Summer brings school vacations, family trips, and large get-togethers with friends. In many places, it means firing up the BBQ and packing those picnic baskets. Time to put a hamburger on the grill.

A few years ago we published a short list of where to get the best burgers in Guangzhou. At that time, fulfilling a craving for Western-style, inexpensive, and quick meals was a tough challenge. Now, Guangzhou's Western and expat scene has grown beyond recognition. The Brew, with a new location in Zhujiang New Town, is still at the top of the list for burgers, but it's got some friendly competition.

1)  Simply Life
This unassuming café on the Garden Level of TaiKooHui is a smash hit with both locals and expats alike. Though most who are dining seem to opt for pastas or pizzas, their burgers are worth a try.

Varieties: One hamburger and a few chicken burgers. Burgers are the smallest of the options listed here, but still enough to make a meal.

Toppings: Lettuce and Tomatoes. Various condiments available on the side.
Fries: To make your order a set meal, add 28 RMB and choose your option of delicious, thick cut & seasoned fries or a caesar salad (warning: the cooks at Simply Life dress salads with a heavy hand!)

TaiKoo Hui Shopping Centre太古汇View In Map
Add: TaiKoo Hui Shopping Centre, 383 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou. 3rd Floor Garden Level, Shop No.: L305
地址：广州市天河 区天河路383号 
Tel: 86 20 3868 2321
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00-22:00 
Website: www.simplylife.com.hk

2) The Ritz-CarltonView In Map
A burger and selection of scotch from the Ritz's Churchill Bar is a treat on any given night. But try going on Wednesday night before 20:00, when the burgers are discounted for Happy Hour.

Varieties: Go for the classic Australian beef, or choose between selections such as salmon, ostrich, lamb and chicken.

Toppings: Ask for the hamburger menu; a piece of paper enabling you to build-your-own-burger, but be careful not to overdo it on the toppings. There are options such as grilled onions, marinated mushrooms, baby tomatoes poached in olive oil, and various cheeses – blue cheese, Swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese being my favourites. Pick your own bun and sides as well.

Fries: All orders come with your choice of sides. Opt for their potato wedges (thick fries) or their steak fries (regular sized fries). Salad and coleslaw also make tasty compliments.

Add: 3rd Floor, 3 Xing An Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址: 3楼, 广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店, 广州市天河区兴安路3号 
Tel: 86 20 3813 6688
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs, 17:30-midnight; Fri-Sat, 17:30-1:00
Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Guangzhou/Dining/TheChurchillBar/Default.htm

3)  McCawley'sView In Map
If you're an expat living in Guangzhou, chances are you've been to Macawley's. Though their huge menu and nightly specials often overshadow the selection of burgers, it's an option that must be tried at least once.

Varieties: Four different burgers (classic, double cheeseburger, buffalo chicken, and nacho burger) and a veggie burger. The burgers are huge—it's tough for the servers to keep them from toppling over as they are brought to the table.

Toppings: Tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. Ketchup is provided on the side. There are optional upgrades, including cheddar cheese, egg, mushrooms, bacon and chili.

Fries: All burgers come with an order of fries, thick cut and fried perfectly. If fries are your thing, though, you may think about adding an extra order—there are only 8-10 pieces per order with the hamburger.

Add: Shop 16, Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址: 广州市天河区珠江新城花城大道16号商铺
Tel: 86 020 3801 7000
Opening hours: Everyday, 11:00-late
Website: http://www.mccawleys.com/events/

4)  The Canton ClubView In Map
Entrance is not allowed without a member, so I'd recommend making friends with a member, just to try their burger.

Varieties: If you're looking for a variety of burger, it's best not to try the Canton Club as there is only one burger on the menu. But it's worthwhile to mention that this burger has certainly secured its place on the menu.

Toppings: Tomato, lettuce and onion are placed on the side, enabling you to add to the burger as you see fit.

Fries: Served on a platter with thick cut fries and a small garden salad, it also comes with mustard, mayo and ketchup. This is the easiest to order, most well-rounded platter of burger meals.

Best of all, this burger comes with a bacon jam—a tasty sweet and salty, BBQ-like flavoured bacon spread. Don't knock it until you try it; it will blow your mind.
Enjoy your burger on the 5th floor members' salon. If the TV room is open, kick back with a DVD for dinner and a movie.

Add: The Canton Place, Hai Qing Lu & Hai Yue Lu (near Lingjiang Avenue), Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址: 广州天河区珠江新城海月路1-48号广粤天地（近海清路）
Tel: 86 20 3836 1998
Website: http://www.thecantonclub.cn/

5) The BrewView In Map
The Brew, which was included in our review in 2010, still has the most varied burger menu in town. If you're looking for something other than a traditional hamburger, this is the place to go. Most burgers come with tomatoes and lettuce, a sauce (depending on the style, this could be anything from a wasabi mayo to a BBQ sauce), and cheeses. Formerly the Brew served their burgers on flatbread-like buns, but have since wizened up and provided regular, fluffy sesame seed buns.

Add: Bao Lin Garden, Hua Xun Lu, Guangzhou (near Hua Li Lu, beside "Tomatoes")
地址：广州市天河区华讯街2号 105,106铺
Tel: 86 20 3804 9549
Opening hours: 11:30-Late
Website: http://www.thebrew-china.com/

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