Soho has plenty of places selling a smash burger and most follow the same: a thin patty with melted cheese on a soft bun. The Temper Smash Burger keeps the format and adds more to it. It is the smash burger Soho regulars tend to order at our Kingly Court restaurant just off Carnaby Street.
What makes a smash burger different
A smash burger starts with a ball of beef pressed flat on a very hot griddle. The patty spreads thin and the surface browns fast. That contact gives you crisp edges and a deep savoury crust. The inside stays juicy because the cooking is over in minutes.
The thin patty also changes how the toppings work. There is less bulk to carry flavour so the cheese and the sauce do more of the job. Many versions across London rely on American cheese and a sweet sauce. That is fine for a quick bite. A sit-down restaurant can offer more.
Paradiso’s take on the format
The Temper Smash Burger comes with burger sauce. Tomato goes in too. The toppings that set it apart are smoked raclette and green sauce plus pickled onions and chillies. It sits in a toasted brioche bun.
Our burger menu describes it as a smash burger with depth. When guests ask for the best smash burger in Soho this is the one we point them to. Every burger we serve is halal. Every burger, every day. Each one is cooked to order and the sauces come from our own kitchen. The full lineup is on our Burgers in Soho page.
Raclette and green sauce
Raclette is an alpine cheese with a reputation for melting well. Ours is smoked. It drapes over the patty and adds a campfire note before the beef reaches you. We use the same smoked raclette on the Wagyu Big Smoke which shows how much we rate it.
The green sauce gives that cheese something to push against. Our team likes how it keeps the melted raclette from feeling heavy. Each part of the build has a job and you can taste all of them.
Pickled onions and chillies
These are the final layer and they matter. Pickling brings acidity and a little heat. The onions and chillies cut through the cheese and beef with every bite. You get a sharp tang first. The warmth follows. If you want heat to lead the order, the Hot Shot Burger with its fermented chilli hot mayo is a slow burn that builds.
Regulars tend to pair the smash with a margarita from the bar downstairs. We have variations including Momma’s Margarita and the Salty Caramel. Our menus list every option.
How it compares to a standard smash
A standard smash gives you beef and cheese and a sauce on a bun. It is quick and familiar. The Temper Smash Burger adds smoked cheese and a green sauce and a pickled finish. That is three extra layers of flavour on a patty that is already doing plenty. The raclette and green sauce lift it above the standard smash you get elsewhere in Soho.
Prefer something classic first? The Paradiso Cheeseburger is the one most people start with. If you are visiting with friends the two make a good pairing across the table.
Where to find a smash burger in Soho
We are on the ground floor of Kingly Court with entrances from Carnaby Street and Beak Street and Kingly Street. Oxford Circus is a 3 minute walk away. Tottenham Court Road takes 7 minutes and Piccadilly Circus takes 8.
Walk-ins are always welcome. Booking is recommended for dinner and weekends and you can book a table direct on our website. The covered courtyard terrace is open year round if you prefer to eat outside. Google reviews for Paradiso are public if you want to read what other guests say before you visit.