Shawarma, a culinary delight with Middle Eastern origins, is a savoury and tantalising dish that has garnered a global fanbase. This delectable creation typically consists of thinly sliced and marinated meat, traditionally lamb, chicken, beef, or a blend of these, which is then stacked onto a vertical rotisserie. As the meat slowly roasts and cooks, the outer layers become crispy and flavourful, while the inner portions remain tender and succulent. What makes shawarma truly exceptional is the medley of spices and marinades that infuse the meat with a harmonious symphony of tastes – a blend that can include cumin, turmeric, paprika, garlic, and more.
Once the meat reaches its peak perfection, it is meticulously carved off the rotating spit, resulting in thin strips that are a true feast for the senses. These flavorful slices are traditionally served in various ways, such as tucked into warm pita bread or wrapped in a flatbread like lavash, alongside an assortment of accompaniments. These accompaniments often include fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, as well as creamy sauces like tahini or garlic aioli, adding layers of texture and taste to the dish.
Shawarma’s popularity has transcended cultural boundaries, finding its way onto street corners, restaurants, and food trucks around the world. Its ability to bring together a rich history of flavours, textures, and aromas into a convenient and delectable package has earned it a well-deserved spot in the hearts – and stomachs – of food enthusiasts worldwide.
1. Cafe Helen
Right in the heart of Edgware Road sits a spot that divides the capital: Cafe Helen. There will be some who absolutely love it, while others who claim it’s all hype. Cafe Helen arguably does the best shawarma in London. Many people would vouch for this. And like anything that is considered the best, you get haters too, but for me the fact that it always gets compared to when shawarma is being discussed speaks volumes. What do we think? This is certainly the best shawarma we’ve had in London and that’s why we always pay this spot a visit for a cheeky shawarma wrap to take away every time we’re in the area.
Check out our Edgware Road guide here.
2. Taza
Taza in Queensway is a shawarma spot that brings about nostalgic memories for many Londoners. And rightfully so it is claimed to be the number one shawarma spot in the capital by many. They claim they are one of the oldest kebab shops in London dating back to 1985! That’s heritage. A unique addition they have is the unlimited salad station where you fill up a box until you are satisfied with salad and sauces. Anyway, the main event is of course the shawarma. How is the shawarma? One word: delicious. Many told us that it isn’t the same as back in the day, but we definitely loved it. The flavours were there, the sauces were there, the juiciness was there. But it didn’t remove Cafe Helen from the top spot for us.
Read more here.
3. Abu Afif
After we posted the Taza video on TikTok, it went viral and whenever anything goes viral on TikTok, you get all the haters and trolls come out. Most of them just hate for the sake of it, but some actually hate constructively. From that constructive hate was the suggestion to visit Abu Afif. They claimed this is a must visit shawarma spot and they even went as far as saying they’re the best shawarma in London! This spot is on Edgware Road, but just a little away from the main cluster, so it is often missed and ignored. Unlike the other spots that are Syrian, Lebanese or Levantine, this one is actually Iraqi. The decor is nice and they do more than just shawarma. So, it may even be a nice little eatery to visit with the family. What did we think? We got the chicken shawarma (we prefer chicken) and it was definitely tasty, but it felt more like grilled chicken than shawarma (if you know what I mean?). So, even though we enjoyed it, it doesn’t come close to the other two on this list.