Best Donair Calgary: Where to Get Authentic Halifax-Style Donair

Calgary's late-night food scene runs on donair, and BIG John's Pizza and Donair brings authentic Halifax-style donair to the city — the kind with that signature sweet garlic sauce that has fans making the trip from across Calgary until 4am.

What Makes Halifax-Style Donair Different

Not all donairs are created equal. The Halifax-style donair has its roots in Nova Scotia, where it was invented in the 1970s by a Greek immigrant family who adapted their doner kebab recipe for local tastes. What sets it apart is the signature sweet garlic sauce — a creamy, slightly sweet white sauce that you'll only find on authentic Halifax-style donairs.

At BIG John's, we make our donair the traditional way. The meat is seasoned and roasted on a vertical spit, then shaved off in thin, juicy strips. We wrap it in fresh pita bread with diced onions, fresh tomatoes, and that unmistakable sweet garlic sauce.

The Secret Behind Our Authentic Donair

Creating an authentic Halifax-style donair requires attention to detail at every step. Our donair meat is seasoned with a blend of spices that has been refined over years of preparation. We use quality beef, seasoned and formed into a large cone that rotates on our spit, cooking slowly to lock in flavour and juiciness.

The garlic sauce is arguably the most important component. Unlike the tzatziki or tahini sauces you might find on other Middle Eastern wraps, Halifax-style donair sauce is sweet and creamy, made with milk, garlic, and a touch of sugar. We make ours fresh daily.

Why Calgary Loves Our Donair

Fresh ingredients — We prepare our donair fresh every day, from the seasoned meat to the homemade garlic sauce and fresh vegetables.

Generous portions — Our donair is loaded with meat, so you get that satisfying filling meal.

Late-night hours — We're open until 4am every day, making us the perfect stop for late-night cravings.

Multiple ways to enjoy it — Classic donair wrap, donair pizza, or even donair cheese garlic fingers.

More Than Just Donair

While our Halifax-style donair is a standout, BIG John's offers a full menu including specialty pizzas, calzones, and our famous cheese garlic fingers. Check out our full menu to see all the options.

Visit Us or Order Online

You can order online through our iOrders page for pickup or delivery. We're open until 4am daily. Call us at (403) 229-0999 to place your order by phone.