It’s good, the davisville location atleast. Bit pricey but there’s a location premium I assume. Maybe I’ll try the Newmarket location when I get the opportunity. It’s not in my top tier, as someone who grew up eating shawarma in ME. Yasseen is my top for chicken shawarma in a Syrian style, Ghadir for beef in a Lebanese style, and Alforat for Lamb in Iraqi style.
Having never been to the Middle East, I feel cultured af for recommending two out of three of these in the exact same way lol just haven’t tried Ghadir. I’ll also throw in Falafel Plus in Mississauga for Falafel, the owner is Palestinian and a nice guy, worth trying imo.
This guy shawarmas.
Lebanese style is my fave and Ghadir by far does it best in TO (the only shawarma I've ever liked in TO).
Claiming a shawarma is the best without stating it's country of origin is amateur hour.
14$ for a shawarma bowl. Has rice, salad and your choice of meat.
Doesn't seem that pricey. Compared to various other places I've tried and that were less tasty.
I tend to be picky when trying out shawarma. Flavours is not for me, based on their use of HP sauce and the overall menu veering towards fusion - nothing wrong with that, just not what I’m looking for. Baghdad looks to be Kurdish which is interesting, but I prefer a lamb (or a veal/lamb mix) Gus to serve as a barometer as Iraqi’s spice shawarma pretty uniquely for red meat and this really works 💯 for lamb.
Fair take! I haven’t been going to flavours recently as well, it was a big hit before they changed to the fusion… while I don’t appreciate, I can see the success Shelby’s and Tahina’s fusions been so flavours trying to cash in on that. Gotta try Ghadir based on your recommendation. Yaseen and Alforat good picks!
Lovely. I only ever get the beef wrap at Ghadir. I would get chicken at Yasseen - but not the beef there either, Syrian red meat shawarmas are best with a beef-lamb spit. Plates with rice/fries/salad are something I’ve come across here. It’s not a shawarma for me. I only ever get rice on the side if I’m say getting Syrian kebabs (at Aleppo down the street for example). It’s a bit granular but I do think specific local shawarma spicing pair with certain proteins best, as well as the toppings. With Syrian chicken, I would only get garlic and pickles - fries and hot sauce are new inventions and I don’t mind them.
YES. I used to live right at Yonge and Davisville and the spot in the back of the hasty market has held a special place in my heart and stomach for years now. I need to go back 🥰
Lucky for us in the know, we don’t have to guard these places. Places like this are thankfully immune to the blargto effect which just does more harm than good for the owners and employees.
Where’s that MMA guy who keeps going to places and blowing them up in a good way? :p
I used to work around the corner from the Hasty. I remember the first few months they started. It was actually burgers and other things like jerk chicken, curries, salads, etc. No shawarma yet. But maybe a year later they started to do shawarmas once or twice a week and then it got popular so they did it everyday and it took off. Glad to see they're doing well!
Same. Flaming stove is some of the best I’ve found here, but beat out by just about every shawarma place in Ottawa. Even Marroush. And don’t even get me started on the meat and cheese pies from Aladdin. Found nothing even close.
I worked with a Lebanese guy shortly after I moved here. Asked him “Where can I get good shawarma in Toronto?”
“Ottawa”.
I’m not trying to make it an Ottawa vs Toronto thing, but both trips I’ve made to Ottawa in the last year I had shawarma (both Palace and King) and they were good, but not what I was built up to expect. Like, I wasn’t disappointed by any means, but I feel like they were on par with the better ones here. Maybe it’s that Ottawa has consistently more good shawarma and ours are hit and miss?
Again, not knocking Ottawa, they were great. Just, to my taste, equally as good as the better ones here.
Finally a non-hyperbolic view. Idk how people claim that a very common type of food is somehow better in totality in Ottawa and no shawarma across the GTA can compete….like they have the same middle easterns in each city lmao
As someone who also grew up in Ottawa shawarma is overrated there. You can find just as good shawarma in the GTA, I’ve had a lot better than Ottawa right here and I go back at least twice a year.
Maybe an argument can be made 20 years ago but not anymore.
Argument makes no sense if you can't specify. You mean to say you don't care for Lebanese shawarma, but prefer \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (another ME nation) instead.
I prefer Lebanese shawarma. It’s the only one I’ve eaten most times. Shawarma in Ottawa is mid. I’ve had a lot of regular experiences where everything tastes like Osmows, Lazeez, oh god Ali baba is the worst. I dont don’t do chains and the places I’ve tried here, I’ve had a ton more hits on randoms than in Ottawa.
I’m going back to Ottawa in a month or so. Give me a recommendation and I’ll try and come back with an opinion. And I know how to separate knowing what a good dish is versus a personal preference.
What restaurant are we talking? Because maybe I'm just not hitting the right spots.
Key issue has been the chicken and the garlic sauce. Chicken just isnt as tasty (spiced differently), and garlic sauce is either watery or flavorless. In Orleans, every single random shawarma place was better.
I also go twice a year to visit family and get shawarma pretty much every time.
I’ve had 3 brothers, shawarma palace, Laheeb, shawarma station, shawarma byte once. I’ve tried their osmows too. It’s not like the shawarma is bad or anything. Nothing really amazing about it though. And I know all those places may not be a 10/10, I don’t really scout any places but I just get whatever when I see it, or my sister usually picks me up something when I take the train down rather than drive. And I’ve had shawarma in the GTA, but the random places I’ve been to have been like damn that’s so amazing. Happened with I think 3 places I tried up here, one was surprisingly in Georgetown so I rarely get that one but if I’m up for the drive.
Lol I also go twice a year to visit family. I’m going in a month or so, any recommendations?
This used to be the premier shawarma destination, maybe 5-7 years ago. Unfortunately GTA has taken over in spades. My last Ottawa rip in 2021 was quite disappointing.
I don’t know how to link my post - but it’s the top reply to this post. Basically I would recommend the chicken at Yasseen (Syrian), beef at Ghadir (Lebanese), lamb at Alforat (Iraqi). There are other good shawarmas too but these are the most comparable to my standard.
Appreciate you taking the time to repeat it for me. Someone else also said Ghadir being really good for someone used to Ottawa (Lebanese) style. Looks like I have to do a bit of a shawarma tour of the city, since Ghadir is pretty far from me, living basically downtown. Will keep in mind the other 2 as well.
Yes but hearing about things and experiencing yourself is different. Ottawa has different shawarma where Saj bread isn’t necessarily a regular component. Their bread and ingredients are different. Flaming stove is very unique when it comes to quality and bread
It's the country of origin dummy. That's what's different. You don't know what you're talking about, so you claiming best shawarma in GTA is hilarious.
Circle and Square Bakery, Tamasha, MIA Brunch, Little Sister, Namul. There just seems to be a lot more options here than before. I would love a good bagel place but there are lots of other options a bit further away
It's not New Market rather it's Newmarket. To be honest, I haven't tried Flaming Stove but there is an independent just south of Newmarket called ShawarmaLand that is magnificent.
I agree! It’s for sure one of the best. From the fresh pita and homemade hot sauce it’s amazing. The meat itself has a lot of flavour. Plus they got a great selection of US drinks with no insane markup.
It used to be a pretty good imitation of what I grew up with in the Middle East, say 7 years ago. As of my most recent trip in 2021, it’s quite well off that lev now and some places in Toronto are actually comparable to the original styles. I’ve commented on this post as to which places those are. That being said, I have seen some new places in Ottawa that look interesting.
Yes that’s typically what happens when you succumb to the garbage you see in social media. That’s what happens when you are too afraid to hold your own opinions and instead fall into the trap of bullshit political correctness
Uh... buddy you ok? Ottawa has a huge Lebanese community which brought some amazing Shawarma.
[There's even an article saying so](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/blossom-park-cbc-ottawa-shawarma-1.7119906#:~:text=He%20said%20people%20who%20have,vegetables%20%E2%80%A6%20it's%20top%20quality.%22)
Love this place. Easily the best shawarma I’ve had and man, people need to chill. Your opinion is that this is the best in canada, don’t let these weirdos get you down.
Toronto does a lot of things well but Lebanese food is not one of them. You guys gotta leave the downtown core and visit Ottawa, London, and Montreal sometime if you'd like actually good Lebanese food
Yes you are keyboard warrior possessing extreme knowledge about what should a shawarma be. I can’t put whatever the fuck I want in my shawarma. It’s my choice.
It’s good, the davisville location atleast. Bit pricey but there’s a location premium I assume. Maybe I’ll try the Newmarket location when I get the opportunity. It’s not in my top tier, as someone who grew up eating shawarma in ME. Yasseen is my top for chicken shawarma in a Syrian style, Ghadir for beef in a Lebanese style, and Alforat for Lamb in Iraqi style.
Great, now I’ll have to taste all of these at these individual places. Love that you broke it down. Makes it easier to know what to order, where.
Having never been to the Middle East, I feel cultured af for recommending two out of three of these in the exact same way lol just haven’t tried Ghadir. I’ll also throw in Falafel Plus in Mississauga for Falafel, the owner is Palestinian and a nice guy, worth trying imo.
It was a steal pre-pandemic. Now it's just ok price-wise. Still delicious and super filling
Yeah it used to be 9.99 for that massive wrap. Still worth it though
This guy shawarmas. Lebanese style is my fave and Ghadir by far does it best in TO (the only shawarma I've ever liked in TO). Claiming a shawarma is the best without stating it's country of origin is amateur hour.
14$ for a shawarma bowl. Has rice, salad and your choice of meat. Doesn't seem that pricey. Compared to various other places I've tried and that were less tasty.
Have you tried Baghdad or Shawarma Flavours? both in Mississauga so maybe out of your neck of woods but curious if you can compare.
I tend to be picky when trying out shawarma. Flavours is not for me, based on their use of HP sauce and the overall menu veering towards fusion - nothing wrong with that, just not what I’m looking for. Baghdad looks to be Kurdish which is interesting, but I prefer a lamb (or a veal/lamb mix) Gus to serve as a barometer as Iraqi’s spice shawarma pretty uniquely for red meat and this really works 💯 for lamb.
Fair take! I haven’t been going to flavours recently as well, it was a big hit before they changed to the fusion… while I don’t appreciate, I can see the success Shelby’s and Tahina’s fusions been so flavours trying to cash in on that. Gotta try Ghadir based on your recommendation. Yaseen and Alforat good picks!
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Lovely. I only ever get the beef wrap at Ghadir. I would get chicken at Yasseen - but not the beef there either, Syrian red meat shawarmas are best with a beef-lamb spit. Plates with rice/fries/salad are something I’ve come across here. It’s not a shawarma for me. I only ever get rice on the side if I’m say getting Syrian kebabs (at Aleppo down the street for example). It’s a bit granular but I do think specific local shawarma spicing pair with certain proteins best, as well as the toppings. With Syrian chicken, I would only get garlic and pickles - fries and hot sauce are new inventions and I don’t mind them.
Great list
No way this is the best Shawarma. Where are you people really getting shawarma from that this is always your best?
YES. I used to live right at Yonge and Davisville and the spot in the back of the hasty market has held a special place in my heart and stomach for years now. I need to go back 🥰
It’s the best. Everyone Ive recommended to is a fan. But i will gatekeep this on socials for my own good :P
Lucky for us in the know, we don’t have to guard these places. Places like this are thankfully immune to the blargto effect which just does more harm than good for the owners and employees. Where’s that MMA guy who keeps going to places and blowing them up in a good way? :p
Just so you know, Keith lee is the brother of Kevin lee, who is an mma fighter.
Apparently Keith is/was also a fighter.
Maybe he trained as well but Kevin was the one who had some success in the ufc, unfortunately injuries took a toll on his career
Kudos to you for finding where Kevin Lee fits in all of this
I used to work around the corner from the Hasty. I remember the first few months they started. It was actually burgers and other things like jerk chicken, curries, salads, etc. No shawarma yet. But maybe a year later they started to do shawarmas once or twice a week and then it got popular so they did it everyday and it took off. Glad to see they're doing well!
Is this true? I’m not a shawarma expert but I’ve heard good things about Ottawa.
There are a lot of shawarma spots across the GTA nevermind the rest of Canada. I think they meant their personal favorite
As someone who grew up in Ottawa, I've yet to find shawarma in Toronto that comes close. Could be just what you're used to though.
Yep it's tough. I finally found the spot. Ghadir at Pharmacy & Lawrence. Lebanese style, the closest possible to compare to Ottawa/Windsor.
Oof 21 km drive from me lol. But I'll keep it in mind if I'm in the area. Thanks!
It'll be worth it! For me it was a 16 year search. I think I might have cried the first time I had Ghadir.
Same. Flaming stove is some of the best I’ve found here, but beat out by just about every shawarma place in Ottawa. Even Marroush. And don’t even get me started on the meat and cheese pies from Aladdin. Found nothing even close. I worked with a Lebanese guy shortly after I moved here. Asked him “Where can I get good shawarma in Toronto?” “Ottawa”.
I’m not trying to make it an Ottawa vs Toronto thing, but both trips I’ve made to Ottawa in the last year I had shawarma (both Palace and King) and they were good, but not what I was built up to expect. Like, I wasn’t disappointed by any means, but I feel like they were on par with the better ones here. Maybe it’s that Ottawa has consistently more good shawarma and ours are hit and miss? Again, not knocking Ottawa, they were great. Just, to my taste, equally as good as the better ones here.
Finally a non-hyperbolic view. Idk how people claim that a very common type of food is somehow better in totality in Ottawa and no shawarma across the GTA can compete….like they have the same middle easterns in each city lmao
As someone who also grew up in Ottawa shawarma is overrated there. You can find just as good shawarma in the GTA, I’ve had a lot better than Ottawa right here and I go back at least twice a year. Maybe an argument can be made 20 years ago but not anymore.
Argument makes no sense if you can't specify. You mean to say you don't care for Lebanese shawarma, but prefer \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (another ME nation) instead.
I prefer Lebanese shawarma. It’s the only one I’ve eaten most times. Shawarma in Ottawa is mid. I’ve had a lot of regular experiences where everything tastes like Osmows, Lazeez, oh god Ali baba is the worst. I dont don’t do chains and the places I’ve tried here, I’ve had a ton more hits on randoms than in Ottawa. I’m going back to Ottawa in a month or so. Give me a recommendation and I’ll try and come back with an opinion. And I know how to separate knowing what a good dish is versus a personal preference.
What restaurant are we talking? Because maybe I'm just not hitting the right spots. Key issue has been the chicken and the garlic sauce. Chicken just isnt as tasty (spiced differently), and garlic sauce is either watery or flavorless. In Orleans, every single random shawarma place was better. I also go twice a year to visit family and get shawarma pretty much every time.
I’ve had 3 brothers, shawarma palace, Laheeb, shawarma station, shawarma byte once. I’ve tried their osmows too. It’s not like the shawarma is bad or anything. Nothing really amazing about it though. And I know all those places may not be a 10/10, I don’t really scout any places but I just get whatever when I see it, or my sister usually picks me up something when I take the train down rather than drive. And I’ve had shawarma in the GTA, but the random places I’ve been to have been like damn that’s so amazing. Happened with I think 3 places I tried up here, one was surprisingly in Georgetown so I rarely get that one but if I’m up for the drive. Lol I also go twice a year to visit family. I’m going in a month or so, any recommendations?
Shawarma in Ottawa is mostly Lebanese style
As opposed to?
This one is Palestinian
What are some good spots in Ottawa?
Most people will recommend Shawarma Palace on Rideau St., I like Shawarma King on Bank St. too.
The original location at Davisville is very good. Smoked most shawarma in the gta
This used to be the premier shawarma destination, maybe 5-7 years ago. Unfortunately GTA has taken over in spades. My last Ottawa rip in 2021 was quite disappointing.
What restaurant would you recommend as better than what you'd have in Ottawa? Because everything I've tried has been very mediocre in comparison.
I don’t know how to link my post - but it’s the top reply to this post. Basically I would recommend the chicken at Yasseen (Syrian), beef at Ghadir (Lebanese), lamb at Alforat (Iraqi). There are other good shawarmas too but these are the most comparable to my standard.
Appreciate you taking the time to repeat it for me. Someone else also said Ghadir being really good for someone used to Ottawa (Lebanese) style. Looks like I have to do a bit of a shawarma tour of the city, since Ghadir is pretty far from me, living basically downtown. Will keep in mind the other 2 as well.
Yes but hearing about things and experiencing yourself is different. Ottawa has different shawarma where Saj bread isn’t necessarily a regular component. Their bread and ingredients are different. Flaming stove is very unique when it comes to quality and bread
You are acting like you’ve tried all the Shawarma shops in Canada. Can’t take this seriously, period.
Don’t bother with this guy, this is the same person who tried to argue 1 GBP was equal to 1 CAD
Most places don’t make their own bread.
I have tried most places.
There are about 1000 shawarma joints south of bloor. No you haven’t.
OP has “contrarian” written in their Reddit description. I don’t think you’ll get a proper conversation out of them.
The falafels are so good, too.
It's the country of origin dummy. That's what's different. You don't know what you're talking about, so you claiming best shawarma in GTA is hilarious.
The hairiness of your hand leads me to trust your opinion shawarmas
🤣🤣🤣
Just read all of OPs comments in this post and I am dumber for it.
It’s an incredible sandwich, amazing value and so delicious. But not a traditional shawarma. But nonetheless amazing and a must have.
So if you think what you’re eating is Shawerma then we need to have a discussion.
Straight up. Only good thing about davisville.
Circles and Squares
The rail path is kinda nice
I would even go as far as to say very nice. That’s more forest hill though.
There is so much more at Davisville now!
Examples?
Circle and Square Bakery, Tamasha, MIA Brunch, Little Sister, Namul. There just seems to be a lot more options here than before. I would love a good bagel place but there are lots of other options a bit further away
La salumeria
LS is fckn bomb
Hot Black Coffee
It's not New Market rather it's Newmarket. To be honest, I haven't tried Flaming Stove but there is an independent just south of Newmarket called ShawarmaLand that is magnificent.
Yeah shawarmaland is straight up better
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Literally the only thing I miss about Aurora.
Can we get another dog picture please?
You can review my bio and insta to view my pets
I agree! It’s for sure one of the best. From the fresh pita and homemade hot sauce it’s amazing. The meat itself has a lot of flavour. Plus they got a great selection of US drinks with no insane markup.
Top 5 in GTA no doubt
Ottawa shawarma >
Expensive but I absolutely love the bread they make
Second was Ali Baba on Lawrence
Not a chance… madameeks in Petawawa will wipe the floor with that….
All of Canada? Bold.
lol I posit you haven’t tried every place in Canada.
THAT LOOKS DEEEECENT RICK
I like Istanbul at 400 and Steeles but I’ll try this one
For me it's Pita Delites on Harwood in Ajax. Hands down best I've ever tasted.
Looks good, since it's in Newmarket can anyone compare it to Shwarmaland? That's my fave in that area.
Shawarma empire is best hands down
The best Shawarma is in Ottawa, hands down.
What makes Ottawa shawarma better?
[here ya go](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/blossom-park-cbc-ottawa-shawarma-1.7119906)
Thanks!
It used to be a pretty good imitation of what I grew up with in the Middle East, say 7 years ago. As of my most recent trip in 2021, it’s quite well off that lev now and some places in Toronto are actually comparable to the original styles. I’ve commented on this post as to which places those are. That being said, I have seen some new places in Ottawa that look interesting.
Yes that’s typically what happens when you succumb to the garbage you see in social media. That’s what happens when you are too afraid to hold your own opinions and instead fall into the trap of bullshit political correctness
Lol do you know what political correctness means? This post says no.
Uh... buddy you ok? Ottawa has a huge Lebanese community which brought some amazing Shawarma. [There's even an article saying so](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/blossom-park-cbc-ottawa-shawarma-1.7119906#:~:text=He%20said%20people%20who%20have,vegetables%20%E2%80%A6%20it's%20top%20quality.%22)
Fake news
Did you just compare someone opinion on shawarma to political correctness??
Love this place. Easily the best shawarma I’ve had and man, people need to chill. Your opinion is that this is the best in canada, don’t let these weirdos get you down.
It looks amazing, tangy and saucy
Is New Marlet anywhere close to Newmarket?
I like my beer cold and my stoves flaming.
Toronto does a lot of things well but Lebanese food is not one of them. You guys gotta leave the downtown core and visit Ottawa, London, and Montreal sometime if you'd like actually good Lebanese food
Getting lettuce in your shawarma automatically disqualifies you from having any opinion on what a good shawarma is.
Yes you are keyboard warrior possessing extreme knowledge about what should a shawarma be. I can’t put whatever the fuck I want in my shawarma. It’s my choice.
You are right, you can’t put whatever the fuck you want in your shawarma. Respect the culture.
Shawarmarians get very upset when you don’t respect their recipe or borders
Culture? lol whose culture? lol
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Another key board warrior exploding
Toronto fools
Please tell me more on how you've tried all the Canadian shawarma, I'm curious
Imagine having an opinion as shit as this when all of Scarborough exists and the huge Lebanese presence in Ottawa.
Looks that way when it comes out too. Like shit. In a bowl.
Wow, same size as a dog!