Maybe* we’re being dramatic (* we definitely are), but we think humanity peaked when the first person decided to put meat and other ingredients between buns.

We’ve come a long way since then, and the capital offers up everything from classic beef burgers to smashed burgers, vegan options, and everything else in between the bun.

If you’re a burger-lover, too, you’re going to want to read on for the definitive guide to the best, most bodacious burgers in the city.

Time Out Abu Dhabi reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here.

Here are the best burgers in Abu Dhabi, as unveiled at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards.

The best burgers in Abu Dhabi

WINNER

Maxzi The Good Food Shop

If you only order one thing at Maxzi The Good Food Shop, make sure it’s the bona fide, utterly brilliant Maxzimum Meat Lover Burger with a Wagyu patty, slow-cooked brisket, and crispy beef bacon. While it might not be solely a burger joint, this place does some of the best in the business, with an assortment of starchy sides that make for the perfect complement. What more could you ask for?

Unlicensed. Yas Mall, maxzi.ae (056 996 6540).

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Burgeneers

Got a hankering for beef that needs to be scratched? Burgeneers has you covered. Serving up burgers that are ground daily and made with black Angus beef, this hole-in-the-window hotspot – the burgers are literally served through a hole in the window – was established by engineer-turned-chef and entrepreneur Khaled Al Madani, with excellent options including The Biker – an old-school cheeseburger, The Genius – an Oklahoma-style smashed burger or The Adventurer, loaded with house jalapeños. All equally excellent.

Unlicensed. Al Danah, @burgeneers_ad (02 632 6738).

Pickl

Consistently flocked with regulars and first timers destined to become regulars once they’ve realised how good the burgers are, Pickl is famous in the city for its tasty, juicy beef and incredible fried chicken.

What started out as a small concept in Dubai has expanded to the capital and beyond, meaning we can all enjoy its patties that come slathered in cheese, the secret Comeback Sauce, and, of course, pickles. We’re forever grateful.

Unlicensed. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, eatpickl.com (02 886 7844).

SHORTLISTED

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes

The burgers at Black Tap might just be the most hyped in the city. One bite and you’ll quickly realise the hype is justified. An Instagram sensation, this famed New York eatery serves up immense burgers with a whole host of toppings from the classic all-American cheeseburger to those loaded with pear bacon jam or smoked gouda and truffle. Wash it all down with craft hop or, if you’re feeling particularly glutinous, one of its legendary crazyshakes.

Licensed. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, blacktap.com (02 446 5128).

‌Boo Burger

Coming in hot from the UK, Yas Mall’s Boo Burger really does serve brilliant buns. Using only the best British and Irish-sourced products, the premise here is more fast food than fine dining, but really that’s what a good burger joint is all about.

Menu highlights include the OG Classic with an Angus beef patty, white onion, cheese, ketchup and mustard, as well as the Big Boo complete with an Angus beef patty, smoked beef rashers, crispy onion, lettuce, tomatoes, gherkins, cheese and the house sauce. Order one of each to be on the safe side.

Unlicensed. Yas Mall, boo-burger.com (02 671 0007).

‌Burger28

If there was an award for the most creative burgers in Abu Dhabi, it would go to Burger28 hands down. Nestled in the Mussafah community and set up by a former vegetarian (yes, really), there’s plenty to choose from at this home-grown joint including classic, spicy, Cheeto-laden and Chips Oman-topped, while other signature dishes include Secret Toast – Angus beef and secret sauce in toast plus a truly fantastic vegan option, meaning all bases are covered.

Unlicensed. Mussafah Shabiya, @weareburger28 (056 685 4003).

‌Fat Mo’

Serving up utter meat marvels that come seeping juice and oozing with flavour, the humongous patties at Fat Mo’ may require some serious appetite, but we’re more than up for the challenge.

If you’re feeling particularly peckish, you can’t go wrong with the Fat Texas with bacon, caramelised onion, American cheese and Mo’ sauce, or, if you’re feeling fancy, the truffle mushroom and Emmental cheese is a humdinger. There are chicken options too, if you’re that way inclined.

Unlicensed. Airport Rd, Al Mushrif, @fatmo.ae (058 573 0333).

‌LENTO

Brainchild of Emirati chef and restaurateur Faisal Naser, LENTO opened back in 2020 to rave reviews, and it still regularly draws in the punters to this very day. Championing artisanal over commercial, with Naser making 90% of the ingredients from scratch, the patties here are little works of art, with a slow element or slow condiment in everything served – be it black garlic, aged cheese or special homemade vinegar. In other words, if you want a burger far removed from a Maccy D’s special, here’s where you should head.

Unlicensed. Al Danah, @lento.ae (056 926 5656).

‌SALT

More often than not, it’s restraint that makes a good burger – a fact the team at SALT are well aware of. Often dubbed the crème de la crème of the UAE’s burgers, the menu at Umm Al Emarat Park may be concise – choose from beef, chicken or Impossible vegan burgers – but that’s exactly where the magic lies. You can then choose to keep it simple with the Original with cheese, pickles and famous sauce, or add a little truffle to your bun, with a few specials thrown in for good measure.

Unlicensed. Umm Al Emarat Park, instagram.com/findsalt (600 555 551).

‌Slaw and More

A homegrown burger joint (our favourite kind), Slaw and More down at Al Qana is headed up by Chef Ali Yazdi, who specialises in elevated versions of the humble food staple. Think the truffle (with mild aged gouda cheese, seasonal truffle and Parmigiano Reggiano), the canoe marrow cheeseburger (with soy-glazed grilled bone marrow) and the BBQ bacon (with barbecue sauce and smoked bacon jam), all come crafted from dry-aged Wagyu rib-eye, making them some of the juiciest in Abu Dhabi.

Unlicensed. Al Qana, instagram.com/slawandmore (054 289 9323).