Just about everybody has a burger on the menu these days, so to be in the running for the title of NSW’s Best Pub Burger you need to serve up something pretty special.

The 17 finalists in what has rapidly become one of the most popular categories in the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence have been announced after weeks of secret taste-testing by lucky judges.

The judges chomped down the long list of 70 hopefuls to just 17 burgers made in pub kitchens everywhere from Byron Bay to Bellbird, and from Wagga Wagga to Warilla.

The short-list includes everything from classics with egg, beetroot, bacon and big patties, to new takes on Wagyu, buttermilk fried chicken and artisan truffle and pork belly masterpieces.

The winner will be named at a gala ceremony on Tuesday, 29 October 2024 at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.

AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the competition is in its sixth year and has become one of the most popular parts of the annual awards.

“Pub burgers feature extensively on social media, but at the end of the day it comes down to the taste, and these burgers are the best of the best,” said Mr Whelan.

“Best of luck to all the finalists – and if one of the 17 pubs is your local, get down there and sample one of the best burgers in NSW.”

Finalists are:

  • Beach Hotel Byron Bay, Byron Bay
  • Bellbird Hotel, Bellbird
  • Country Club Hotel Tooleybuc, Tooleybuc
  • Dee Why Hotel, Dee Why
  • Lakeside Village Tavern, Raymond Terrace (pictured main)
  • Harry’s, Surry Hills
  • Jacksons on George, Sydney
  • Hotel Jesmond, Jesmond
  • Palm & Pawn Hotel, North Wagga
  • Warilla Hotel, Warilla
  • The Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay
  • Moonan Flat Pub, Moonan Flat
  • The Prince of Merewether, Merewether
  • The Coramba Hotel, Coramba (above)
  • The Royal Hotel Paddington, Paddington
  • Robertson Public House & Kitchen, Robertson
  • Woomargama Village Hotel, Woomargama