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.
Amazing food, the quality is top & very good quantity for the price as well. Highly recommended for anyone looking to try authentic Shawarma in Montreal
I've been a customer for a long time & have been supporting this restaurant since their first Mississauga location. I order from them regularly, usually around 3-4 times a month, because I genuinely enjoy the food.
Recently I had an issue with the quality of one of my orders, so I reached out to the manager directly. I really appreciated how professionally they handled the situation. They responded quickly, apologized sincerely, & made things right right away.
That kind of customer service means a lot & shows they truly care about their customers & reputation. Mistakes can happen anywhere, but the way a business responds is what makes the difference.
Because of their positive attitude & respectful treatment, I'll continue supporting them & ordering again. Great food & excellent customer service.
I had an amazing experience at this restaurant! Everything from the food quality & taste to the service & hospitality was top-notch. I'm giving it 5 stars & will definitely be back. I hope you continue to maintain this excellent level of quality & service. Highly recommended!'
Apr 30, 2026
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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!
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!
Amazing food with great flavor & quality. Everything was delicious & well prepared.
Special thanks to Alaa for her excellent service - she was very friendly, professional, & made the experience even better.
Highly recommended, & I will definitely come back again.
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.
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
'Original Shawarma' is a must-visit for shawarma lovers! Their meat & chicken shawarma are a flavor explosion. The portions are generous, & the quality shines through in every bite. Local ingredients make a difference! My only issue is that Doordash no longer delivers. Highly recommended for a satisfying shawarma sandwich fix!
