Original Shawarma se spécialise dans la préparation de plats traditionnels du Moyen-Orient articulés autour de viandes rôties à la broche verticale et de garnitures végétales fraîches. Les émincés de poulet et de bœuf sont assaisonnés avec des mélanges d'épices classiques avant d'être saisis pour obtenir une texture optimale. Ces protéines sont servies dans des pains pita souples ou accompagnées de riz parfumé et agrémentées de sauce à l'ail maison ou de tahini onctueux. La carte propose une variété de mezzés incluant du houmous préparé sur place et des falafels croustillants soulignant les techniques culinaires authentiques. La clientèle choisit parmi de nombreuses configurations de garnitures personnalisables mettant l'accent sur la fraîcheur des légumes marinés. L'établissement privilégie une préparation efficace et des profils de saveurs constants pour offrir une représentation directe des spécialités régionales. Chaque plat reflète un engagement envers les traditions gastronomiques locales grâce à des ingrédients rigoureusement sélectionnés.
Original Shawarma est largement reconnu par les clients comme l'une des meilleures adresses à Montréal pour une cuisine moyen-orientale authentique, particulièrement pour son shawarma savoureux et ses plats de mandi impressionnants. Les visiteurs soulignent fréquemment la générosité des portions, les prix justes et la qualité constante des plats comme raisons principales de leur fidélité. Bien que l'atmosphère soit décrite comme chaleureuse et accueillante, le restaurant est constamment très fréquenté, ce qui peut entraîner de longues files d'attente et une salle à manger bondée. Bien que la majorité des commentaires sur le service soit positive, qualifiant le personnel d'amical, professionnel et serviable, certains clients ont noté des incohérences occasionnelles concernant l'exactitude ou la température des commandes. Malgré des défis mineurs liés à l'espace et au stationnement, le consensus général reste très positif, de nombreux clients considérant cet endroit comme une destination incontournable pour des repas délicieux, fiables et de grande qualité.
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.
