Reviewers consistently highlight Original Shawarma for generous portions, especially the mandi and shawarma, strong authentic flavors, and good value for money, with many calling it the best shawarma in Montreal or even Canada. The meat is described as juicy and well seasoned, sauces like garlic sauce are standout, and the rice and sides are noted as solid or excellent; the dine in experience is praised for atmosphere and service in many visits, while others complain about crowded, noisy rooms, long queues, and occasional slow or disorganized service. Some meals arrive cold or overly salty on certain visits, and parking is frequently cited as a challenge. Takeout and family platters are popular and price point is a strong positive, though quality can vary across visits. Overall the sentiment is that Original Shawarma delivers great flavor and generous portions, attracting repeat customers, while peak hours can stress the staff and space.
I've been coming to Original Shawarma (Montreal branch) pretty often now, & it's easily become one of my go-to spots in the city.
The chicken shawarma is always on point - juicy, flavorful, & perfectly wrapped every time. But honestly, don't stop there. The roasted chicken is just as impressive, super tender with amazing seasoning, & the mandi is a must-try too - rich, aromatic, & seriously satisfying.
Everything tastes fresh & well-prepared, & the portions are generous. The staff are always friendly & welcoming, even during busy times, which makes the experience even better. The place is clean & has a nice, relaxed vibe.
You can tell they're consistent with their quality, which is why I keep coming back. Highly recommend if you're in Montreal & want something delicious & reliable!
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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The a place is like Lebanon, the shawerma is like Lebanon, you don't even have to mention that you want it the Lebanese way & say what you want in it whether meat or chicken..... & the mandi is amazing ... The quantity is so generous
Original shawrma is best in town …. I really love the service the food the aura😍😍People should come & try their mandi & especially my favourite repas poulet
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!
J'adore manger chez Original Shawarma ! Votre recette est vraiment originale, & chaque fois que je prends mandi , je suis impressionnée par la qualité du riz - juste wow, wow, wow !
Pourriez-vous me dire quel type de riz vous utilisez ? J'aimerais beaucoup le connaître.
Merci
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
Nov 30, 2025
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I placed a large order before the restaurant even opened at 11:00 AM, & they handled it perfectly. The food was excellent, & everyone was more than satisfied. I ordered two Mandi meals, two chicken over rice dishes, & a family-sized chicken shawarma. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take a photo-the smell was just too tempting, & we had to dig in right away!
A big thank you to Abu Farouq & the entire team for your great work. You truly made our day!
The food was amazing we ordered mandi family meal it was very generous & literally original mandi taste from the gulf, the t was also amazing & as a Middle Eastern am picky when it comes to t but this was amazing. Well done
I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the Lamb Mandi, & it was nothing short of spectacular! The lamb was cooked to perfection-so tender that it practically melted in my mouth. The flavors were rich & delightful, making each bite a true culinary treat. If you're looking for a dish that combines comfort & exquisite taste, I highly recommend trying the Mandi here. You won't be disappointed!
