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!
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!
Dec 30, 2025
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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!
Sep 4, 2025
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Had to update this review as I went so many times after the first & they were all good but today I picked up my food $50 worth & it was all too salty & we could barely eat half of it before feeling like our blood pressure would become so high. It was too salty to a level that's inedible, like everything was full of salt, the poutine, the chicken shawarma, the meat shawarma. I feel bad about wasting the food & the money & that the quality is lower now. & sadly I think this will be my last time eating there.
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.
Shawarma Original is hands down the best spot for authentic, flavorful shawarma! The meat is always perfectly seasoned, juicy, & tender, & the portion sizes are generous. Their garlic sauce is out of this world, & the pita is always fresh. The service is friendly & fast, even during busy hours. If you're craving top-quality shawarma, this place never disappoints. Highly recommend!"
Oct 19, 2024
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My new fave shawarma spot in Montreal. Over the last few years, the shawarma scene in Montreal has really been trending downwards with all the good spots closing. Shawarma Original really hits the spot, my go to is the lamb on SAJ the quality & taste is superbe. Potatoes are also really delicious
hello, i am one of the shawarma lover, & most of the time we go eat there. Today because we were fasting, after waiting long time, finally i got the trio of chicken shawarma, it was really busy, & we take the trio & we had a meeting in school. after the EFTAR, the sandwich was good but the fires was really old & a the quantity also was less the usual. & we was lay on the fries to full us because it wasn't any other food in school. any way just want to say that if your customers are increasing you should not decrease the quality & the quantity of your food.
I drove 40 minutes to eat there in the most infuriating traffic but it was all worth it as soon as i tasted the food... the quality, the quantity, the price... it's hands down best restaurant in town!!
