Lonely Planet names the best burger experiences in the world

Lonely Planet guide has named Queenstown burger joint Fergburger among the world's "best and bizarre" burger experiences. 

The famed travel resource says the "funky" eatery serves "protein-heavy fodder to fuel you up for any number of bungee jumps, jet-boat rides and zorbing forays".

Got a 'Big Al' from Fergburger in Queenstown for lunch today, 7 hours later and I'm still full, best burger ever pic.twitter.com/7SINALnyJl

— Joe Hartley (@JoeHartley0) October 24, 2015

Given New Zealand's vast population of sheep, the guide said Fergburger's lamb burger was "particularly special", but also recommended other menu items including the Little Bambi Fiordland venison burger, the Codfather fish burger, the beef burger and the chicken-and-swine combo, dubbed Cockadoodle Oink.

Other global burger experiences rated by Lonely Planet included: 

USA - home of the slider and the supersize combo

The burger was born in the US in 1916 after Kansas man Walter Anderson invented the hamburger bun. Five years later he opened White Castle, a fast-food joint in Wichita, serving 'sliders'.

Lonely Planet recommends boutique burger bar New York's Burger & Barrel, where you can chomp the signature Bash Style Burger, winner of five NY Food & Wine Festival gongs.

Or to satisfy an, ahem, fuller appetite try the "horrifically calorific" Doh! Nut Burger from PYT in Philadelphia (beef patty, cheese and chocolate-covered bacon served on a glazed donut bun) or Las Vegas' Heart Attack Grill, where diners don hospital gowns before tucking into behemoth Octuple-Bypass Burgers with lard-fried chips and buttermilk shales, served by waitstaff dressed as nurses. If you're over 159kg, you eat for free.

Morocco - Dromedary delight 

In the Moroccan city of Fez, Cafe Clock has become famous for its East-meets-West fusion dish, the camel burger. Camel meat has always featured in Arabic cuisine – camel liver cooked in hump fat is a delicacy in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East. 

Canada and Iceland - Arctic offerings

Lonely Planet contibutors report that in Whitehorse, capital of Canada's Yukon Territories, the Klondike Rib & Salmon's caribou and elk burgers are "sensational", while further north, the musk ox burger served at Tonimoes Restaurant in Inuvik is "an Inuit treat".

In Iceland, restaurants such as Grillmarkadurinn offer burgers from the gourmet – puffin and reindeer – to the highly contentious: minke whale meat.

South Africa's big bird

While in Cape Town, Lonely Planet suggests you head down to Neighbourgoods Market where you can grab an ostrich burger fresh off the grill.

UK - The great British burgers 

The Brits get a mention for their fiery, if masochistic, Atomic Fallout burger served at theAtomic Burger restaurant in Bristol. It's so hot that diners must sign a legal disclaimer, wear protective gloves and prove they're over 18 before eating it.

Meanwhile in Sussex, the Hot Chilli Burger made by Burger Off in Hove registers 6-9 million on the Scoville heat scale (to put that in perspective, Tabasco sauce scores 500-5000) and has hospitalised several people.

Singapore - No meat, thanks

Think meat is murder? Well, Singapore's VeganBurg uses soya and mushrooms to create burgers. Its Paleo Burger goes further, substituting the bread bun with layers of fresh lettuce. The health-kick continues on the side too – with fries sprinkled with seaweed instead of salt, and organic soft drinks.

Australia's ferocious fauna

Yep, crocodile burgers are on the menu in Australia. However, Lonely Planet warns that the white meat is "an acquired taste". To try crocodile, emu, kangaroo, barramundi and other meats, they recommend Mindil Beach Sunset Market in Darwin.

Japan's black beauty

Burger King in Japan caused a sensation when it launched the Kuro Burger range, starting with the Pearl. Kuro means black, and these creations are exactly that – from the bun to the bamboo-charcoal cheese, black-pepper burger and squid-ink ketchup.

Stuff.co.nz