Jerusalem Shawarma Vancouver — Restaurant in Vancouver

I recently visited Jerusalem Shawarma’s Vancouver location and was disappointed to find it not comparable to the Calgary spot I’d come to love. I ordered two Chicken Shawarma Plates, each costing over $20, yet the portions were wildly inconsistent—one plate had a reasonable amount of chicken, while the other was noticeably skimpy because the staff hadn’t pre-cut enough meat, which was odd. The meat also tasted stale, likely because they pre-cut it and let it sit—even during busy hours. The side salad was poor quality and lacked the spices and inviting aroma of olive oil that I remember from Calgary.

To make matters worse, the garlic toum was bland—more like tasteless mayonnaise than the punchy, lemony emulsion it should have been, probably due to not enough garlic or lemon when it was made in the food processor. Considering that most shawarma plates in the city range from $15 to $18, charging more for such low-quality ingredients simply doesn’t make sense. Two plates cost me around $50, and for that price, you’re mostly getting rice and carbs with barely any meat—there’s just no real value. The whole experience felt very overhyped.

This location previously housed Paramount Foods, which served noticeably better food. On top of that, there are virtually no free parking options or even a proper waiting area for customers. The space is cramped, and the ordering counter is awkwardly placed at the back, forcing people to squeeze past others just to place an order, which is confusing and poorly planned.

Addressing these issues would likely affect their profit margins, so I doubt they’ll make any changes. Frankly, I’m not even sure why they opened downtown—retail space there is expensive. They would have been better off choosing a more affordable location and focusing on delivering the value and quality the brand is known for. This feels like a rushed franchise expansion with no quality control, and overall, questioning the positive reviews perhaps folks do not know what its supposed to taste like, here it’s...

It’s wild how there are four different falafel/donair/shawarma joints within 20 meters of each other on Robson Street, and yet they were all busy. That says a lot about the demand, and Jerusalem Shawarma definitely holds its own. This location is part of a larger chain with roots in Alberta and now expanding into BC, and it’s clear they’ve figured out a system that works: fast service, high quality, and huge portions.

What stood out right away was how efficient the operation was. Lots of staff, well organized, and the ambiance was casual but perfectly suited to the grab and go or dine in experience. We ordered the Mix Chicken and Donair Plate and the Shish Tawouk Chicken Wrap.

The wrap came fully loaded with fresh salad, tomatoes, pickled radish, and a generous amount of their sauces. What I really loved was the extra sweet sauce a molasses and pomegranate flavor that was super unique and totally addictive.

The wrap itself came with two types of bread: the main thin wrap, and a slightly thicker pita at the base to hold everything together. It made the whole thing easier to eat without falling apart. The red pickled cabbage was a standout it added moisture, tanginess, and a nice crunch that balanced the richness of the chicken. Honestly, I was full halfway through. At $15 regular / $18.98 jumbo, I’d suggest splitting a jumbo wrap with someone it's more than enough for two.

We also tried the Mix Chicken and Donair Plate ($24), another massive portion. In today’s market, that price seems fair considering two people could easily share it or keep leftovers for later. Everything on the plate was fresh and flavorful, from the shawarma meat to the rice and tahini sauce. You could tell it was all made in house.

Bonus points: they gave us a free sample of baklava, and it was delicious sweet, flaky, and a perfect end to the meal.

Jerusalem Shawarma on Robson is a great option if you're hungry, want fast service, and still care about fresh, high quality food. It’s clear why this chain is growing they’ve nailed...

I Love Lamb.

And of all the Shawarma, Wrap, Sandwich, Flatbread..whatever places you wanna call it ....Jerusalem Shawarma is the only one that quenches my Lamb Thirst.

Ok. This is what I think of the place.

You walk in and you feel the instant change in culture, energy and vibe. Your eyes catch their extensive menu offering so many of that region's exquisite dishes. You witness right in front of you from their open kitchen the friendly and hardworking staff. Greeting, smiling, rapidly servicing guests and constantly cleaning and maintaining prep. stations to uphold hygiene standards.

This is how it works: You order at the very front. You pay. You get a number. You wait. Your number is called you walk up to the toppings section. You pick your toppings. You move slightly to the left to the end station. Grab your stuff and enjoy.

This busy, bustling, high pace, have-all-your-senses-on kinda vibe is part of the experience. That's what I'm trying to tell you. When you step into "Jerusalem Shawarma" it's like....you've stepped into .... Well...That stunning part of the world. Jerusalem.

So, when I tell you it's an experience. I mean it literally. You don't just get a great Shawarma, but an incredibly similar experience picking up lunch as you would there. If you're into traveling, experiencing scrumptious foods, and wonderful people....take it in. Have fun. Enjoy. Because this place will be different than any other lunch spot you've been to in Vancouver. That is pretty much a guarantee.

Loved everything about my wrap. The cool thing is that you choose what you want on it. You can go more on the crisp carb and protein combo, or you can have all the veggies, or you can make it saucy..... Next time, I think I'll have the Lamb just with their incredible regional toasted flat bread with just a couple of veggies.....giving it that juicy lamb with crisp pickled taste embraced into the toasted wrap.

Grabbing my order with their kind appreciative farewell. Leaving beautiful Jerusalem. Arriving back...