Picture this: an exciting list of the best shawarma spots in Calgary, so enticing even Frodo might consider trading The One Ring for it! Heck, even Gollum is lurking somewhere nearby, whispering ‘my precious’ as we unfold our tasty discoveries.
Fortunately for you, dear reader, this list remains safe and is now in your hands. Now, you’re ready to embark on a quest to taste all the best shawarmas the city has to offer.
Don’t worry – this quest won’t be as taxing as the one to Mordor. In fact, we promise this: it’s just one tasty dish after another.
Table of Contents
- 1. Shawarma Palace
- 2. Jerusalem Shawarma
- 3. Shawarma Knight
- 4. Shawarma King
- 5. Mix Grill Shawarma
- 6. Shawarma House Calgary
- 7. Aleppo Shawarma and Donair
- 8. Pita Basket Sunridge
- 9. Shawarma and Falafel City
- 10. Shawarma Cairo & Pizza
- 11. Pita Grill
- 12. Urban St. Donair
- 13. AL – Madina Shawarma
- 14. Beirut Street Food
- 15. Deagla Restaurant Forest Lawn
1. Shawarma Palace
Website: http://shawarma-palace.com
Address: 3820 17 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2A 0S4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-273-5555
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 1 AM
Shawarma Palace is a family-managed joint offering delicious Mediterranean classics that will have your belly roaring in excitement.
Their shawarma comes in an enticing variety of flavors including the trio wrap (with all the meat) and beef donair wrap, with the latter being our ultimate favorite.
2. Jerusalem Shawarma
Website: https://jerusalemshawarma.ca
Address: 301 16 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2M 0H9, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-291-0040
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday, & Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
With several of their stores scattered around the city, you can say that Jerusalem Shawarma is among the most popular shawarma destinations.
They offer a delectable array of Palestinian cuisine, featuring, of course, their renowned beef shawarma plate. Instead of the common wrap, the meat tops the rice with salad on the side. It’s served in a generous portion, leaving you with a satisfying experience.
3. Shawarma Knight
Website: https://www.shawarmaknight.ca
Address: 1512 14 St SW, Calgary, AB T3C 1C9, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-244-3999
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – closed
Shawarma Knight is a delightful, homey establishment serving Middle Eastern fare at the edge of downtown. It’s usually a vibrant spot, especially during Fridays.
The ultimate crowd favorite is the lamb shawarma offered with hummus, salad and garlic potatoes. You also have the option to add either rice or fries.
4. Shawarma King
Website: https://www.facebook.com/shawarmakingcalgary2/
Address: 1423A Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3R1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-283-5500
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
We had an exciting visit to Shawarma King, an unassuming spot that offers an assortment of Mediterranean delights. We also tried this establishment a few years ago and to our surprise, they have significantly improved on their offerings since then.
The ultimate must-try? It’s none other than the lamb shawarma platter. The meat is surprisingly tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
5. Mix Grill Shawarma
Website: https://mix-grill-shawarma.business.site
Address: 502 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-283-0309
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 4 AM
Open until late, Mix Grill Shawarma is a go-to spot for local midnight eaters or hungry club-goers in the hip, Downtown Calgary. However, this isn’t to say you won’t like their plates sober.
You’ll definitely get a delightful kick out of their beef shawarma plate, served in large portions with rice and other side dishes. For a Mediterranean twist to an American classic, try their burger shawarma.
6. Shawarma House Calgary
Website: https://www.shawarmahousecalgary.com
Address: 555 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1P6, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-242-9800
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 10 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday – closed
Home of several heartwarming delights, Shawarma House is a dynamic establishment in an equally bustling location just a few minutes walk from the Calgary Tower.
Their chicken shawarma is definitely a delightful choice even though we usually go for beef. In fact, it’s one of the most popular choices from their menu. It’s an exciting blend of spices with an exciting and flavorful addition of the perfectly marinated chicken.
7. Aleppo Shawarma and Donair
Website: https://www.alepposhawarma.ca
Address: 1324 B Centre St N, Calgary, AB T2E 2R7, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-250-2255
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 7 PM
Having started in 2020, Aleppo Shawarma and Donair is a fairly new establishment. That said, it didn’t take long for them to earn the hearts of the locals with their delicious offerings even during the time of Covid.
A particularly popular choice among regulars is the shawarma mix platter, a halal option that comes with beef donair, chicken shawarma, rice, hummus, garlic potatoes, and salad.
For the sauces, you can choose among the following: garlic, sweet, tahini, and hot. We’re garlic sauce fans through and through!
8. Pita Basket Sunridge
Website: https://pitabasket.ca
Address: 3221 Sunridge Way NE #140, Calgary, AB T1Y 7M4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-219-2747
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Pita Basket at Sunridge is a lively spot that serves authentic Lebanese cuisine with mouthwatering breakfast options until 3 PM.
The lamb shawarma plate definitely wowed us not only with its flavor, but also with the pleasant presentation. We’re quite sure that they’re hiding a Matisse-like artist in their kitchen.
Want to avoid the crowd? Here’s a tip from us: Go here on Mondays or Wednesdays!
9. Shawarma and Falafel City
— Media credit: @_tanmayjoshi_
Website: https://www.shawarmaandfalafelcity.com
Address: 1245 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3P8, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-4979
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 AM
Located in hip Kensington, Shawarma and Falafel City serves authentic flavors you can get your hands on even during your late night cravings.
Their chicken shawarma definitely steals the show – a delightful choice bathed in an exciting flavor concoction. It’s no wonder why this is one of their most popular food items.
By the way, for an exciting guide to the best way to explore the neighborhood, read all about it here.
10. Shawarma Cairo & Pizza
Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shawarma-Cairo-pizza/100083538841830/
Address: 717 Edmonton Trail, Calgary, AB T2E 3J5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-475-5955
Shawarma Cairo & Pizza provides a humble setting to enjoy extraordinary Middle Eastern delights. The beef shawarma wrap is delightful, effortlessly earning a spot among our top favorites.
However, the Cairo special competes for the top spot. It’s a type of pizza topped with the delightful inclusions of tomato sauce, chicken shawarma, onion, green pepper, banana pepper, mushroom, and cheese.
11. Pita Grill
Website: https://pita-grill.ca
Address: 8338 18 St SE #420, Calgary, AB T2C 4E4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-5650
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
What makes Pita Grill one of the best shawarma places in Calgary are the exciting array of choices, impeccable service, and the irresistible authentic flavors. In fact, plenty of our Middle Eastern friends recommended this spot, giving a nod to its authenticity.
While there are plenty of mouthwatering options on their menu, their lamb shawarma stands as a number one must-try.
12. Urban St. Donair
Website: https://www.facebook.com/urbanstdonair/
Address: 4105 4 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 1A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-452-8540
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – closed
Urban St. Donair offers delicious meals for an unbeatable price, especially considering the hefty portions each meal comes in!
Here’s an insider tip: try their chicken shawarma poutine – an exciting mix of Middle Eastern and Canadian flavors.
13. AL – Madina Shawarma
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Al.Madina.Shawarma/
Address: 7519 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0L8, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-460-2224
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
AL – Madina Shawarma is a small establishment, often overlooked even by passersby. However, on one fateful day when the stars aligned, we stumbled upon this humble spot during our quick trip to an electronic store nearby.
To our delight, the lamb shawarma was so top-notch that we almost forgot to do what we originally came for in the neighborhood. We highly recommend you try it, but preferably after your errands.
14. Beirut Street Food
Website: https://www.beirutstreetfood.ca
Address: 7220 Fairmount Dr SE Bay C, Calgary, AB T2H 0X7, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-512-7772
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 4:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – closed
Beirut Street Food is popular for the smoky flavors of their meat, especially the beef shawarma. We also suggest trying out their homemade hot sauce for an exciting and surprising kick!
15. Deagla Restaurant Forest Lawn
Website: https://deagla.ca
Address: 5147 20 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2B 0B1, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-474-5489
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 8 PM
This is one of the most-recommended shawarma spots in the city. In fact, we found quite a few tourists lining up to get a taste of their shawarma when we visited.
Now that your stomach is probably rumbling in anticipation, we extremely recommend getting the chicken shawarma platter that comes with your choice of salad and dips. We recommend the addition of tabouli salad and hummus dip!
