When in the UAE, one of the dishes that is always a must-try is shawarma.
The popular Middle Eastern dish is made by roasting meat on a vertical rotisserie, which is then cut into thin slices. Commonly made with chicken or mutton, the meat is served in Arabic or saj bread and topped with garlic sauce, fries, pickles and more.
Based on the cuisine of the restaurant, the dish is made in various ways, with some also opting to add cucumbers and fresh leaves to the shawarmas.
The origins of the iconic dish can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century. It is from there, that shawarmas originated from along with gyros, a common dish in Greece.
There are so many hidden gems across the UAE that serve amazing shawarmas, and if on the lookout, here are some amazing spots that Connector has sought out.
Belad Al Sham
Belad Al Sham in Al Quasis is a great place to check out when looking for delicious shawarmas to tantalise the tastebuds. Delight in meat and chicken options, wrapped with all the trimmings, the dish is also available as an open shawarma, where diners can customise to their liking. Also, enjoy innovative options from chicken shawarma with hummus to Italian shawarma.
www.beladalsham.com
Al Mallah
Al Mallah, with five branches in Dubai and Sharjah, is a brilliant place for amazing Lebanese flavours. Established for over 40 years, it is definitely created a name for itself and is the spot to enjoy tasty shawarmas. Delight in choices of chicken or mutton shawarmas in Arabic bread or saj bread, with a shawarma plate also available to create a shawarma of choice.
www.almallahuae.com
Jebal Al Noor
One of the oldest cafeterias in Dubai, there is no wonder the restaurant is so widely loved by residents in the UAE. Jebel Al Noor with five branches in Dubai at Satwa, Bur Dubai, Rashidiya, Al Nadha and Al Barsha, is a great place to enjoy delicious shawarmas including a chicken shawarma plate, shawarma meal with fries, shawarma and a side salad, chicken shawarma, Arabic shawarma and Mexican shawarma.
www.jabalalnoor.ae
Laffah
Laffah with five branches in Dubai and Sharjah is an iconic restaurant to enjoy scrumptious shawarmas. With meat and chicken options, delight in samsoun meat shawarma served in samsoun which is a thick bread topped with sesame seeds, shawarma plate, double shawarma, and half kg shawarma, great for families.
www.laffahrestaurant.com
Al Hallab
Al Hallab, with four branches in Dubai, specialises in Lebanese seafood. However, the shawarmas served at the restaurant are a must-try. The restaurant started as a bakeshop in Lebanon and in 2002, branched out into Dubai. While dining here, enjoy delicious shawarma options from mutton and chicken.
www.alhallabrestaurant.com
Al Ijaza Cafeteria
Al Ijaza Cafeteria on Jumeirah Beach Road and Umm Sequim, Jumeirah 3, is a great spot to enjoy dining at a cafeteria. The outdoor seating at the restaurants are decorated with stunning golden lights, creating a dining under the stars experience. The restaurant serves two options for shawarmas, from chicken shawarma to a plate, where diners can enjoy adding the right amount of ingredients that they prefer to the iconic dish.
www.alijazacafe.com
Mama'esh
With eight branches in Dubai, one in Sharjah and one in Ajman, Mama'esh is the place to be to relish in scrumptious Palestinian cooking. With stunning interiors, the restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Diners can delight in chicken or beef shawarmas, which are light and refreshing with every bite taken.
www.mamaesh.com
Zaroob
Zaroob, with three branches in Dubai, is a lovely spot to relish in Levantine street food. The restaurant serves a variety of different shawarmas to enjoy, with something new to try for each visit. Savour in chicken and beef options with dishes like shawarma, shawarma platter and shawarma rice bowl.
www.zaroob.com
Al Safadi
Al Safadi, with five branches in Dubai, has been serving mouthwatering Lebanese flavours since 2000. While at the restaurant, choose from mutton and chicken options with dishes like shawarma platter, mix shawarma platter, hummus with shawarma and shawarma intakli, where the meat is stuffed into the bread.
www.alsafadi.ae
Allo Beirut
Travel to Lebanon without leaving Dubai while dining at Allo Beirut. With three branches in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi, the shawarmas served at the restaurant are light on the stomach, keeping diners wanting more. Served on Arabic bread, the shawarma is stuffed with chicken, garlic sauce, pickles and french fries, making it a must-try.
www.allobeirutstreetfood.com