Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is here and there’s loads to be excited about.
There’s a massive UFC event and two huge concerts by Red Hot Chili Peppers and J Balvin taking place at the all-new purpose-built arena on Yas Island.
You may have even read about the happy hours and parties taking place across the city, as well as all the fitness events you can sign up for and watch.
But there’s also loads more going on across the capital, and we’re particularly excited for the Knockout Burgers part of Showdown Week.
We’ve teamed up with the organisers and more than 35 bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants to bring you some incredible burger deals.
Want a great deal, a burger and a beverage? Here’s where to get the lot for Dhs100 or less.
Angar
If Indian food is your favourite, then you need to try one of these awesome spicy burgers. The Punjabi Burger includes chunks of chicken tikka, house-pickled carrots and cucumber and cumin raita on a saffron bun. Or, if you want a vegetarian option, the Mumbai Pao features beetroot, chickpeas, red beans, quinoa and grilled paneer, all served on a spinach pao. Both come with a side of vegetable pakora or poppadums and Indian hops to wash it down with. This is the kind of fusion food we like.
Dhs60. Yas Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 0600).
Belgian Café Yas
The Triple Punch mini burgers might be small in size, but you’ll be telling all your mates how great this platter is for weeks to come. The habanero pulled lamb with grilled chorizo, guacamole, pickled red onion and cheese sauce is a real treat, but so is the wagyu beef schnitzel with crispy veal bacon and caramelised onion, and the duck confit burger with braised sauerkraut, fried onion rings and pear and fig relish. The tasty trio also comes with chipotle sweet potato fries and one pint of hops.
Dhs90. Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 2406).
Caramel
This beautiful venue is proof that fancy bars can produce incredible burgers too. For less than Dhs100 you can get three mini wagyu burgers and one glass of hops. It’s ideal for splitting between you and your friends, or just ordering one serving each.
Dhs99. The Collection at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 678 3344).
Fifth Street Café
For Knockout Burgers, the venue has put a great deal together on the best-selling Courtyard Burger. It comes with an Angus beef patty, crispy turkey bacon, cheddar cheese, a freshly baked bun and a free bottle of hops to go with it.
Dhs60. Courtyard by Marriott World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 698 2255).
Mai Café
Are there any New Zealanders on the UFC card? We’re not sure, but that hasn’t stopped this poolside bar at Aloft Abu Dhabi offering up its Maori burger for Showdown Week. Between the brioche bun you’ll find an 225g New Zealand striploin topped with cheese, the kitchen’s secret sauce, veal bacon, lettuce, tomato, and caramelised onion. It’s served with English Maris Piper chips and a pint of hops for Dhs99. Now that’s champion.
Dhs99. Aloft Abu Dhabi, ADNEC (02 654 5000).
McGettigan’s
Now we have another reason to head over to one of the most popular pubs in the city for a bit of grub. The Irish bar is offering its McGettigan’s Signature Burger (featuring an Angus beef patty, bacon, cheddar, sweet pickles, tomato, lettuce and relish), plus a portion of fries, ‘funky’ coleslaw and a bottle of selected hops all for less than Dhs100.
Dhs99. Al Raha Beach Hotel and Resort, Channel Street (02 652 4333).
Oak Room
This cool steakhouse has come up with a super deal for Showdown Week. For Dhs100 you’ll get the Oak Room burger (topped with mustard mayonnaise, pickles, battered onion rings and smoked cheddar) and a bottle of the hotel chain’s own-brand hops. Brilliant.
Dhs100. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Sorso
The stylish sports bar at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has put on a special deal. The grilled beef burger loaded with smoky barbecued beef, melted cheddar cheese and grilled bacon is all sandwiched together in a brioche bun and is accompanied by a generous portion of parmesan fries and a pint of hops.
Dhs60. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta (02 818 8888).
Sports Cafe
This sports bar always does a good burger and it’s no different during Showdown Week. Here you’ll get the bar’s signature burger with a pint for Dhs89. Can’t say fairer than that.
Dhs89. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta (02 654 3333).
Stock Burger Co.
These out-there creations are the total opposite of a bog-standard cheese burger. Choose from a satay burger topped with pickled cabbage and satay sauce, all-day breakfast burger with bacon, eggs, tomato and hash browns, or, if you like bit of a spice, there’s always the nacho burger, served with guacamole, spicy tomato salsa, sour cream, pickled jalapeño and crispy nachos. The deal also includes some hops to go with it.
Dhs80. Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, Dhafeer Street (02 657 4864).
The Manhattan Lounge
Head to this stylish lounge and pick up a super burger loaded with braised brisket, coleslaw, shallots, barbecue sauce, parsley and chives. It’s joined by a skewer of cherry tomatoes and gherkins, plus a bottle of hops for less than Dhs100.
Dhs95. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8443).
The Tavern
The friendly British-style pub has created a super burger called The Thrill Grill. It includes your choice of either Angus beef or breaded chicken, topped with melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cucumber pickles and beef bacon. You can get all this plus a pint of hops for a special price during Showdown Week.
Dhs60. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road East (02 677 3333).
Velocity
This cool sports bar is serving a gourmet burger with chicken schnitzel, lettuce, tomato, fresh avocado and garlic aioli. Or, if you’re really hungry you can get 12 sliders layered with angus beef, cheddar, gruyère, mozzarella, bacon, pickles, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise. It’s quite a plateful.
Dhs185 (sliders), Dhs60 (burger and hops). Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Wahda (02 304 7777).
Victor’s Bar and Restaurant
The pub is offering three different mighty burger and hop combinations. Choose from The Mexicano, with chicken, guacamole, cheddar cheese, jalapeños and tortilla chips, The Philly, with a beef patty, coleslaw, mushrooms and cream cheese, or the Cheeselicious, with a beef burger, bacon and lashings of cheddar cheese sauce.
Dhs79. Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (02 666 5508).
Y Bar
This pub is great for a relaxed drink and catch up with mates. The pub grub is top quality too, and during showdown week you can get a juicy wagyu beef burger and bottle of selected hops for less than Dhs100.
Dhs99. Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island (02 656 4155).
