GROUND BURGER São Sebastião — Restaurant in Lisbon

One fabulous GB deserves another!

What better way to follow up a delightful stroll through the Calouste GulBenkian Museum in Lisbon’s São Sebastião da Pedreira neighborhood than with a visit to the nearby Ground Burger restaurant? The location is well known for its “Handmade Oldschool American Burgers and Craft Beer,” so how would it stack up in our ongoing quest for the best burgers in Lisbon? Spoiler alert: a finalist for sure! We loved the open, airy layout with enough glass surrounding the dining area to give it a touch of the “outside-in” feeling one gets in certain galleries at the Gulbenkian. There was a lively, upbeat vibe throughout, with background music at just the right volume. While GB—Ground Burger, not the Gulbenkian—focuses on craft beers, for this visit I decided to sample a milkshake, something I hadn’t had for years. I tried their chocolate milkshake with peanut butter and homemade whipped cream, and loved putting the finishing touches on the “shake” part, as the ice cream, the chocolate syrup, and the pb all arrived deliciously deconstructed in a frosty Ball Jar—yes, it really was a wide mouth Ball Jar, from our old state of Indiana. Sarah grabbed another lemonade, always sem açúcar, and rated it among the best of a crowded field—Lisbon knows how to do lemonade, for sure. She opted for the “Ground Burger,” with its 100% Angus Beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and GB Special Sauce. I took up the Bacon Cheeseburger, with its smokey, crispy bacon—I’ve fallen in love with the thick cut European bacon—topped with enticingly dark, slightly brown sugary BBQ sauce. All the burgers are presented on freshly made, light, airy buns glistening with invitation! Sarah gobbled her namesake burger—done perfectly medium rare—and loved the special sauce, a light, slightly spiced dressing with perhaps a touch of Piri Piri? My Bacon Cheeseburger did its juicy best to escape my grasp, as we both discovered that one of the joys of a handmade burger is that it doesn’t feel like it’s been pasted together. The Angus itself was rich and flavorful, and, again, a hallmark of the handmade, the grind was toward the coarser end of the scale. Our fries seemed to be of the double fried variety—light, with that delicate crispness that made them truly special. That, and a sprinkling of fresh rosemary took them off the charts. No ketchup here, though, as GB (the restaurant) followed another GB’s (the country’s) approach and served a dipping mayo that was the perfect complement for them. So, bottom line, GB scored top marks for its ambience, great staff, awesome burgers and fries, with my milkshake satisfying my sugar lust for another few years. Prices toward the higher end but worth it for us. But, wait, what about all that craft beer? Guess, we’ll have to stop by again . . . Highly...

Amidst Lisbon's delectable tapestry of Portuguese cuisine, I never imagined myself stepping into an American-style burger joint. Yet, fate had other plans, and I found myself at Ground Beef Burger, a place that would redefine my expectations of a good burger.

With a grumbling stomach and low expectations, I ordered the Double Burger, a behemoth of two 100-gram patties, adorned with melted cheddar cheese and caramelized onions. The sight of the burger, when it arrived, was a revelation. Perfectly toasted buns, golden brown and glistening with an irresistible sheen, cradled two juicy patties, their smoky aroma tantalizing my senses.

The first bite was a symphony of flavors. The patties, grilled to medium perfection, were bursting with savory goodness, their richness balanced by the sweetness of the caramelized onions and the tangy sharpness of the cheddar cheese. The bun, soft yet sturdy, held the ensemble together, its subtle sweetness complementing the symphony of flavors.

While the Double Burger took center stage, the garlic and rosemary French fries, though somewhat overhyped, provided a satisfying accompaniment. Crispy on the outside and fluffy within, they were generously seasoned with garlic and rosemary, adding a touch of earthy goodness to the meal. The side sauce lacked imagination though.

The fresh lemonade, a refreshing blend of tartness and sweetness, cleansed the palate perfectly, preparing it for the next delectable bite.

The service at Ground Beef Burger was impeccable, with friendly and attentive staff catering to our every need. They were knowledgeable about the menu and eager to share their passion for the food.

While the prices were on the higher side, the quality of the ingredients and the overall dining experience more than justified the expense. It's evident that Ground Beef Burger doesn't compromise on quality, and their dedication to crafting exceptional burgers is evident in every bite.

However, it's worth mentioning that I did spot a cockroach scurrying across the floor, carrying what seemed to be the missing star from my review. While this was a minor blip in an otherwise excellent dining experience, it's worth noting for the sake of transparency.

Overall, Ground Beef Burger is a hidden gem in Lisbon's culinary landscape. If you're craving a burger that transcends borders and elevates expectations, look no further. Just be mindful of the occasional...

1 thing about me…I LOVES me a good veggie burger! This @groundburger veggie burger + @crushdoughnuts Strawberry Cream goodness was giving me LIFE! 🍩😩🙌🏽

Perfect lunch spot after our Lisbon city exploits! There’s so much to see and do here…I’m just glad I’ve been able to share it w/ my Mom @tothmag ❤️☺️

Thanks Ground Burger for fantastic service and great food! It’s a 4.5 star google review from me! 😌✨

☺️ My Loves

• Greeted upon entry! Nothing like a hello + welcome (whether it’s self-seating or a hostess at the door) It’s a choice to eat at an establishment so the gratitude and welcome showed.

• Menus in Portuguese + English 🙌🏽

• Great portions and tasty combinations. Mom had the Philly Burger and an American draft beer I had a veggie burger and coke. We shared a regular fry and a StrawberryCream Crush donut! Everything was good!

• Extensive beer and wine list including a international draft beer chart! Draft beers from USA, Poland, Germany and Portugal to name a few! I don’t drink beer but I’m sure it’s a beer lovers dream! Lol!

• Coexistence. I love that Ground Burger incorporates a neighbor business in house instead of sticking to their own deserts and milkshakes. Even though Crush cafe was literally up the street, seeing the donut HERE prompted my purchase. So, rather than waiting to finish my meal and walk down the block…Voila! Immediate gratification! 🙌🏽 I’m sure they share mutual benefits because of this genius!

😑 My No-Likes

• Heavy on the welcome, lacking on the goodbye. This might just be me, but I’m a “Hello + Goodbye” person. There was definitely a warm welcome, but our server changed mid service and there was no close or, “Tommy will now be your server.” “…thank you, come again” Again, maybe it’s just me 🤷🏽‍♀️

• €€ Mid-range price wise. Our meal was a tad pricey (€60), but it was tasty. We also asked for extra topping and sauces that all had an additional charge. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that til we got the bill. 😕 (tip: don’t ask for extra ketchup like me. I literally drown my fries in ketchup so paying an additional €5 for sauce wasn’t the look!😒)

• Honestly, I can’t say much else that I didn’t like. I’d definitely go again…just wouldn’t get the extras! Lol! See you at the next spot! 😝

#heyitsgiel #faithonrepeat #lisbonfood...