Original Shawarma specializes in the preparation of authentic Middle Eastern staples centered around vertical rotisserie meats and fresh vegetable accompaniments. Thinly sliced chicken and beef are seasoned with traditional spice blends before being seared to optimal texture. These proteins are served within soft pita bread or alongside fragrant rice platters accompanied by house-made garlic sauce and creamy tahini. The menu features a variety of mezze options including freshly prepared hummus and crispy falafel that highlight classic culinary techniques. Diners select from numerous customizable topping configurations that emphasize the freshness of pickled vegetables and crisp greens. The establishment focuses on efficient food preparation and consistent flavor profiles to provide a straightforward representation of regional staples. Every dish reflects a commitment to traditional flavor palettes through the use of high-quality ingredients and classic preparation methods.
Original Shawarma is widely recognized as a top-tier destination for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Montreal, with many diners praising the generous portions, flavorful chicken and lamb shawarma, and the standout Mandi dishes. While the restaurant earns high marks for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and generally professional service, its immense popularity often leads to significant wait times, crowded seating areas, and occasional challenges with order consistency. Despite these busy conditions, the staff is frequently commended for their welcoming and accommodating attitude, making the establishment a highly recommended spot for those seeking satisfying and reliable meals at a great value.
Easily the best shawarma I've tried in my life, & thats me comparing it to my home country which tells you a lot, liked mandi with lamb better than chicken, but both still really good, their garlic sauce is to die for & their prices are just insane in comparison with the amount of food you get, will be back a 100%
Yesterday, February 24th, I ordered the family-sized lamb mandi, & it was one of the worst experiences I've had. The rice wasn't the same as before in terms of taste for me & my family; it was bad. In addition, the amount of meat was not commensurate with the price. Although I asked which type of rice was better when placing the order, & the employee explained that there were two types, I was surprised to find that there was only one type when I got home.my order number was 37 at 5pm & total 106$
Feb 25, 2026
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A good place to try halal lamb & chicken mandi! However the place is always crowded & mostly loud. But the quantity & quality of food at a great price makes up for it! Have come back to the place 4 times. Worth it!
The price, the taste, & the atmosphere were all incredible. I've never had a lamb shank this delicious & definitely not at this price anywhere else. Honestly, I even forgot to take a picture because it was that good & I was too busy enjoying the food.
A thousand percent recommended!
Some meals don't wait for photos - they attack your hunger first. That's precisely what happened here. We started eating immediately, forgot about the picture, & only remembered when the plates were already halfway gone. Honestly? That's usually the best review a restaurant can get.
🍽? What We Actually Ordered
✔? Chicken Shawarma Plate (fries base) - $12
✔? Jarret d'agneau EXTRA (Lamb Shank) - $25 (comes with 2 lamb shanks, rice, nuts & raisins, mandi sauce)
✔? A small garlic sauce, which the staff gave it for free
✔? mandi sauce & a house mayo & tahini included
Everything else in the photo came with these two dishes.
✨ Experience & Atmosphere
We went on a Sunday night, calm but not empty. & you could tell this wasn't their'real' traffic - the setup, speed, & vibe show they're used to heavy crowds.
Ordering was smooth, the reception was patient & helpful, & the menu is much larger than at a typical'shawarma place.' It feels more like a Middle Eastern canteen with a wide comfort-food lineup.
🔥 Service That Stands Out
The garlic sauce is labelled as $X extra, but when I asked for a small one, the staff said:
'No worries, you can have it.'
Small gestures like this change everything.
& another thing:
Since they don't provide table service & don't ask for tips, it's a place that matches expectations with reality. Respect.
🍗 Taste & Quality
• Lamb shank: shockingly good. Soft, flavorful, no frozen taste, no dryness. I've paid double at other places & had meat that tasted as if it had travelled from Antarctica.
• Rice: warm, colourful, lightly spiced, & the nuts/raisins gave it an authentic eastern mandi taste.
• Chicken shawarma: juicy, well-seasoned, & NOT oily. Fries were fresh.
• Sauces: garlic sauce was excellent, smooth, creamy, not too sharp.
Even half-eaten, the plates still looked good in the photo.
That alone says enough.
💡 Practical Tips
• If you're a lamb lover, take the Jarret d'agneau, great value for two shanks.
• Garlic sauce is a must.
• The menu is larger than expected; check it thoroughly before ordering.
• Good for parties, take-out or quick dine-in. No table service.
Final Verdict:
Original Shawarma surprised me, real flavour, generous portions, no attitude, & no sneaky tipping screens. The kind of place that focuses on food, not theatrics. Given what you pay, it's really worth it.
⭐ 4.8/5 - Amazing lamb, great shawarma, honest service
It's ok. I wouldn't drive out of the way to go here. I had the original sandwich since the one I wanted was not available. The meat is lacking in flavor. I find them generous with the amount of lamb & veal they put in but it could also seem like too much. I'd prefer a more balanced sandwich with less meat & more of the other stuffings they put in. I also ordered the crispy chicken & it was ok. A little oilier than I like. Parking here is a mess. I'd recommend parking a short walk away. I also found that it's chaotic once you pay & wait for your number to be called. Everyone that comes in for an Uber order floods the cash area & it's very annoying. It's seems nobody can stand aside & actually wait for a number to be called.
First time trying & let me just say I had to sit down eating it.. My keens buckled lol. Hand down the best shawarma I've ever had in my life.. Lamb shawarma was out of this world. Can't wait to go back
