Ali Baba

Ali Baba brings the rich, authentic flavors of authentic Middle Eastern and Turkish-style cuisine to the heart of Canberra. Tracing its roots back to 1979, when brothers Mick and Karl Marjan opened their first store in the Woden Shopping Centre, the brand has grown into a nationally recognized name for hand-made shawarmas and kebabs. This particular location operates within the bustling Canberra Centre on Bunda Street, positioned on the Lower Ground Food Court, making it a convenient destination for shoppers, city workers, and visitors seeking a quick yet satisfying meal.

The menu at this family-owned business is built around traditional recipes refined over decades. As a kebab shop, the focus remains on delivering high-quality proteins, fresh ingredients, and bold spices. The food court setting offers a casual, accessible dining atmosphere for patrons choosing to eat in, but the location also provides full flexibility with takeaway and delivery options. While the price point is budget-friendly, generally reported at $1–20 per person, the business emphasizes that they use the freshest ingredients without compromise.

Menu Highlights at Ali Baba

The offerings at Ali Baba lean heavily into the classic kebab shop experience with a distinct Mediterranean flair. While the company's national menu often features a wide variety of Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean dishes, the Canberra Centre food court location is specifically categorized as a kebab shop. The focus here is on hearty, protein-rich wraps and snack packs that cater to a lunch and dinner crowd on the go.

Signature Shawarma and Kebab Wraps

The cornerstone of the menu is the authentic, hand-made shawarma. Available in chicken and mixed meat options, these wraps are meant to evoke the taste of the Middle East. Based on customer feedback, the lamb and chicken shawarmas are the primary draw, though recent reviews suggest that consistency in meat tenderness and portion size is an area of active attention for the management.

Halal Snack Packs (HSP)

A modern Australian street-food staple is the Halal Snack Pack. At Ali Baba, this dish layers seasoned meat over a bed of chips, topped with sauces. It is one of the most commonly ordered items, alongside the standard kebab wraps, reflecting its status as a popular, shareable comfort food within the food court.

Popular Sides and Drinks

Beyond the main dishes, the menu draws attention to classic snack-box staples. Fries, often served as a base for the snack packs or as a standalone side, and fried chicken with chips represent the broader snack selection. Beverage options include the popular 390ml Coke Variety drinks, rounding out a standard, affordable meal deal that suits the fast-paced environment of the retail center.

The Dining Experience

As a food court restaurant, Ali Baba in the Canberra Centre operates with a self-service model typical of a fast-casual setting. The atmosphere is defined by the energetic surroundings of the Lower Ground Food Court, where a diverse mix of cuisines creates a vibrant communal eating area. Seating is shared throughout the food court, offering no dedicated private dining space for the restaurant itself, which reinforces its identity as a spot for a quick bite rather than a prolonged, sit-down dinner. The business offers service options designed for modern convenience, including dine-in, takeaway, and no-contact delivery. An online ordering system is also accessible through their website, allowing customers to skip the queue during peak shopping hours.

Customer Reviews & Ratings

Ali Baba at the Canberra Centre holds a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, based on 165 Google Maps reviews. The customer feedback reveals a mixed but actively managed reputation. Reviewers frequently mention the specific dishes they purchase most, including the Halal Snack Packs and shawarma wraps, indicating that these are the primary drivers of foot traffic to this location.

Recurring Themes in Customer Feedback

Google Maps reviewers consistently mention the quality and texture of the chips and meat. Some patrons, like Toby Whitehead, a local guide, have expressed dissatisfaction with portion sizes, describing a recent kebab as “tiny and contained very little lamb meat,” while also criticizing the additional surcharges for toppings like cheese. Conversely, the business owner's responses are a prominent feature of the review section. Management actively engages with negative feedback, with replies frequently directing dissatisfied customers to contact the store manager for a free meal replacement, demonstrating a clear intent to resolve complaints and maintain their long-standing reputation in the community. One reviewer's complaint about