The Best Burgers in Airlie Beach

Right in the middle of Airlie Beach, Mulligans Sports Bar is a cracking spot for a burger if you also fancy catching some sport, playing pool, throwing a few darts or having a swing on the golf simulator.

The Mulligans Smash Burger keeps things classic with a Wagyu beef patty, American cheese, mustard, pickled onions and crispy onions on a toasted brioche bun. Or turn things up with the Hot Honey Chicken Burger, packing crispy chicken, hot honey sauce, American cheese, pickles, crispy onions and ranch dressing.

Both come with fries, making Mulligans a solid option for a burger and beer in the middle of town.

Sidewalk Cafe sits right in the heart of town overlooking the Airlie Beach foreshore, and while breakfast and coffee might get plenty of attention here, the lunch menu has a few solid burgers too.

The Angus Beef Burger keeps things classic with a juicy beef patty and plenty of fresh toppings, while the Spicy Chicken Burger is the one to go for if you want something with a bit more kick. There’s also a plant-based option for anyone chasing a meat-free burger.

With outdoor seating overlooking the foreshore and a central location, Sidewalk is a good burger stop when you’re wandering around Airlie Beach during the day.

Sitting right across from the Airlie Beach foreshore, The Pub is hard to miss and has a burger menu that goes well beyond a basic cheeseburger.

The Pub Angus Beef Burger comes loaded with a beef patty, smoky bacon, Swiss cheese, caramelised onion, tomato, lettuce and house BBQ sauce. There’s also a Steak Burger with a hefty 200g rib fillet, a Chicken Schnitzel Burger with bacon and Swiss cheese, and a plant-based burger if you’re skipping the meat.

Add regular live music, sports and a sea view and it’s an easy spot for a classic pub feed in Airlie Beach.

If you want burgers with a proper Whitsunday backdrop, Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill is hard to beat. Sitting right on the water north of Airlie Beach, there are plenty of burger options across its main restaurant and Beach Kitchen.

Go classic with the Northerlies Cheeseburger, try the Southern Fried Crispy Chicken Burger, or mix things up with the Tempura Battered Soft Shell Crab Burger with Asian slaw and smoky chilli BBQ mayo. There are also halloumi and mushroom and vegan options.

Down at the Beach Kitchen you’ll find even more, including a Crispy Pork Belly Burger and Double Smash Burger. Come hungry.

Sitting amongst the yachts at Coral Sea Marina, The Garden Bar Bistro is a great spot when you want a burger but still fancy somewhere a little nicer to sit for the afternoon.

Their burger offering keeps things simple and lets the setting do plenty of the work. Grab a table overlooking the marina, order something cold from the bar and settle in for a casual feed surrounded by boats, palm trees and plenty of Whitsunday scenery.

Garden Bar is particularly good for groups where not everyone wants a burger, with plenty of share plates, seafood and other dishes on the menu as well. Stick around until sunset if you can.

Perched on the hill above town, Anchor Bar gives you one of the best elevated views in Airlie Beach and a seriously solid burger to go with it.

Their 200g Beef Burger comes with house pickles, burger cheese, house ketchup, herb crema, onion and lettuce on a soft bun with chips. If you’re sharing, the legendary Can’t Decide Share Platter even throws cheeseburger sliders into the mix alongside lamb ribs, fried chicken wings, fish bao, ceviche, calamari and pork croquettes.

Grab a table overlooking the water, order a cold drink and you’ve got yourself a pretty good afternoon in Airlie Beach.

Boaty’s sits at the top end of the main street and is a lively spot for a burger, a few drinks and regular live music.

The Wagyu Burger comes loaded with crispy bacon, melted cheese, tomato, buttercrunch lettuce, pickles and burger sauce. If fried chicken is more your thing, Boaty’s Fried Chicken packs buttermilk fried chicken into a bun with Swiss cheese, spicy aioli, shredded iceberg lettuce and pickled red cabbage.

There’s another reason to order one too. Boaty’s donates $5 from every burger sold to Eco Barge Clean Seas, helping support marine conservation and clean-up work around the Whitsundays.

The Hangar Cafe & Bar gives you something most burger joints definitely can’t offer: planes and helicopters taking off right beside you while you eat.

Sitting alongside the Whitsunday Airport runway, The Hangar has a seriously loaded burger menu. The Cockpit Chicken Burger is a good place to start, while the Huey Hangar Burger delivers a proper beef option if you’re hungry.

There are schnitzel burgers, steak sandwiches and plenty of other big feeds on the menu too. It’s a fun one for families, aviation fans or anyone wanting to get away from the main street and try somewhere completely different for lunch.

KC’s Bar & Grill is an Airlie Beach institution, known for steaks, live music and big, hearty feeds. Unsurprisingly, the burgers follow the same philosophy.

The Cheese Burger doubles down with two Wagyu beef patties, cheese, pickles, lettuce and KC’s burger sauce. There’s also a Southern Fried Chicken Burger with crunchy chicken breast, cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato and aioli.

Vegetarians aren’t left out either, with a Halloumi Burger combining grilled halloumi, lettuce, onion relish and chilli jam. All three come with chips, and with live music regularly kicking off later in the day, KC’s is a great spot to settle in for the evening.

Just outside the centre of Airlie Beach, Jubilee Tavern is a great option for a classic pub burger and a cold drink. It’s relaxed, family friendly and has plenty of room, making it an easy choice when you’ve got a group to feed.

The Jubilee Works Burger is the big one, loading a beef patty with bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, beetroot and BBQ sauce. There’s also a Southern Fried Chicken Burger with crispy chicken, bacon, cheese and chipotle mayo if beef isn’t calling your name.

If you like your burgers big, uncomplicated and served with proper pub vibes, Jubilee is worth the short trip out of town.

Sorrento might be known for Italian food, pizza and pasta, but tucked away on the menu are a couple of seriously good burgers.

The Sorrento Beef Burger comes with a freshly made premium beef patty, vintage cheddar, crispy prosciutto, pickles and cos lettuce, finished with bourbon and chipotle mayo. There’s also a crumbed Chicken Burger with vintage cheddar, tomato, lettuce and the same smoky bourbon and chipotle kick.

Both come with beer battered chips and aioli, and the waterfront location at Coral Sea Marina makes Sorrento a great option if you want a burger with marina views and a cold drink.