Holy Burger

Holy Burger started in 2013 without an address, as an events brand with a social mission and, in its own words, burger DNA. A year and a half later it moved into a tiny, industrial-looking space at number 527 Rua Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior in Vila Buarque, in the old centre of São Paulo. A renovation in 2019 gave it two handsome counters, one for the bar and one around the open kitchen, more seats and a new menu by chef Filipe Fernandes. It calls itself “the classic of the centre”.

The awards followed. Veja Comer & Beber named it São Paulo’s best burger bar in 2024 and 2025, and the international ranking The World’s Best Burgers by Burgerdudes has made it the best in Brazil three times, placing it fourth in the world in 2024, third in 2025 and second in 2026, behind only Spain’s Hundred Burgers. The reviewers describe a cosy room like an old New York jazz club. There is now also a Holy Burger in Porto, Portugal.

The burgers come with fries, on buns baked for the restaurant by the Casa do Padeiro bakery, and every patty is cooked in bacon fat with ground black pepper. The menu runs from thick 180-gram burgers to newer double smash burgers, a za’atar smash burger in pita and a fried-chicken sandwich, with pastrami starters and milkshakes.

The original bar in Vila Buarque, central São Paulo, and a branch in Porto, Portugal.

• El Corral (Colombia, since 1983). Colombia’s own burger chain, bigger at home than any American import. Also built on beef, bacon and cheese.
• Giraffas (Brazil, since 1981). The Brasília fast-food chain where the burger comes with a fried egg. Also built on beef, bacon and cheese.
• Bembos (Peru, since 1988). Peru’s own burger chain, with fried plantain and egg on the menu. Also built on beef and cheese.
• Madero (Brazil, since 2005). The Curitiba steakhouse chain that sells itself on “the best burger in the world”. Also built on beef and cheese.