A long time ago in the food history of the Near and Middle East, someone had the brilliant idea of wrapping delicious fillings in a flat bread. This is how the shawarma was born! It quickly became a popular and easy way to make a delicious sandwich that travels well.

The idea was well received and spread across the Ottoman Empire. Today, this style of eating has become popular all over the world. Right down to our sunny spot here on the southern tip of Africa. Many cultures have added their own takes on this classic Middle Eastern meal and the fillings are as varied as the ways of spelling the word!

If you love shawarmas as much as we do, be sure to check out this list of places serving up delicious shawarmas in Pretoria.

Anat (Menlyn Shopping Centre)

Anat promises to make your shawarma “your way”. Choose your meat from a selection of chicken, beef or lamb, or go a meat-free falafel option. Next, load your shawarma with a selection of salads, pickles and sauces. Anat has invested in their own bakery in Kew, Johannesburg, to supply freshly baked pitas and flat breads to their various branches. Add a portion of the famous Anat Chips to your order. The potatoes are freshly cut daily to meet the demand for these popular chips.

The Shawarma Guys (Midrand)

The Shawarma Guys serve their popular and delicious food in several ways. You can buy direct from their stall at the Riversands Market, they can come to your function to cater on site, or have them drop off your catering ready to serve. Fillings include a choice between lamb, chicken, beef or falafel. The meat is lovingly marinated in herbs and spices, then roasted on a spit. It can be served in a pita or a wrap with lettuce, pickles, hummus, tahini sauce and delicious tzatziki. These guys are passionate about shawarmas and they travel all over Pretoria and Gauteng.

 

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Uncle Faouzi (Hatfield)

The original Uncle Faouzi Restaurant in Hatfield has become an institution. Open till late, serving flavoursome food at student-friendly prices, the most basic chip wrap with a choice of two sauces starts at only R23.95. The Special Vegetarian or Falafel Shawarma is available at R 39.95. If you enjoy meat, then choose between beef, chicken or lamb for R46.95.

 

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Shawarma Spot (Ben Viljoen Street, Pretoria North)

Shawarma Spot offers good value for money, with a budget-friendly family meal option. Breaking with tradition, they serve a pulled pork version of the shawarma here.

Honcho’s Restaurant (Boom Street)

A fast food franchise aimed at commuters and young, working people in the city, they offer a selection of light and affordable shawarma meals that are convenient for people on the move.

Tarbooch Restaurant (Brooklyn)

They offer Lebanese fare in a friendly atmosphere with aromas and flavours that will transport your palate to new and exotic destinations. Try a traditional flatbread with lamb. The restaurant has an excellent reputation for delicious food and excellent quality both in food and service.

The Turkish Table (Hatfield)

For almost a decade now, Pretoria has been blessed with a restaurant that can be described as an actual Turkish delight! The Turkish Table is able to serve authentic Turkish meals with freshly baked Turkish bread on site. They have maintained a consistent quality in their food. Don’t expect anything fussy or fancy here: just honest, flavoursome food at reasonable prices. Sit down in this unassuming little place to enjoy the Turkish take on the shwarma. No alcohol is on sale, but enjoy fragrant tea, soft drinks or a delicious Turkish coffee.

A la Turka (Doringkloof East)

Loose yourself in this venue that looks like the setting of 1001 Arabian Nights. Private dining spaces are lit by exotic lamps and lanterns. Make a whole day of it by enjoying a relaxing treatment at the adjacent spa or book when there is a mesmerising belly dancer to entertain guests.