Best Shawarma in Ottawa
Ottawa has more shawarma shops per capita than almost any city in Canada. From a nearly 30-year-old Rideau Street institution to a spot that puts shawarma on poutine, here are 5 places that keep earning the title.
Ottawa is the shawarma capital of Canada. That's not marketing. The city has hundreds of shawarma shops, more per capita than almost anywhere else in the country. Walk down Rideau Street or Bank Street and you'll pass three before you hit the next traffic light.
With that many options, finding the best ones takes some eating. Here are 5 that locals keep going back to.
1. Shawarma Palace — The Original
Shawarma Palace has been on Rideau Street since 1996. Almost 30 years in a city full of shawarma competition. That says enough.
The family-run operation now has four locations, but the Rideau Street original is still the one people talk about. The chicken is tender, the garlic potatoes are addictive, and the portions haven't shrunk over the years.
What to order: The chicken shawarma plate with garlic potatoes. Order extra garlic potatoes even if the plate comes with them.
Good to know: Open Sun-Thu until 1am, Fri-Sat until 2am. The Rideau location gets busy after midnight.
Price: $
2. Shawarma's King — The Late Night Go-To
Shawarma's King on Bank Street doesn't close until 3 or 4am on weekends. That alone makes it essential. But the shawarma holds up sober too.
The portions are big, the garlic sauce is generous, and the price is right. Over 1,600 Google reviews and they're still at a 4.1 rating. For a late-night shawarma spot, that's impressive.
What to order: Mixed shawarma wrap. Ask for extra garlic sauce. You won't regret it.
Good to know: Small space. Expect to wait on busy nights. Worth it.
Price: $
3. 3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine — The Fusion
3 Brothers did what Ottawa was always going to do — they put shawarma on poutine. Fries, cheese curds, gravy, and tender chicken or beef shawarma on top. It's ridiculous and it works.
The Osgoode Street location near uOttawa is the original and stays packed with students. They now have three locations including one in Orléans.
What to order: The shawarma poutine. This is what they're known for. If you want something more traditional, the chicken shawarma wrap is solid too.
Good to know: Open until 3-4am. Popular with the university crowd.
Price: $
4. Shawarma Station — The South End Pick
Shawarma Station is the answer for anyone south of downtown who doesn't want to drive to Rideau Street for shawarma. Located on Bank Street near South Keys, they serve some of the biggest portions in the city.
The standout detail: they open at 7am. Shawarma for breakfast exists and Shawarma Station proved it.
What to order: Chicken shawarma plate. The portion is enormous. Come hungry.
Good to know: Opens at 7am. If you've always wanted shawarma before noon, this is your place.
Price: $
5. Shawarma Garlic & Onion — The West End Gem
Shawarma Garlic & Onion on Richmond Road serves the West End. It's family-run, the garlic sauce lives up to the name, and they bake their own pies in-house — meat, cheese, and zaatar. Quieter and less hectic than the downtown shawarma strip.
What to order: The chicken shawarma plate, and add a freshly baked pie on the side. The donair wrap is solid too.
Good to know: Smaller hours than the downtown spots. Check before heading out.
Price: $
The Quick Comparison
| Spot | Best For | Area | Late Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawarma Palace | The classic experience | Rideau Street | Yes (until 2am Fri-Sat) |
| Shawarma's King | After the bars | Bank Street | Yes (until 4am Fri-Sat) |
| 3 Brothers | Shawarma poutine | Near uOttawa | Yes (until 4am Fri-Sat) |
| Shawarma Station | Biggest portions | South Keys | Yes (until 2am Thu-Sat) |
| Garlic & Onion | Fresh pies + donair | Richmond Road | No |
Why Ottawa is the Shawarma Capital
It started with Lebanese immigrants opening shops in the '90s and '00s. The combination of affordable prices, generous portions, and late-night hours made shawarma Ottawa's default food. Other cities have pizza or hot dogs as their go-to. Ottawa has shawarma.
Today there are an estimated 100+ shawarma shops in the city. Every neighbourhood has at least one. And unlike a lot of "food capitals," the quality here is genuinely high — competition keeps everyone honest.
Tips
- All 5 spots are halal
- Garlic sauce is serious here. If you're meeting people after, plan accordingly
- Plates over wraps if you want the full experience with sides
- Late night: Shawarma's King and 3 Brothers are your best bets after midnight
- Parking: Most of these spots have limited or street parking. Delivery is always an option
🍴Featured Restaurants
Shawarma Palace
Ottawa's shawarma institution since 1996. A family-run chain with 4 locations known for generous portions, tender meat, and those garlicky potatoes. The Rideau Street original is where it all started.
Shawarma's King
A Bank Street staple known for generous portions, juicy meat, and garlic sauce. Open until 3-4am on weekends, making it a go-to late-night spot. Over 1,600 Google reviews with a 4.1 rating.
3 Brothers Shawarma & Poutine
Middle Eastern meets Canadian comfort food. 3 Brothers is famous for their shawarma poutine — crispy fries, cheese curds, gravy, and tender shawarma on top. Three locations across Ottawa, open late.
Shawarma Station
A South Keys favourite on Bank Street with some of the largest portions in the city. Open from 7am — one of the few shawarma spots where you can get your fix before noon. Fresh ingredients and generous platters.
Shawarma Garlic & Onion
A family-run West End spot on Richmond Road known for chicken, beef, and donair shawarma. Freshly baked pies, generous garlic sauce, and quality meat carved from the spit.
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