Shawarma crowned world’s best sandwich

Shawarma, the beloved Middle Eastern street food staple, has been officially named the best sandwich in the world by TasteAtlas, a global food ranking site known for spotlighting traditional cuisine from around the globe.

The ranking was published in TasteAtlas’s latest update of the “Top 100 Sandwiches in the World,” The rankings are based on 16,551 ratings submitted by the TasteAtlas audience between January and July 2025. Shawarma claimed the top spot, edging out other global favorites such as Vietnam’s bánh mì and Turkey’s tombik döner.

The announcement quickly sparked celebrations across the Middle East, with many pointing to shawarma’s rich history and widespread appeal.

Shawarma is typically made by stacking marinated cuts of meat, commonly chicken, lamb, beef, or turkey, on a vertical spit. The meat is slow-roasted as it turns, sliced off in thin, crispy layers, and usually wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, tahini, and vegetables.

The term “shawarma” is derived from the Turkish word çevirme, meaning “turning,” referencing the iconic rotating spit used to cook the meat.

In addition to shawarma topping the list, Vietnam’s bánh mì appeared multiple times in the top 10, while other globally recognized sandwiches like the American lobster roll and Peru’s butifarra also featured prominently.

According to TasteAtlas, the rankings are determined by a combination of audience scores and expert reviews.

This is not the first time shawarma has earned international praise, but topping a global list reaffirms its status as not just a regional favorite, but a global culinary icon.