Best Shawarma in North York 2026: Top 8 Spots Ranked
North York and its surroundings are home to one of the richest shawarma scenes in the GTA — from a TikTok-viral hidden gem tucked inside a convenience store on Yonge St to the legendary Shawarma Row on Lawrence Ave E where three of the city’s most celebrated spots cluster within a kilometre of each other. Whether you want Lebanese toum-slathered beef, Persian-spiced chicken on saffron rice, or a new-wave Syrian saj wrap, this guide covers every style — all ranked with prices, what to order, and a transit-friendly crawl route.
Quick answer: The best shawarma in North York right now is at Flaming Stove (2109 Yonge St, inside a Hasty Market — 4.7★ Google, 2,800+ reviews, TikTok viral). For the most acclaimed shawarma in the wider area, Ghadir Meat & Restaurant (1848 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough) is the Reddit gold standard. Budget pick: Best Shawarma at 192 Sheppard Ave W with wraps from $12.
Top 8 Shawarma Spots in North York (2026)
Flaming Stove
- Address
- 2109 Yonge St (inside Hasty Market), North York
- Price
- $14–$19 per wrap / plate
- Style
- Lebanese — Wrap & Plate
- Rating
- 4.7★ Google (2,800+ reviews)
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Flaming Stove is North York’s most talked-about shawarma spot in 2026 — and the fact that it operates inside a convenience store on Yonge St is half the appeal. A TikTok video by @tastetoronto called it the “best hidden gem in a convenience store” and racked up 210K+ views. The Google rating of 4.7 stars across 2,800+ reviews is the highest on this list, and reviewers consistently praise the generous portions and perfectly balanced spice blend. It’s cramped, it’s casual, and the shawarma is exceptional.
What to order: Beef Shawarma Wrap (the crowd favourite), Chicken Shawarma on Rice (the TikTok-famous plate), Falafel (a strong secondary option).
Ghadir Meat & Restaurant
- Address
- 1848 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough (“Shawarma Row”)
- Price
- $10–$16 wraps; $35+ family platters
- Style
- Lebanese — Butcher, Bakery & Grill
- Rating
- 4.4★ Google (5,000+ reviews)
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Ghadir is the Reddit gold standard for Lebanese shawarma in the GTA. A February 2026 thread on r/FoodToronto titled “Best Shawarma in the GTA?” named Ghadir the winner with 77 upvotes and 180+ comments, with commenters praising the “super garlicky toum” as the best in the city. It anchors Shawarma Row on Lawrence Ave E — a strip that CBC News has featured as the GTA’s most concentrated Middle Eastern food corridor. Come hungry: the family platters are a serious commitment.
What to order: Mixed Shawarma Plate (the crowd favourite for groups), Garlic Toum (order extra — it’s legendary), Manakeesh Za’atar (fresh from the bakery, $3–$5).
Alpha’s Shawarma
- Address
- Yonge & Finch area, North York (multiple Yonge St locations)
- Price
- $12–$18 per item
- Style
- Lebanese — Quick Service
- Proof
- Reddit r/FoodToronto: 26 upvotes, 46+ comments · Dec 2025 expansion
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Alpha’s Shawarma has the strongest local momentum in North York right now. Their 2025 expansion onto multiple Yonge Street locations has made them the most accessible high-quality shawarma option for North York residents, and Reddit’s r/FoodToronto is buzzing: a December 2025 thread declared them “the best downtown-accessible shawarma — as close as it gets” with 46+ comments. They’re the go-to for the Yonge & Finch corridor and are consistently ranked as a top spot for walk-in convenience.
What to order: Beef Shawarma in Pita (the classic), Chicken Shawarma Wrap (popular with regulars), Garlic Fries (the side that everyone orders).
Ghoroob
- Address
- 5935 Yonge St, North York (Newtonbrook)
- Price
- $15–$22 per dish
- Style
- Persian-Style Shawarma & Grill
- Rating
- 4.5★ Google (900+ reviews)
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Ghoroob at 5935 Yonge St in Newtonbrook is North York’s best option if you want Persian-style shawarma — a distinct experience from the Lebanese and Syrian styles elsewhere on this list. The kitchen uses saffron-forward spice blends and serves on thin flatbread with fresh herbs, reflecting the restaurant’s Iranian culinary roots. Recent Google reviews specifically highlight the “unique Persian seasoning and thin bread” that sets it apart. The Saffron Rice Plate is the destination dish.
What to order: Persian-Style Beef Shawarma (the signature), Chicken Shawarma Wrap (lighter option with fresh herbs), Saffron Rice Plate (the full Persian experience).
Euro Shawarma
- Address
- 2706 Keele St, North York (at Wilson Ave)
- Price
- $12–$18 per item
- Style
- Charcoal-Grilled Shawarma
- Rating
- 4.7★ Google (2,800+ reviews)
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Euro Shawarma near Keele and Wilson is North York’s most underrated shawarma spot — matching Flaming Stove’s 4.7-star Google rating with 2,800+ reviews, yet operating with none of the social media hype. What drives that rating? The charcoal sear: rather than the standard vertical rotisserie, Euro Shawarma finishes meat on a charcoal grill, adding a distinctive smokiness that regulars call “addictive.” January 2026 saw a surge of new Google reviews praising the charcoal technique specifically, suggesting word is finally spreading.
What to order: Charcoal-Seared Beef Shawarma Wrap (the must-try), Chicken Shawarma Plate (showcase for the charcoal method), Garlic Sauce Side (the house-made toum).
Shawarma Royale
- Address
- Sheppard Ave E & Consumers Rd, North York (east end)
- Price
- $13–$20 per item
- Style
- Syrian-Style Shawarma
- Proof
- Stephanie Dickison food blog · shared 850+ times · Opened Dec 2025
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Shawarma Royale opened at Sheppard and Consumers in December 2025 and immediately filled a gap in North York’s east end for Syrian-style shawarma. A feature on Stephanie Dickison’s food blog was shared 850+ times on social media, and local buzz has been strong since opening day. Syrian shawarma uses a pomegranate molasses marinade and saj flatbread instead of pita — if you’ve only had Lebanese-style, this is a genuinely different experience worth trying in 2026.
What to order: Syrian Beef Shawarma on Saj (the signature — pomegranate marinade), Chicken Shawarma Mixed Plate (sample the full spread), Garlic Sauce & Pickles (essential sides for the Syrian experience).
Sumac Lebanese Grill
- Address
- 43 Ravel Rd, North York (near Leslie & Sheppard)
- Price
- $16–$24 per dish
- Style
- Upscale Lebanese Grill
- Proof
- Instagram: featured in “Top North York Eats” · Jan 2026
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Sumac Lebanese Grill is the upscale option on this list — a clean, modern interior near Leslie and Sheppard that Instagram’s “Top North York Eats” feature spotlighted in January 2026. The higher price point reflects the premium environment and curated ingredients. It’s the best choice when you want a proper sit-down shawarma experience rather than a counter grab-and-go. The Beef Shawarma Plate here is a fuller, more composed dish than most spots on this list.
What to order: Beef Shawarma Plate (the flagship — worth the price), Chicken Shawarma Bowl (lighter, grain-based format), Fatayer (Lebanese pastry — the ideal starter).
Tahini’s
- Address
- CF Fairview Mall (Food Court), 1800 Sheppard Ave E, North York
- Price
- $13–$19 per bowl / wrap
- Style
- Fast-Casual Middle Eastern
- Rating
- 4.3★ Google · Accessible via Line 4 Don Mills station
- Hours
- Check current hours →
Tahini’s at CF Fairview Mall makes the list for two reasons: value and convenience. Sitting in the food court of North York’s biggest mall, it’s the easiest shawarma stop on this list for anyone using the TTC or combining a shopping trip. The bowls — rather than wraps — are the move here, building on a grain or rice base with consistent portions and quality. The Habanero Shawarma is the standout for spice lovers. It’s a chain, but it’s a reliable, accessible chain that hits the spot.
What to order: Habanero Chicken Shawarma Bowl (the fan favourite — genuine heat), Classic Chicken Shawarma Wrap (the reliable workhorse), Falafel Wrap (best vegetarian option on this list).
What’s Trending in North York Shawarma Right Now
The latest buzz from TikTok, Reddit, and XiaoHongShu as of February 2026.
Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill — The 1-Hour-Wait Debate
Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill in Scarborough is dominating TikTok with a viral “Is the 1-hour wait worth it?” video that hit 120K+ views and 5.2K likes in February 2026. Iraqi shawarma is cooked over live wood charcoal — the smoke and char flavour is dramatically different from the standard rotisserie style. Community verdict: polarising. Hardcore shawarma fans call it transcendent; casual visitors say the 40-minute waits aren’t worth it without a group.
Shawarma Royale Opens at Sheppard & Consumers
Shawarma Royale’s December 2025 opening at Sheppard & Consumers has filled a real gap in North York’s east end. Food blogger Stephanie Dickison’s opening-day post was shared 850+ times on social — one of the biggest local food opening reactions in recent months. Syrian-style saj wraps with pomegranate molasses are the hook. Worth adding to your list as a 2026 contender.
Alpha’s Shawarma Yonge St Expansion
Alpha’s Shawarma has been on an aggressive Yonge Street expansion since 2025, adding multiple locations between Finch and Sheppard. Reddit’s r/FoodToronto called it “the most accessible high-quality shawarma you can walk to in North York right now.” The expansion has made them the top “walk-in convenience” pick in the neighbourhood, and quality has held up across locations according to regulars.
The Great Shawarma Row Battle: Ghadir vs. Shawarma Empire
The long-running Ghadir vs. Shawarma Empire debate is peaking again in 2026. A XiaoHongShu post comparing the two — “Scarborough Shawarma Row: Why Empire beats Sumaq for meat quality” — hit 3.1K likes and 800+ saves in January 2026. Reddit runs parallel threads monthly. Community verdict: Ghadir wins on garlic toum and atmosphere; Shawarma Empire (1823 Lawrence Ave E) wins on pure price-to-quality ratio and consistency over decades. Visit both and weigh in.
The Lawrence Ave E “Shawarma Row” Crawl
The most concentrated stretch of acclaimed shawarma in the GTA sits on Lawrence Ave E between Victoria Park and Kennedy Rd — just east of North York in Scarborough. Three legendary spots, one street, one afternoon.
Shawarma Empire — The Legend
1823 Lawrence Ave E (near Victoria Park) · Start with a small Beef Shawarma in Pita — this is the spot Reddit calls the best price-to-quality ratio in the GTA. Arrive before noon to avoid the lunch rush. Cash preferred. $10–$16.
Ghadir Meat & Restaurant — The Gold Standard
1848 Lawrence Ave E (5-minute walk east) · Order the Mixed Shawarma Plate and load up on the house-made garlic toum — this is what 180+ Reddit comments call the best in the city. The bakery section has fresh manakeesh if you want to add bread. $15–$35.
Original Shawarma — The Syrian Finish
2045 Lawrence Ave E (10-minute walk east, or one stop on the 54 bus) · Finish with a Chicken Shawarma Saj — the pomegranate molasses marinade and charred flatbread is a completely different experience from the Lebanese wraps at stops 1 and 2. The “slicing” videos are viral on Instagram for good reason. $13–$21.
Shawarma Price Guide: What to Expect at Each Spot
| Spot | Best Deal | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha’s Shawarma | Beef Shawarma in Pita | $12 |
| Best Shawarma (192 Sheppard W) | Chicken Shawarma Wrap | $12 |
| Shawarma Empire (Lawrence & VP) | Beef Shawarma in Pita | $10 |
| Tahini’s (CF Fairview Mall) | Falafel Wrap or Shawarma Bowl | $13 |
| Flaming Stove (2109 Yonge) | Beef Shawarma Wrap | $14 |
| Ghoroob (5935 Yonge) | Chicken Shawarma Wrap | $15 |
| Sumac Lebanese Grill (Ravel Rd) | Chicken Shawarma Bowl | $16 |
| Ghadir Meat & Restaurant | Mixed Shawarma Plate | $15 |