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.
Original shawarma is my go to spot because it never disappoint & always delivers. The prices & portions are very fair & everything in the menu is delicious. They also provide free sauces if you ask them which is very generous considering it is so good.
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%
Although the photo wasn't focused on each dish, food was for 8 individuals but can go up to 10 at least. The food was amazing! The rice & whole chicken is a must! The others were Family Mix shawarma & veal. The sauces, pickles & garlic potatoes were excellent! Beef shawarma Sai wraps a bit salty but tasty nonetheless.
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
This isn't just a shawarma spot. It's a masterclass in precision, flavor, & execution. Every detail - from the first whiff at the entrance to the last bite on your plate - is crafted with a level of care that most fine dining kitchens only wish they had.
Let's start with the star of the show: the meat. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, seared with surgical precision - every slice feels like it's been engineered for maximum satisfaction. The texture? Impossibly tender with just the right edge of crispy caramelization. The flavor? Bold, deep, balanced - a flawless blend of spices that lingers without overwhelming.
The garlic sauce? Silky, rich, smooth - a sauce that doesn't just complement, it elevates. & the pita? Toasted just right. Pillowy with a slight crunch, it holds everything together like it was custom-built to deliver perfection.
Even the toppings - the pickles, the turnips, the tomatoes, the onions - aren't filler. They're sharp, bright, & meticulously balanced to cut through the richness & keep every bite dynamic.
& don't even get started on portioning & plating - it's thoughtful. It's clean. It's efficient. You get exactly what you need, exactly how you want it.
Service? Fast, friendly, & locked-in. These people know their product, & they take pride in it. & it shows. There's confidence in every move, like they're fully aware they're handing you something that exceeds expectations every single time.
Shawarma Original is operating in a completely different league. It's not a'hidden gem' - it's a benchmark. If the Michelin Guide is serious about honoring excellence at every level of dining, this place shouldn't just be considered - it should be celebrated.
Best shawarma I've had. The chicken was super tender & flavourful & perfectly spicy. The potatoes were well seasoned & the garlic sauce was delicious. Opens at 12 on the dot, so if you're hoping get lunch, give yourself some time or order in advance for pickup.
