Shawarma Palace
464 Rideau St.
(613) 789-9533

Hours
Mon.– Wed.: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Thu.-Fri.: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Sat.: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Sun.: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.

Rating: ****
Price range: $
Reservations: No

There seems to be a shawarma eatery on every corner in Ottawa. Every time I drop by one of these popular fast food places, I’m in awe of the shaved meat turning on the spit all day and wish I could replicate it at home.

Shawarma Palace, located down the street from Bytowne Cinema, was a busy place for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon.

I ordered a Chicken Shawarma sandwich with the works. The pickled turnips added saltiness to the pita, but it’s a taste I have yet to acquire. The garlic sauce was creamy and lingering, making me long for a few more dollops in my sandwich. The baklava was a little disappointing and needed to be replaced with a fresher batch, since it was dry and stale.

Prepare to taste the strong garlic sauce for the rest of the afternoon. But for a shawarma at this palace, I’ll tolerate the aftertaste. It’s worth it.