Here are the 10 best shawarma spots around Toronto for cheap eats and juicy wraps, according to local foodies

Finding the best shawarma places in and around Toronto can be a difficult mission, so we asked local foodies to share their favorite spots for juicy wraps that won't break the bank.

We know it can be a tough call to call one Toronto restaurant “the best,” but local eateries have had some strong reviews.

Toronto is filled with so many shawarma joints that it's hard to keep up, and some of the best aren't even downtown.

As most people think, a shawarma wrap consists of four things: meat, garlic sauce, pickles, and bread. Depending on where you go, you can find potatoes and molasses in it.

Authentic shawarma also does not include lettuce, olives, cucumbers or other salad dressings. The flavor of chicken or beef makes the wrap good and should never be masked by other toppings – unless, of course, it's garlic sauce.

Luckily, there are several places in Toronto that serve authentic shawarma, so we asked four local foodies to share their top picks in the city.

Here are the 10 best shawarmas in Toronto that you should try on your next food tour.

Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill

What local foodies are saying: Marcello Varakalli, who goes by @marcelloeats on Instagram and TikTok, has eaten his fair share of shawarma in Toronto, and he not only shows how juicy and delicious they are, but also shares what makes each one. so special. Varakalli is a guy who loves food and sharing hidden gems with his audience, and Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill was his first choice for a wrap in town.

He said they have fresh meat cooked daily.

Also, “the bread (bread) is baked on-site, and they use a tandoori oven that takes the wrap to the next level. And the tum (garlic sauce) is delicious and it pairs perfectly with the pomegranate molasses,” shared Marcello. .

Another Toronto foodie interviewed for this article, who will share his thoughts later in the article, said the place is one of his favorites.

Tasmia Choudhury, known on social media as TTCeats, told Narsiti that fresh bread “makes shawarma 10 times better.”

He also said, “Order chicken, fries, salad and all the sauces. They also add pomegranate molasses (…) They grill their shawarma and make it smoky.”

Address: 1961 Lawrence Avenue, Scarborough

Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill Menu

Alpha's Shawarma

What Local Diners Are Saying: Alpha's Shawarma is a popular and well-known Toronto joint that people are constantly praising on social media.

“They fill the wraps completely, the chickens are always juicy and tender, and they even fill your wrap with extra chicken and sauce if you ask for it,” Varakalli said.

So, if you love your shawarma filling and juicy, Alfa has got you covered – plus the garlic sauce looks super creamy!

Address: 598 Queen St W, Toronto

Alfa's Shawarma menu

Vanas Shawarma

What the locals say: This shawarma joint serves Syrian-style wraps, and they add pomegranate molasses that makes the sandwich sweet and savory at the same time.

Varakalli said it could “easily be replaced by Ghadir”. If you've been eating shawarma for a while, you know that one of the most popular wraps is at Ghadir Grocery. So easily swapping this land is a big deal.

Toronto foodie Vanas shares that the shawarma is “10/10 in quality” and if you choose to dine at the restaurant, they add extra chicken and sauce to your wrap.

Address: 449 Danforth Ave., Toronto

Wanas Shawarma menu

Moose shawarma

What local foodies are saying: Tasmia Choudhury is a content creator for TTCeats on Instagram and TikTok. He has a Bangladeshi background and has a lot of experience eating different cuisines in the city. From sharing fun date ideas to halal spots around town, you'll find plenty of new and exciting things to do on her page—and she's featured Shawarma Moose.

Unlike the other shawarma spots mentioned in this article, this Toronto restaurant brings fresh ingredients to the game.

Choudhury said she likes their rolls because they're “made with a secret tomato sauce that has a unique flavor! They're also topped with the crispiest fries! Don't forget to try their shawarma poutine while you're there.”

Now, shawarma poutine may sound strange to some, but from the looks of it, it's probably something you should try because why not?

Also, their wraps are highly customizable, which can be a plus for any picky eater.

Address: 898 College Street, Toronto

Shawarma Moose menu

Shawarma Royale

What local foodies are saying: There are 13 Shawarma Royale locations in the GTA, and Choudhury says they have one of their favorite shawarmas.

He said: “Their meat is very juicy and flavorful. You won't find anywhere like this, they don't even need sauces, it's so good!”

Shawarma Royale is a Syrian shawarma joint that has been serving Canadians for 30 years.

Founder Mohammed Rumia says he has “spent over 20 years perfecting the art of authentic Syrian shawarma and knew he had something special to share.”

Address: Various locations

Shawarma Royale menu

Tahini's

@alkhusein_

Shawarma review in front of the owner #fyp #shawarma #shawarmareview #alkvsfood #food review #tastetest #arab #arabfood #hungry #bitcoin

What local diners are saying: Instagram and TikTok foodie Alk Hussain shares his honest opinions about restaurant food in front of the owners. When we asked him to share the best shawarma spots in town, he said he's yet to find one and it's hard to beat his mom's wrap. Instead, he wanted to share what he liked about the other three places.

Tahini's is a shawarma restaurant with multiple locations in the GTA, so Alk Hussain likes it.

She told Narcity that if she was going to go to a shawarma place, it would be Tahini because it's “the most convenient,” especially since she lives in Richmond Hill.

It also closes late most nights, has quick service and is a “quiet place”.

Tahnini offers customers more than just shawarma, so if you want to try something new with a Middle Eastern flavor, this would be a great place.

Address: Various locations.

Tahini menu

Ghadir Meat & Restaurant

What Local Foodies Say: Not only does Ghadir serve one of the best shawarmas in the GTA, it's also a grocery store filled with delicious Middle Eastern dishes.

Hussain said that Ghadeer is the most genuine. According to the foodie, “flavorful, the portions and the food are home-style.”

Address: 1848 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough

Ghadir Meat & Restaurant website

Shawarma empire

What local diners say: Hussain considers this shawarma restaurant to be the “sleepiest” restaurant. She chose it as one of her three options because it's “a low-key place with a good 2 for 1 deal, and their breads are exceptional.”

So if you're looking for something quick, Hussain said there are “never huge lines” and it's “very tasty.”

Address: 1823 Lawrence Avenue, Toronto

Shawarma Empire menu

Shawarma Alzaim

What Local Diners Say: As a food writer for Narcity who has reviewed many restaurants in Toronto, I can't help but list my top picks. I'm an Arab who grew up in the Middle East my whole life, and I've seen my fair share of shawarma around town, especially when I'm homesick. Although some seem to be the best, they are the farthest from being the most authentic. So I wanted to come here and share two of my favorite shawarma places in the city.

Shawarma Alzaeem serves authentic Syrian-style shawarma, and it's so good, you'll want to come back for more.

When I go, I like to go with my friends and get one of their family platters, because the cut pieces of shawarma are much tastier than the big wrap bites. Its price is also affordable.

The dish comes with fries, garlic sauce, and extra pickles, which is always a plus. So if you're in Mississauga and craving shawarma, I would highly recommend Shawarma Alzaim.

Address: 1018 Eglinton Avenue, Mississauga

Shawarma Alzaeem menu

Yasin's Shawarma

What Local Foodies Say: Yasin's Shawarma is very popular in the Arab community because it's so good and so authentic.

The shawarma at Yasin is huge and worth every penny. Although I usually get chicken shawarma from Yasin, I was pleasantly surprised by the beef.

The meat is juicy and very tasty. Also, you don't want to miss the fries; they are Costco level items.

Address: 5030 Maingate Dr., Mississauga

Yasin's Shawarma menu