Talk about a tasty shake-up.
Once considered a little pedestrian, Riyadh's food scene is now a bastion of diversity, playing host to everything from fine-dining imports to fiercely local eateries, fusion concepts, farm-to-table experiences and more – and it continues to evolve at a dizzying pace. Burgers, however, remain a firm favourite regardless of all the culinary action making headlines.
Whether they're cheap and cheerful, elevating the bun-and-patty combination, or breaking the rules entirely, the capital's burger joints cater to every palate, diversifying what is universally considered the ultimate comfort food. As for where to start? Right here! These are our picks of the best burgers in Riyadh.
1. Burger Boutique
Whether it's the sliders or smashed burgers in question, Burger Boutique wins rave reviews for mastering the essentials – only organic, grass-fed, and hormone-free beef makes the cut at this sleek, swanky joint that now operates three locations in the capital. Traditionalists tend to opt for the Classic, while The Black appeals to gourmands thanks to its combination of Wagyu beef, smoked mature cheddar, caramelised onions, arugula and aioli.
Solar Gravity, meanwhile, packs a meaty punch with a double patty that's infused with beef bacon and cheddar cheese. And with seven different takes on fries to choose from, it's easy to see why Burger Boutique is dubbed the Middle East's first gourmet burger joint.
@burgerboutiqueksa
Several locations in Riyadh
2. Black Tap
Another top burger joint in Riyadh, Black Tap earns a spot on this list thanks to its famed craft burgers and towering CrazyShake milkshakes, both of which are downright indulgent. The patties are cooked on a sizzling griddle and accented with the likes of smoked gouda, cremini mushrooms or pear-and-bacon jam, while the shakes are crowned with everything from birthday cake to cotton candy. And then there's the ambiance – upscale yet achingly cool, it resides in the dynamic King Abdullah Financial District and echoes the OG outpost in New York, complete with neon signs, graffiti art, grey brick walls, and a playlist of old-school pop and hip hop.
@blacktapksa
KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 11564
3. GUNBUN
Just when we thought that the secret to a great burger was all about the patty, GUNBUN came along and proved us wrong. Leading the so-called revolution of buns, it stands out for what it calls “burnt dough,” aka heavily charred sourdough buns that envelope fillings such as ribeye steak, beef brisket, and marinated chicken – there isn't a brioche bun in sight.
Just as innovative are the sides that accompany the burgers (think crispy kale served with ponzu mayo, mozzarella schnitzel paired with basil pesto aioli, and corn riblets with a drizzle of chutney). Oh, and forget what you've heard about this burger spot being overpriced. The Cheese Melt, GunBun's take on a classic cheeseburger, clocks in at only SAR 36.
@gunbun.ksa
3250 Takhassusi St, Al Mohammadiyyah, Riyadh 12364
4. Nevermind
No fads, no gimmicks, just brilliant burgers at brilliant prices – that is the appeal of Nevermind in a nutshell. In a city like Riyadh, where burger enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, this place keeps it simple, but don't let the brevity of the menu fool you. Priced at SAR 19, the signature Nevermind is one of only three beef burger options, all of which feature double patties that are incredibly fresh and juicy every time.
The selection of fries is just as straightforward; the regular and sweet potato fries will set you back only SAR 4, but you can indulge in both for SAR 6. Bonus: all of Nevermind's locations are open till 2am, making it ideal for those late-night cravings that strike without warning.
@nevermindriyadh
Several locations in Riyadh
5. Salt
When it comes to burger restaurants in Riyadh (or elsewhere for that matter), Salt can do no wrong – right? What started as a food truck in Dubai is now a fully-fledged foodie movement that has extended its presence to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, and continues to spawn imitators worldwide. All four branches in the capital serve the sliders and skin-on fries that have earned Salt a cult following, along with creamy softies that rotate flavours like mango and frozen rotab based on the season. Yes, the burgers here are made using Wagyu beef patties, but when the mood for something with a crunch takes over, the spicy Chicken Cheetos is a no-brainer.
@findsalt.sa
Several locations in Riyadh
6. Section-B
Born in Jeddah and beloved in Riyadh (Makkah and Al Khobar, too), Section-B celebrates the classics, taking a pared-back approach when it comes to its menu. Quality ingredients and established cooking techniques take centre stage at this homegrown hero that has earned a spot on the 50 Best Discovery list, a travel- and experience-focused platform featuring thousands of F&B outlets endorsed by the 50 Best Academy of Experts.
First-timers, order the -B, which features an Angus beef patty with cheddar cheese, onion, tomato, dill pickles, iceberg lettuce, and -B sauce. Hosting friends? The 3x3 BOX, with its nine cheesy sliders, is a real crowd-pleaser. Incidentally, Section B was once home to a highly rated vegan burger (the V), so keep an eye out for its return.
@sectionb_sa
Three branches across the city
7. The California Burger
The sky's the limit at The California Burger, where you can order old-fashioned burgers with up to a whopping five patties. Cutting carbs? Order yours in a lettuce wrap. Run by a family-owned Saudi company, it operates branches in Jeddah and Riyadh, all of which are cool and laidback in ambiance – much like the US state that inspired its name back in 1977. And with the freshly ground Angus patties here grilled to perfection, the toppings aren't meant to steal focus. The likes of fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, caramelised onions and American cheese make for the perfect accompaniments to what is a longstanding favourite.
@thecaliforniaburger
Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, Riyadh 13524
8. Wagyu Burger
The definitive address of Wagyu beef in Riyadh, the aptly named Wagyu Burger has amassed quite the following for its selection of burgers, smashed and otherwise. Those made using the highly marbled and exceptionally tender beef from Japan start at SAR 68, but are worth the splurge – it is among the world's most sought-after meats, after all. But it's not just the gourmet burgers that make this restaurant so popular. Sandos and sliders aside, you can also indulge in the Wagyu Striploin which couples 170 grams of the good stuff with mushroom steak sauce, chimichurri sauce, parmesan cheese, and a side salad.
@wagyu_burger
8161 Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12234
9. Bird
Spicy, crunchy and devoid of beef – make a beeline for Bird when you need a change of pace. Serving the best chicken burgers in Riyadh, this is the real deal if Nashville-style hot chicken is what you're seeking. We can attest that The Bird Sando is as decadent as it looks on social media, a glorious mess of boneless chicken breast, coleslaw, house pickles and comeback sauce between two buttered buns. Test your limits with the various heat levels on offer. ‘Country’ keeps it mild, ‘Medium’ raises the temp, while ‘Hot’ ups the ante for the brave among us. Top tip: the mac and cheese offsets said heat perfectly.
@bird.saudia
Three branches across Riyadh
10. Supernova
Supernova, the no-frills, flavour-first joint that became a phenomenon in the UK, has officially opened its doors in Al Nakheel and is a popular recent addition to the city's food scene..
The concept is simple: soft buns, juicy patties, hand-cut fries, and sundaes worth savouring. No gimmicks, no weird-for-the-sake-of-it menu options, just classic diner-style dining done right. The interiors follow suit, keeping things crisp and minimalist, letting the food take centre stage.
@supernovaburgerksa
Al Nakheel
