Take one bite out of a perfectly cooked burger and be prepared to step into a different world. Although various methods are used to cook the best burger, burger lovers find it important for the meat to be juicy, tender and not overcooked. Why, even the softness of the bun matters. The good news for burger lovers today is that there are various outlets, and many new ones too, in Penang that solely dedicate to providing the best burger experience ever for their customers. Foodies spend hours deciding the best burger of them all. Despite the debates, the cooks themselves just love doing what they do, and that is flipping burgers with style and effort while their loyal customers drool and wait. Satisfy your hunger pangs with a burger from the stalls/outlets in Penang below. (The restaurants are listed in no particular order. Some of the establishments below are not halal.)

1. Rockstarz Burger @ Bayan Lepas

Some people say, the messier the burger, the better, and Rockstarz' burgers are as messy as they come. Try if you must to hold the burger together but you can't help it if the sauces just can't stop dripping down your fingers. The burger patties are homemade, making it soft and juicy to the bite. Besides the six different burgers on the menu, they also introduce new burgers for a limited time. Keeping close to a rock concept, they even have a tagline that goes: "Rock Ya Mouth!" If you want to try one of the best burgers in Penang, they have outlets in Sungai Ara, Greenlane, Sungai Pinang and Air Itam. Burgers are priced between RM4.65 and RM8.35. Opening hours: 8 p.m. – 1 a.m., daily (5 p.m. – 1 a.m. only in Sungai Ara)

2. Hillside Burger @ Tanjung Bungah

Operating from a simple, white lorry in Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Bungah, the mild-mannered Uncle Burger as he is affectionately known, has been frying burgers much loved by his loyal fans for almost 37 years. Customers are drawn to the burgers that have the addition of caramelized onions. Beef and chicken burgers as well as hotdogs are available at his stall. They are priced between RM2 and RM5.20. Opening hours: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. (closed when necessary)

3. Adam Burger @ Sungai Dua

For the nearby Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students, the burgers here are a favourable option for a quick meal. It is quite healthy too as they put a generous amount of coleslaw in the burger. Take your pick from the good ol' Burger Plain or the D Burger Special if you are really hungry. For your information, they are Manchester United fans as well. Their allegiance to the team is displayed with an MU sign in front of the stall. Burgers here are priced from RM1.90 to RM7. Opening hours: 6 p.m. – 3 a.m. (closed when necessary)

4. Charlie's Burger @ Batu Ferringhi

One of the best burger in Penang is from Charlie's burger. Uncle Charlie has been cooking burgers for 33 years and is not stopping anytime soon. Loyal customers flock to his stall in Jalan Bayu Senja for the lamb burgers, which are tasty and tender with every bite. The jumbo hotdogs are just as popular too. Expect attentive service and a friendly chat while waiting for your burger here. The burgers are priced between RM2 and RM9. Opening hours: 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. (closed Wednesdays)

5. 43 Cafe @ Sungai Dua (serves pork)

43 Cafe is situated in the corner lot of a row of double-storey houses opposite USM. This cafe is famous for their pork burgers in Penang. It has a peaceful and welcoming ambience, making it a great place for a dinner date or family get-together. They promise a healthier version of the burger with no additional oil added. Their burger patties are also homemade. They also serve chicken burgers, Egg Pecah (served on a slice of toasted bread) and oven-grilled homemade chicken satay. Enjoy a meal here with their tomato plum juice, which is 100% pure tomato blended with sour plum. The burgers here are priced between RM5 and RM8.50. Add-ons such as cheese and bacon come with an extra charge. Opening hours: 5:30–10 p.m., daily

6. Ric's Burgers @ Bayan Baru (serves pork)

This burger outlet is usually popular with those working in Bayan Baru and the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. The best burger here is the Original Oink Oink Burger that comes with homemade burger patty, created out of freshly ground pork. You can have it as a Regular or Cheeseburger - both will still taste just as good. Be sure to also try their hand cut fries. The burgers are sold at RM5 and RM6. Choose toppings such as cheese, egg and bacon at additional charges. Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (closed Sundays) Hunt for the hottest burger restaurant Discover more top penang restaurant