TasteAtlas, the celebrated guide to traditional cuisine, has officially crowned shawarma as the world’s best sandwich in its latest rankings of the top 100 sandwiches released on January 15, 2025. This iconic Middle Eastern delicacy, originating from Lebanon, has captured global hearts and appetites with its irresistible combination of spiced meat, roasted on a vertical spit, and served in flatbread with an array of flavorful accompaniments.
The rankings, based on 21,257 user ratings—15,165 of which were verified—highlight shawarma as a standout in a field of culturally rich and diverse sandwiches. Known for its succulent lamb or chicken, paired with sauces, pickles, and fresh vegetables, shawarma embodies the essence of Middle Eastern culinary traditions, making it a universal favorite.
Other notable entries in the TasteAtlas list include Vietnam’s famed bánh mì, a fusion of French and Vietnamese flavors, Turkey’s tombik döner, and a variation of bánh mì featuring assorted meats and cold cuts. However, it is shawarma’s unmatched blend of simplicity and flavor that has earned it the top spot in 2025.
