If you’re not an excellent cook, Arabic food is one of the hardest things to make at home—at least it is for me.
I can never seem to get that shawarma seasoning just right and my pitas end up like hockey pucks.
After a few more failures, I gave up on trying to make Arabic food at home. Instead, I scoured the city to find Arabic restaurants that won’t disappoint me like my own cooking did.
After eating a few different shawarma platters and wraps, here’s who made it onto my list of the best Arabic restaurants in Calgary.
How much does it cost to eat at an Arabic restaurant in Calgary?
It costs at least 10 CAD per person to eat a basic meal at an Arabic restaurant in Calgary. However, this is just an estimate and the final cost will depend on what you order, the restaurant, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Arabi Shawarma & Grill YYC
Address: 240 Midpark Way SE #31
Contact Details: +14032561399
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Saturday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday – 11 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 7 PM
Arabi Shawarma & Grill YYC distinguishes itself with its dedication to fresh, authentic Mediterranean flavors. You can taste the quality in every bite, starting with their Arabi Donair rice plate.
I love that their tender donair meat is served on a bed of fluffy rice. The sweet donair sauce and hummus adds a rich, savory depth and the portions are generous too.
Their wraps are also worth trying. The Kafta wrap was a hit with its flavorful meat and that garlic sauce that left me wanting to pay for more.
I also sampled the falafel wrap, but it wasn’t my favorite. While fresh, the falafel itself was a bit too dry for my liking.
Service-wise, the staff was efficient and friendly. They quickly took my order and ensured I had everything I needed.
I love how he plated our meals
“My husband and I were greeted by the very kind owner, Ramez. We ordered the mixed bbq plate and donair rice plate. I watched the owner while he prepared our dinner- he is very passionate about is cooking, and I love how he plated our meals. Ramez cleans his station every after meal preparation and he uses clean gloves while handling the food. The food tasted so great and the service was excellent. We got to chat with Ramez and we appreciate him more because of his humble beginnings. Thank you for our wonderful dinner, Ramez! 😊 May you have more blessings! We will come back for sure 👍🏻”
– Kai, Google Review
My new favorite place to eat
“This is my new favorite place to eat. Ramez, the new owner, is a great guy, and you can tell he takes a lot of pride in the food they make. I initially ordered the tenderloin platter, followed by stuffed grape leaves. They are the best I’ve had since my great-grandmother made them for us when i was a kid. He gave me some of their marinated chicken to try, and it was incredibly juicy and flavourful. This place is highly recommended. Delicious food and great service. You will not be disappointed.”
– Simon, Google Review
2. Jerusalem Shawarma
Address: 3545 32 Ave NE
Contact Details: +14034573331
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 10 PM
Jerusalem Shawarma serves up large portions of mouth-watering Arabic food that manages to be both nutritious and easy on the wallet.
The service is quick—no long lines whenever I visit. While the staff can be a little dismissive, they do serve your orders in time.
Their Meat Lovers Plate is a must-try for anyone with a hearty appetite. I loved the combination of tender donair, beef, and chicken shawarma that’s piled high on fragrant basmati rice.
The Royal BBQ Plate also impressed me. The beef, chicken, and lamb kebab skewers were juicy and grilled just right. They’re complemented by aromatic rice, a refreshing Fattoush salad, creamy hummus, and flavorful garlic potatoes.
For a lighter option, the Arabi Style Falafel is just as good. I like how it’s cut into convenient bite-sized pieces and served with hummus, fresh veggies, tahini, and a hint of delicious pomegranate syrup.
However, I wasn’t a fan of their Foul; the traditional fava bean dish lacked the zest I was hoping for.
Delicious, and the portions are generous
“Jerusalem Shawarma is an excellent spot! The food is delicious, and the portions are generous, giving you great value for the price. Every bite is packed with flavor, and the quality makes it well worth it. If you’re looking for tasty, satisfying shawarma that’s bang for your buck, this is the place to go!”
– Abdullah Shahed, Google Reviews
Place to go for authentic and delicious shawarma
“Jerusalem Shawarma is an absolute gem! Ali’s service was exceptional—he went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. The entire team was welcoming and efficient, creating a wonderful atmosphere. We ordered the Royal Kebab Plate, and it was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The portions were generous, and the quality of the ingredients really stood out. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, this is the place to go for authentic and delicious shawarma. Highly recommend!”
– Rahim Damji, Google Review
3. Sham Warma
Address: 2066 18 Ave NE Unit 210
Contact Details: +1 587-316-4508
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 2 PM to 2 AM
Sham Wharma distinguishes itself with flavors that are so authentic that they transport you straight to the streets of Jordan.
Their Beef Shawarma plate stands out to me. Each piece of beef is marinated in Syrian spices, giving it a wonderfully smoky, grilled, irresistible flavor.
I appreciate how thinly the shawarma is sliced, generously covering the plate and tucked into a cheesy flatbread.
The tahini sauce adds a smooth, nutty finish that ties the whole dish together perfectly.
Many customers I talked to raved about their homemade garlic sauce, and I can see why – it’s incredibly flavorful and creamy, adding a punch to every bite.
Portions here are generous, and the hospitality is warm. I particularly enjoyed the complimentary Arabic tea; it’s subtly sweet and has a delicious spiced flavor to it.
The only minor downside was the wait time, which can be up to 20 minutes, but the quality of the food definitely makes it worthwhile.
Arabic style with lots of fries
“The shawarma plate is so delicious . Arabic style with lots of fries. Its hard to finish a full plate by 1 person. The meat sandwich bites is wow. A great place for shawarma”
– Calgary Guide, Google Reviews
Complimentary Arabic tea was spot on
“Good service by Amjad. Complimentary Arabic tea was spot on, will pop in again just for the tea. Good man.”
– Ali Majeed, Google Reviews
4. Diwan Arabian Cuisine & Lounge
Address: 635 6 Ave SW
Contact Details: +1 403-233-7654
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 4 PM to 1 AM
- Friday – 4 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 1 AM
Diwan Arabian Cuisine & Lounge immediately sets itself apart with its inviting “home away from home” atmosphere, a welcoming space that truly reflects Arabian hospitality.
I love that their dishes are made with certified Halal ingredients. There were no artificial flavors or preservatives, and they even had hookah (if that’s your thing).
I particularly enjoy the Shish Taouk Platter. The chicken skewers are perfectly marinated and grilled, with a tender and flavorful bite. Grilled vegetables, hummus, fries, and salad round out the meal.
The Lamb Ribs Platter is also pretty good. The barbecue lamb ribs are smoky and fall right off the bone.
While most of their food impresses me, I wasn’t too keen on their Kenafeh. This traditional cheese pastry, while visually appealing, was a bit too sweet for my taste and lacked the delicate balance I prefer.
Had an amazing time at this shisha spot!
“Had an amazing time at this shisha spot! The food was so good every bite was full of flavor, and you can tell they put effort into it. The shisha was smooth and set up perfectly. Big thanks to Rana for making the experience even better with great service and a welcoming vibe. Definitely coming back!”
– Ali Gad, Google Reviews
Good service and tasty food
“We like Arabic cuisine and made our choice for dinner here. The hall was almost empty, so plenty places to sit. Good service and tasty food. Only positive impressions!”
– SS, Google Reviews
5. Jaffa Shawarma
Address: 6004 Country Hills Blvd NE #2070
Contact Details: +15873521252
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Jaffa Shawarma has fast service, nice staff, and some decent Arabic staples.
The last time I went there, I had their chicken shawarma plate, and it was quite good.
The chicken had a nice char to it from their well-seasoned marinade, and their rice wasn’t overcooked.
I always enjoy eating hummus, but theirs tasted a little off to me—almost a bit bitter. At least the side salad was fresh, and the crispy pita chips added a pleasant crunch.
The Meat Lovers plate, with its mix of beef, chicken, and donair, is another solid option for those wanting variety. It’s the same thing as the chicken shawarma plate—just different types of meat added.
But the baklava was a bit of a letdown for me. It was overly sweet and lacked the delicate layers and nutty flavor I expect from good baklava.
Flavors were rich and authentic
“I recently dined at a this restaurant that left a lasting impression with its incredible cuisine.
The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the Royal Kufta Platter—a beautifully presented dish featuring succulent, perfectly spiced kufta that melted in my mouth.The flavors were rich and authentic, with each bite transporting me to the heart of the Middle East.
The accompanying sides were equally delicious, complementing the star dish with a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. The warm ambiance and attentive service made the experience even more memorable. This is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in top-tier Middle Eastern cuisine.”
– Abdul Sami, Google Review
Their portion sizes are big
Great and faster service. Their portion sizes are big as well. Definitely try the fresh lemon and mint juice, it’s very refreshing. I asked them for extra sweet sauce and they handed big portion of it without charging, something in that sauce that kept me going back to it. I had falafel plate (#10) without rice, falafel are made fresh in front of you right behind the counter. They were very soft, hot inside and had great flavor to them. Salad was cold to the right temperature with fresh greens, those garlic roasted potatoes very soft and delicious, haven’t had that kind of quality potatoes lately😆. I have always enjoyed the vine leaves with stuffing and these guys make a good quality vine leaves. Hummus had a nice smooth texture and consistency throughout. If you’re a heavy eater then take rice that comes with the plate, otherwise can skip the rice as the plate portion size itself is big. Thank you khan”
– Kris K, Google Review
