Shawarma is the most popular dish in the Middle East. You really experience the goodness of the warm roasted fresh chicken in shawarma which is nicely cooked for almost a day. Delicious shawarma comprises thin-cut slices of chicken, beef, or mixed meats and fresh nicely spread toumeya (also known as garlic sauce), some french fries, and a tasty pickle wrapped in a vertical cone shaped like pita bread. For relishing the perfect shawarma, here is a list of the must-try places in Dubai for shawarma lovers.
Al Mallah
Al Mallah has been amongst the oldest spots for shawarmas in town. A nice seating area to grab your shawarma bites clubbed with an avocado milkshake or a fruit mocktail is definitely going to make your evenings a bliss. Falafels, zatar naans, and mixed grills are also available if you would like to try something new.
Laffah
Laffah is known for its quick, hot, fresh shawarmas. It has many branches in Dubai. My personal favorite is their chicken shawarma platter which tastes divine and is pretty affordable. It cost 32 AED only. This platter is so good it comes with a generous amount of fresh hot french fries and a garlic dip with the shawarma. The broasted chicken here is crispy and flaky and can be tried as a side dish by the shawarmas.
Allo Beirut
Allo Beirut is at the top of the list of all shawarma lovers. As the name suggests, the perfect juicy shawarma seems it comes directly from the streets of Lebanon to rule our hearts. I was mesmerized by the flavourful shawarmas they serve here. The delicious meat shawarmas are a must-try.
If you are in a hurry, this joint is definitely for you. They have a car drive-thru service where you place the order to the waiter from the car and the food is delivered to you. I give them a full score for their highly skilled quick service with the most skilled chefs. Mixed grills are also one of my favorites from this cafe.
Ikea
Hey! What did you say just? YES IKEA. The local delicacy prepared at IKEA is flavorsome and worth a try. A quick snack when you are tired of shopping is so tasty and filling at the same time. I tried the large shawarma which costs 9AED and kept me full for long hours.
They also serve small shawarma which costs 5 AED. If you are someone who likes to try desserts then IKEA’S cheesecake should be on your list. 1AED for vanilla softy ice cream at Ikea is a treat after shopping at Ikea.
Al Abdallah
Charcoal grilled chicken topped with red sauce, garlic, and pickles is AL ABDALLAH’S style of authentic moist shawarmas. They prepare the shawarma and grill them on the gas in a net which gives a smoky kind of flavor to the shawarma. The shawarma hits differently as they serve it with their secret spicy red sauce relishing my taste buds for the first time. Jalapeno chicken cheesy fries are also a part of their menu.
Abu Mehboob
A small takeaway joint at Al Mamzar that I thought would be average, but to my surprise, I am glad I tried it and it did not disappoint me. The shawarmas served were fresh, and warm, and the saj bread was soft and cooked to perfection. It was served with a garlic dip and fresh pickles. Broasted and grilled chicken are also available at this snack bar.
Al Safadi
Original Lebanese food outlet that has so many branches in Dubai. Al Safadi is known for the quality of the food they deliver. It is recognized as one of the most popular Lebanese spots. Meat fattoush, hummus, and salads make a complete meal with a side of shawarma for a perfect luncheon with your family. The mixed grills to are luscious.
Al Ijaza Cafeteria
Definitely, the best spot if you are in for a late-night snack. It is one of the UAE’s oldest cafeterias and mainly runs on car hop service. This place is usually very crowded and their shawarmas and Hassan Mathar are my current favorites from the menu. They also have a section of Zinger sandwiches and burgers on their menu.
Antar Cafe
Antar cafe is known for its delectable shawarma and mainly through a drive-thru service. It is a decent cafeteria with affordable prices and bang-on taste. I really liked their chicken shawarma served with pickle and garlic dip. I also tried their grilled chicken which came with hummus, salad, and a few hot pita bread which made my taste buds satisfied. Also if you visit this spot, do try their Aboodh and watermelon juice clubbed with your succulent shawarmas.
Barbar
Barbar is one of the current trending shawarma outlets in Dubai which has been very quick in making its name as the best shawarma served in Dubai. The taste of the shawarma was simple and original. Don’t forget to order one extra garlic dip to enhance the perfect taste of their fresh shawarmas. A cherry on the cake is that this place is open 24 hours seven days a week.