Shawarma’s growing popularity can be attributed to several factors: it travels well, particularly when wrapped in laffa; it’s quick to prepare, ensuring shorter delivery times; and it’s cost-effective. Even with delivery fees of 10–18 shekels, a 2-shekel “handling fee,” and a tip for the driver, shawarma in laffa or pita costs 50–60 shekels – far cheaper than a plated option at 80 shekels. Shawarma orders surge in the evening hours, with demand skyrocketing by 300%, according to Wolt.
Additionally, notable shawarma joints have joined Wolt. In Rishon Lezion, popular spots include Shawarma Shemesh, Herzl 2, and HaNeched Shel Avram. Shemesh even launched a premium sub-brand, Agbaba. Surprisingly, in Tel Aviv, known for its diverse shawarma and döner options, the dish doesn’t crack the top 10 in delivery orders.
Burgers still reign supreme
Despite shawarma’s rise, burgers, fries and onion rings remain the most ordered items in Israel, followed by shawarma at No. 4. Pizza ranks fifth, primarily through direct deals via pizza chains’ apps or websites, and sushi takes the sixth spot.
“Shawarma, Thai food, fried chicken (thanks to the crispy chicken trend), and sandwiches showed the most impressive growth in orders,” Wolt Israel said in a statement. Meanwhile, the popularity of Asian cuisine slightly declined compared to previous years.
In Tel Aviv and Eilat, burgers and fries are the top choices, while in Kiryat Gat, Netivot, Sderot and Gaza border communities, pizza takes the lead. In Nazareth, burgers and pizza dominate, with desserts ranking third—making the city a hotspot for sweet tooth enthusiasts.
Desserts and other trends
Landwer Café’s rosalach dessert is a runaway hit, with demand surging by 200%. At its Rehovot branch, rosalach leads the charts, followed by half-and-half rosalach and Jerusalem-style bagel toast. Similar trends appear in other branches, including Ra’anana.
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At McDonald’s, the most ordered items are extra-large fries, 9 McNuggets, and McNugget meals. Variations occur by location—for example, in Savyon, the Big Royal Meal is the top choice. At Aroma, the classic omelet sandwich and iced coffee are customer favorites, though rankings shift in some locations.
In sushi restaurants, simplicity prevails. Japanika’s best-seller is the house roll, typically deep-fried, followed by futomaki rolls. At Oshi Oshi, customers favor the basic maki rolls and the fancier Sunset Roll with torched salmon and sweet potato chips. River’s noodle dishes, particularly vegetable noodles and green curry noodles, dominate its orders, while egg noodles top Wok to Walk’s list.
Fried chicken enthusiasts love KFC’s All-Star Box, spicy wings, and Colonel’s Bucket. In Netanya, spicy wings are the most popular, followed by the Twister sandwich.
For desserts, Golda and Otello customers favor half-kilogram servings of ice cream, while bakeries like Roladin see strong demand for chocolate krantz cakes and holiday-themed treats. Be Fresh and River’s smoothie orders are led by mango-pineapple combinations, while halva-flavored shakes are rising in popularity.
In pizza chains, personalized family-sized margherita pizzas remain the top choice, and basic burgers or meal combos continue to dominate the burger category.
Even non-food items have found their way into delivery trends. At Wolt’s collaboration with department store Hamashbir, the current best-sellers include orthopedic pillows, white tank tops, and tights.
Shawarma may not have overtaken burgers yet, but its steady climb in delivery rankings signals a strong shift in Israeli food culture.