Best of Toronto
The Best Shawarma in Toronto
The best shawarma in Toronto must start with a strong foundation. That is, the meat. You can have the tastiest garlic sauce or pickled turnips this side of the Atlantic Ocean, but if your meat is too dry (read: pre-shaved or left to sit) or without a slight crisp (shaved too early), the delight of the Middle Eastern fast food will soon start to dissipate.
And still, the spots on this list know the meat is just the start. Proper seasoning, marination, and appropriate shaving time, yes, but also fresh toppings, tangy sauces, warm pita--and hey, a smile never hurts. Of course, I'll take a delicious sandwich and a frown over a sub-par shawarma and friendly chit chat ay day. Never been one for small talk, after all. And on that note, here is the list of the best shawarma in Toronto.
See also:
The best falafel in Toronto
The best hummus in Toronto
Note: A previous version of this list was published in June 2009. Comments below made up until January 31, 2012 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept some of the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Dr. Laffa
Perhaps best known for its falafel, the shawarma laffa at this new Dufferin and Steeles destination shan’t be overlooked! The chicken shawarma is, of course, shaved off the spit to order while a fresh laffa is baking in the tabun oven. The chicken shawarma laffa rings in at $9.99 and is easily enough for two (or a very hungry one). Shawarma pita is $6.99. More »
College Falafel
College Falafel has served some of the best shawarma sandwiches in Toronto for years, and its owner isn’t afraid to remind customers of that gratifying tidbit when they walk in the door. Its reputation is grounded in its delicious marinated chicken ($6.49), beef ($6.99), and lamb ($6.99), rotating on the spits and shaved to request. More »
Shawarma Empire
Nevermind the colonial nod in its name, Shawarma Empire will surely seize you with its awesome, awesome shawarma deal. Not only is its chicken and beef tender and crispy, its sauces and toppings fresh and delicious, but two sandwiches can be had for $5.99! Just be sure you have cash on hand, as this empire doesn’t take credit or debit. More »
Me Va Me
Me Va Me’s express takeout counter is one of the (few?) places in Toronto where you can get your chicken shawarma on a baguette. Middle Eastern meets French? For those who prefer the traditional route Me Va Me offers the same flavourful chicken wrapped in a pita ($6.95), or else set on a plate with rice and salad. More »
Paramount Fine Foods
Paramount offers a plethora of Middle Eastern eats, but its chicken and/or beef shawarma is perhaps at the foremost. Generous portions are shaved for pitas ($5.99) and plates ($10.99), paired with tahini, garlic sauce, turnips, tomatoes, and lots of other veggies. More »
A La Turque
A LA Turque is Church and Wellesley’s answer to quality shawarma. While the shop itself might not be much to look at, the plates and sandwiches certainly are, priced at $5.75 for a chicken shawarma and a quarter more for seasoned beef. More »
Sultan Shawarma & Falafel
Sultan Shawarma is near impossible to avoid on a trip to or from (or anywhere near) Main Street Station. This place has an excellent taste to cost ratio, with quality and delicious chicken or beef, packed with fresh toppings and sauces in a shawarma for just $4.84. More »
King Falafel
It may look like beef on that spit, but King Falafel actually specializes in veal. That’s right, seasoned grilled veal shaved fresh off the spit. And the use of veal, of course, gives whole new meaning to the word “fresh,” in this case. Too soon? (That was another veal joke.) More »
Sofra Grill Express
Sofra Grill brought its famed Thornhill shawarma down to St. Clair and Dufferin for the masses, and the gratitude is obvious. The chicken or beef shawarma sandwiches come generously proportioned, stuffed to the brim with toppings, and all packed tight for $5.25. Affordable, and you save the gas money to Thornhill. More »
Discussion
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They use pickled Beets as well as the standard Turnip.
I eat there about 3 times a wek, can never finish a full one.
Best thing is it seems family run, so it is very consistent.
haven't been to the college ali baba yet but I'll check it out asap.
love shwarma...
Amazing pickled turnip, great chicken and a real nice whole wheat Arabic pita bread. The guy there makes every sauce from scratch too.
tim
Next in line, there is MeVaMe at Bathurst and Steeles that serves delicious pita and shawarma as well.
The Pita Palace in Village by the Grange that a couple people mentioned above is not too bad either, although it really doesn't compare to Wrap and Grab. I'd make the effort and walk a block down.
The place is amazing and they serve delicious huge sandwiches.
They recently had an opening special at 1.49$ for any sandwich.
worth giving it a try.
They also have this really cool oven that they make manakeesh in(i think thats how u spell it)in its like a middle eastern pizza. give them a try i thought they were preatty good. heres their phone number 647-347-7717
Being and Iraqi , I know how the real shawarma taste should be.
Visit Shawarma Empire @ Pharmacy & Lawrence and find out what you have been missing folks
Rated #1 best Falafel in Toronto 'Toronto Star 2007'
I discovered Shawarma Empire after Farhat's turned to shit. By FAR the best, especially when the owner, Ahed, is at the reins.
OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE: Empire layers the ingredients: meat, sauce, veggies, meat, sauce, veggies. This, and its hot sauce, and its superbly cooked meats are what makes it the best.
All of the shawarmas I have had downtown always begin with the pita from the bag of pita breads that you buy from the grocery store. enough said.
This is the best shawarma in Toronto, and it's not even close.
Like the "best falafal thread" I think Falafal World at Armadale and Bloor should be mentioned - no garlic sauce but really tasty chicken.
It's actually a family, and they care. Ask for Sammy and give him your feedback if you find something wrong.
guess you guys gave in cause couldn't find any small "local" places that are "family run" in the annex.
This place kicks Paramount and Ali Baba's ass!
You gota give it a try. They are super clean and fresh meat served all the time..
That is truly the BEST. My friends and I go there all the time.
LOVE it.
60 queen!! He said there is a bakery too!!! Opens 2 weeks from now!!!
I prefer Paramount to all of these, but before Paramount, there was Sarah's at Bloor/Bathurst. Spent many a days walking there from Bloor and Dufferin to get my Shawarma :)
The closest thing to good shawarma was a place called memo pizza before it became sofra express and when the small place called Shawarma on queen and john had the guy who made it who was an israeli arab, but he left, so... no more.
Other than that Meron bros. in thornhill is the best turkey option, and nora on richmond and spadina has ok beef on a good day.
3 things you should know, 1 - REAL shawarma should either be served on a regular, thick pocket pits, a taboon/laffa wrap, or on a plate, not the thin pita wrap i see all over the gta 2 - shawarma should be served right off the spit and not be put on a flattop grill for further cooking. and 3 - whats with the garlic sauce? the only condements should be humus, generous amounts of tehina on top and if your lucky, AMBA!!!!
and whoever said me va me, please die!
new these guy back in the day in TEC... YOM!!!
I like thinly sliced moist spiced lamb off a huge piece of meat like what is in the.third.picture i at the top of this blog post. Garlic sauce and lots of.good.veggies are a must. Who does this in toronto?
I would say that Sababa should be added to this list.
It's very simple but fresh and super tasty.
Never again will I go to this place and I hate it so much I never walk by it as I cross the street then cross the street again so I never have to look at it.
One word....FANTASTIQUE!!!