juicy Burger Cup 2025: The Unsung Heroes  

It has been a short time now since we introduced that Facet Avenue was topped the 2025 Juicy Burger Cup Champion. Since then, we have taken a deep dive into the High 16 and likewise taken a have a look at the Finest New Burgers, however now it is time to flip our consideration to the Unsung Heroes of the 2025 Juicy Burger Cup. 

The Unsung Hero award was a brand-new class this yr, given to the venue that didn’t make it into the High 16 as voted on by most people, however that was talked about a number of instances by our professional panel. Breef And … gained the title, with 5 runners-up following shut behind. 

From artistic Juicy Burger Fest choices to no-frills excellence, these Unsung Heroes impressed our professional panel with their distinctive flavors and dedication to craft. Listed below are the six locations that flew underneath the radar however completely deserve a spot in any burger lover’s rotation.

Please be aware: A few of these institutions have a number of places; for brevity’s sake, we have listed one for every. You possibly can verify Dianping for extra places.

Winner: Breef And …

Tucked away in Tongzhou, Breef And … was based by creative couple Bu Fan and Xiao Yang, who determined to change gears and open up this American-style eatery specializing in Texas-style BBQ, burgers, sizzling canines, espresso and craft beer. This yr noticed them participate within the Juicy Burger Fest for the primary time and gave them some much-deserved publicity, proving that they are a hidden gem value looking for out. 

Their signature BA01 Burger (RMB 45), that includes a home made brioche bun, candy and tangy burger sauce, Angus beef patty and caramelized onions, must be a go-to selection. One panelist praised it as a “strong, no-frills providing,” highlighting the patty’s nice texture and the flavorful sauce, calling it “glorious – positively worthy of a High 20 spot.” One other panelist was much more effusive, declaring that this “little gem completely blew me away!” Their Er-Lang God Lamb Burger, created for Juicy Burger Fest, was additionally a giant hit, with one panelist stating it “was an absolute standout – full of creativity and 100% on theme.”

Breef And …
260A, Xiaobao Beijie, Tongzhou District
通州区小堡北街260A号
Hours: Tue-Fri, 11.30am-9pm; Sat-Solar, 11.30am-10pm
Cellphone: 150 1050 5047; 156 0014 5553

Runner Up: Casalingo, JW Marriott北京粤财JW万豪酒店-卡萨琳戈

Casalingo, housed contained in the JW Marriott Lodge, proved that lodge burgers will be something however boring. Though it’s an Italian restaurant, their burgers are definitely a giant draw, with their Wagyu Cheese Burger (RMB 138) truly being their quantity one-rated dish on Dianping. It was singled out by one panelist for its “really unforgettable” beef patty. Their Wagyu Chorizo Burger was additionally a selected favourite on the Juicy Burger Fest, with one professional saying they “actually appreciated their artistic chorizo patty” and that they “deserve reward for truly making an attempt one thing completely different.” 

Casalingo, JW Marriott北京粤财JW万豪酒店-卡萨琳戈
18 Xuanwumenwai Dajie, Chunshu Jiedao, Xicheng District
西城区椿树街道宣武门外大街18号
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm; 5.30pm-10pm
Cellphone: 010 6391 6361

Runner Up: Centro, Kerry Center北京嘉里大酒店-炫酷

One other hotel-based eatery that garnered reward from our panelists was Centro within the Kerry Middle. Centro prides themselves on fashionable Beijing-inspired fusion delicacies and their Chef, Wilson, is a real Beijinger born and raised within the coronary heart of the Xicheng hutongs. This was showcased by their fest-exclusive Beijing Beijing Burger, which featured a Wagyu beef patty slathered in a peanut butter and pineapple mayo, topped with pickled cabbage and cumin brie cheese and sandwiched inside a goji brioche bun. One panelist commented, “the layers on this burger are exceptionally well-defined, clearly the work of a talented chef.”

Centro, Kerry Center北京嘉里大酒店-炫酷
1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区光华路1号
Hours: 10am-midnight
Cellphone: 010 6561 8833 ext.42

Runner Up: SOLDOUT

SOLDOUT now has two places within the capital, one within the CBD and one simply north of Wangjing. Some strong selections to attempt are the Cheeseburger (RMB 33/single, RMB 49/double) and the Crispy Rooster Sandwich (RMB 23). Over time, they’ve gained a loyal following within the capital for his or her no-nonsense burgers that basically nail the fundamentals. As one professional put it: “I actually want they had been a part of the [Top 16] choice, as a result of with out being connoisseur delicacies (and never pretending to be, both), in my e book they’re the most effective participant in what I prefer to name the higher-end quick meals class.”

SOLDOUT Shangdu (SOHO department)
2107-2119, 1/F SOHO Shangdu North Tower, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都北塔1层2107, 2119
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10.30am-10pm; 11am-9.30pm
Cellphone: 150 1014 1691; 186 0020 6568

Runner Up: TRIPS Burger 

One other spot with two branches within the capital, TRIPS has a hole-in-the-wall department positioned by UIBE and one other spot up in Haidian. They obtained plenty of reward from our consultants, with one lamenting that “Journeys ought to have been on right here [the Top 16]! Simply a high 5 burger spot.” Some common favorites are the Unique Cheese Burger (RMB 36) and the T-Rex Bacon Burger (RMB 52), a double patty burger topped with smoked bacon, two slices of cheese, caramelized onions and secret burger sauce, which one panelist stated was a “must-have.” One other professional was wowed by the Scorching & Dry Burger, which is impressed by Wuhan’s iconic avenue meals, 热干面 (sizzling dry noodles), praising its “high quality and juiciness” and vowing to develop into a daily.  

TRIPS Burger (UIBE department)
12 UIBE, Huixinli Group, Xiaoguan Jiedao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区小关街道惠新里社区外经贸平房12号（竹鱼坊隔壁）
Hours: 10am-9.30pm
Cellphone: 176 1093 2025

Runner Up: NBEER CRAFT BREWING 牛啤堂精酿啤酒

Established method again in 2013, and now with 4 branches in Beijing, NBEER’s burgers pair completely with their signature brews. Our panelists had been large followers of their fusion burger creations on the fest, with one panelist saying that the fest-exclusive Crispy Potato With Pork Scraps Burger “was actually progressive, and the Guizhou pork scraps went so nicely with the meat patty.” Some burgers to be careful for if you happen to go to are the Double Cheese Beef Burger (RMB 69) and the Avocado Chili Con Carne Burger (RMB 72). 

NBEER CRAFT BREWING 牛啤堂精酿啤酒 (751 department)
Automotive 16, 751•798 Prepare Avenue, 798 Artwork District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区751火车街区16号车厢
Hours: Solar-Thu, 11.30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-midnight
Cellphone: 189 1013 1009

We hope that subsequent time you are craving a banging burger, you may exit of your consolation zone and search out one among these underrated gems – you will not be upset!

Lastly, here’s a checklist of different names that got here up on professional ballots this yr — forming yet one more strong hit checklist of burgers to attempt:

• Arrow Manufacturing facility
• Bistro 108
• Bowen Burger
• Burning Wooden BBQ
• Burp
• Commune Reserve
• Huddle Huddle
• Rabiul’s Kitchen
• Wealthy Burger
• Slider Nation
• The Native
• Turkish Feast
• Whynot
• 柒Lounge

READ: Meet 2025’s Finest New Burgers

Photos: the Beijingers, courtesy of the venues