The Best Shawarma in Toronto
The best shawarma in Toronto comes down to who has the tastiest sauce, the freshest fillings and the juiciest meat. Done right and a shawarma can be the perfect cure for a hungry stomach. The basic recipe calls for a warm pita stuffed with tender pieces of chicken (or beef), creamy garlic sauce, crisp lettuce, refreshing tomatoes and an ensemble of pickled turnips, hot peppers and pickles.
In Toronto, good shawarma can be found east and west, north and south although, be forewarned, this list overlooks well deserved contenders on the city's fringes like Sababa and Me Va Me.
In a twist to our usual process, I was given a list of the top 12 destinations as voted by readers of this site and tasked with eating a chicken shawarma from each one. (Hey, it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it). Here's a list of the best shawarma in Toronto, as ranked by me:
Writing by Noah Bender Bennett
College Falafel
College Falafel serves up hot, freshly cooked chicken with a delicious ensemble of fresh vegetables, turnips and garlic sauce. Add in some of the friendliest service in Toronto and we have a clear winner. More...
Ali Baba's
With multiple locations throughout the city, both quality and service can vary somewhat. My favourite is the one at the top of Roncesvalles (Dundas West near Bloor) which has the best garlic sauce on this list and the service is top notch. More...
A La Turque
A La Turque is located in the heart of the Village at Church and Wellesley. For $5.25, you get a delicious shawarma packed to the brim with tzatziki, hummus, garlic sauce and fresh vegetables. It's hot-pressed to perfection and served piping hot. More...
Best Shawarma Place
This is one of the better deals in the downtown core. $5.50 gets you a huge shawarma stuffed with chicken and fresh toppings, all marinated in a garlic sauce. The two guys that work here are hilarious and joke with most of the customers who come in. More...
Shawarma Empire
Shawarma Empire serves up the best sandwich among the tough competition along Lawrence Avenue East. The toppings and meat are marinated in an array of savoury spices and matched with a hot sauce that's not too hot but just right. $5.99 nets two shawarmas OR a big chicken shawarma platter with wild rice and salad. More...
Ghazale
Ghazale doesn't really do anything noteworthy, but what they do they do better than average. The chicken meat is moist and they have a very spicy hot sauce and tasty garlic tahini. More...
Ali Baba Shawarma
The second best shawarma place on Lawrence Avenue East, Ali Baba is not part of the better know Ali Baba's chain (see #2) but they match nearby Shawarma Empire on price. The take on shawarma here is a little different as they replace the traditional garlic sauce with a much spicier curry. The end result is shawarma with an Indian twist, a nice reprieve from the usual. More...
Sarah's Shawarma and Falafel
An Annex favourite, Sarah's scores marks for their easily accessible location plus the general high quality of their food. The hot sauce is better than most and the chicken is tender and well seasoned, if a bit greasy. For $5.07 it's not the cheapest but still a decent value. More...
Wrap & Roll
Formerly Red & White, this shawarma has new ownership and, sadly, the quality of the shawarma has suffered for it. Service is amazing here as the staff is incredibly friendly but the meat can be dry and the garlic sauce a bit too like mayonnaise. Definitely not the best on this list, but not the worst either. More...
Champion
The shawarmas here are the definition of average. Stuffed with meat they're sadly way too short on veggies and those that made an appearance looked like they'd been sitting around for a while. More...
Falafel World
For $5.75, the shawarmas at Falafel World are small. Dressed like a falafel, they come with overpowering tahini sauce and key ingredients like turnips and pickels are left out entirely. The meat can be dry and underwhelming. A serviceable option for Bloor West Village locals but definitely not a destination. More...
Farhat
Farhat used to be great but sadly no longer lives up to its former glory. Undercooked and fatty meat? Check. Stale veggies? Check. More expensive than the other options down the street? Check. Throw in a sauce that lacks flavour and looks like bad mayonnaisse with pink food colouring and we have our clear loser. More...
Comments (72)
Not long ago I missed the northbound Dufferin bus at the station, and was thrilled to learn that the grilled shawarma (chicken) at the place on the northeast corner is delish!
Whoever did the photos- I'd rather see what the actual shawarma looks like than what the exterior of the stores look like. What's the point of telling us how good or bad they are if we cant even see them?
since when was Farhat ever good? I've lived in the area for years and its well known to be the worst of the three.
Anyone know a good place near Dundas & University? Need a reliable lunch spot ... I've tried a few, but I'm wondering if I'm missing any.
Last year there was briefly a place on Wellesley just east of Church called agenda Cafe that served what I thought was the best falafel in the area. When I sampled it last year I proclaimed it the best falafel since my last trip of Israel (5 or so months previous), to which the guy who'd handed it to me answered, "We're Israeli!" (Couldn't tell based on the few words he used when he offered it.)
They also served an array of other Israeli/Jewish food, including Shakshuka breakfast, knishes and other pastry.
Sadly it lasted only months and is now a Ghazale.
Doner King @ Yonge and Gerrard (next to big slice)...chicken dinner plate with mucho garlic and hot sauce - love it avec a ginger ale and more hot sauce.
@gloria --
Milo's Pita in the Toronto Life Square food court is very good. He makes everything by hand - even the falafel is made at time of order! His garlic sauce is drool inducing. Not exactly Dundas/University, but worth the stroll on a nice day.
@gloria
I work around Dundas & University, and my coworkers swear by the wrap & grab at the corner of dundas & chestnut...
This list is sooo wrong. Where is Naz's? Just up the street from the Hooters on John St.?!!? Reminds me of the shwarma's I had growing up in the Emirates. Come on now, BlogTO! You can do better!
I vote for number 4; Best Shawarma Place. Food is delicious, the prices are right, and the staff is friendly. Can't ask for more.
Problem with naz's is, it's ridiculously dirty in there and you can actually smell the mustiness of the rat/mouse pee.
Not to mention they are surly as hell in there.
Near Dundas and University there is Pita Palace, I think it is the name. They are the Shawarma place inside the food court at Villiage by the Grange. I think they are the best I have tried in Toronto.
They use pickled Beets as well as the standard Turnip.
I eat there about 3 times a wek, can never finish a full one.
Speaking of shwarmas... has anyone seen that flyer that's been posted up around town about Laila's? It claims that it killed someone... anyone know the deal/truth behind that? I posted a pic of it to the blogto.com photopool this weekend. Seems odd...
Gloria: I just recently found my favourite falafel place in the area, in the Village by the Grange foodcourt. The place is called "Pita" something or other, I can't remember. But I got a deliciously huge and diversely filled falafel and a drink for 6.75 (which is a great deal for the area). Don't know about their shawarmas, but if the falafel is any indication...
FYI - we have a Best Falafel thread here:
I like Shawarma's King in the Eaton Centre next to the downstairs McD's. A bit small but they are only $5 and always fresh tasting.
I have to say I wasn't impressed with Milo's but I only tried it once and it was late in the day. Maybe they deserve another shot.
I am sorry to sound like an arsehole here but I think that you can figure out that Laila's never killed anybody.
I personally have never heard of anyone dying as a result of a poison pita.
Also those posters eneded with a very odd "PLEASE HELP ME" at the end of it.
Get a grip buddy.
What about Pita Land, formerly La Zeez on Gerrard just east of Church? My personal fave, and the best I've had in the area.
Adjacent to Mi va Mi and Sababa are Hakotel and newcomer Mivgash, also on the Steeles strip -- both recommended.
Try Babos Donerpoint at the corner of Caledonia and Eglinton for DELECTABLE shawarma. Seriously.
Agreed...I didn't think it was true - just wondering what the impetus behind such an odd flyer was. Seemed rather malicious and childish - figured someone got dumped by a Laila's employee...
More info on the Laila's poster thing here:
http://www.blogto.com/city/2009/03/who_would_do_this_and_why/
Noor Mediterranean Food for me.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/10/1439517/restaurant/Etobicoke/Noor-Mediterranean-Food-Toronto
The shawarma is the size of a Burrito Boyz burrito, all the ingredients are fresh, the chicken is tender and juicy, but best of all, the naan/pita is fresh made in the place, so it's warm and soft, and for less than $8.
Unfortunately you'd have to make your way to Islington/Albion.
@gloria, go with what brownsound said. Doner King, Yonge+Gerrard is good stuff. Probably some of the best potato I've ever had too. I used to like Naz's, which someone mentioned, but it can be pretty sketch at times. Certainly the post option in the area, but that's not saying all that much.
Sad to see my favourite (well, one of my top two faves, as A La Turque is listed) "Falafel House", on Yonge just south of Bloor, not listed. Friendly staff and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Their soups are pretty good too, for cold winter days.
I agree, the place in Village by the Grange is the best. Check my post above. I should run a cross the street ans see what the name is, but it is the only Shawarma place there, hard to miss.
Best thing is it seems family run, so it is very consistent.
college falafel is by far the best in town (downtown). I would say if you venture up bathurst King David is the absolute best, authentic Israeli style.. Most of the falafel/sharawma in Toronto is crap. You have to go to the middle east to taste the real thing!!! Once you do nothing will ever taste as good, especially the cardboard-esque pita bread they give you and waters down tahina. Ghazale is filthy and Sarahs is all old and over salted.
I love sarahs and college falafel, both are in my stomping grounds and i enjoy them both but I think sarahs is better personally.
haven't been to the college ali baba yet but I'll check it out asap.
love shwarma...
Ali Baba's at Church and Gerrard is terrific. Quirky cooks who sing in Arabic, moist chicken and beef, fabulously fresh tabouleh with more tomatoes than any other place I've seen, and very tasty lentil soup. Ghazale on Wellesley near Church is fresh, except for the beef, which is dry like kibbee. Baklavah at AB's is crappy, though. And apparently there's a shawarma place in in MaRS building next to TGH that is good.
The best Shawarma in the city is Milo's Pita in the Toronto Life Square food court (Yonge/Dundas). Hard to believe a food court would have the best, but trust me, I have tried Shawarma's from the Mideast all the way to Toronto.
Amazing pickled turnip, great chicken and a real nice whole wheat Arabic pita bread. The guy there makes every sauce from scratch too.
'Wrap and Roll' really does not belong on this list. I've tried them a handful of times, and each time I was very disappointed. Does anyone know what happened to the proprietors of the old Red and White in the same location? That place was great.
I'm surprised that 'Wrap and Grab' (whose logo and name 'Wrap and Roll' have shamelessly tried to rip off) isn't on this list. Several locations.
I have yet to have ANY good shawarma in downtown toronto, at least for my taste. I prefer the Israeli style in a pita rather than the Lebanese wrapped kind. I think the best place in the GTA would be sababa's just west of younge and steeles. Hands down the best in town.
Noah, Rent a car and go uptown. Hannah's. Sofra Grill. Mr Combo. Anton (though not as good as it once was). Me Va ME (and Me Va ME Express). Best Grill. . I can continue with a handful of way worse shawarma places that are for SURE better than every single one you've mentioned.
Dan- you're forgetting that the author of this work was GIVEN a list of places that BLOGTO readers voted in, so really, he just probably went to test out what was given to him without any real say on the matter about what should be up there and what shouldn't- falfel house on bloor street definitely shouldn't yet i'm surprised other places were not even included period. it's really a faulty system developed by blogto and their best of editors.
I recently saw shakshuka elsewhere and wish I could remember where...
@scout13ca @apetimberlake and anyone else who's wondering about the story of the death at Laila's:
I just clicked on the link that Tim posted to the original story and saw the comment from Lina. Lina is correct. The man who died was one of the best friends of one of my closest friends so I can substantiate what Lina says. Severe food allergies, found dead on the bathroom floor. My friend is still dealing with his death.
Why is Ghazale on this list at all? The only reason it's still open is because of its hours and the ventilation fan that circulates the smell onto the Bloor St location. Smells delicious but dry and disappointing when you bite in.
Where is Wrap and Grab in all of this?
Im sorry but that poster looks like it was written by a Lunatic.
Why would someone end a letter "that already looks deranged to begin with" with the word "HELP"
I call Bullshit
You call wrong.
Unfortunately the person who created the poster did not articulate themselves efficiently and instead succeeded at making a poster that looked like bullshit. I initially questioned the poster too until I learned that that was the restaurant at which he died. Maybe the "help" was a reiteration of the friend's call to action. Yes, the word "help" wasn't necessary but when (some) people are grieving they're not always thinking or communicating coherently. Death of loved ones can make "lunatics" of people.
So her friend dies on the floor of a food alergy and then writes a demented letter pretty much stating that Liala's Kills.
If the guy died of a food alergy what fault is it of the resto??
Give me a break.
My friend didn't write the letter (or so she said). The person who created the poster could have been female or male.
The letter didn't "pretty much" state that Laila's kills, it DID state it, in bold capital letters.
The restaurant was informed of the food allergy so yes, it's their fault. If they hadn't been then I agree, there'd have been no responsibility on their part.
Yes, the poster was irrational. Yes, it seems "demented". I can't disparage someone who's grieving for suffering some degree of temporary dementia. But then, maybe I'm just able to empathize more because I've had someone close to me die accidentally (or because I'm empathetic and sensitive by nature).
I'm not arguing against the fact that it was a poorly written poster, I'm arguing that it wasn't bullshit, that it wasn't some "disgruntled former employee" or competing business as some have theorized, and I don't blame the friend for wanting to inform people that Laila's was irresponsible in this case. I think that there would have been better ways to convey the message. Laila's killed once, it's not a habit. They did kill, though. It's not that much different than stabbing someone if they KNEW that he had a deadly allergy. I realize that this sounds silly, but I think it makes sense: Food was their weapon.
I don't recall whether or not he'd eaten there in the past without incident. I realize that he could have avoided eating there altogether.
I have no idea if this went to the authorizes and if not, I wonder why. I don't know if I'll be able to find out.
College Falafel is the place to go. The food is made with so much care for the customers. A TRUE neighborhood spot! Don't miss it.
tim
the gem of all shawarma is toronto is the restaurant right beside Empire (listed above) called NASIBs. Go to the same plaza as Empire on Lawrence (near Pharmacy) and 3 stores to the left of it is Nasib - hands down best shawarma in the city - the reviewer must have been blind to miss it.
Me va Me makes the best Shawarma hands down. They are located at bathurst and steeles and have a take out location on Steeles and Hilda. Perfectly spiced and they use real fresh pita, nice choice of toppings at the take out. Mark this place down as the best middle eastern food in toronto period.
I believe the place is called Quick Pita (downtown in club area). Their downtown location makes the best shwarmas. They have other locations (one at Y&E) but they put on way too much sauce there and it drips... downtown one is consistently good.
People the Laila flyer is bullshit. Who are you going to trust: The Toronto Public Health Department's inspections and statement, 2 investigate reports or some dodgy flyer?
I love Shawarma (Beef) and Shish Taouk (Chicken).
Teddy there is no such thing as a Chicken Shawarma. By definition, Shawarma contains Beef. The chicken kind is called Shish Taouk.
The best shawarma I had is at kensington market its called Expres Falafel its the israeli style and its like a buffet and they really fill it up with meat.try it its the best.........
Fail. Shawarma means "turning" and can be almost any kind of meat, as long as it is turned as it cooks. It is entirely correct to ask for a chicken shawarma. Shish Taouk refers to a sandwich containing chicken roasted over coals. It is similar to and often confused with a chicken shawarma sandwich by know nothings, like yourself for instance.
there is no doubt, the best one is A LA TURQUE. Their chicken shawarmas always fresh, and hot. i do not know what they use for their chicken's sauce but it is spectacular!!!, it is totally awesome different taste from the others listed above.
You're absolutely right - #4 is incredible! It really is some of the best Shwarma in the city!
Hey BlogTO, your map is all screwed up. It's placing Sarah's Falafel (487 Bloor W) somewhere on Lawrence Ave E.
Hey, I gotta try these places but I need to say, MILO'S PITA at Yonge and Dundas square in the AMC plaza is SOOOOOOOO good I almost don't want to try shawarma from anywhere else. I dream about it. The sauce, the meat, everythign is perfect. Get the dinner combo and you wont be hungry for like, 6 days! Try it!!!
The chicken shawarma at Wrap and Grab on Dundas and Chestnut is absolute heaven. Their salads have also been very fresh everytime I've been there.
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.
Best shawarma? I recommend heading east and hitting up Ottawa, that's where the good shawarma is. I've yet to have anything that's really good in Toronto.
Has no one been to Eat A Pita on Cumberland at Yonge St.? They have the best shawarma in Toronto. Also the best falafel. Please, someone go there and write about it!
I agree, Ghazale is horrible. Their falafel is edible but their chicken meat is always dry and bland, and they hardly put anything else in them - just a bit of lettuce and tomato and a couple squirts of sauce. Even Pita Q on Bloor and Spadina is better than Ghazale.
There are quite a few shawarma in downtown at yonge st. I think you missed the best one: "Quick Tummy Time" just south of Gerald in Yonge. It was the first branch of Red & White previously, but unlike the other branch (now Wrap & Roll), this one has even better quality and service. It's really yummy, fresh and the garlic sauce and Tahini with juicy fresh cut chicken is the best in city to get for less than 5 bucks.
Forget the places on Lawrence E. If you're in Scarborough head to Johnny's Shawarma on Kennedy Rd. just north of Ellesmere (next to Dairy Queen)...clean, pleasant, and excellent taste and portions. I tried all the places on Lawrence and wasn't too impressed with the taste and in some cases the cleanliness.
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