Chicken shawarma wraps have officially been crowned the UK’s favourite takeaway of summer 2026, according to new data from Deliveroo.
Move over burgers, pizza and kebabs – there’s a new takeaway champion in town. Chicken shawarma has been named Deliveroo’s Takeaway of the Summer 2026, with orders for the Middle Eastern favourite soaring across the UK.
Despite a record-breaking heatwave and plenty of sunshine, Brits have apparently been craving something hot, hearty and seriously satisfying. According to Deliveroo, orders for chicken shawarma wraps have increased by more than 70% this summer compared with last year, making the dish one of the biggest takeaway trends of 2026.
Chicken Shawarma Becomes the Dish of Summer
Shawarma’s rise in popularity has been particularly striking, with more than half of the restaurants selling shawarma on Deliveroo this summer reportedly not offering the dish a year ago.
Rather than the trend being driven by a single major restaurant chain, Deliveroo says independent restaurants across the country have embraced chicken shawarma, from Lebanese kitchens to late-night grills.
The result? A dish that has traditionally been associated with late-night takeaway runs has become a major player in Britain’s summer food scene.
And with football dominating many summer evenings, the combination of a loaded chicken shawarma wrap and a big night of sport appears to have been a winning one.
When Are Brits Ordering Shawarma?
According to Deliveroo’s data, chicken shawarma is very much an evening favourite.
Orders reportedly peak at 7pm, while Friday is the busiest day of the week for shawarma orders.
That makes the wrap the perfect choice for a Friday night in – whether you’re settling down to watch the football, catching up with friends or simply looking for something more exciting than the usual takeaway options.
Coventry Named Britain’s Shawarma Capital
Deliveroo has also revealed the UK cities where chicken shawarma has proved most popular this summer.
The top six shawarma-loving cities are:
- Coventry
- Newcastle
- Reading
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Bristol
Coventry takes the top spot, earning the title of Britain’s Shawarma Capital for summer 2026.
Where Can You Try Chicken Shawarma?
If all this talk of shawarma has made you hungry, Deliveroo has highlighted several restaurants worth checking out, including Yacob’s Kitchen, Mayyil, Bakery House, The Shawarma House and Zaytoni.
You can browse local restaurants and takeaway options directly through Deliveroo.
Jeff Wemyss, Deliveroo General Manager UK & Ireland, said: “Chicken Shawarma has spent years as the wrap you order at 11pm – reliable, delicious, always there. This summer, it became the main event. Independent grills up and down the country have been serving the dish rooted in generations of culinary tradition for years, and we couldn’t think of a more deserving winner for Deliveroo’s Takeaway of Summer 2026.”
The UK’s New Favourite Takeaway?
With orders up more than 70% year-on-year, chicken shawarma has certainly had a summer to remember.
From late-night snack to Friday-night main event, the humble shawarma wrap appears to have officially entered its mainstream era – and if Deliveroo’s latest figures are anything to go by, Brits aren’t ready to give it up just yet.
Would chicken shawarma be your takeaway of the summer?
