If you have other options or restaurants aside from this one, please go for them. Unfortunately, they were the best! However, as usual, like most Middle Eastern restaurants, they are not capable of maintaining the high quality & service.
Message to the management: please don't ask me to send an email. I've spoken with the owner in person twice, & the third time he kept showing a surprised face & denying it. I simply don't want to eat raw chicken anymore.
Dec 10, 2025
on Google
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
on Google
Very good restaurant... If you're looking for authentic, high-quality shawarma, this place is a must-visit. I will definitely be coming back & highly recommend it to anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine.
Feb 1, 2025
on Google
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
Dec 8, 2024
on Google
After visiting Montreal from Ottawa & trying the shawarma at Original Shawarma, I can say it's a real gem for Middle Eastern food. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by Roua Kayal. Original Shawarma is a must-visit if you want to try authentic & delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. The food is great, the service is excellent, & the place has a nice atmosphere. I highly recommend giving it a try!
Jun 2, 2024
on Google
