It has been a while since we declared Side Street the 2025 Juicy Burger Cup Champion. Since then, we've delved into the Top 16 and highlighted the Best New Burgers, but it's now time to spotlight the Unsung Heroes of the 2025 Juicy Burger Cup.
The Unsung Hero award was introduced this year to recognize establishments that didn't make the Top 16 according to public votes but received multiple mentions from our expert panel. Breef And … earned this title, with five close runners-up.
From inventive offerings at Juicy Burger Fest to straightforward excellence, these Unsung Heroes impressed our panelists with their distinct flavors and commitment to quality. Here are the six spots that may have slipped under the radar but definitely deserve a place in any burger enthusiast's lineup.
Please note: Some of these venues have several locations; for brevity, only one location is mentioned for each. You can find more locations on Dianping.
Winner: Breef And …
Located in Tongzhou, Breef And … was started by artistic couple Bu Fan and Xiao Yang, who decided to pivot and open this American-style establishment focusing on Texas-style BBQ, burgers, hot dogs, coffee, and craft beer. This year marked their first participation in the Juicy Burger Fest, earning them well-deserved attention and showcasing their status as a hidden gem worth discovering.
Their signature BA01 Burger (RMB 45), which includes a homemade brioche bun, sweet and tangy burger sauce, Angus beef patty, and caramelized onions, is a must-try. One panelist described it as a “solid, no-frills offering,” noting the excellent texture of the patty and the flavorful sauce, calling it “excellent – definitely worthy of a Top 20 spot.” Another panelist enthusiastically stated that this “little gem totally blew me away!” Their Er-Lang God Lamb Burger, crafted specifically for Juicy Burger Fest, also received rave reviews, with one panelist declaring it “an absolute standout – full of creativity and perfectly themed.”
Breef And …260A, Xiaobao Beijie, Tongzhou District
通州区小堡北街260A号
Hours: Tue-Fri, 11.30am-9pm; Sat-Sun, 11.30am-10pm
Phone: 150 1050 5047; 156 0014 5553
Runner Up: Casalingo, JW Marriott
北京粤财JW万豪酒店-卡萨琳戈
Casalingo, situated inside the JW Marriott Hotel, demonstrated that hotel burgers can indeed be exciting. While it is an Italian restaurant, the burgers are a significant draw, with their Wagyu Cheese Burger (RMB 138) being the top-rated dish on Dianping. One panelist highlighted its “truly unforgettable” beef patty. Their Wagyu Chorizo Burger also garnered attention at the Juicy Burger Fest, as one expert appreciated their innovative chorizo patty, stating that they “deserve praise for genuinely trying something different.”
Casalingo, JW Marriott
北京粤财JW万豪酒店-卡萨琳戈
18 Xuanwumenwai Dajie, Chunshu Jiedao, Xicheng District
西城区椿树街道宣武门外大街18号
Hours: 11.30am-2.30pm; 5.30pm-10pm
Phone: 010 6391 6361
Runner Up: Centro, Kerry Center
北京嘉里大酒店-炫酷
Another hotel-based venue that impressed our panelists was Centro in the Kerry Center. Centro focuses on modern Beijing-inspired fusion cuisine, led by Chef Wilson, a true local native from the Xicheng hutongs. Their fest-exclusive Beijing Burger, featuring a Wagyu beef patty with peanut butter and pineapple mayo, pickled cabbage, and cumin brie cheese on a goji brioche bun, was highlighted by one panelist who remarked on the “exceptionally well-defined layers in this burger, clearly the work of a skilled chef.”
Centro, Kerry Center
北京嘉里大酒店-炫酷
1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区光华路1号
Hours: 10am-midnight
Phone: 010 6561 8833 ext.42
Runner Up: SOLDOUT
SOLDOUT now has two locations in the city, one in the CBD and another just north of Wangjing. Noteworthy items include the Cheeseburger (RMB 33/single, RMB 49/double) and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich (RMB 23). Over the years, they have built a loyal following in Beijing for their straightforward burgers that excel at the basics. As one expert noted: “I really wish they were part
An overview of the winning entry, Breef And …, along with the five runners-up.
