There’s nothing quite like the disappointment of a bad day. There was one time a restaurant served me a limp, greasy mess of overcooked meat and a soggy, flavourless pita. And the sauce tasted like it had been bottled years ago.
It was a culinary crime, a betrayal of everything a donair should be. That experience, however, sparked my desire to find places worth eating at.
So after sampling, scrutinising, and savouring multiple donairs, here are my findings.
How much does a donair cost in Calgary?
It costs at least 10 CAD to get a donair in Calgary. This is just an estimate, and the actual price depends on the toppings, the restaurant, and more.
1. Mozy Cafe
Address: 6622 20a St SE L
Contact Details: +1 403-984-3220
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 7 PM
Mozy Cafe is known for its generous donair portions, and I can attest to that. Even the “small” size was like a “large” at other places!
Moreover, the prices are incredibly affordable, making Mozy Cafe a great value for the generous portions.
The beef donair is a standout favourite among diners, and their beef donair poutine gets rave reviews—several people insisted it’s a must-try.
The meat is full of their unique blend of spices that’ll make your tastebuds do a jig. Their house sauces are also surprisingly sweet and flavorful, truly setting it apart.
But I highly recommend the cheesy donair—the melted cheese adds a delicious level of creaminess and a delightful twist on the classic.
The only drawback for me was the staff, who weren’t the friendliest and seemed a bit gruff. However, the food was so good that it almost made up for it.
Easily the best place to get donair in the city
“This is easily the best place to get donair in the city. The food here is in my top 3 meals I have had in my life. If you are visiting the city, you must eat here. Mozy is awesome, and after coming only a couple of times he already remembers my order. What it lacks in size it makes up for in flavour, both furnishing, and foodwise.”
– Gael Penha Oliveira, Google Reviews
The food is outstanding
“My favorite local tale-out restaurant. The food is outstanding and always served with the warm generosity of the owner. Try the Cheesy Donair! It’s like a donair quesadilla. The chicken and donair wrap is also always a fave. Portions are large so order accordingly or be prepared for leftovers.”
– Christine K, Google Reviews
2. Urban St. Donair
Address: 4105 4 St NW
Contact Details: +1 403-452-8540
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 2 AM
Right off the bat, the staff at Urban St. Donair were super welcoming.
They were really helpful in explaining the menu and answering all my questions about their different options. It felt like they were genuinely excited about the food, which added to the overall experience.
I ended up keeping it simple and going with a classic beef donair plate. The portion was definitely generous, and I could barely finish it all.
The beef was sliced thin, seasoned just right, and cooked to a perfect medium-rare. It offers a juicy and satisfying bite with every slice.
My favourite was the garlic sauce—it was creamy and delicious, with a hint of sweetness that balanced the savoury flavours perfectly.
Now, I didn’t get to try their donair spring rolls, but people told me they’re usually crispy and satisfying. However, they are a bit greasy; you can soak through tons of napkins with the amount of oil they use to fry them.
Some of the best Donair in the City
“Some of the best Donair in the City!! Always made with love! Everyone in this place takes pride in how they present their dishes/wraps. Always fun to chat with all the guys in there.
Need some awesome food and a fun atmosphere, look no further than Urban St. Donair!”
– Zach MCD, Google Reviews
My go to place for Donairs in this city
“Amazing Donairs! The sauce make such a difference. The keto option also makes this my go to place for Donairs in this city. I drive from the SE to get them.”
– Forgiven Forever, Google Reviews
3. Beirut Street Food
Address: 7220 Fairmount Dr SE Bay C
Contact Details: +1 403-512-7772
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 4:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 7 PM
Beirut Street Food truly stands out when it comes to donairs. The meat is cooked on charcoal grills, giving it an unparalleled smoky flavour that sets it apart from any other donair I’ve tasted.
The pita is also made fresh daily, and it’s incredibly soft and chewy. Many diners recommended the donair salad for those seeking a lighter, refreshing carb-free choice.
This time I passed on it and tried the donair platter. It arrived piled high with smoky meat, creamy garlic sauce, and hummus. The spicy hot peppers, tangy pickled cabbage, and flavorful Arabic pickles also further elevated the taste.
However, the tabouli rice was a bit dry. It tasted like it had been sitting on the bottom of the pan.
Food is so flavourful and fresh
“Best donairs in the city in my personal opinion!!! Food is so flavourful and fresh. Amazing customer service, very kind and friendly. This place has become a staple for my boyfriend and I for dinner dates at least once a month.”
– Maria Zuur, Google Reviews
Delicious donair!
“Delicious donair! Had the beef and chicken mix, really enjoyed the charcoal roasted chicken.”
– Sean H, Google Reviews
4. Jimmy’s A&A
Address: 1401 20 Ave NE
Contact Details:+1 403-289-1400
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Jimmy’s A&A Mediterranean Deli has a bit of a parking challenge and a small dining space, which makes finding a table during lunchtime tricky. But they more than make up for it with their generous donair portions and friendly, helpful service.
The staff greets you with a smile. Plus, they’ll happily recommend dishes if you’re a first-timer.
I opted for the lamb donair; the portion was so generous that I couldn’t finish it all. The lamb was sliced thin, tender, and juicy.
The sweet and flavorful garlic sauce perfectly complemented the savoury lamb. Plus, the soft and fluffy pita bread provided a perfect base for the delicious filling.
Other diners raved about the beef donair, praising its classic, balanced flavours. But for those seeking a bolder experience, the lamb is worth a try.
When I think Donair, it’s always Jimmy’s
“When I think Donair, it’s always Jimmy’s. Their meat is always tender and their veggies are crisp. This paired with a great sauce ratio makes it the best stop for a wrap in YYC!”
– Joey Hubbard, Google Reviews
This place has amazing Donairs
“This place has amazing Donairs. I always get the beef with garlic sauce instead of sweet. Pair the garlic sauce with the hot sauce and you got an amazing mix. The wrap is huge, you could feel the weight when holding the bag. They pile a mountain of meat on. It was delicious.”
– AK, Google Reviews
5. Uncle Moe’s
Address: 4524 Edmonton Trl
Contact Details: +1 403-230-5526
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 4 PM
Uncle Moe’s Donairs & Falafels has been serving up delicious donairs since 1983, and for good reason.
They offer a wide selection of donair options, including chicken, beef/chicken mix, and lamb. They also offer generous portion sizes ranging from “kids” to “deluxe.” They even “Scud,” “Mike,” and “Dave” donairs that come with up to 500g of beef!
Diners rave about the classic beef donair, praising its perfectly seasoned meat and classic toppings: crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes and spicy hot peppers. It also comes with tangy pickles, pickled turnips, and a flavorful sauce that just makes it so much better.
I opted for their bison donair this time, eager to experience something different. The meat was lean and flavorful, with a distinct taste that set it apart from traditional beef.
While the pita was a bit stiff, the overall flavour was fantastic.
Hands down the best donair I’ve ever had!
“Had the AlbertA beef donair! Hands down the best donair I’ve ever had! Can’t wait to come back! Great little Calgary gem and the locals mentioned it’s the best and most friendly in town! Great customer service too!”
– Aura Skjenna, Google Reviews
The donair meat here is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before
“First of all the donair meat here is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. It is so delicious! It’s all made in house. He also makes his own hot sauce and it is so flavourful! Even if you don’t like hot sauce it’s worth a taste! He will sample everything for you too! Bassil never ceases to amaze me! He is so friendly with all of his customers and even remembers a lot of their orders! The restaurant is always very clean despite how busy it is! We keep coming back for MOE! His menu is also different and offers bison and lamb! This is definitely the best donair shop in the city! Definitely worth checking out!”
– Jayme Krayco, Google Reviews
