Is Ottawa the shawarma capital of Canada?

Ottawa is home to nearly 200 restaurants that offer its beloved staple food: shawarma. Why are we so obsessed? CBC's search for answers led us to Blossom Park, south of the city's core, where there is a shawarma shop on nearly every corner.

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[shartazokhan]

Having a shawarma with extra garlic sauce is one of the best ways to get kicked out of a meeting.

[gdemorest]

Born and raised in Vancouver, lived in Ottawa for 8 years, lived in Turkey, lived in the UK, lived in Holland been to a total of 40 countries, had Shawarma in many countries! A good one was in Valance, France as it included Brie!! I agree with this news item. Ottawa was the best! Montreal was a close second though!!!

[LiveInnerCity]

My mouth is watering just watching this! Ottawa Shawarma sounds like a MUST-TRY!

[RhM-gz]

Ottawa vs. Mississauga shawarma battle is on

[fsckool]

Shwarma Palace @ Southkeys is the best.

Carleton guys would know it. Nice quantity, fair price.

[randomprettysecret]

Such a flavourful cuisine! On my visit to Ottawa many years ago, can confirm this. The Tim Horton's was closed but a shawarma shop nearby was open and the experience was delicious! Love it! :)

[DesiRockMetal]

I'm from Vancouver and I've been to Ottawa once, where I had the best Shawarma in a restaurant in Canada. But the best Shawarma I've ever had is my Syrian friend's homemade traditional Shawarma.

[Alex_Plante]

I visited Ottawa last summer. I was looking for a place to eat, but all seemed kind of meh, until I saw a shawarma place. It was great! I didn't even know Ottawa was famous for shawarma..

[AJ-sqpl]

I had no idea the Ottomans served shawarma with French fries! 😂

[slinnky]

This is the best reporting I’ve ever seen. Also shout out for filming Shawarma Station. Legit the best in the country.

[elshad]

Shawarma Palace Orleans always delicious. They keep me coming back.

[Aggj]

We love shawarma.its Lebanon food so yummy in Montreal

[matthieuboulianne]

I want to know where the first shawarma images came from with the wood fire burning in the back. I want to try that

[CsalbertCs]

If you're one of these people who travel to eat food and enjoy culture you need to travel to Lebanon and Syria and try out the amazing Shawarma. It's so much better, ingredients are fresh and non-GMO.

[dangrather]

Good to know they can grab a nice snack while protesting. Goes nice with an RCMP shuttled coffee.

[burnsalad]

The best shawarma in Ottawa is from any NEW place within 3-6 months of opening. The employees care, the food is fresh and then its all down hill from there lol. Even the Palace on Rideau is hit or miss. We have the Shawarma spots here but there is by no means an unequivocal best.

[LiliesPhillies]

Damascus Shawarma in Calgary on 17 Ave. Amazeballs!

[spandex]

Shawarma Station at South Keys, great food and lovely people.

[kevin]

Ottawa was the first place I had and heard of a shawarma in 2011 and it took my province another like 5 years to get them.

[fatimaumar]

My favourite food!
It is famous because it is complete good and very tasty as well!!