5 Ottawa kebab spots where the meat falls off the skewer
From Uyghur to Georgian to Afghan, these restaurants serve char, spice, and tender skewers worth seeking out.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ottawa's kebab scene draws from Turkish, Persian, Afghan, Georgian, and Uyghur traditions — each bringing its own take on marinated meat, fragrant rice, and grilled vegetables. Over the past seven years, Ottawa Citizen food critic Peter Hum has sampled the city's top kebabs. Here are five standouts worth a detour:
Altay Flame Uyghur Cuisine, 8 Beechwood Ave., serves delectably juicy chicken thigh and lamb kebabs. This restaurant on the western edge of Vanier is Ottawa's first to feature the cuisine of the Uyghurs, the Muslim minority group from China's northwestern Xinjiang region. Platters of these meaty treats are safe, satisfying orders, while more exploratory appetites can try the house-made noodle dishes not elsewhere available in Ottawa. Reviewed June 4, 2026.
Yan's Restaurant, 86 Murray St. in the ByWard Market, serves Georgian and Armenian food — Ottawa's first restaurant dedicated to both cuisines. The menu features several kebab platters that showcase the depth of Caucasian cooking.
Sultan Suleyman brings Turkish tradition with lamb marinated in pomegranate juice and metre-long beef platters that arrive sizzling. The menu also includes chicken with a perfect smoky edge.
Two additional spots round out the list, each with their own regional interpretation of the skewer. Lamb, beef, and chicken all feature prominently, each seasoned to bring out the meat's natural juices rather than mask them.
The best kebabs in Ottawa feature meat so tender it falls off the skewer and spice blends that leave a lasting impression. Start at Altay Flame and work your way through the rest — the variety across cuisines means no two meals will feel the same.