Hache – Best burger in town

The soft, cheerful glow from Hache’s doorway stands out on a street teeming with hipster bars and left-leaning twenty-somethings. Entering the family-owned restaurant in the heart of Camden Town on a wet and windy night, I look around a place that resembles nothing like an American hamburger joint. Filled with red roses and candles, the atmosphere is romantic.

The friendly staff beckons towards a cramped table near the front of the restaurant, but the back room, adorned with wood beams and funky crystal chandeliers is the place to be. The server offers to move us when a table is available. Once re-seated, a £12.95 bottle of Spanish Rioja arrives.

Overwhelmed by the menu of options at my fingertips including tuna, duck and falafel, I ask the waiter for recommendations. The server replies without hesitation: “The beef is the best!” I choose the Le Raj, made with Scottish Angus beef and coated with Indian spices and mango chutney. My dining partner orders the Hache Cheeseburger topped with two generous slices of mature cheddar.

The burgers arrive on huge, but soft, ciabatta buns, alongside a scoop of specialty garlic mayo. Each bite unravels layers of flavor unlike any burger in my discerning past. Admittedly the meal is messy (and perhaps not the best choice for a hot date), but the constant influx of taste makes every shirt-stain worthwhile.

Restrooms are a quick trip downstairs, and allow a peek into the kitchen along the way. The guys behind the chopping block are more than happy to talk about their favorite choices, which range from the Lamb Moroccan, to the Steak Louisiana, a burger that combines peanut butter and cheddar.

Hache is French for “to chop”. Save for the sickening sounds of Hootie & the Blowfish playing throughout the restaurant, it should mean harmonious. These burger geniuses know how to make quality ingredients come together and sing and new ideas appear regularly on the seasonal menu.

If you are an American like me, who hankers for a good burger on a cold night, this place is worth the average £8.95 cost.

Hache has two locations in Camden and Chelsea. Visit hacheburgers.com for more information.