Who doesn’t love a good burger? You just can’t beat them, right?
So if you’re in Dubai as a resident, tourist or professional on business, you need to know the best places to get yourself a burger in town.
For the second year in a row, we’ve eaten our way around some of Dubai’s top restaurants and bars to discover the best burgers on offer.
Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here.
These are the best burger bars in Dubai:
WINNER: BEST BURGER BAR IN DUBAI
Eleven Green
The brainchild of husband and wife duo Sultan and Kinda Chatila – aka supperclub stars Tanos At 8 – there was great anticipation when Eleven Green opened. And this brilliant burger bar fulfilled all expectations. With Art Deco-style décor and green banquettes, the interiors contrast with the stripped-back metal trays the burgers come on and it’s a cooler-than-cool place to grab a burger. And the burgers themselves are excellent. Don’t miss the Double Trouble, with cheese, onion, pickles and signature 11G sauce in a potato bun, or the signature Bull Burger smothered in melted cheddar, onions, house-made bacon jam and the team’s famed bull sauce. Now officially the best burger in Dubai for 2024, this is one patty you’ll be dreaming of for days.
Unlicensed. Umm Suqeim, eleven-green.com .
HIGHLY COMMENDED: BEST BURGER BAR IN DUBAI
Pickl
Everyone’s heard of Pickl – and with good reason, it’s a giant when it comes to the best burgers in Dubai. A multiple winner of the best burger in Dubai award, you can look forward to a perfectly seared patty, smothered in special sauce and snuggled into a squishy potato bun. Not only are the beef versions lip-smackingly good, Pickl’s chicken sando has become the stuff of legend, so make sure you order one of each – you won’t regret it. Morning, noon, night – there’s never a wrong time to dig into a Pickl burger.
Unlicensed. One JLT, JLT, eatpickl.com (04 584 6859).
Smash and Sear at Maxzi The Good Food Shop
Hungry for a smashed burger? This is the place for you. Maxzi was originally an online grocery store, before setting up shop in the hip Al Quoz in 2018. And since then its awesome burgers have drawn in a loyal following. Burgers are made with wagyu beef and smooshed into squidgy potato buns, smothered with onion, pickles and house sauce. Hungry? Go for the double cheeseburger. Extra-hungry? Go large with the triple patty. Pair it with tater tots and you’re onto a good thing.
Unlicensed. Al Shafar Investment Building, Al Quoz, maxzi.ae (04 395 3988).
SHORTLISTED: BEST BURGER BAR IN DUBAI
Beau Restaurant
This cute burger joint has a concise menu for lovers of the smash burger. Opt for the original – comprising a double Angus beef patty, sliced cheese Elysee sauce and white onion. Feeling fancy? The truffle is for you, while if you like things spicy then the jalapeño version brings the heat. For something a little different the smash toast comes with a single Angus patty and sliced cheese in a smashed bun, plus there’s a selection of potatoes served in a variety of ways, if regular fries are not your thing.
Unlicensed. Jumeirah 3, @beau.restaurant (04 224 7348).
Good Burger at Maiz Tacos
Part of popular Mexican joint Maiz Tacos, Good Burger opened in 2020 and quickly found a following of burger fans in JLT. Promising to use only the freshest of premium ingredients, it’s a small spot that packs a punch when it comes to quality. Get stuck into the original Good Burger if you’re keeping things simple, or ramp it up a notch with the mushroom and Gruyère version. If you’re a fan of Maiz Tacos, try the Birria Burger for a palate-popping combo of the two concepts.
Unlicensed. Cluster Y, JLT, @goodburgerdxb (04 514 4712).
High Joint
This tiny burger bar in Dubai’s Al Manara only has a handful of tables, but it is the definition of small but mighty. Having been set up by three Emirati friends in 2018, it’s gone from strength to strength and is now known for whipping up some of the best burgers in Dubai. Messy and moreish, these burgers are also pretty creative – coming with a variety of toppings from pineapple to truffle. The High Jamz, smothered with caramelised onions and beef bacon is a top pick, pair it with a mountain of fries and get dipping in those sauces.
Unlicensed. Al Manara, @high.joint (04 268 1586).
LENTO
This home-grown burger joint comes from Emirati chef Faisal Naser and is a top pick for a tasty patty in Dubai. Found nestled away on Al Wasl Road, the restaurant is a super-cool spot with a focus on music, with vinyl records and a DJ booth, plus stripped-back décor and a hip vibe. When it comes to eats, LENTO serves some of the best burgers in Dubai, being cooked perfectly and jam-packed with flavour. For a rich, indulgent burger go for the double umami or mushroom and Swiss, while chicken burger fans will want to get their chops around the honey butter version.
Unlicensed. Al Wasl, @lento.ae.
SALT
Salt is one of the most famous burger names in Dubai. A home-grown brand, the cool burger bar can be found at various events and pop-ups around the city, but the ultimate place to enjoy a Salt burger is at its home on Kite Beach. With views of the Arabian Gulf, you’ll find holidaymakers and residents alike flocking to this burger joint, with families and friends digging into the flavour-packed patties and wolfing down fries. Go for the original Salt burger, or opt for a selection of sliders, the chicken Cheetos version is a loveable classic.
Unlicensed. Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim, @findsalt (055 996 5802).
Simple
Simple by name, simple by nature, Simple Burger in Al Khawaneej does a few items, extremely well. Think Simple egg bun, egg and bacon or a Simple smash single cheese burger with a wagyu beef patty, special sauce and cheddar cheese, adorned with pickles. Hungry? Double it up with two patties and enjoy the extra deliciousness. Pair it with skin-on-fries loaded with cheese, bacon and Simple special sauce for a proper treat.
Unlicensed. Al Khawaneej West, @simple.dubai (054 363 1977).
Ugly Burger
Having previously been a resident of Dar Wasl Mall, Ugly Burger is now providing burger-hungry Palm residents with the goods, thanks to a move to Nakheel Mall in 2023. Gloriously messy burgers are packed full of flavour, whether you’re after beef, chicken, shrimp or vegan versions, all smothered in sauce and nestled into a soft bun. Feeling indulgent? Make a beeline for the double truffle burger – which is as rich, earthy and meaty as it sounds – or keep it simple with a classic cheeseburger. Order some loaded fries and you’re all set for one of the best burgers in Dubai.
Unlicensed. Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, @ugly.burger (058 110 8432).
