Zaitoona Shawarma

For an authentic taste of Middle Eastern cuisine in Calgary, Zaitoona Restaurant is the place to be. Specializing in mouthwatering shawarma and a variety of traditional dishes, they also serve an exceptional Yemeni Mandi that truly stands out. After trying numerous restaurants claiming to offer Mandi, I was often left disappointed—until I discovered Zaitoona. Their Mandi captures the authentic flavors I had almost forgotten, with perfectly tender, juicy meat and a beautiful presentation. Whether you're craving delicious shawarma or a traditional Mandi experience, Zaitoona delivers on both. I’ll definitely be bringing my family and friends back for more!

The staff and owner were very friendly, humble and welcoming! The owner went above and beyond to make sure everything was done to perfection. We had the Mansaf which I must say the best mansa

We ordered the Grilled Family BBQ for 3, Beef Shawarma, and Arabic Chicken Shawarma. Let’s start with the Beef Shawarma — hands down, the best I’ve had in Calgary. I’ve tried so many places across the city, and none of them come close to the authentic taste that reminds you of back home. The beef is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The portion is generous and very satisfying. The Arabic Chicken Shawarma is a full meal on its own, including fries, condiments, and garlic sauce. The chicken is juicy and well-seasoned, but what really stood out were the fries — surprisingly crispy and flavorful, which is rare for delivery fries that are usually soggy and bland. This was the total opposite. The Grilled Family BBQ for 3 was the main event: three skewers of beef kebab, three skewers of chicken tawook, and we added a skewer of ribeye beef. It all comes served over a bed of seasoned rice with sides of onion and parsley, seasoned baked potato, and grilled tomatoes. The ribeye skewer was tender, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. The beef kebabs were excellent — not dry like most kebabs in Calgary — and the chicken tawook was juicy and tender. The rice was nicely seasoned, and the sides of potato and onion-parsley salad were fresh and flavorful. The condiments — hummus, garlic sauce, and tahini — were all authentic and absolutely delicious. Overall, our experience was excellent. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. We’ll definitely be ordering again soon!