It's not all in the city: Three best burgers in the 'burbs

The best burgers aren't always in the big bad city -- the heartlands and neighborhood eateries hide some of the choicest, juiciest burgers in Singapore. We pick out three of the best.

The Spruce Burger from Spruce.

The Spruce Burger from Spruce

The setting at Spruce is something else -- far away from the mall on Tanglin Road, it's shrouded in lush foliage and shaded by trees, on a surprisingly peaceful terrace. Just opposite the Brunei embassy, you would hardly expect to find such a relaxed, hip outfit away from town. But come lunchtime, this place is filled to the rafters with fans, foodies, and locals. 

The masterpiece of the menu? The Spruce Burger (S$19) usually evokes stunned silence upon seeing it for the first time. The juicy Wagyu beef burger, topped with thin slices of Harvarti cheese and crispy bacon, is sandwiched between a lightly toasted, homemade bun (fresh from the bakery next door). The first bite is enough to send carnivores into a taste coma. We love Spruce for the simple, yet top-notch ingredients -- American chef Travis clearly knows a thing or two about good burgers. Check the menu for other foodie treats, such as the homemade brownies.

Spruce, 320 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, Singapore. tel +65 6836 5528. www.spruce.com.sg
Open for lunch Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm, for dinner Monday to Sunday, 5.30pm to 10.30pm, and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am to 2.30pm.

The ieat Super Burger at Aston's.

The ieat Super Burger at Aston's

Mr Aston of Aston's must be a very clever man. Not only does he run Aston's, the hugely popular, cheap and good steak eatery, but he also opened Aston's Prime around the corner in Katong. Prime serves up similar fare, but with a fine dining edge. The steaks here are cooked to perfection -- juicy, a little pink, with an explosion of taste, or even blue rare, if that floats your boat. But, mention the ieat Super Burger ($12.50), and you'll see the waiter chuckle just a little, with a devilish grin. Why? This burger is huge. In fact, when we saw it coming our way, we nearly hid with embarrassment. 

This big beast of a burger is sensational though, so much so that it doesn't come with fries. The burger itself? A thick, tender, Wagyu beef patty, topped with fried onion, bacon, cheese, hickory sauce, mayonnaise and salad. It's quite ironic that a doctor invented it. The burger is so big, it becomes a challenge working out the most civilized way to eat it. Forget being graceful -- just bite the bullet and dive in. It's worth it. All hail Mr Aston.

Astons, 119 East Coast Road, Singapore. tel +65 6247 7857. www.astons.com.sg
Open daily from 11.30am to 11pm.

The chicken burger from Bar Bar's.

The chicken burger from Bar Bar Black Sheep

Bar Bar Black Sheep is set in a food court, just off a leafy, residential street, and this cozy joint is a local, neighborhood pub. While there's other food available, Bar Bar's more than makes the grade. It has a chilled, down-to-earth feel and cozy terrace, which does feel like it's in a car park but that just makes it all the more interesting. It's buzzy, and hot, but comfortingly so.

If you've had your beef quota for the week, the chicken burger ($12) is a must eat. Filled with plump, succulent chicken breasts and crisp salad, and laced with a healthy dose of mayonnaise, it's served on a toasted sesame seed bun and comes with fluffy, thick-cut chips on the side. It's hard to find a good chicken burger and this is possibly the best contender around.

Bar Bar Black Sheep, off Bukit Road, 879 Cherry Avenue, Singapore. tel +65 6468 9382.
Open Saturday from 10am to midnight, and Sunday to Friday from 11am till midnight.