Came to Shawarma Palace after shawarma came highly recommended by a friend and generally this meal…read moredid not disappoint! The portion sizes are RIDICULOUS. For us modest appetites, this is easily 3 meals - easily! We ordered 2 plates and a sandwich for 4 people and still had enough leftovers for a small breakfast the morning after. My personal favorite was the mixed shawarma plate. I love how it comes with pita made specifically for Shawarma Palace, rice, potatoes, salad, pickled veg, and the meat. We also got the mixed kabob plate which featured tender beef but the chicken kabob was just a hair bit dry. The falafel sandwich was actually very dry and I would not recommend this. We also picked up some baklava for dessert after and I liked how it was just sweet enough! You can taste the pistachios and I thought the kiss of rose water was just enough to make the bite memorable!

Happened upon this restaurant one evening. I saw a shawarma place on the north side of the street,…read moreso I prepared to turn off and go back, but here was another shawarma place. Quickly looked at Yelp and saw a fantastic number of reviews. So this place looked to be the real thing. I stepped up to the counter and ordered the beef shawarma platter to eat in. The guys just kept piling more and more on the platter. It was absolutely ridiculously huge by the time they were done. It was stacked with beef on top. As I paid, I asked for a take-out container. There was no hesitation. So obviously, this is the way they do it. I sat in the super clean dining area and started in on this massive dish. Then I saw a young family carry their plates to a table adjacent to me. And they all had these massive plates too. So after stuffing myself and hardly putting a dent in this pile of food I had to load up the take out clamshell. It would hardly close and weighed 2-3lbs (after filling myself). So if you want to buy one dish and eat a tasty healthy meal for a week. This is your place. It seemed very clean in the restaurant (signs say leave your dishes on the table - so they are obviously bussing the tables regularly). The washroom was also exceptionally clean. The staff that built my meat mountain were super friendly. I would certainly recommend this place!

I noticed a sign for another new restaurant when I checked out Fragrant Noodles but it wasn't open…read moreat the time. After a run early last week, I noticed people were inside so I decided to check it out later in the night. It's really bright in here from the outside. When I popped in, I thought it'd be a bit bigger. There's 3 or 4 tables max so there's not a lot of seating. I had a look at the menu and placed an order for a chicken sandwich. The person working the cash asked if I wanted anything else and I decided to ask about combos. I don't think it was obvious to me but after getting some help, I ended up getting fries,coleslaw and a drink as my side. They also asked if I wanted to try their hot sauce and I was in! A few minutes later, they showed me how they cut their sandwiches into multiple pieces and put it in the container and it gets topped off with more chicken, similar to how Five Guys tops up their take out bags with more fries if you get fries. They topped it off with some of their house sauce and packed up my order. It looked awesome and the staff were really friendly and helpful. I got my order and headed home as the tables were all full. I popped open my meal and tried the chicken. It was pretty nice. Wasn't overcooked and had some nice flavours. I few more forkfuls and I grabbed one of small sandwiches they cut from my sandwich. That was also good. I got into the coleslaw, they let me try a few. I enjoyed it. It was pretty creamy. I then tried a few fries which were nicely seasoned and didn't get soggy from my transit home. All in all a solid meal. It's a bit more expensive than the other places and I came back a few days later for a fattoush salad which was really good. I think that's become one of my favourite salad options in the last year. I'll definitely come back, as there are a bunch of different bread options. They have this wild potato meal as well and I may try that at some point. Come check it out and get some better pictures than I did to share!

The Short Version: Quick and inexpensive eats in the Byward…read moreMarket. Tasty donairs. The Long Version: Ottawa is flush with shawarma restaurants so at first a new shawarma restaurant in the Byward Market did not excite me. However, I love deals so when I saw they had a special for 2 small beef donairs for $10 I had to check it out, lol. To my delight, the donairs were delicious. And $10 for 2 wraps is a great deal, especially for these days and in the touristy Byward Market nonetheless! They were not stingy with the filling. I got lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and pickled turnips. The donair meat was well-seasoned and there was a generous amount of it. I got the spicy garlic sauce and these guys do not joke around with the spiciness. It was legit spicy, which I loved. The spicy garlic sauce at many places is only mildly spicy, so I was pleasantly surprised. Food handlers wore gloves and they replaced their gloves after doing other things. Bonus points for good hand hygiene. Staff were courteous and efficient. There's only one tiny table with 2 high stools for dining in, but they do have lots of seats outside on their patio. They just opened up in 2025. What a great addition to the Byward Market! Paid street parking or paid parkade parking only, as with practically all businesses in the area. Review #188 (2025)

Boustan is a chain from Montreal that sells Lebanese food. It has over 40 locations. I am certain…read morethat I had shawarma sandwiches at a Boustan in my university days in Montreal. It was before I was on Yelp and before I was "into" food as much as I am now, lol. This location on Rideau St is the first and currently only location in Ottawa. It's where Gabriel Pizza used to be and it opened in March 2022. I was browsing deals on UberEats and saw that Boustan was having a BOGO deal: $9.99 for a small beef or chicken shawarma sandwich. Man, I remember when $9.99 for 2 shawarma sandwiches was just the regular price, but now it's actually considered a deal. Anyway, I figured why not pick up a couple of shawarma sandwiches for my husband and I after work for dinner and we don't have to cook. So that's exactly what I did. I opted for the beef, and asked them to hold the onions. The sandwich was actually quite good. It had a decent amount of beef in it and the beef was tender and tasty and not gristly nor fatty, which I appreciated. It came with shredded cabbage, pickled turnips and tomatoes. I actually prefer the shredded cabbage here over the shredded lettuce at most other places. It keeps its crunch better and gets less soggy. There was also garlic sauce which wasn't overpowering. The pita was nicely toasted too. And the size was good, not too puny. I was impressed. Pickup was quick. It was ready when the app said it was, which was about 10-15 minutes from the time I ordered. Staff were friendly. I would return to try other items. They have Saj bread, which I love. Street parking only. There are paid parking lots nearby too.

Boustan from Montreal finally opened up on Rideau St at the old Gabriel's Pizza location. They…read morefully renovated the old location and it's pretty nice inside. I decided to try a mixed plate platter as that's been my standard when trying shawarma places to rate restaurants in the multi city shawarma show down. They made some potatoes nice and fresh and at first I thought the platter look at little small BUT they pack it in the food! The platter comes to roughly $18 but comes with a drink and did I mention they pack the food in? The platter comes with rice, potatoes, hummus, toum, salad (was a little bitter but I really liked it) and piled up meat. I really liked the potatoes and salad. Chicken and beef were marinated different from anything I've tried in downtown Ottawa. I liked it. Garlic sauce is not as garlicky as what we have at the Palace. Hummus was decent as well. 3.5 stars. The sauce was decent, way better than that sweet sauce from Osmow's. With Shawarma Palace a few blocks away, if you're really hard up for shawarma it's a decent option with decent portions. If you have some time head down to the Palace though!

I heard Pi Co was replaced by another restaurant so checked it out. Turns out it was replaced by a…read morebakery serving up meat pies, pizzas, other flatbreads with toppings, stuffed pockets and to go packaged baked goods. I went with my default order of a meat pie with lemon and spice and have to say I enjoyed it but wish it was a little crispier. I don't know if the prices have gone up recently or if it's just more expensive downtown but the prices are around $3.75 for a meat pie. 3.5 for the food, rounding up for the nice staff

Located a little ways away from the hustle and bustle of the byward market you have this little…read moreLebanese gem. They have already prepared mini pizzas for you to take or you can order fresh ones. The gentlemen working there took the time to explain to me the menu choices and make recommendations. He was so nice! I was impressed by how spotless the place was. They made our food fresh in this cool oven and it smelled soooo good, I was sad we were going to enjoy them for breakfast later. Of the flatbreads I ordered, my favorites were the og meat pie and the akkawi. I did not care for the zaatar, even though it is a classic, and the sujuk with cheese was ok. I would def come again.

Sometimes we all get the late night munchies and crave things like falafel and poutine. The best…read morepart about craving those foods, is having it delivered right to your door. I mean, the food can't be that bad right? (or can it?) The hubby and I gave Mont Liban a try tonight, and we ordered 1 large falafel sandwich with extra turnips and garlic sauce instead of hummus, as well as a large poutine. The poutine was just McCain fries with shredded cheese and a lighter style gravy, and was very filling, (we did not expect much). The falafel wrap was just strange. Before even taking a bite I noticed the color of the turnips, and they looked off, almost like a coral color. The falafel on the other hand was a dark brown color (should be a golden brown), and had the weirdest taste ever, a cross between soapy with a dash of cinnamon, it was hands down the worst falafel I have ever tried. The garlic sauce was the only saving point to this wrap, but even then, it was tough to salvage. The only other toppings on the wrap were lettuce and a couple pieces of tomatoes. Where are the onions? the pickles? the hot peppers? There was no wow factor and with the falafel tasting awful, and the pita being stale, I could only eat half of the wrap before throwing it out.

We weren't expecting much as soon as we noticed that instead of baklava in the front stand they…read morewere selling chocolate bars. I was really hoping that their shawarmas would be better but they prepared out of sight and and were not very fresh. Although the owner was very kind i wouldn't recommend.

I hate this place, they barely care about you…read more The service is 1 out of 10. The food is 5/10. They usually forget to put side dish when you order an online delivery. Please AVOID this place. My personal suggestion, just go buy some groceries and cook the dinner yourself.

Employees are very nice and knowledgeable about the food although some aren't Lebanese, however the…read morefood itself is very plain sometimes depending on what you're ordering. I ordered a "pepperoni and veggie" pizza which was literally beef pepperoni with green pepper, no other veggies. That in itself was disappointing Next was the beef shawarma on saj which was filled with just beef, sauce, and a thin pickle. Tastes really meaty and not the shawarma flavour I wanted. Had like 3 small pieces of pickle on the side which I'm not sure what that was supposed to do. Anyways, the employees and servers are amazing and so is the decor (despite the dirty floor on the second occasion that I came) however the foods served need to have more vegetables and the menu some more photos of the foods since my non-Lebanese friends couldn't tell the difference between lahme, kafta, and kibbeh.

I found out about this place from a coworker and it's turned out to be a consistent ordering spot…read morefor me with my late night uber snacking over the past 6 years! Most often when I crave after hour food for order these guys are pretty good being they're open 24 hours, their poutines are definitely the most common order I get. Often jam packed and heavy on the cheese curds. Their chicken wings are another decent favourite of mine.

Stopped here after a concert because it was the only poutine place in the area that was open late…read more My friends and I each ordered a Shawarma wrap and a large order of the classic poutine. The wraps were giant and pretty good but the poutine just didn't do it for us. The gravy didn't taste like much and was drowning the fries. The area and crowd in the restaurant was also not the best.

Shawarma palace is fairly new at rideau center…read more I got a chicken shawarma plate. The amount of food you get is huge! The meat is fresh as are the vegetables. The hummus and garlic sauce are perfect. Rice was good as was the pita they they give you. Did I mention the portion is massive for the regular plate?! However, the price point is decently high, you're looking at over 25$ for a plate after tax but it's a ton of food!

From the owner: Shawarma Palace serves authentic Middle Eastern and Lebanese food in the heart of Ottawa. Whether…read moreyou're craving a classic chicken shawarma wrap, a juicy beef shawarma plate, or a loaded falafel sandwich, we wrap every order fresh to order with house-made garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and warm pita. Our menu also features hummus, fattoush salad, mixed grill platters, and vegetarian options; making us one of Ottawa's go-to spots for halal food and Lebanese cuisine. Perfect for a quick lunch, family dinner, or late-night bite. Dine in, takeout, and delivery available. Visit us and taste why we're one of Ottawa's favourite shawarma restaurants.

Really great food!! it was a little pricey (my total for the food pictured was 45$ish) but it was…read morevery tasty. i found the fried chicken a little too sweet for my tastes, but it was still good. the location itself was pretty small- there are four tables and it's pretty squished together. so i imagine on a busier day, if you like sitting at the restaurant you may not get a seat. overall i think i'll return.

Umbrella burger has been on the list since they moved into the neighbourhood. You can definitely…read moretaste the quality which justifies the higher price tag that goes with it. Got the beyond burger with added hot relish . so good, but on the heavier side. Bun was so fluffy and fresh. Messy so, make sure you have napkins nearby. The hand cut fries stole the show for me, paired with their in-house malt mayo. Also, tried the chipotle and honey mustard and both were amazing. They really nailed it with their sauces. Curly fries and dill broccoli salad was just OK, but Hubby gave them two thumbs up. It was a nice treat ...totally in a food coma .