You cannot say you have been to Dubai if you have not eaten at least one shawarma. It is an iconic and classic food in the Middle East and is highly raved about. The number of places that offer shawarma can be overwhelming, especially if you are not clued up on where to go and what to order. I have created a list of some of the best shawarma places in Dubai so you can narrow down your choices and never be disappointed.
1. Al Hallab
Al Hallab has one of the best Lebanese shawarmas in the city. It is based in the Dubai Mall, and you can enjoy a beautiful ambiance with the Dancing Fountain views and the Burj Khalifa while having a shisha if that is your jam. The staff is helpful, and the quality is up to high standards.
The shawarmas are fresh and hot, and they serve you quickly. It is one of those places that you want to keep returning to for shawarmas, and you never get tired of it. Those who have been going to the restaurant for years will tell you that Al Hallab maintains the quality of its food and continues to improve.
- Address: Dubai Mall, Second Floor
- Opening Hours: 12pm-12am
- Website: https://alhallabrestaurant.com/
- Phone Number: 04 330 8828
2. Al Mallah
Al Mallah is a Middle Eastern restaurant that offers delicious Lebanese favorites such as falafel and shawarma. They have a simple venue with outdoor seating, and providing quality dishes is the focus. Many people enjoy Al Mallah for the authentic shawarmas that never disappoint.
They are famous for their mixed grill and fish or chicken shawarmas. I prefer to order for takeaway as the place needs a bit of an ambiance; however, it has never stopped me from eating the food because it is always fresh, delicious, and up to standard.
- Address: Al Dhiyafa Rd, Al Hudaiba
- Opening Hours: 7 am-2:30 am
- Website: https://www.almallahuae.com/
- Phone Number: 600 522521
3. Al Safadi Restaurant
It is no surprise that another Lebanese cuisine restaurant is on the list. The origin of shawarma is unclear, but Lebanon is listed as one of the first Middle East Countries that the dish traveled. Lebanese cuisine shawarmas are generally authentic and repeatedly prove to be delicious.
The shawarma at Al Safadi is well-favored because of the balance of flavor. The food is not overspiced and oily – catering to the gentle palette. The meat is tender, juicy, and the staff and friendly, providing quality service. There are several branches around the city.
- Address: Al Dana Building, Al Rigga Rd, Deira
- Opening Hours: 9 am-1 am
- Website: https://alsafadi.ae/
- Phone Number: 600 50601
4. Zaroob
Zaroob is located in Dubai Marina, inspired by the traditional street food vendors found around the Levant region. The prices are affordable, and they have quick and efficient service. You can have breakfast shawarma at Zaroob because they are one of the best breakfast spots in Dubai.
Their chicken shawarma is delightful, and delivery and takeout service are often unmatched, especially during peak and odd hours. Zaroob is famous for being open during uncommon hours and still offering quality, tasty food. You can ask them for some of their delicious dips alongside your wholesome shawarma.
- Address: The Radisson Blu Residence, Ground Level, Dubai Marina
- Opening Hours: 7 am-5 am
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/zaroob/?hl=en
- Phone Number: 04 309 6895
5. Belad Al Sham
Belad Al Sham is another Levantine cuisine offering some of the best shawarma in Dubai. It is best to dine in and eat the shawarma hot and fresh. The chicken and lamb shawarma are juicy and irresistible. The prices are super affordable, the ambiance is perfect, and the friendly staff.
People often review the shawarma at Belad Al Sham as the best they have ever tasted, and the restaurant lives up to that expectation for many with its meaty-filled shawarma wrapped in wholesome pitta bread, the perfect amount of ingredients and not greasy.
- Address: Nasbatha Building, Near Free Zone Metro Station, 114 Al Nahda St, Al Twar 1
- Opening Hours: 9am-3am
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/beladalsham/?hl=en
- Phone Number: 04 261 3332
6. Allo Beirut
Allo Beirut is yet another Lebanese restaurant with some of the best shawarma in the city amongst many other Arabic dishes. They make fresh bread, and their meat is super juicy, tender, and delectable. I love their breakfast offer, and then I order a shawarma to-go for lunch. Saves me a bunch of thinking about prepping for food.
People often mention the higher price points, which I agree with; however, the taste and quality of the food are well worth it. The service is efficient, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is modern and fantastic. Keep in mind that the place is always crowded, so check online for less busy times. It is also one of the limited open places 24 hours a day.
- Address: Hessa St, Al Barsha
- Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours a day
- Website: https://www.allobeirutstreetfood.com/
- Phone Number: 800 86234788
7. Operation Falafel
We have a falafel-based restaurant to give you an original street food experience. It is a local-born and fresh casual chain of restaurants. Their concept works around the ‘revival and survival’ of Arabic cuisine. They bring old and new street flavors to the table while surprising its customers with fresh experiences by integrating past and present.
Firstly, their food is delicious, and they offer free bread. Who wouldn’t like getting free extra bread as you need? On top of that, the bread is served soft and warm. Their shawarmas always taste fresh with the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
- Address: Jumeirah Beach Residence 2, The Walk, near Sofitel Hotel
- Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours
- Website: https://operationfalafel.com/
- Phone Number: 600 530006
8. Shiraz Nights
Shiraz Nights is an Iranian restaurant located in Deira, with a fantastic menu, friendly staff, quality food, and lovely ambiance. They are well known for their incredible shawarma, and you will often find people waiting outside for their shawarma order while it is busy inside.
You get the added benefit of a free salad bar. It is a clever way to attract customers, but the quality of their shawarma never disappoints. The chicken and beef shawarma are tasty.
- Address: 7894+62F, Deira, Al Rigga, Dubai
- Opening Hours: 8am-2am
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/shiraznightsrestaurant/?hl=en
- Phone Number: 04 222 7720
9. Al Mandaloun
The Lebanese restaurant reflects the warmth of Arabian hospitality and cuisine, serving a selection of Levantine foods. The food is authentic, and the shawarma tastes as if it has come from its origin with juicy, tender meat, soft, warm bread, and balance of flavors.
The best part about Al Mandaloun, besides the tasty shawarma, is that they have bigger portion sizes, so you get extra value for your money. They have one of the best spicy lamb shawarma in the city, validated by many reviews and recommendations on the restaurant.
- Address: Gate Village, Building 3, Trade Center, DIFC
- Opening Hours: 8am-10pm
- Website: https://www.al-mandaloun.com/
- Phone Number: 04 363 7474
10. Al Nafoorah
Al Nafoorah is yet another authentic, leading, and award-winning Lebanese restaurant with some of the tastiest food, including shawarma, that you will find in the entire region. I am a frequent visitor when I have family and friends visiting, and I do a lot of meetups with local friends there. They never seem to disappoint.
It is the perfect spot because it oozes Arabian night vibes, and the shawarma is the excellent Middle Eastern food to provide the complete package. I have tasted a few different things on their menu, and even though it is all delicious, I always go back to their shawarma. If I order something different, I take a shawarma to-go for lunch the next day because it tastes just as good even after rewarming the meal.
- Address: Ground Level, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Crescent Road, The Palm Jumeirah
- Opening Hours: 1pm-qqpm
- Website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/dine/dubai/zabeel-saray-al-nafoorah
- Phone Number: 04 453 0444
11. Al Ijaza Cafeteria
The cafeteria provides friendly service with quality food in an intimate place with reasonable prices. Many local Emiratis at Al Ijaza hang out, munching on small meals and delectable drinks. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan visited the cafeteria, and they have been in service for over 30 years. There are always lines of cars waiting to be served.
No doubt that the shawarma here is finger-licking good and goes deliciously with their falooda or a refreshing juice. It is not somewhere I would often go only because of the queue; however, I would if it wasn’t for that because of the fantastic food.
- Address: Shop 1, Jumeirah 1, Beach Road, Near Mercato Mall
- Opening Hours: 9am-3am
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/alijazacafe/?hl=en
- Phone Number: 04 344 4874
12. Farzi Café
A restaurant that is aiming at bringing Indian cuisine back into vogue style. The connotation of ‘farzi’ at the café is about ‘creating an illusion with its range of food. You get a gourmet experience while enjoying traditional dishes from Indian and global cuisine.
I thoroughly enjoyed the shawarma at Farzi Café because of the generous dose of modern Indian flavor infusion combined into a dish with a Middle Eastern origin. It is occasionally described as one of the best Indian cuisine restaurants in Dubai, and that means they live up to the hype and expectations.
- Address: Mall of The Emirates, Shop M008, Second Floor, Al Barsha 1
- Opening Hours: 10am-12am
- Website: https://www.farzicafe.ae/
- Phone Number: 050 407 5590
13. Beirut Bites
To deliver authentic Lebanese street food flavors, Beirut Bites was created in the heart of the most cosmopolitan city, Dubai. After being to a myriad of Middle Eastern cuisine restaurants, I didn’t think I would fall in love with another so easily, but Beirut Bites captured my attention quickly.
The chicken shawarma was delicious, and I tried the tasty tawouk tabliyi, a shawarma bites platter served with coleslaw and some dips. That was so good I immediately recommended it to some friends I knew would enjoy the dish. They offer their dishes covered in bite-size portions – a fantastic option for snacks.
- Address: Promenade Level, Shop, Tiffany Tower, Cluster W, 11th St
- Opening Hours: 9am-10:30pm
- Phone Number: 04 580 3322
14. Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Café
Arabian Tea House could not be left off the list. It is located in Al Fahidi District, based in the old section of Dubai – a historical sight with so much culture and character. The atmosphere is one of the most exciting ambiances at an Arabian restaurant in Dubai.
They offer a wide variety of Middle Eastern cuisine with tasty coffee and tea that has become a classic attraction sight over the years and is highly recommended by tourists and residents alike. Their shawarmas are undoubtedly delicious and something I always go back for when in the area.
- Address: Bastakiya, Al Fahidi St, Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi
- Opening Hours: 7 am-11 pm
- Phone Number: 04 353 5071
15. Shawarma Al Karmel
What better place to get shawarma than from a place named shawarma? Often, spots like that can be hyped but tend to disappoint; however, the sandwich haven in Dubai Sports City does not. They offer a range of delectable wraps like shawarma. It is my go-to when I want my shawarma delivered around the area.
My friends and I love going to Shawarma Al Karmel for mixed grills, shawarma, and pastry. The shawarma meal with fried chicken is fantastic and my personal favorite. Their food has the best taste in the area, and they are also pocket friendly.
- Address: Dubai Sports City, Spanish Building
- Opening Hours: 7 am-2 am
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/shawarmaalkarmeldubai/?hl=en
- Phone Number: 054 767 9792
16. My Shawarma
Here is another place named after the dish we are most interested in. My shawarma won my heart with its spicy shawarma and meat shawarma. They showcase excellent Arabic street food with a homegrown concept and original recipes made with authentic spices.
Their prices are reasonable, and they have a friendly staff with prompt service. The vibe is super cute and slightly funky – an intimate spot, especially for youngsters.
- Address: Emerald Court Building, Al Barsha 1
- Opening Hours: 11:30am-12am
- Website: https://myshawarma.ae/
- Phone Number: 04 347 368