The proposed compact antenna introduces an innovative design combining a dual square-shaped patch with circular slots to achieve ultra-wideband (UWB) operation across 3.1 GHz–10.67 GHz. The incorporation of an epsilon-negative (ENG) metamaterial-based super-substrate, realized through a wheel-shaped unit cell, enhances the antenna’s performance by simultaneously improving gain and bandwidth. Unlike conventional designs, the metasurface layer is strategically placed beneath the patch, functioning as a super-substrate. This configuration ensures resonance at multiple crucial frequency bands (3.45–3.66 GHz, 4.0–4.5 GHz, and 5.97–10.13 GHz), catering to WLAN, LTE-A, and X-band applications. The achieved gain of the suggested metasurface layer is 6.7 dB. The proposed antenna provides a significant improvement of gain over a wide operating range, i.e. around 123% when compared to a conventional antenna. The experimental validation of the fabricated prototype establishes its feasibility, demonstrating superior multi-band resonance and ultra-wideband coverage compared to traditional patch antennas. This innovative approach paves the way for enhanced wireless communication solutions in compact form factors.