Ottawa doesn't just eat a lot of shawarma, the city council made it official: in 2024, councillors declared Ottawa the "Shawarma Capital of Canada," and the annual Shawarma Fest in the ByWard Market draws thousands of people every summer. With that many options on nearly every commercial strip, narrowing it down is tough. This list pulls together spots that turn up consistently in customer reviews, local food coverage, and a citywide taste test, based on public reviews and search results rather than a visit from ottown staff.
1. Shawarma Palace
Area: ByWard Market flagship at 464 Rideau St, with multiple locations across the city · Since: 1996
Shawarma Palace is arguably Ottawa's best-known shawarma name, and it earned a notable stamp of approval when it was named best in the city at a blind-tasting competition during the inaugural Shawarma Festival, according to CTV News. Regulars point to the garlicky potatoes and generous chicken shawarma plates as the go-to order, and the brand has expanded to roughly nine locations around the city and suburbs. It suits anyone who wants a reliably big, familiar plate without hunting for a hidden gem.
2. Laheeb Grill & Shawarma
Area: 947 Somerset St W
Laheeb serves charcoal-grilled Middle Eastern food alongside its shawarma, and reviewers describe the chicken as juicy with a well-balanced garlic sauce and fresh toppings. Portions come up repeatedly as a highlight, with some diners calling the size of a single order enough for two sittings. Reviews are not uniformly glowing, some customers have flagged inconsistency between visits, so it suits shawarma fans who prioritize bold, charcoal-grilled flavour over guaranteed consistency every time.
3. Shawarma's King
Area: 395 Bank St, Centretown · Rating: 3.5 on Tripadvisor (57 reviews) · Since: 1997
Also known as SK Shawarma, this Bank Street institution has been serving Lebanese food since 1997 and is known locally for its King Poutine as much as its shawarma plates. Reviewers who rate it highly point to generous portions and fair pricing, though the restaurant's review scores are more mixed than some others on this list, with some diners citing inconsistent service. It's a solid pick for anyone in Centretown who wants a shawarma-poutine combo in one stop.
4. Shawarma Al Mouna
Area: 1266 Wellington St W, Wellington West
Shawarma Al Mouna is a family-run Mediterranean spot that has built a loyal following in Wellington West. Customers describe tender, well-marinated chicken and mixed platters large enough to feed a small group, along with a free lentil soup sample that regulars mention as a nice touch. It's best suited to anyone looking for a neighbourhood sit-down feel rather than a quick counter order, with outdoor seating available in warmer months.
5. Mr Shawarma
Area: 5517 Hazeldean Rd, Stittsville · Rating: 4.4 on Google
Mr Shawarma has a strong reputation in Kanata and Stittsville, with reviewers frequently calling it among the best shawarma in the entire Ottawa area, not just the west end. Fans highlight fresh, juicy meat and generous garlic and hummus, though some recent reviews note the restaurant changed ownership and that consistency has varied since. It's a good option for west-end residents who don't want to drive downtown for a solid plate.
6. Super Bite Shawarma
Area: 1577 Alta Vista Dr, near the Train Yards · Rating: 4.7 on Google
Super Bite Shawarma consistently draws some of the strongest review scores on this list, with customers praising generous chicken and beef platters, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere credited in reviews to the owners. The garlic potatoes come up often as a standout side. Worth knowing before a visit: reviewers note the restaurant is cash-and-debit only, so it suits a planned stop more than a spontaneous one if you're not carrying cash.
7. Guava's Shawarma
Area: 3161 Strandherd Dr, Barrhaven/Nepean
Guava's has been a fixture in Barrhaven for over a decade and pulls a large volume of reviews across delivery and review platforms. Feedback is generally positive on freshness and portion size, with the garlic potatoes singled out repeatedly, though some reviewers have flagged pricing as steep relative to portion size. It's a reasonable pick for Barrhaven and Nepean residents who want a well-established local option.
8. Shawarma Station
Area: 2446 Bank St, south end near Riverside
Shawarma Station has built a following for its cheese pie shawarma and Markouk sandwiches, items that set it apart from the standard pita wrap most other spots serve. Reviewers describe honest, friendly service and strong value for the amount of food, alongside a cozy, unpretentious dining room with plenty of free parking. Some reviews mention that rice and shawarma plate portions run smaller than the sandwiches, so it's better suited to sandwich orders than plate orders if size is the priority.
Only eight businesses could be verified with specific, sourced detail for this list; other names came up in searches but either lacked a working website or Google listing, had ratings too thin or too mixed to include with confidence, or could not be confirmed as currently operating, so they were left off rather than guessed at.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public web sources, including local news coverage, restaurant review platforms, and each business's own website or social media page, not from a visit or taste test by ottown staff. No business on this list paid for placement or was aware it was being considered. It was last reviewed in August 2026.
