Thursday is National Shawarma Day, and several businesses in Ottawa are offering deals for the Middle Eastern meal. According to the National Day calendar, “National Shawarma Day on October 15 celebrates the Middle Eastern rotisserie method of cooking meats such as lamb, chicken, and beef and the dishes it makes.” In 2024, Ottawa City Council approved a motion to declare Ottawa the “Shawarma Capital” of Canada. Ottawa Tourism says our city has been dubbed the “Shawarma Capital of the World!” There are approximately 200 shawarma restaurants in Ottawa. In 2024, Coun. Laura Dudas noted there were nearly 200 shawarma restaurants in Ottawa, compared to 119 Tim Hortons establishments. In 2025, Ottawa welcomed the Shawarma Festival Competition. Shawarma Place won the competition in its first year, while Montreal-based Boustan was crowned shawarma championship this year. Shawarma deals Several Ottawa businesses are celebrating National Shawarma Day with various specials. Here’s what CTV News Ottawa has found so far:
