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Real People. Real Reviews.®
Categories: Ethnic Food, Middle Eastern [Edit]
716 Robson Street
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ok I'm sure everyone been here one point or another for a last night snack. so here my 2cent.
After doing the Grouse grind I was hungry and wanted something healthy to eat! After wondering Robson street for a bit I found myself in between Babylon cafe and Aladdin cafe. The wait at Aladdin cafe was long so i decided to go to Babylon (even thought the price was about 10Cents less at Aladdin)
I order there chicken Shawarma, healthy your asking how?
well i got them to put a bit a Humas in it then i loaded it up with vegges and only a bit a sauce with out the hot one.
I have to to say having eaten there before I was surprise it tasted really good and the price was right! The service was really fast.
so I give this places 2 thumbs up on my night snack list
Make no mistake this is about as close to a street cart as you're gonna get. It's so small and close to the street it doesn't really qualify as a restaurant. You can smell the slowly roasted meat a block away and since the door is alway open it lures people from all sides of Robson and Granville to their place. This is a hit and miss joint but I've mostly had more hits. If you hit it when there's no line and the meats fresh it's fantastic. If you show up during Soup Nazi time then maybe you wont be so pleased. For the price and what you are there for it's not really worth complaining about. Some tips and tricks:
*When the line is long they get lazy and put everything on it unless you catch them. Of course then they get pissy. But hey man some of us don't want cucumbers.
* The bottom half is impossible to eat without getting it all over the place. Soggy pita is a threat to all of us so be careful out there.
* When it's busy it's a game of follow the ball or you'll end up taking home another persons falafel and they will be opening up your chicken in horror. They get out of control and just start assembly line making it and once it's wrapped up they have no clue which was which. Keep your eye on the prize.
* The interac and credit machine is the slowest on earth. Best to bring cash if you don't want to stick around long.
Love going to this place for lunch!
I try and eat here 2 times a week :)
I was in downtown the other day and saw a line up in front of Babylon Cafe, so I decided to check it out. I ordered a chicken shawarma. Wow! OMG it was so good. I love it! I think I could eat this everyday. It was actually the first time for me to try this. The wrap was big and loaded with chicken and veggies. It was pretty cheap too considering its location. Will definitely go back again.
My first one-star... :(
Worker cutting up and snacking on some kind of piece of fruit with bare hands, then immediately going to making my food, then going to handle cash.... ewww.
(I ate the food anyway, because I was that starving. But I won't be going back.)
Also, they were talking about a customer in another language right when he was standing in front of them. Classy.
I ate here last December and I remember liking it... I only remembered to write a review now heheh.
Anyway this place always has a big line up, and I have to agree with the people below me, the service here isn't the best. They're probably even hastier and possibly ruder? than some old Asian lady waitress. Just sayin'
Anyhow price is relatively cheap, and the food tastes good. The meat is very savory so that's good. The skin of the wrap doesn't break easily when soaked with sauce.
It's a must-try unless you don't wanna line up. I heard the falafel joint beside this place is better though.
Great Chicken shwarmas, great taste, awesome price, very filling! Best I have had outside the MED.
Avoid this place.
Healthy sized line as word on the street is that Babylon Cafe is the place for street meat. They sell out early, are rude and the Falafel isn't fresh.
I ordered 2 and watched them microwave them destroying all the wonderful crunchiness that is familiar with falafel.
Worst part about this place is I got ripped off. While paying i asked if they take visa (something you need to do in Canada because they have their own debit system that doesn't process credit cards) they said no and immediately pegged me for a tourist. The guy behind the counter at the register sizes me up with an odd look charges me 50 cents extra for each of my falafel.
There was a monster line behind me, and I had been traveling for 10 hours that day so just wanted food. I look at him as if to say "really" with my body language. He stares back at me and shrugs with a "what are you going to do about it" expression. I am so tired and not wanting to make a scene so I pay him and leave really let down and upset.
Recap: small shop, long line, less than fresh falafel, rude and dishonest!!! WATCH OUT FOR THESE GUYS
Vancouver has a crap load of pizza and shawerma (gyro) joints in and around town, so the best way to find best ones was yelping it up. This time around, Yelp totally took me to the wrong place.
Hands down NOT the best shawerma I've ever had. I've had my share of this pita filled goodness and this place doesn't cut it. The meat was dry and flavorless. The pita wrap was thin so after a ten minute walk to my hotel room, it got all soggy because of the yogurt sauce. One thing I remembered them adding on the shawerma that made it different was spread on a bit of hummus, I thought it was going to be a good idea, but after trying it, I wasn't really feeling it. I'm not sure what all the other yelpers ate when they reviewed this place but it pretty much blew balls.
All that for a shawerma that cost over $7, I'll have to pass. Don't waste your dough here, there are tons of other places to get your shawerma on.
Cash and only Canadian debt card.
It was ok though, I would look around the area for alternatives. Decent size serving for $7 CDN and it was filling. I ordered two thinking I'd need more than one to get full. I had the lamb with all the veggies, tatziki and hot sauce.
I thought the lamb was over seasoned though. I love lamb and it's unique taste that differentiates it from other red meat. With the seasoning piled on, I couldn't tell that it was lamb...that's how much seasoning it had. Maybe I should have tried a chciken.
Would I go back? Probably not if there are better places in that area of Robson.
Good late night falafel in downtown! My meat-eating friends say that the shawarma is very good. I was a bit disappointed that the falafel is microwaved.
During the summer months I probably eat about 3 or 4 of these things a week. For the price, I have a hard time finding anything that compares to it - fresh, authentic and flavourful. Try walking by this place (or two blocks away for that matter) on an empty stomach and just try not to go in.
This might make me sound super neurotic, but I think my favourite thing about this place is that they carve the meat from the big spinning kebabs and put it right onto your wrap. You'll notice most other places will carve the meat then put it into a covered, heated hotel tray for later use, which I find makes the meat a bit mealy.
I actually asked if I could buy one of the tshirts they wear but I was denied.
My favourite street food in Vancouver. The meat is great. The toppings are interesting and delicious (ask for extra tabbouleh!). It's a great price. The line-ups move pretty fast.
I guess the tiny store is part of the experience, but it sure is annoying that there's such a bottleneck around the cash register. It would work better if the counter opened right on to the street.
As someone else mentioned there is a 'soup Nazi' type feel when ordering from here. You don't want to mess up the process so you step in give your order to the first person and shuffle to the right and pay the next guy. Say it to yourself again "step in order, step right pay'. I saw someone change the toppings and get glares from everyone around them.
Beware of the dripping shawerma!!! There is nothing uncooler than your favourite tshirt falling foul to Shawerma leakage. Sure, to eat it you have to adopt a Quasimodo style posture as you lurch down the street trying to keep yourself clean, but who cares. If anyone looks at you funny make sure you snarl at them before you lurch off o gain full effect.
Overall a pretty damn good Shawerma but nothing too out of the ordinary. I will be back but more likely in the wee hours when I need to descend from my bell tower for a snack.
One of the smelliest, seemingly most suspicious shawerma shops I've eaten at in years. There's no way of knowing what health codes are being violated in here, as the place is the size of a large closet and they peddle the world's greatest drunk food to downtown Vancouver's international community. I'm not sure if I'd trust these people as they seemed highly disinterested in anything except pumping out as many shawermas as possible.
All that said, this is the best Arabic-style chicken shawerma I've ever had. It's not "donair" (why can't culturally-sensitive Canadians look up the correct spelling of "doner" by the way?), but it's damn good shawerma. They're cheating a little, as the chicken is marinated in some sort of paprika-based sauce/juice prior to being loaded onto the spit. But the results can't be ignored. They are wrap-masters and provide you a Subway-like array of ingredients to customize your wrap. They hummus and hot sauce they use are both great, unobtrusive, and complementary to the chicken.
I also want to give them credit for remaining open day after day, night after night, of the Vancouver Olympics Canadian Hockey-pocalypse. This shop was at ground zero for all the pandemonium (Granville and Robson streets) for two whole weeks and they people working here didn't seem to break a sweat. They were prepared, well-staffed, had plenty of inventory, and must have made an absolute killing. Respect.
I remember eating here for the first time maybe about 2 years back. Started having the veggie wrap, then to the falafel wrap. Incredibly yummy but without all the pickles. It really takes away the taste of the entire wrap.
Unfortunately, they always have these lineups it seems and at this location they don't have any seating. The service is a little slow sometimes but understandable. It's tiny and the menu is definitely limited.
Super filling. Super yummy.
Lately their food has gone a bit downhill and so has their service. They've switched to A LOT of new people too. I dunno, they better up their game or I'm changing places.
there aren't many places that i would stand and wait for in the wet rain for...linger in the icy cold chill for...or shiver through a snowstorm for... but this is definitely one of them.
and if you happen to walk by and see me, you will see that i most likely won't be the only one. this place is always busy at all times of the day!
possibly one of the best chicken shawerma i have ever eaten... mmmmmmmmm.... honestly, i dont even think i should have to go any further than that. whenever i come downtown to visit my bestest for lunch, if we aren't having sushi- then this is the spot. take our wrap to go and walk to the gallery steps to chow and people watch... talking is out of the question while this is in our hands and mouth.
if the delicious aromas floating out of this tiny hole in the wall doesn't pull you in by your nose...then you really need to get them nostrils checked out.
you cannot beat the price you pay for what you get.
Listed in: FOOOOOOOooD
Answer me quick: What's the difference between shawarma and donair?
WHY GO THERE? Shawarma from Babylon Cafe is awesome especially if you're on a low-carb diet. The pita wraps are thin, the meaty choice of lamb or chicken is filling, and the veggies fresh.
WHATCHA GOT? I've tried chicken, but lamb is my fave. It's tasty and goes well with the sauce. For some reason I associate lamb with the term shawarma, more than donair or gyro but they're all the same.
YOU GOT SERVED. Quick and efficient. The space inside is so tight, the workers and customers are like tunas in a can. My Vancouver trip is not complete without a stop at Babylon Cafe.
Always a line up. Worth standing in the pouring rain and cold for? Definitely. I always get the chicken one, with extra white sauce and tomatoes, and it's never failed me. For the days when I put shopping before food, I stop here for a quick grab and go meal.(I can keep shopping while eating!)
The ingredients is the perfect mixture of lettuce, tomato, chicken...all stuffed into the pita. Economical too, which means I can spend more on that pair of black stilettos that I've been eyeing.
I first found this place to be very good if you can get the meat freshly sliced. In those few cases I really enjoyed it, it was delicious as well as so pleasantly filling.
Another couple of times I went and they microwaved cold meat and the overall quality went down. It was disappointing, the meat was hard and chewy. The last time I went a few months ago they gave reheated meat and I actually became sick afterward so I seriously question their food practices. As a result I haven't bothered going anymore. There are still very long lines during lunch and evenings and thinking about how good it had been is quite tempting but then thinking about how I was sick stops that line of thought.
On checking out the Vancouver Coastal Health's website it seems they have issues in storing food at proper temperatures, as well as in reusing meat from the previous day. If they were consistent in quality and health standards I would give them a better score.
If you see them trying to give you reheated food I would tell them to give you meat cut from the spit or walk out.
Wow - thanks Yelp, for another awesome find!
I had heard mentions of this place a few times, but never really knew much about it or even where it was. Now that I've been... wow, I'll be going back!
Awesome lamb shawarma, soooo tasty and a great mix of fresh vegetables, meat, sauce, etc. Nice and spicy but not over the top, and a great deal!
The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is that the layout is terrible - I know it's small, but considering the lineups, they don't do a good job of funnelling people through - they need a door on each side and the register on the left or something - a couple of small changes and it would flow so much more easily.
But, it's only 2 blocks from work and I'm sure I'll be here lots!
Ok, so now you cant miss this place walking down Robson. The stakes of meat lured me in like a bear to honey. That beautiful, glistening lamb shwarma that comes fresh of the spit is sliced and formed into sandwiches by a veteran task force . The workers appear to have the dedication to maintain a simple yet high quality Shwarma. Give them a bigger tip you cheap bastards!
If you can wait out the line ups Babylon is still serving up a tasty donair. The yummy wraps are a real Vancouver fast food treat... Ive been eating on the run from this street cafe for sometime now and they are always busy. The falafel or chicken are the best... The lamb is always chewy (yuk). Today was roasted chicken. They always seem open I am not sure of their real hours...
The only issue for some is the small space to pay, but thats why its a street side cafe.
The chicken & falafel mixed wrap at Babylon Cafe is one of the best I've tried. Surprisingly fresh and fast. Amazing flavour and texture with the chicken perfectly cooked crispy on the outside and quite juicy and tender on the inside. Ask for everything on it!
Hands down best shawarma I've ever had. I've grown up on shawarmas living in Dubai and this is the best. The portion size is just fantastic. Make sure you ask for hummus instead of tzatziki and add tabouleh and turnip to make it the best. Enjoy :)
We took a break from Cantonese food and decided to get shawarma close to our hotel... we kept on seeing this long line outside for Babylon Cafe and decided to give it a try. Having had some of the best Shawarmas in the Middle East, I would say this place is probably 90% there... it was really good! I got the chicken one with extra chicken and it was a huge - I shared it with my husband which made it a nice lunch.
Even though the line was long, it moved pretty quickly. Given there's no seating, we walked a block over and sat on benches outside the Sears store - with the beautiful weather, it was perfect!
Only advice would be to grab plenty of napkins because it could be messy =)
Their chicken Shawrma is the best I've ever had anywhere. I don't know if they make their own tzatziki and hot sauce but it's so delicious. When I worked downtown I ate this 2-3 times a week and was hooked on it.
There was a funny incident I had there where the girl behind me didn't order fast enough and guy behind the counter said "NEXT PLEASE" and she lost her place in line. It reminded me of the soup Nazi from Seinfeld. In her defence she wasn't even in the doors yet, but outside on the street.
I don't like how there is a fee to use their debit machine. It's 50 cents extra which to me is too high.
Yummy Chicken Shawarma's! Very tasty. Can't say much more that hasn't been said already.
The only thing is that I would add less, or no pickles next time. And maybe it would be better if it were grilled like Donair King?? But meh, I really liked it the way it was.
Listed in: Sip & Grub in Downtown…, Daaaaaammmmmmnnn Cheeeeeep!, Where to get your shawarma on
It's a tight squeeze to get in and get out, but man is that one tasty chicken shawarma! As Chloe mentioned, at the lunch rush they make 'em to order all lined up on the counter, so try not to jostle around too much lest you confuse the cooks.
Extra points for having my Peach Snapple ice tea in the cooler - so many places only have that icky Lipton or Nestea crap.
Yumsville.
Listed in: Everyone loves a lineup
I think they closed their sit down shop which was next door, so you'll likely have to wait in line to get a wrap. However it is worth the wait (if line not too long). Generous helping of meat and fresh toppings make this a great meal to go. I don't envy the workers in there during summer, it's boiling!
We ate the chicken shawerma wrap three days in a row. It is insanely delicious, verging on the narcotic. The chicken is succulent and juicy, the ingredients bursting with freshness. It is a bewitching combination and I could easily be flipped in an interrogation with the promise of one. I'm not sure if they're Muslims, but this shawerma makes me think converting might not be such a bad idea. The minds that went into this sandwich are working at a much higher level than I am accustomed to. It may be be the best sandwich in the history of the world, which incidentally is a completely sober assessment. I was not stoned for any of the three shawerma sessions. It would be redundant.
While they may appear slow, the brave men and women who contribute to creating the shawerma wrap are heroes and, as such, can take as long as they want. It would be worth waiting forever, but it only took us about ten minutes. If that.
It was a week ago that I was in Vancouver and I dream of the shawerma still ...
Oh yes, oh, oh yes. I am a fan. Babylon cafe has officially won the best bang for the buck chicken shawarma in my books. I think it was almost worth the rediculous 15 min wait on Robson.
I went to uni in Ottawa and it seemed that there were Shawarma places everywhere. They are not quite so ubiquitous in Vancouver, making Babylon Café a gem. Shawarma, if you don't know it, is the Lebanese fast-food wrap/sandwich. A similar wrap is the Greek gyros.
It's a pita filled with shaved meat, tomatoes, onion, lettuce and some delicious, run-down-your-arm, garlicky sauces. It's not the type of thing that you eat before meeting a date, but it's great after a night at the bar!
This location is just off Granville Street, making it prime for intoxicated consumption. I enjoyed my Shawarma here so much, I'd eat it again sober.
Last summer I was looking for something outside of my ordinary haunts for lunch and came across a long line up snaking out of the door for Café Babylon. With a full-hour lunch ahead of me, I decided to join the line up and see what this culinary pot of gold would be.
I ordered the chicken shawarma to go and watched as the cook assembled the meat and toppings in the pita. I didn't feel like there was much opportunity for choice of toppings here. The style, rather, was more a pick the meat and that's that. Fine with me as I have few foodie dislikes, but pickier eaters be warned.
During the lunch rush, the cooks tend to make the pitas in groups. Missing out on being in a group by one spot is similar to having the line cut off in front of you at Disneyland. While in Disneyland being the first to get on a ride means the best spot up-front, I couldn't think of any similar benefits to waiting that extra time here.
When you do get your pita, head over the secret garden at Robson Square. Also, take lots of napkins. That $6 chicken shawarma is a messy beast.
While I was checking out Vancouver I made a point of eating at allot of great restaurants. Believe me there are plenty of great places to eat in this awesome city, but it's funny I kept coming back to this little stand again and again.
I almost felt guilty. Here I was in such a great city with so much good food and yet all I could think about was the chicken shawarma Babylon Cafe puts out !!
Now I'm back in Los Angeles wondering where I can find a good shawarma with that garlic sauce !!! Help me please !!
The best shawarma I've ever had. When I first came to Vancouver, I went to Sears to buy a couple things and saw the lines. I had to check it out and it was worth wait. It is MONEY...
Over the years, I've had shawarma in many places, but none like this, the concoction is perfect, the lettuce thinly shredded, the tabouli fresh and slightly citric, the garlic mayo light and compliments the chicken well. And the chicken shawarma carved out fresh from the pit...HEAVENLY!
chicken shwarma, about as filling as a foot long subway sandwich, but without the healthy feeling afterwards.
decent and cheap. and about 1.25 cups of chicken meat and very filling.
careful about the drippings of juice which drip all over the place like a really broken faucet. so get extra napkins.
Not bad. Little hole in the wall with fresh made chicken schwarma and lamb schwarma wraps. It was a good fix for late evening dinner. Line was out the door and it's a small setup. The pita could be better, but the lamb was tasty
The lineup is worth it. Best cheap food in Vancouver.
I'm not sure if they still have lamb as some of the reviews say.
The shawarma is amazing. Until you get a Chipotle in Canada this is the best take away lunch you will find, and at a great price. I have literally dreamed about eating their shawarma again in the two weeks I have been back from vacation. You have to check this place out.
I envy anyone who could eat here on a daily basis.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: West End
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
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