Shawarma Palace expands from Ottawa to Toronto this fall after three decades of loyal locals
The family-run Mediterranean spot has been voted Ottawa's No. 1 shawarma since 1997; exact Toronto locations coming later this year.
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Shawarma Palace, one of Ottawa's most beloved Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spots, is officially expanding into Toronto this fall.
The family-run business opened in Ottawa in 1997 and has since been repeatedly voted the city's top shawarma destination. The restaurant is known for its generously packed platters, fresh ingredients, quality sourcing, and a secret family recipe passed down through generations. In promotional videos, longtime master carver Hadi announced the news with a promise to "feed the entire city of Toronto."
Exact Toronto addresses have not yet been revealed, but the announcement has already sparked excitement online, particularly from former Ottawa residents. "Been waiting for this!!" and "My prayers are finally answered" were among the reactions. Food enthusiasts noted the city's shawarma gap: "I've been googling this periodically ever since I moved out of Ottawa. So stoked it's finally happening." Others described the expansion as a "game changer" for Toronto's late-night dining scene. The restaurant is famous for "Ottawa's Biggest Plate," a massive mountain of food made for sharing. Launch dates and specific locations are expected to be announced closer to the grand openings later this year.
