Authentic Shawarma places in Pakistan

Mephisto

The Prime Evil
Jun 4, 2008
639
1
23
Lahore
Pakistani variant of the Arabic shawarma is an abomination, an atrocity, an obscenity , an *insert another synonym for "disgusting"*. What's copious amounts of ketchup, hot sauce, spices and cooked salad doing in a shawarma bread that barely manages to wrap around the filling? Name it something else assh**es! :mad:

An authentic shawarma is supposed to only have the following ingredients:


  • Unflavoured Meat strips cooked on a vertical spit
  • Shawarma bread
  • Pickles
  • Mayonnaise
  • Zero spices

So my question is, where can I find a shawarma that conforms to the above mentioned conditions? Anywhere in Pakistan would do. I only know of LUMS PDC which makes this and I miss it dearly.
Spoken like a true A-Rab! I miss KSA shawarma. I've tried soooo many places (even Babagoosh) but they all suck.

How hard is it to make an authentic Arabic shawarma?!

The chicken needs to be marinated in its own fat with lemon on top of the rotating thing, that's all the flavor it needs. Then shove in some garlic mayo, put in some pickles and DONT FORGET THE EFFIN Fries, I think they were boiled (not sure) and wrap it up in shawarma bread.


My friend has been thinking of starting authentic shawarma business in Lahore. He's in Kuwait these days but that has always been his goal lol.
 
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IzHee

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2013
1,291
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Guys guys guys! Our real authentic shawerma hunt is over. I can't believe that I just had a true shawerma just an hour ago. This place is called Cafe Beirut opposite to pizza hut and just below GNC, MM Alam road. As soon as I entered, I had sniffed the essence of good shawerma. Saw fat dripping off the grill. My hopes shot to the roof that moment. I ordered hummus, sultani, tea, felafel platter and shawerma. I had hummus which was great, even better than most from most restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Then felafel, it was great. That was the moment my legs got shaky in excitement. I saved the best for the last. The shawerma is the only authentic shawerma in Pakistan right now!!! It had that tangy feel (lemony taste in the chicken) black pepper and it was exactly like one of the best restaurant in Riyadh called Mc'Coys, I'd say it was even better. The garlic sauce was so great, really authentic. Made fresh it wasn't the artificial garlic mayo we get in many restaurants. It had fries, pickles, tomato in it and had that thin bread. The guy is Lebanese who is basically running the restaurant. I talked a bit with him. He used to work in Jeddah. He had spent 6 years there working somewhere near tahlia street and also worked for some binzager family or I dunno what was the name. This guy is a life saver. I'm never ever going to try any "shoe-waaarma" from now on.
Ignore my Instagram story text.





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Last edited:

LordIT

Sup?
Oct 9, 2008
1,242
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I can confirm @IzHee's review. Cafe Beirut is where you'll find it as close to the authentic thing as possible. MM Alam Road, Opposite Pizza Hut, Below GNC.

Best thing about it is the bread, which I think they bake their own instead of those god damned store bought pita breads. Costs Rs. 350ish.
 
Last edited:

Mephisto

The Prime Evil
Jun 4, 2008
639
1
23
Lahore
[MENTION=96369]IzHee[/MENTION]

Damn dude I live right off MM Alam but never had the chance to visit Cafe Beruit!

Thanks for the excellent mouth watering review lol!

Will try it for sure and round back with my feedback :)
 

IzHee

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2013
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So, I gave another try and was a bit disappointed. It was a little spicy and had no fries. The reason was that the Lebanese chef Maan Jabar wasn't there at that moment. I complained it to him as soon as he got back. He said mention it next time that you don't want spicy and want fries in them. Keep that in mind when you give a visit. [MENTION=6655]LordIT[/MENTION] [MENTION=4160]Mephisto[/MENTION]

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Mephisto

The Prime Evil
Jun 4, 2008
639
1
23
Lahore
So, I gave another try and was a bit disappointed. It was a little spicy and had no fries. The reason was that the Lebanese chef Maan Jabar wasn't there at that moment. I complained it to him as soon as he got back. He said mention it next time that you don't want spicy and want fries in them. Keep that in mind when you give a visit. @LordIT @Mephisto

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Bit Disappointment will be an understatement for me.

Today I asked my mom and sis if they wanted to try the good ol Saudi Shawarman. So I ordered 3, I had it delivered through Cheetay because I was tied up with work and couldn't go out myself. With the extortionate price of Rs350 (without tax) per Shawarma, Rs150 delivery charge and Rs120 for 2.25 liter coke, my total came upto around Rs1500 [Keep in mind Dominos has a deal for Rs1000 for Large pizza and 1.5liter Pepsi]

It would've been ok if the Shwarma lived up to the standard. It had no fries, the masala was really high and we all felt a little sick because of it. :(

I didnt want to come here and say it sucked because everyone has their own taste but now I know what that I got the shawarma from the shitty chef. I didnt't want to complain either because I've never tried their shawarma so I thought this is how they make it.

I am extremely disappointed and would really want my money back. Or atleast give me 3 new better shawarmas. Kinda late for all of that, maybe I'll call them tomorrow and Abuses will lead to ban out lol.

Will I visit them again? I might, but I'll make sure the chef is the right one.
 
Last edited:

error

Mobile King !
Sep 26, 2007
1,356
16
43
Lahore
Cafe Beirut is overrated . i have been searching for authentic shawarma for a very long time and the closest is the one available at La'auberge Falletis hotel although its a lil pricey at 800rs. i thought maybe i could get the same at cafe beirut at cheaper but i was wrong tried it twice and both time chicken was spicy and bread wasnt fresh.
 

AbbY

Administrator
ADMIN
Nov 20, 2008
6,421
85
54
Ankara
Cafe Beirut is overrated . i have been searching for authentic shawarma for a very long time and the closest is the one available at La'auberge Falletis hotel although its a lil pricey at 800rs. i thought maybe i could get the same at cafe beirut at cheaper but i was wrong tried it twice and both time chicken was spicy and bread wasnt fresh.
The same people run both places.

My experience with Cafe Beirut has been quite the same. Went once, left disappointed. Didn't live up to my expectations. For me, the pinnacle is still the Shawarma at Zaroob. Might just give Cafe Beirut another shot when I'm in Pakistan again.
 

wasifhassan97

PG Darth Vader
Jan 15, 2014
167
2
23
Karachi
www.playstation.com
Guys guys guys! Our real authentic shawerma hunt is over. I can't believe that I just had a true shawerma just an hour ago. This place is called Cafe Beirut opposite to pizza hut and just below GNC, MM Alam road. As soon as I entered, I had sniffed the essence of good shawerma. Saw fat dripping off the grill. My hopes shot to the roof that moment. I ordered hummus, sultani, tea, felafel platter and shawerma. I had hummus which was great, even better than most from most restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Then felafel, it was great. That was the moment my legs got shaky in excitement. I saved the best for the last. The shawerma is the only authentic shawerma in Pakistan right now!!! It had that tangy feel (lemony taste in the chicken) black pepper and it was exactly like one of the best restaurant in Riyadh called Mc'Coys, I'd say it was even better. The garlic sauce was so great, really authentic. Made fresh it wasn't the artificial garlic mayo we get in many restaurants. It had fries, pickles, tomato in it and had that thin bread. The guy is Lebanese who is basically running the restaurant. I talked a bit with him. He used to work in Jeddah. He had spent 6 years there working somewhere near tahlia street and also worked for some binzager family or I dunno what was the name. This guy is a life saver. I'm never ever going to try any "shoe-waaarma" from now on.
Ignore my Instagram story text.





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@Mephisto
@Ottoman
@mafiadog

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Damn!! Oh boy I really wanna try this so bad. I've been waiting for so long to get my hands on a good arab shawarma!, 3 months & 11 days to be precise :p

My part of the story..
So I tried this Shawarma at Al Arab, at the continental bakery recommended by someone on PG, which was extremely ridiculous. I didn't like it at all. In fact, they just had mexican one and the beef. And also Billions of variants listed on the menu. WORST SHAWARMA EVER!
Btw, did you try Shawarmer?
 
Last edited:

gttx

Well-known member
Oct 5, 2007
1,162
0
41
Lahore
so no place for shawerma i guess. mixed reviews I guess i wont try it then.

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IzHee

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2013
1,291
230
69
27
Toronto
Damn!! Oh boy I really wanna try this so bad. I've been waiting for so long to get my hands on a good arab shawarma!, 3 months & 11 days to be precise :p

My part of the story..
So I tried this Shawarma at Al Arab, at the continental bakery recommended by someone on PG, which was extremely ridiculous. I didn't like it at all. In fact, they just had mexican one and the beef. And also Billions of variants listed on the menu. WORST SHAWARMA EVER!
Btw, did you try Shawarmer?
Tried Shawermer in Saudi Arabia. It was good but not as great as Mc'Coys.
Oh just make sure whenever you go to cafe Beirut tell them to add fries and don't make it spicy.
 
Last edited:

Jshak

PG Pioneers Jshak e-Store
PG Pioneering Member
PREMIUM SELLER Platinum Member
Aug 27, 2007
13,944
10
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47
Karachi
www.facebook.com
For me Shwerma is the best food in any formats ( hunger call ). I can recommend these good places which can be tested anytime in Karachi.

1. Kings and Queens ( MACHS )
2. Damascus ( Clifton )
3. Al Arab Jauhar ( Continental Bakery )


I like these hummus as well, they are not so " Channa " aka Chick Peas raw taste. I prefer my shewerma with those pickles. Do try it out.
 

wasifhassan97

PG Darth Vader
Jan 15, 2014
167
2
23
Karachi
www.playstation.com
They, Mashawi, have the most authentic and tasty shawarma than any other in Karachi. I was literally shocked myself to experience the taste that they replicated here.
Beats all those garbage and tasteless shawarmas of Damascus, Al Arab, and King Shawarma.

Location: W49M+RP Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
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Paintsh

Newbie
Jan 5, 2021
22
4
3
Guys guys guys! Our real authentic shawerma hunt is over. I can't believe that I just had a true shawerma just an hour ago. This place is called Cafe Beirut opposite to pizza hut and just below GNC, MM Alam road. As soon as I entered, I had sniffed the essence of good shawerma. Saw fat dripping off the grill. My hopes shot to the roof that moment. I ordered hummus, sultani, tea, felafel platter and shawerma. I had hummus which was great, even better than most from most restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Then felafel, it was great. That was the moment my legs got shaky in excitement. I saved the best for the last. The shawerma is the only authentic shawerma in Pakistan right now!!! It had that tangy feel (lemony taste in the chicken) black pepper and it was exactly like one of the best restaurant in Riyadh called Mc'Coys, I'd say it was even better. The garlic sauce was so great, really authentic. Made fresh it wasn't the artificial garlic mayo we get in many restaurants. It had fries, pickles, tomato in it and had that thin bread. The guy is Lebanese who is basically running the restaurant. I talked a bit with him. He used to work in Jeddah. He had spent 6 years there working somewhere near tahlia street and also worked for some binzager family or I dunno what was the name. This guy is a life saver. I'm never ever going to try any "shoe-waaarma" from now on.
Ignore my Instagram story text.





Our Savior

[MENTION=4160]Mephisto[/MENTION]
[MENTION=6068]Ottoman[/MENTION]
[MENTION=2413]mafiadog[/MENTION]

Sent from my Lenovo Z90a40 using Tapatalk
Wow falafel, my gosh! That's one of my favorite middle east food :D
 

Paintsh

Newbie
Jan 5, 2021
22
4
3
They, Mashawi, have the most authentic and tasty shawarma than any other in Karachi. I was literally shocked myself to experience the taste that they replicated here.
Beats all those garbage and tasteless shawarmas of Damascus, Al Arab, and King Shawarma.

Location: W49M+RP Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
Is this a must-try food speciality?
 
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