My Quest for the Best Burger in Dubai: A Journey Through the City's Burger Scene

As an American expat living in Dubai, there are certain cravings that hit harder than others. When you're thousands of miles away from your hometown diner, sometimes all you need is that perfect, juicy American-style burger to make everything feel right again. Let me take you on my personal journey through Dubai's bustling food scene as I searched high and low for what would eventually become my favorite burger in the city.

The Craving Strikes

It started on a particularly humid Thursday evening in Marina. I'd just finished a long day at work, and as I walked past the endless array of shawarma stands and fine dining establishments, my mind wandered to one thing: a proper American burger. Not a slider, not a gourmet interpretation with truffle oil and fancy cheese – just a good old-fashioned, juicy patty with all the classic fixings.

Living in Dubai as an expat means adapting to incredible diversity in food, but sometimes you just want that taste of home. I decided this was the night I'd finally embark on my quest to find the best burger in Dubai.

Starting the Hunt

My search began in the obvious places. I'd heard fellow expats rave about Five Guys at JBR, so that was my first stop. Walking into their Marina location, I was immediately hit with that familiar American diner nostalgia. The open kitchen, the bags of potatoes stacked high, the classic burger assembly line – it all felt authentically American.

Their bacon cheeseburger delivered exactly what I expected: fresh ground beef cooked to perfection, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and those signature hand-cut fries. The portion was generous, and at around AED 45, it scratched that immediate itch for American comfort food. But something was missing – that special spark that would make me declare it the best burger in Dubai.

The Local Legends

Next, I ventured to SALT at Kite Beach, Dubai's Instagram-famous burger truck that had achieved almost mythical status among locals. The beachside setting was perfect, and their wagyu sliders had built quite a reputation. At AED 32 for their signature single patty wagyu slider, it was an experience.

The patty was indeed high-quality – juicy, flavorful, with their special sauce and those crucial dill pickles adding the perfect tang. But being sliders, they left me wanting more. The portions were smaller than what my American-sized appetite craved, though I could see why locals considered SALT a strong contender for the best burger in Dubai.

The 24-Hour Discovery

One late night, around 2 AM, my burger craving struck again. That's when I discovered Pickl – Dubai's local burger chain that stays open 24 hours. Their JLT location became my testing ground for what would become a regular late-night pilgrimage.

Walking into Pickl, I was impressed by their commitment to fresh ingredients and their signature "comeback sauce". I ordered their classic cheeseburger with their secret sauce, dill pickles, and opted for the Nashville spice level on their chicken tenders as a side.

The burger arrived perfectly messy – exactly how a proper American burger should be. The beef patty was juicy and well-seasoned, the potato bun was soft and held everything together beautifully, and that comeback sauce added a tangy sweetness that elevated every bite. At AED 33, it delivered both on flavor and value.

The Moment of Truth

After weeks of burger hopping between Marina, JBR, Downtown, and various food courts, I found myself returning to Pickl again and again. There was something about their approach that resonated with my American palate – they understood that a great burger doesn't need to be complicated; it just needs to be executed perfectly.

The combination of their consistently juicy patties, that addictive comeback sauce, fresh pickles, and the fact that I could satisfy my craving any time of day or night made Pickl my clear winner. Whether it was their double cheeseburger after a long day of meetings or their spicy chicken sandwich during a weekend beach day, they never disappointed.

The Verdict

After months of exploration and countless burgers consumed across Dubai's diverse dining landscape, I can confidently say that Pickl has earned the title of serving the best burger in Dubai in my experience. It captures that authentic American burger essence while adding its own Dubai twist through quality ingredients and that signature sauce that keeps you coming back for more.

The best burger in Dubai isn't necessarily the most expensive or the most Instagram-worthy – it's the one that consistently delivers that perfect bite, satisfies your cravings, and makes you feel a little closer to home. For this American expat wandering through Dubai's incredible food scene, Pickl became that place.

Sure, Dubai offers everything from Michelin-starred burger interpretations to gourmet wagyu creations, but sometimes the best discoveries are the ones that simply nail the classics. In a city that never stops evolving, finding that reliable, satisfying burger spot feels like discovering a little piece of home – and that's exactly what makes it the best burger in Dubai for me.