12 of the best burgers in Dubai

This fan favourite may have started off small – its original Al Manara branch has just five counter seats – but its popularity has led to multiple other outlets opening across Dubai. The High Jamz is a particular hit, with caramelised and crispy onions, Pepper Jack cheese, beef bacon and a ranch sauce melding together beautifully with the wagyu beef patty. Vegetarians are well served by the excellent aioli-topped King Shroom too.

Essential info:

Timings: 11am to 12am (Monday to Thursday), 11am to 2am (Friday and Saturday), 11am to 1am (Sunday)
Contact: +971 4 268 1586
Price: AED55
How to get there: Take the Red line of Dubai Metro to Onpassive station, which is a six-minute taxi journey away
Website: www.instagram.com/high.joint

Don't be deceived by the name – the dishes served up at Ugly Burger are utterly delicious. The Nakheel Mall hotspot incorporates interesting Asian accents into its burgers, like the Ebi Shrimp Katsu, which also has panko breadcrumbs and a sweet chili sriracha sauce. But if you're looking for something meaty to satisfy even the heftiest appetite, the Big Poppa is a must-try. Along with two beef patties, you'll find a double layer of cheese, onion rings, homemade BBQ sauce and garlic mayo for a truly extravagant experience.

Essential info:

Timings: 10am to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), 10am to 11pm (Friday and Saturday)
Contact: +971 56 743 5727
Price: AED63
How to get there: Take the Palm Monorail to Nakheel Mall station
Website: www.instagram.com/ugly.burger

Located in Meyan Mall in Umm Suqeim 2, this homegrown brand aims to revolutionise the local food scene with an emphasis on superior quality and eco-consciousness. Expect to find options like the award-winning Bull Burger, made with 100 per cent wagyu beef, cheddar, house special beef bacon jam and the signature Bull sauce, served in a Hokkaido milk bun. Another highlight is the classic 11G Cheeseburger, with a hand-pressed wagyu beef patty, American cheese, onions, pickles, and a house special sauce in a potato bun.

Essential info:

Timings: 12:30pm to 12am (Sunday to Thursday), 12:30pm to 1am (Friday and Saturday)
Contact: +971 4 572 3000
Price: AED61
How to get there: Take the Red line of Dubai Metro to Equiti station, which is a 10-minute taxi journey away
Website: www.eleven-green.com

What started out as a roving food truck has become a regional slider empire – and with good reason. The original mission was to "find SALT", as clues dropped on social media, but now you can pop into any of the homegrown brand's five Dubai branches. Their alfresco Kite Beach space, not far from where they first started, is still a favourite among locals. Specials drop periodically but you can't go wrong with their original slider (which gives two burgers for every order), or the chicken Cheetos slider.

Essential info:

Timings: Open 24/7
Contact: +971 600 555 551
Price: AED40
How to get there: Take the Red line of Dubai Metro to Onpassive station, which is an 11-minute taxi journey away
Website: www.instagram.com/findsalt

Its signature offering may be called The Chicken Sando, but it's definitely a burger – and a contender for the best crispy fried chicken in the city. Regulars add heat with their Jeff It Up spice mix, order tubs of Secret Sauce and complete the feast with beef bacon and pickle-topped Messy Fries with extra chicken tenders. Their buttery brioche karak ice-cream sandwiches will cool down the heat too. There's a reason that this outfit, which started in 2019, has already proliferated to seven outlets in such a short time – you can even find their food at the Time Out Market Dubai food hall.

Essential info:

Timings: 10am to 2am (Saturday to Thursday), 10am to 4am (Friday)
Contact: +971 4 584 6859
Price: AED37
How to get there: Take the Red line of Dubai Metro to Sobha Realty station, which is a six-minute taxi journey away
Website: www.eatpickl.com

Five Guys is a fast food behemoth with locations across the city. At its Dubai Mall outlet, you'll find an incredible spot to refuel with a perfect view of The Dubai Fountain. The menu is compact, which makes deciding even easier. Our favourite is the signature Cheeseburger with two fresh beef sliders on a sesame seed bun with all the toppings we can fit, while the Little Hamburger is ideal for smaller appetites.

Essential info:

Timings: 10am to 12am (Monday to Thursday), 10am to 1am (Friday to Sunday)
Contact: +971 4 380 4117
Price: AED49
How to get there: Take the Red line of Dubai Metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station, which is a 17-minute indoor walk away
Website: www.fiveguys.ae