There is nothing better than warm juicy meat tucked inside a hearty pita garnished with vegetables, sauces, and other accompaniments — yes we’re talking about the ever-popular kebab. This Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dish comes in many forms and can be enjoyed for breakfast, a quick lunch, a sit-down dinner for a post-night out indulgence! Here are some of our favourite spots in Hong Kong to enjoy a doner kebab.
What’s the difference between kebab, shawarma, and gyro?
As this dish has been adapted around the world it has taken on many names and forms, but essentially it comes down to how the meat is cooked. A kebab is grilled meat on a skewer so would normally contain bite-sized cubes. However, doner, shawarma, and gyro are essentially the same thing hailing from different parts of the world.
It is the meat that is roasted on a vertical rotisserie and then shaved off. The doner originated in Turkey and can be served on rice, in bread or of course, in the iconic pita wrap. The shawarma is said to be from the Arab world, while the gyro from Greece.
27 Kebab House — Central
This restaurant is famous for serving fast and delicious wraps. It’s a hot favourite for their lunchtime sets although many frequent this spot after a night out! You have the option of choosing spice levels as well as the regulars such as lettuce, onion, and tomato. The mixed kebab is highly recommended as it has both chicken and beef, as is the Open Döner. There is no beating 27 Kebab House in terms of price and product!
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Mixed Kebab, Open Döner
Location: Shop D-E, G/F, 27 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 2795 2727
Turkish Kebab Restaurant — Sai Kung
If you’re enjoying a nice sunny day in Sai Kung, definitely stop by Turkish Kebab to grab a roll or a Turkish pizza, and continue on your picnic. There’s seating as well if you would like to enjoy the hospitality of the lovely couple that owns this joint. They cook all their meals fresh and with love so it might take some time, but it’s affordable and fills you up. They are halal and also have vegetarian and vegan options!
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Adana Kebab Roll, Lamb Shish Roll
Location: Shop 15, G/F, Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung
Contact: Facebook | +852 2606 7038
Maison Libanaise — Central
If you’ve taken the escalator in Soho, you know this Black Sheep restaurant. One of the most fun, modern yet casual dining spots in the city, with their beautifully decorated indoors to their fairy light-strung rooftop, Maison is known for their good food and great vibes. For meat lovers, the Mashewe Mshakal provides a range of skewers with a side of pita. Browse through the Les Plats section of the menu to check out their other skewers offerings — think Shish Taouk, Lahme Meshwe, and Beef Kafta. If you’re ride or die for wraps, they offer it for delivery and take away.
Price Range: $$$
Signature Dishes: Mashewe Mshakal, Lahme Meshwe
Location: 10 Shelley Street, SoHo
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2111 2284
Osman Bey Turkish Food — Discovery Bay
This takeaway-only joint was the first Turkish restaurant in Discovery Bay and is popular among residents and visitors for their Turkish-style rolls. Each roll is packed with lettuce, tomatoes, and meat fillings and drizzled with garlic sauce to make for a filling meal. But if you want a substantial meal, order one of their set menus that come with a roll, fries, and a soft drink, or their rice and chips set. Want to take the non-roll route? Then we recommend the Turkish Pide with Minced Beef or the Iskander Kebab with Yoghurt.
Price Range: $$
Signature Dishes: Doner Roll
Location: Shop 13A, G/F, Discovery Bay North Plaza, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2665 2083
Our Restaurant — Mong Kok
An adorable little Turkish halal restaurant established in 2007, Our Restaurant feels like a second home. Tucked away in an alleyway behind Ladies Market, you can get a great lunch or dinner set, with the lunch being substantially cheaper. The mixed doner roll with lamb and chicken is the best known of course, but the chicken kofte (meat balls) is also really tasty and freshly grilled. They also do doner with chips and/or rice, which makes for a great change from the standard roll. Be sure to get the baklava for dessert!
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Mix Doner Roll Lamb and Chicken, Falafel Roll
Location: Shop 9, G/F, Witty Commercial Building, 1A-1J Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok
Contact: Facebook | +852 2781 0583
Bismallah Kebab House — Tsim Sha Tsui
If you’re exploring the sprawling Chungking Mansions and are craving kebabs, head to this little sit-down joint where you can get Indian food with a twist. Browse through the expansive menu and you’ll find primarily desi dishes along with Turkish offerings, such as adana kebabs and shish kebabs. But you’ll also see fusion fare like Lamb Shish Biryani and Chicken Doner Biryani. Of course, you can also get the more traditional Lamb Kebab Roll and Adana Kebab with Rice.
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Lamb Shish Biryani, Chicken Doner Biryani
Location: Shop 75, 1/F, Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Road
Contact: Website | +852 2722 5733
Falafel Hut — Kennedy Town
Kennedy Town is not to be left behind in terms of serving great kebabs. They have their very own cute takeaway spot that provides great kebabs, bowls, biryanis, salads, curries and more! You can spot the resto with their gorgeous jewel-coloured tiles reminiscent of Middle Eastern markets. There is a tiny space for two people to sit and eat, but you can get the food delivered or take away. The falafel is highly recommended for vegetarians.
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Fish Kebab Roll, Chicken Kebab Roll
Location: G/F, 76 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town
Contact: Facebook | +852 6623 3297
Ebeneezer’s — Various locations
This list would be incomplete without mentioning Ebeneezer’s. This chain restaurant has infiltrated many boozy night outs and nothing beats their doner with chips and all their sauces to soak up all the alcohol. Whether you are in Lan Kwai Fong, Wan Chai, or even most of the universities, your craving will be satisfied. It is halal-certified and has a range of options that are great during daylight too! Just try a lamb kebab, chicken biryani, or supreme pizza, some of their bestsellers. If you’re looking for a more elevated dining experience, check out their outlets in Tung Chung and Discovery Bay.
Price Range: $$
Signature Dishes: Gyros (Chicken Kebab), Donar (Lab Kebab)
Location: Multiple locations
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 3622 3622
Agora Takeaway Kebab — Sheung Wan
This takeaway spot tucked away in the bustling Hillier Street is a favourite in Sheung Wan for its quick service and filling fare. The Chicken Shawarma is one of their bestsellers, which you can pair with a serving of rice or salad. Looking for something more substantial? Try the Mix Meat Wrap, which is a mix of chicken and lamb, with a white sauce that cuts through the richness of the meat. Perfect for a meal on the go.
Price Range: $$
Signature Dishes: Mix Meat Wrap, Chicken Shawarma
Location: Shop 1B, G/F, Hillier Building, 275 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
Contact: Facebook | +852 2386 2701
Saffron Persian Cuisine — Central
A Persian take on the beloved kebab, Saffron, also known as LOVEAT, offers some unique flavours and combinations. If you are with a big group, you cannot go wrong with the Kebab Lovers which offers a taste of multiple of their specialties including lamb and chicken Koobideh, Chenjeh, and Saffron Joojeh Kabab served with Naans, Saffron Rice, and a range of homemade sauces. They are also known for their flavourful drinks, especially the ones with saffron, including the Royal Saffron and Saffron Lemonade.
Price Range: $$
Signature Dishes: Koobideh, Chenjeh
Location: Shop E, Garley Building, 53 Graham Street, Central
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2595 9900
ÓNA — Discovery Bay
This relatively new entrant on the Discovery Bay dining scene is known for its Mediterranean fare, which diners can enjoy while taking in stunning views of the DB promenade and Tai Pak Beach. Dishes from their Meshwi selection are made in a Josper charcoal oven, a grill-oven hybrid that gives meat the aroma of light smoke while keeping it juicy and flavourful. The highlight is the Lahem Meshwi — grilled lamb skewers served alongside a mixed green salad. There is a vegetarian version, with corn, mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, eggplants, and shallots. Check out their socials to see when they have live music and belly dance performances.
Price Range: $$$$
Signature Dishes: Lahem Meshwi, Mix Meat Platter
Location: Discovery Bay Plaza, Shop G09, Discovery Bay
Contact: Website | Facebook | +852 3619 0937
Cappadocia Turkish Kebab — Wan Chai
This family-run restaurant prides itself on the authenticity of their dishes — perfect for a quick lunchtime bite or after a night of hard partying in Wan Chai. Their homemade Chicken Kebab Bread and Lamb Kebab Salad are some of the most popular picks from their menu, which you can wash down with a bottle of Efes beer from Turkiyë. Round off your meal with Turkish Delight, Baklava, and Flavoured Turkish Tea, straight from this country that straddles Asia and Europe.
Price Range: $
Signature Dishes: Chicken Kebab Bread, Lamb Kebab Salad
Location: 114 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 6360 1634
Want to explore all the cuisines that Hong Kong has to offer? Read our guides about:
- Best Thai restaurants in Hong Kong
- Best Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong
- Best Korean BBQ restaurants in Hong Kong
- Best Italian restaurants in Hong Kong
- Best burger restaurants in Hong Kong
- Best Indian restaurants in Hong Kong
FAQ about Hong Kong’s kebab, shawarma, and gyros restaurants
Are there vegan or vegetarian options for kebabs and shawarmas in Hong Kong?
ÓNA Mediterranean Restaurant serves Vegetable Lahem, which is a vegetarian version of their Lahem Meshwi. Turkish Kebab Restaurant also provides customers vegetarian and vegan options of their rolls.
Are there takeaway-only restaurants that serve shawarma and doner kebabs in Hong Kong?
Osman Bey Turkish Food and Agora Takeaway Kebab are takeaway-only establishments that are well-known for delicacies like lamb and chicken shawarmas.
What are the most popular kebab and shawarma spots in Hong Kong?
The upmarket Maison Libanaise has a range of skewers in the form of its Mashewe Mshakal, while 27 Kebab House does wallet-friendly wraps. Ebeneezer’s does doner kebabs and Indian kebabs in its various outlets across Hong Kong.
Header image credits: GMVozd via Canva
