Five of the best spots to celebrate National Burger Day in Manchester

The simple meat-between-bread combination always hits the spot - whether it's a fancy sit-down affair or fast-food fix.

And over the years, Manchester's food and drink scene has produced some of the go-to spots for a burger, nailing the fundamentals every time - think top-notch meat, crisp lettuce and the perfect brioche.

Yes, some are rather elaborate, stacked up to heights McDonald's wouldn't even dare to, or heaped with candied bacon bits and crisps - because why on earth not - but every time they raise the game for the humble burger.

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Considering its National Burger Day, we thought a quick round-up of some of our favourites was in order. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it may well serve some lunchtime inspiration if like us you're pretending the bank holiday weekend is already here.

Remember when Almost Famous was a secret spot hidden up the stairs on High Street with queues snaking around the Northern Quarter? Well just over a decade later, the original bun-slingers in chief are still drawing in the crowds. Now with additional sites at the Great Northern and mostly recently Withington, their tried-and-tested burgers of freshly ground beef loaded with everything from homemade slaw to Frazzles are still worth the hype.

49-51 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW, Unit 2, Great Northern, Peter St, Manchester M3 4EN, 437 Wilmslow Rd, Withington, Manchester M20 4AN

Starting off slinging out burgers from a factory unit just off West Ashton Street in Salford, Burgerism has gained almost cult-like status in a relatively short time, but for good reason. Now with a dark kitchen in Ardwick and a standalone shop in Gatley too, burger fans can't get