BABA SHAWARMA

Reviews

• AI

  Amro Ismail

  1 day ago
  5.0
  I grew up in the Boston area, and for years I could never find shawarma that reminded me of what I grew up eating back home. Every place was missing something, whether it was the seasoning, the bread, or the overall flavor. Baba Shawarma is the first spot that genuinely brought me back. The shawarma is incredibly authentic, perfectly seasoned, juicy, and wrapped in fresh saj bread with amazing garlic sauce and fresh ingredients. On top of that, the staff is welcoming, the restaurant is clean, and the service is excellent. It’s rare to find food that feels this authentic, If you’re looking for real shawarma, this is it.
• HM

  Hesham Malik

  5 days ago
  2.0
  Came here this past weekend largely because of the social media hype. This was quite disappointing. The smoothest part was ordering the baba meal, and it went downhill immediately. We were informed after a 30 minute wait that they had to change the chicken rotisserie but would make our sandwich from the older one, which took another 20 minutes. The sandwich did not look anything like the instagram pics (piece of chicken on top caressed by mayo was missing), and the chicken was dry. To make matters worse, the staff were more interested in taking selfies than focusing on getting orders complete. Not every bad experience should be chalked up to being new. They would benefit from more training and quality control.
• JA

  Jad Atoui

  Jul 19, 2026
  1.0
  I wanted to love this spot since I'm a connoisseur of shawarmas and figured this spot would excel with the chicken shawarma, but I was disappointed. I couldn't finish the sandwich! First off, the toum was gross; it had a really white, milky texture instead of the thick, slightly yellow color I'm accustomed to. They were proud of their pomegranate, and I figured I'd add it, but it was vinegar, which made the sandwich taste worse. They just opened, and it was that bad, so it's just like the former Middle Eastern spot that occupied the location.
• BM

  Balsam Mafhoum

  Jul 18, 2026
  4.0
  I've tried Baba Shawarma two times since they have opened. While I'm happy there's a new halal spot in the North End/Haymarket area, there's definitely room for improvement! Starting with pros: the overall ambience and branding of the store is unique and creative! They've definitely done a great job with marketing. I love the touch of the drinks from back home but definitely a minus 1 for having drinks on the boycott list. Service is fast and have never had a negative experience with the staff! Location is definitely a plus too, not too hard to find parking, and the walk after the shawarma coma around downtown really completes the whole vibe! Onto cons: I will say for shawarma being the only thing on the menu, it could use some work. I personally prefer a much juicier meat and I find the meat here is often on the drier side. The saj bread is a nice touch and I think there's a decent ratio of chicken to pickles in the sandwich. The garlic sauce is ok, would like for it to be a bit more garlicky, and it often has a yogurty taste which is not my favorite. Also not sure if it's homemade but if it is that would definitely help my rating. The fries are nothing special in my opinion, from what I can tell they're the same ones from the owners other joint, Black Seed. Would definitely elevate the meal if the fries were double fried or crispier, or had something special to offer generally. If you opt for the Baba meal, you're usually full enough after the sandwich that the fries go to waste anyways. Also, no public bathroom but the halal market next door apparently has one. Overall, Baba Shawarma offers a decent halal option in a part of the city where there's not many things like it. I would definitely stop by here if I'm hungry and in the area. Definitely looking forward to seeing any changes the owner makes moving forward!
• HH

  H H

  Jul 12, 2026
  5.0
  I’ve been living in Boston for nearly a year and have tried shawarma from many places across the city. Baba Shawarma is easily one of the closest experiences I’ve found to authentic Middle Eastern chicken shawarma. Growing up in the Gulf and having enjoyed shawarma throughout the Levant and Egypt, I was impressed by how traditional the flavor is. The chicken is juicy and well-seasoned, the ingredients are fresh, and the balance of spices is exactly what I expect from classic shawarma. It tastes authentic rather than overly modified for local preferences. The restaurant is new, and it’s refreshing to see a place focused on doing one thing well. If you’re looking for the style of shawarma commonly found in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, or the Gulf countries, I highly recommend giving Baba Shawarma a try before forming an opinion. Everyone’s taste is different, but for anyone seeking a genuine Middle Eastern shawarma experience, this is one of the best options I’ve found in Boston. I hope they continue to maintain the same quality and consistency as they grow.