The Best Shawarmas in Dubai; 10 Famous, Delicious, and Even Affordable Places
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Discover the best shawarmas in Dubai
From the 8 dirham shawarma at Al Ijaza to Syrian bites and trending Egyptian shawarmas; this list is for those who seek flavor, not chandeliers!
In Dubai, sometimes the best sign for finding good food isn't a fancy parking lot or a marble table; it's a couple of double-parked cars in front of a small café and people returning with a bag of shawarma, fries, and garlic sauce.
Shawarma in Dubai is not just fast food; it's the official solution to hunger after work, before the cinema, in the middle of shopping, and of course at two in the morning. Ask ten people where the best shawarma in Dubai is, and you’ll probably get twelve answers, with two people getting into an argument!
For this list, we didn't go for the most expensive. We selected names that are consistently mentioned in Dubai's recommendations, food guides, and updated menus; from the unpretentious old-timers to the options currently trending on social media.
Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the branch, type of bread, and whether the order is dine-in or delivery.
1. Al Ijaza; the shawarma you don't need to get out of your car for
Al Ijaza Cafeteria – Jumeirah 1, Jumeirah Beach Road, near Mercato
Approximate price: 8 to 9 dirhams
Al Ijaza is where part of the experience is the act of ordering itself. You pull over, sometimes you don’t even get out of the car, they take your order, and a few minutes later, shawarma and juice are in your hands. It has no strange plates, no theatrical smoke; just an old, always busy café that has been creating memories for Dubai since 1990.
For your first time, get the classic chicken shawarma and order a juice on the side. This is not where shawarma will change your life; it’s meant to make you feel better for less than the price of a coffee—and it knows exactly how to do that.
What to order? Chicken shawarma and one of the café's famous juices
Suitable for: Quick, cheap, and nostalgic shawarma
2. Al Mallah; the classic that hasn't gone out of style
Al Mallah – Satwa, Second of December Street
Approximate price: Regular shawarma 10 dirhams; saj around 17 dirhams
Al Mallah is one of those names that inevitably comes up when discussing shawarma in Dubai. The bustling atmosphere of Second of December Street, outdoor seating, and the constant flow of customers are half the appeal.
Their shawarma is in the classic Lebanese style: thin bread, chicken or meat, pickles, and sauce; without trying to reinvent the wheel. If it’s your first time, start with the regular chicken shawarma. If you’re still hungry, order a second one; no one has been put on trial for ordering a second shawarma.
What to order? Regular chicken shawarma or mix with fresh juice
Suitable for: An authentic and old-school Dubai experience
3. Laffah; for lovers of crispy bread and limitless garlic sauce
Laffah – Various branches, including Al Barsha and Karama
Approximate price: Around 10 to 15 dirhams for simple sandwiches
Laffah has its serious fans; especially those who prefer Syrian shawarma with pressed and slightly crispy bread. The sandwiches are usually compact, flavorful, and the garlic sauce is taken very seriously. If you have an important meeting tomorrow morning, social responsibility dictates you should buy gum as well.
The spiced potato chips from Laffah are almost as famous as the shawarma itself. Friendly advice: first get a sandwich and a potato; then decide about the second order. Hunger drives people to make big decisions.
What to order? Syrian chicken shawarma, spiced potato chips, and extra garlic sauce
Suitable for: Crispy, spicy, and garlic-centric shawarma
4. Aroos Damascus; an old shawarma place in the heart of Deira
Aroos Damascus – Al Murqabaat, Deira
Approximate price: Simple chicken shawarma around 9 dirhams
Aroos Damascus is one of those restaurants with a menu so long that by the time you make your choice, hunger may have entered a new phase. But if the goal is shawarma, don’t get distracted by kebabs, fattoush, and hummus—even though resisting is not easy.
The shawarma here is simple, Syrian, and old-school, and the Al Murqabaat branch stays open late. Its bustling and family-friendly atmosphere feels more like old Dubai than the newly built Instagrammable restaurants.
What to order? Fresh chicken shawarma from the skewer with hummus
Suitable for: Exploring Deira, families, and late-night hunger
5. Shawarma Al Farooj; a short menu, very serious fans
Shawerma Al Farooj – Al Bada, Trade Center Area
Price Range: Approximately 14 to 18 AED, depending on the type of bread and shawarma
Some restaurants have a hundred types of food, and none of them are made excellently. Al Farooj is almost here to do one thing: shawarma. This focus has made its name frequently mentioned in recent discussions among the people of Dubai.
You have three main choices: Lebanese chicken, spicy Mexican chicken, and meat shawarma. If you like the edges a bit crispy, ask them to keep the shawarma on the heat a little longer. The Mexican model is also for those who believe shawarma should have a bit of a kick!
What to order? Mexican chicken shawarma or Lebanese chicken, a bit crispy
Suitable for: Spicy shawarma lovers and night owls
6. Al Mashawi Al Halabya; the choice of someone who has researched shawarma
Al Mashawi Al Halabya – Al Barsha 1
Price Range: Small chicken around 15 AED; meat shawarma in Samoon bread around 23 AED
This one may not be as famous as Al Mallah, but it is not a small name among serious food enthusiasts. In an eight-stop shawarma tour in Al Barsha, Al Mashawi Al Halabya was one of the main choices and was even recommended by Mohamed Arfali, a well-known chef in Dubai.
Its score is balance: juicy meat or chicken, just the right amount of acidity and pickles, distinct spices, and a sauce that doesn't overpower the taste of the other ingredients. Meat shawarma in Samoon bread with onions, parsley, tomatoes, sumac, and tahini is an option worth deviating a bit from your path for.
What to order? Small chicken shawarma or meat shawarma in Samoon
Suitable for: Those who prefer a balanced taste over a sandwich drowned in sauce
7. Rawabi Al Sham; no-frills Syrian shawarma
Rawabi Al Sham – Al Barsha, Al Nahda, and Mirdif
Price Range: Simple chicken around 10 AED; meat around 21 AED
Rawabi Al Sham is another name frequently heard among fans of Syrian shawarma. Chicken, garlic sauce, and pickles in Saj bread; a familiar combination that needs nothing else if done right.
If you're very hungry, instead of a simple sandwich, go for the "Arabic Chicken Shawarma Meal" served with fries. If you're undecided between chicken and meat, get a mix; life has enough tough decisions.
What to order? Chicken shawarma or Arabic mixed meal
Suitable for: Traditional Syrian flavor and a filling meal
8. Qalat Baalbak; a place for meat shawarma fans
Qalat Baalbak – Hissa Street, near Saudi German Hospital
Price Range: Small chicken shawarma from around 15 AED
Most shawarma lists unintentionally turn into chicken festivals, but Qalat Baalbak has serious offerings for meat shawarma as well. Thin meat, tahini, vegetables, and spices that linger even after the last bite.
This restaurant has a bit more space than a standing café; therefore, if you're going with family or friends and not everyone wants shawarma, it's a more comfortable choice. Although usually, those who say, "I don't eat shawarma" end up trying half of your sandwich at the end.
What to order? Meat shawarma or mix
Suitable for: Meat lovers and family gatherings
9. Belad Al Sham; affordable, spicy, and worth the trip to Al Qusais
Belad Al Sham – Al Qusais, Al Nahda Street
Price Range: Chicken shawarma around 13 AED
If you're in the Al Qusais area, don't underestimate Belad Al Sham. This place is especially popular for spicy chicken shawarma or the Mexican model, and its price is still in a range where you can order a second sandwich without a family meeting about the budget.
This one is more of a neighborhood choice than a tourist destination; and in the world of shawarma, this is usually a definition.
What to order? Spicy or Mexican chicken shawarma
Suitable for: Affordable and spicy shawarma in East Dubai
10. Shawarmary; shawarma with an Egyptian passport
Shawarmary – Multiple branches including Al Barsha, Marina, JVC, Al Ghurair, and Silicon Oasis
Price Range: Chicken from 14 AED, meat from 15 AED
Shawarmery is a trendy and unique option on our list. Here, shawarma doesn't just go inside classic Arabic bread; Kaiser, brioche, and Viennese bread have also joined the game, and they even have shrimp shawarma.
If you are a member of the 'Shawarma Authenticity Police', you might frown a bit at the sight of brioche. But if you like to try something new, the Beefary or Chickary models are a fun and reasonably priced choice. Its growing popularity and increasing branches show that this Egyptian model has found its clientele in Dubai.
What should we order? Beefary, Chickary, or Shrimpary for a completely different experience
Suitable for: Trendy, unique shawarmas perfect for photos
An extra option for those hours when everything is closed
Barbar – Al Hissa Street, Al Barsha
Price range: Chicken shawarma around 12 to 15 dirhams
Barbar is open 24 hours; meaning if at three in the morning you suddenly decide that life without shawarma is impossible, no one will judge you. Its Arabic model is more compact, and the Lebanese model is for those who want a fuller bite.
Which one is the best?
If you are looking for the old Dubai vibe and low prices, start with Al Aijaza and Al Malahi. For Syrian shawarma with crispy bread, Laffa and Mashawi Al Halabi are serious options. If you want meat shawarma, try Qalat Baalbek; and if you are looking for a new and trendy model, Shawarmery is a different choice.
But the unwritten rule of shawarma is: the best shawarma is usually the sandwich that is hot, fresh off the skewer, and five minutes away from you. Excellent shawarma that sweats in the delivery box for forty minutes is no longer the same!
Now it's your turn: where is your favorite shawarma in Dubai? Just please don't say 'that little shop next to the supermarket'; write its exact name for Gooya so we can explore your choices in the second part of this shawarma tour.
Sources reviewed: Official restaurant websites and menus, Visit Dubai, Time Out Dubai, Frying Pan Adventures, and fresh user suggestions from Dubai.
Last price and branch review: September 2026