Guaranteed to steal your heart and your hunger!

A cheesy slice of pizza being lifted from the whole pie, with toppings including melted cheese.

Gourmet, Chessy Donair Pizza

The memory of my first bite of Donair pizza remains vivid. It was Christmas Eve of 2015 in Edmonton. On the way home, my sister bought something at a famous pizza parlor I never thought I had ever tasted before. The first nibble was surreal. It did not take much for me to make it my new favorite dish. Juicy Donair meat layered with gooey melted cheese and crips onions on a golden, crispy crust, finished with a zesty garlic sauce for an unforgettable taste. They say there is always a first time for everything and trying Donair pizza was certainly a memorable experience. It was worth it.

And through this unforgettable experience it later turned into a driving force in making my own Dunkin Donair Pizza. The delicious blend of flavorful meat and zesty sauce gave rise to my love for this dish which in turn made me recognize the need to innovate it with a new spin. I wanted a product that not only tastes like the Donair classics, but also carries the concept of doughnuts' dunking. This out-of-the-box product deftly mashes the best of the two worlds and leaves the consumer with a pick of the litter in terms of piquant taste and food on nostalgia lane that is accessible by all.

A traditional stone pizza oven with wood burning inside and a slight flame reflection on the base

What is a Donair?

In Canada scene lies a creation known as Donair that hails from Halifax, in Nova Scotia province. This delectable dish highlights ground beef cooked on a rotisserie akin to shawarma or gyros. The meat is delicately. Traditionally nestled in pita bread along with onions and tomatoes. It is topped with a garlic sauce made from evaporated milk, sugar, vinegar, and garlic powder. The Donair has evolved over time to inspire creations, like the Donair pizza. Featuring the tasty meat blend with melted cheese and onions, on top of a pizza base drizzled with the famous garlic sauce for a truly delightful dining experience.

A pizza being cooked on the floor of a traditional oven, with wood burning and flames clearly visible in the background

Is Donair a Canadian thing?

I might have confused Donair with shawarma or gyro if the former had not had a sweet, rich garlic sauce made from evaporated milk, vinegar sugar and garlic. The unique Canadian creation that has since been transformed into other dishes such as Donair pizza enriches Canada’s diverse menu especially in the east provinces, but it is this special sauce plus spiced lamb that differentiate it from other Mediterranean delicacies. The Donair is known nationally because of its sweet garlic sauce which makes it unique and unmistakable for anything else – hence why it is considered a traditional comfort food in Canada.

A tall white lighthouse perched on rugged, rocky cliffs, overlooking the calm ocean under a clear sky

What is the Donair capital of Canada?

The dish called Donair became a local favorite in Halifax with its roots stemming from deep within the community before making its way across the entire nation and that is why Halifax, Nova Scotia is known as Canada’s Donair capital. This is a traditional dish that dates to the long years in Halifax. In 2015, it was officially recognized as the city food. Several local restaurants still prepare the original version which includes spiced meat served tender with a topping of sweet garlic sauce this maintaining its real taste. Many still consider Halifax as the best place to go for Donair prepared in a way that has always been being celebrated by many Donair enthusiasts and this Donair can be found there.

Donair Pizza Drink Pairing Guide

Pepperoni pizza on a white plate with a side of green olives in a small dish and a bottle of Timbrus red wine, set on a rustic wooden table

For my family, Dunkin Donair Pizza is a big part of our meals, and as time went on, I learned that drinks make a big difference in such pairing situations. With an uncommonly tasty blend of savory donair meat with gooey cheese and sweet garlic sauce, donair pizza offers a deep flavor that will blossom when accompanied by drinks that precisely balance and amplify its richness. A guide to just a few popular drinks—beers and mocktails—expertly crafting an experience out of our pizza nights.

1. Beer Pairings

Pale Ales and IPAs: The bitterness of IPAs helps cut through the rich cheesy taste and balance the sweet garlic sauce beautifully. The light hoppy flavors keep everything so refreshing that with every bite, you feel satisfied.

Amber Ales: The malty caramel notes of the amber ales go great with the spices in the donair meat. The moderate sweetness here balances wonderfully with the garlic sauce; thus, a sweet-salty marriage develops.

Wheat Beers: Wheat beers produce a light, crisp pairing contrasting the heavy flavors that a donair pizza presents, especially those with a hint of citrus; for yourself, it's just like creating fizz out of the air you breathe in.

2. Wine Pairings

Red-headed Assortments: Being medium-bodied reds, Merlot red blends provide sufficient fruitiness to support the flavors in donair meat while delicately pairing with the cheese. The low acidity characteristic of the red blends balances that sweet garlic sauce.

Zinfandel: With its bold and moderately spicy flavor, Zinfandel works well with spices in donair; the sweetness just complements the flavors without overshadowing them.

Prosecco or Sparkling Wine: The soft bubbles in Prosecco carry a refreshing flair that cleanses the palate. They are a festive addition to any family gathering, such as donair pizza nights.

Red Coca-Cola can on a wooden table surrounded by glasses filled with various light and dark beverages.

3. Soft Drink Pairings

Ginger Ale: The subtle spice of ginger ale couples beautifully with savory donair meat and adds refreshing fizz to family nights. It has just enough sweetness to nicely balance the flavors of the garlic sauce.

Sparkling Lemonade: The citrusy zest of sparkling lemonade accents the pizza's rich profile, making it a perfect accompaniment to family gatherings. This crisp refreshment cleanses the palate.

Iced Tea: The flavored iced teas, such as peach and lemon, offer a delicate sweetness complementing donair meat. The light and refreshingly crisp flavor would allow anyone, guest or host, to have something to sulk over.

4. A Mocktail Pairing

Virgin Mojito: The fresh mint and lime in a virgin mojito provide a perfect counterpoint to the savory flavor of donair. The acidity from lime balances the not-naive cheese, which is something unique that people of any age would benefit from.

Cucumber Lime Spritzer: This light, fresh mocktail brings together the cool scent of cucumber with the tartness of lime, providing a fresh note to the meal. It’s especially nice on hot summer days to enjoy the light refreshment accompanying your pizza.

I have learned that the donair pizza has changed from a meal into an experience in the context of drink pairings, bringing forward the right flavors and creating many memorable family dinners. Each of the options offered with an accompanying drink is different, from the refreshing crispness of lemonade to the smooth depth of amber ale. Try out these pairings on your next slice—you may find a new family favorite!

A man in a pizza kitchen wearing a cap and gloves, standing near food prep counters

Edmonton Pizza Shop Owner's Generosity Shines Amid Community Challenges

Rajwinder Singh, owner of Pizza Talks & Donair in southeast Edmonton, has continued to give away free meals to the needy since November 2023. He considers this remarkable initiative connected to his Sikh faith and a possible inspiration from 'langar,' a tradition whereby free meals are provided to everybody in a Sikh temple irrespective of his or her background. Singh has taken that concept and applied it to his business, as well: he reserves ten meals a week for people and families in need. Singh said, "We are just following their path," a testament to the will to carry on this centuries-old tradition of service and giving. His dedication to paying it forward is all the more admirable given the challenges his business faces. In spite of not yet breaking even, Singh is still committed to serving others, adding, "We are still here for people." Singh's unselfishness has caused a ripple in the community, encouraging some customers to pay it forward by buying meals to donate to his cause. This selfless act is a shining example of how small businesses can effect meaningful change within their communities. Singh's story serves to remind us that the tiniest, almost inconsequential acts of compassion can really have a lasting impact on those who need it most. It also highlights the power of community support in enabling local businesses to sustain this kind of effort.

For more details, read the full article on CBC News: Serving compassion: Edmonton Sikh pizza shop owner offers free meals to anyone in need

Dunkin' Donair Pizza

Savor the Flavors of Tradition