Back in October 2024, a Noms Mag community member spotted signage for Jerusalem Shawarma, the highly-rated Alberta-based shawarma chain.
It was gearing up to open its first BC location in Downtown Vancouver.
Well, fast forward to now—it’s open!
According to the staff, the Robson Street spot soft-opened on March 19th.
There were balloons, staff handing out free desserts, and hungry Vancouverites eager to get their first bite.
Jerusalem Shawarma’s roots trace back to Palestine, where the family behind the brand first started their restaurant business in the mid-20th century.
Their grandfather developed the original recipes, perfecting Middle Eastern classics like hummus, falafel, and, of course, their signature beef and chicken shawarma.
Those recipes have been passed down through generations, and today, the brand has built a strong reputation for serving authentic, high-quality Palestinian-style shawarma.
The chain has since grown to over 11 locations across Calgary and Edmonton, gaining a loyal following for its welcoming hospitality, massive portions, and bold flavours.
With an average rating of 4.7 across their locations, it’s clear they’ve been doing something right.
Taking over the former Paramount Fine Foods unit, Jerusalem Shawarma’s new location sits right beside Café Monet and in the same building as H Mart.
It’s a long and narrow unit with plenty of seating, featuring warm Middle Eastern-inspired decor with intricate tile work, sleek hanging lights, and comfy booths.
At the far end, you’ll find the checkout counter and an overhead menu that’s loaded with options like shawarma plates, kafta platters, donair bowls, and BBQ combos.
We couldn’t resist testing out the hype, so we went in (anonymously as always) and ordered the Royal Kabab Plate ($27.95)—their most expensive kafta plate but also recommended by the staff.
This bad boy comes with one beef, chicken, and lamb kabab, served over a bed of fragrant rice, with fresh salad, hummus, and warm pita on the side.
Like most shawarma spots, you can watch the grill action unfold and choose your sauces before your plate gets piled high with meaty goodness.
Overall the prices are definitely on the higher end compared to other shawarma joints in the city.
Jerusalem Shawarma now joins Stackhouse Steak Sandwich, Pressato, and Caffe W as the newest additions to the Downtown Vancouver food scene.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 560 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2B7