In case you hadn’t noticed by now, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is coming.
There’s a massive UFC event and two huge concerts by Red Hot Chili Peppers and J Balvin taking place at the all-new purpuse-built arena on Yas Island.
You may have even read about the happy hours and parties taking place across the city and the bunch of 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 across the city to bring you some incredible burger deals.
Here are 19 great burger and beverage deals you won’t want to miss.
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 Cafe
The Big Boys Burger isn’t just for big boys, we’ve been assured ladies and smaller gents can order it, too. But whatever your size when you start, we guarantee you’ll be a little bit bigger when you’ve finished it. This super combo will set you back just under Dhs150 and it comes with a glass of Belgian hops too. It’s the classy way to do pub grub.
Dhs149. InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street (02 304 8304).
Belgian Cafe 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).
BOA Steakhouse
The stylish steakhouse is one of the classiest places in the capital to enjoy a good burger, and if neither you nor your other half can resist a good beef patty, we suggest you head here for your date night during Showdown Week. For less than Dhs200 you can get two signature BOA wagyu burgers (that’s it on our front cover this week) and two house beverages or soft drinks, all served with views of the Eastern Mangroves. The burger has a wagyu patty topped with pulled short rib, bacon, smoked cheddar, fried pickles and a fried egg between the brioche bun. Now that’s a heavyweight meal.
Dhs199. Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Salam Street (02 641 1500).
Fifth Street Cafe
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).
Hemmingway’s
The Mega UFC burger, which has been created especially for the event, requires a healthy appetite. The beef patty is topped with cheddar cheese, fried egg, turkey bacon, fried onion, tomato, lettuce, Sriracha mayo and served with an enormous mound of ‘cheesy madness’ hand-cut potato fries. It’s pretty epic as far as burgers go. You can choose to add a pint of hops, too.
Dhs69 (burger), Dhs105 (burger and draft hops). Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche West (02 692 4247).
Jones the Grocer
This Aussie café is known for its tremendous burgers, and this offer lets you get the Jones signature wagyu burger with a pint of hops for less than Dhs90. You can also add on crispy-coated brie, truffle brie or foie gras if you’re feeling particularly extra. There’s also a platter of mini wagyu sliders with brie, beef bacon, cheddar and caramelised onions available. See if you can stand to share them.
Dhs85 (burger), Dhs62 (sliders). Various locations, including Al Muneera, Al Raha Beach (02 558 9808).
Mai Cafe
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).
Olea
This upmarket restaurant has a perfect spot on Saadiyat Island. During Showdown Week you can get a grilled beef burger with turkey bacon, cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise and sliced pickled beetroot plus a pint of hops for Dhs110. We reckon that’s worth heading out to the island for.
Dhs110. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi (02 498 8888).
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).
The 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).
Up and Below
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).
