Flavour Faves
The Schwarma Co in Norwood: the pita stop Joburg never outgrows
Walk down Grant Avenue in Norwood, and you can smell it before you see it. Warm pita. Charred lamb. Garlic and lemon drifting out onto the pavement. The Schwarma Co has been part of Joburg’s casual dining rhythm for years, the sort of place where you pop in for a quick falafel and end up staying for ribs, meze, and a milkshake while the game plays upstairs. It’s Mediterranean comfort with a Middle Eastern heart, served without fuss and with plenty of tahina.
What makes it a local favourite
This is a restaurant that knows its lane. The menu is broad enough for families and picky friends, yet focused on the classics. Think beef, chicken, or lamb schwarma in a soft pita or rolled in laffa. Add salads and house sauces the way Joburgers like it. Vegetarians are looked after with haloumi or falafel, plus a generous salad bar. There are kebabs, chops, and steaks for the braai crowd. There are meze plates when you want to graze. Even chicken livers for those who insist there’s no better starter in the city.
If you haven’t visited in a while, there’s more space now. The team has expanded upstairs with a sports bar and an open patio. It’s the kind of addition that suits Norwood weekends. Rugby on the screen. A platter on the table. A breeze across the deck while you reach for another piece of laffa.
How Joburg eats here
The Schwarma Co fits the city’s rhythm. Workday lunch becomes a quick pita. Weeknight dinner turns into ribs and chips. Shared tables make sense for birthdays or Friday knock-offs. The restaurant is fully licensed, so you can pair those chops with a beer or a decent wine. Dessert is visible temptation. Baklava with syrup that clings to your fork. Halva for the traditionalists. A slice of home-baked cheesecake, if you have space.
For parties and family functions, the upstairs area doubles as a private venue. It’s simple and practical. Book the room, bring your people, and let the kitchen send out trays. If you’d rather host at home, The Schwarma Co will bring the grill to you. Their outside catering service cooks on-site, which means hot food and fewer headaches.
Image 1: Facebook/The Schwarma Company
Ordering made easy
Online ordering is straightforward. Choose your pita, laffa, platter, or salad. The site automatically applies a 5% discount to online orders. You check out, and twenty minutes later, your food is ready for collection. It also links with delivery apps if you’re staying in.
For planners, the party platter range is a lifesaver. Mini pitas or laffas for meat lovers or vegetarians. Meze and dessert platters when you want variety. There’s a clear note about lead time for online platter orders, so you can set up your gathering without a last-minute scramble.
Prices that feel fair
The prices match what regulars expect from a well-run neighbourhood spot. A chicken pita sits around the low one-forties after the online special. Lamb pita lands just above one-fifty. Laffa options cost a touch more. Platters remain good value for heartier appetites. If you’re craving steak, the fillet and rump selections are there, with creamy mushroom or pepper sauces for the old-school crowd.
Why it matters in Joburg
Norwood has always been a meeting point for cultures. The Schwarma Co understands that story. The food is a bridge. It’s everyday hospitality that happens to be delicious. When a place becomes part of how a city eats, you can feel it. You notice it in the steady lunch line. You hear it in the phone ringing for bookings. You see it when a table of regulars orders without opening the menu.
Essentials
Address: 71 Grant Avenue, Norwood, Johannesburg
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 am to 9 pm
Phone: 011 483 1776
Also read: Keegan Maistry Serves Up a Fresh Summer Feast at Radisson RED Johannesburg
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Source: The Schwarma Company
Featured Image: Facebook/The Schwarma Company
