Babylon Café

Amazing food and amazing service (though never rushed when it’s busy). The chicken shawarma plate (with side of falafel) to go has become my go to take-​out option since moving downtown. Cannot recommend this place enough. Try it, you won’t be disappointed!

After you and the rest of the Avengers fight off the invading Chitauri, and Tony Stark quips «There’s a shawarma joint about two blocks from here. I don’t know what it is but I wanna try it», head to Babylon Café.
You say shawarma, Babylon Café says Shawerma, whatever. just go eat. You don’t eat meat? Just pretend it’s bacon. Ok seriously. they do have vegetarian options.

Pretty great shawarma offerings! The joint is TINY in that it’s usually full during weekdays after seating maybe…10 people or so? That said, the beauty of this little hole in the wall is that it’s located so close to the law courts that you can just bring your eats to Robson Square to chow down on!
I got the chicken shawarma plate and it was a pretty fair sized portion! Definitely love the crispiness of the chicken bits and the lentils in the brown rice, yum!

Went in for some late night takeout eats. My experience with Middle Eastern food mostly comes from the multitude of Lebanese spots in Toronto and Ottawa, so I think I have a good idea where the bar should be.
I ordered a lamb shawarma plate, which comes with salad, boiled potato, rice pilaf, and flatbread. I think the biggest problem here was the takeout container — it was single-​compartment, not the 3-​compartment styrofoam I’m used to. What does this mean? Well, the vinaigrette they squirt generously onto the salad gets all over the floor of the styrofoam and acidifies your rice, hummus, and potato… while I’m sure the individual ingredients taste decent apart, this bordered on gross for me. Separate your salad please!
The boiled potato was just that — a boiled potato. I’m used to getting the oven-​baked ones in Ottawa.
The rice was also quite atypical — it was a basmati pilaf with a vegetable mix I’d expect to find in the frozen section of the grocery store, seasoned brown with probably soy sauce, with some lentils tucked in there. Overall it was blander than the usual «rice with tiny buttery noodles» that I expected to find.
The lamb shawarma meat was alright. A bit saltier than I’m used to, but certainly not the weak point of the dish.
At $ 11 the price point was higher than average too.
An overall miss.

Their newest location, didn’t think it’s been more than a year as usually their other locations in busier areas.
Unlike the others, this has the best view with wall to ceiling glass, loft style.
Their baklavas are great, comparable to Aladdin Café.
Parking tough here, especially on a one-​way street, at least there’s an alley to pull over if you’re willing to chance it, so suggest calling it in advance for pick up.

Hands down the best chicken shawarma wrap I’ve had in Vancouver. I go pretty often to a different shawarma place in the city and always get their chicken shawarma, so when I was in the area and hungry and decided to get the same thing from Babylon café, I was blown away by how much better it tasted. I dont know what it is about it, it was just so good!!! The garlic sauce adds a great flavor and all the toppings were great. I think it was the chicken itself that made it so good — so fresh and flavorful. Its definitely a bit of a let down now when I go back to my old place: (

Had the chicken shawarma plate and the falafels, both fresh and delicious!!!
My roommate had the chicken salad and it was loaded with chicken… Which is now a part of her lunch for tomorrow!!!
2 happy bellys :)

Dry chicken shawarma sandwich. Pretty awful.

I am eating their shawarma right now as I type this. Please excuse the typoes as i am busy eating this delightful chicken shawarma loaded with saaaaaaauce and fixings.
One of the few places where words aren’t necessary to describe the awesomey goodness that is Babylon Café.
Just go try one!

Don’t know if it was an off-​day but this place is usually better than this. I gave it 3 stars because despite the dry meat, the flavours were still so good. Of course, nothing like what you can get back east. I can still remember this one little spot I found in downtown Toronto that was so good I ate there 3 times in 2 days.
So back to Babylon café; the guy seemed distracted, the heat in the new space was stifling and the condiments seemed a little soggy. But the chicken pita still hit the spot, so can’t complain too much.

Great donairs. Probably my favourite in the town right now.
I really love their «brown rice» which should actually be called Mujaddara. It is not brown rice but is a semi golden rice flavoured with spices and a mixture of beans.
Their chicken and sauces are amazing. My favourite for flavour in Vancouver by far.

Oh Babylon. How can I count thee ways I love you…
Is it the fresh home made spits of chicken. that sizzle in the moonlight of the burner?
Is it the crunchy Veggies that are piled on without prejudice?
Is it the Flavourful sauces that are so elegantly slathered?
Is it the Brown Rice medley with chewy chick peas and lentils?
Or is it the fact that you can eat a Healthy, filling meal for less than $ 10 taxes in?
So pretty much if you want tasty, value and awesomeness in one shot…
Here is where you go!
It is the closes to the street food in Greece I have come across in Vancouver…
Awesomeness!!!
Nom Nom Nom