Naf Naf Grille: Charred Meat and Fresh Pita in the Midlands

What Naf Naf Grille serves and where to find it

Naf Naf Grille is a fast-casual Middle Eastern restaurant in Columbia that builds its menu around charred meat cooked over open flame and served in warm pita bread. The restaurant sits on Devine Street in the Five Points neighborhood, a walkable stretch of local shops and restaurants near the University of South Carolina campus. The space is small and bright, with counter service and a handful of tables—the kind of place where you order at the register and eat while standing or perched on a stool.

The core of the menu is shawarma: marinated chicken, beef, or lamb that rotates on a vertical spit and gets shaved onto your plate. You choose your protein, then build from there—pita, rice, salad, and a selection of sauces and toppings. The restaurant also makes fresh hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel, and sells bottles of house-made hot sauce and tahini to take home.

Key Takeaways

• Naf Naf's shawarma is the main draw: charred meat shaved fresh from a rotating spit and wrapped in warm pita with your choice of toppings.
• The restaurant is counter-service only, so you order and pay at the register before finding a seat or eating standing up.
• Portions are generous and prices are moderate, making it a practical lunch or casual dinner spot near campus.
• The space is small and can get crowded during peak lunch hours, especially on weekdays.

The shawarma: meat, pita, and what goes between

Shawarma is the dish that defines Naf Naf's identity. The meat—chicken, beef, or lamb—is stacked on a vertical spit, seasoned with warm spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika, and cooked slowly as the outer layer chars and crisps. A server shaves it onto your plate in thin, tender pieces, some charred at the edges and some still soft from the inside of the stack. The meat arrives hot and is meant to be eaten immediately.

You can order shawarma as a wrap (stuffed into warm pita), a plate (served over rice with salad on the side), or a bowl (rice and meat mixed together). The wrap is the most popular format and the one most people come for. The pita is soft and slightly charred from the grill, and you fill it yourself from a spread of toppings: pickled turnips, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and a choice of sauces. The tahini sauce is mild and nutty; the garlic sauce is sharp and creamy; the hot sauce has real heat and vinegar bite.

Sides and appetizers worth ordering

Beyond shawarma, Naf Naf makes several dishes that work as sides or light meals on their own. The falafel is crispy outside and fluffy inside, made fresh and not greasy. Hummus is smooth and well-seasoned, with a generous pour of olive oil and a sprinkle of sumac on top. Baba ghanoush—roasted eggplant blended with tahini and lemon—is less common than hummus but worth trying if you see it available.

Tabbouleh, a salad of parsley, tomato, onion, and bulgur wheat dressed with lemon and olive oil, is bright and herbaceous and makes a good counterpoint to the richness of the meat. The restaurant also sells sides of rice, grilled vegetables, and fresh-cut fries. Most people order one or two sides to share, or add a side to a shawarma wrap to make a full meal.

Timing, crowds, and what to expect

Naf Naf is busiest between noon and 1 p.m. on weekdays, when students and nearby office workers come in for lunch. The line can stretch out the door, but it moves quickly because the counter staff are practiced at taking orders. If you go after 1:30 p.m. or in the evening, you will usually walk in without waiting.

The restaurant is small—maybe 15 seats total—so even when the line is short, finding a place to sit can be tight. Many people eat standing up or take their food to go. The staff are friendly and patient with questions about what's in each dish, and they will let you sample sauces before committing to a full order.

Dietary considerations and customization

Naf Naf can work for several dietary approaches. Vegetarians can build a full meal from falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, and salad. The restaurant will make any wrap or bowl without meat, and the price drops accordingly. People avoiding gluten can ask for a salad base instead of pita or rice, though the kitchen is small and cross-contact is possible if that is a concern for you.

The restaurant is happy to customize orders—hold the onions, extra sauce, no tomato. Most of the menu is made to order, so special requests are normal. If you have a serious allergy, it is worth asking to speak with someone who knows the full ingredient list, since the counter staff may not have that level of detail.

Prices and what a meal costs

A shawarma wrap runs between $8 and $11 depending on the protein, with chicken the least expensive and lamb the most. A plate with rice and salad costs a dollar or two more. Sides like hummus, falafel, or tabbouleh are $4 to $6. A full meal for one person—a wrap, a side, and a drink—usually comes to $15 to $18.

The restaurant does not take reservations and does not have a loyalty program or online ordering. Payment is cash or card at the register. There is no table service, so you order everything upfront and carry your tray to your seat.

Parking and getting there

Naf Naf sits on Devine Street in Five Points, a neighborhood walkable from the USC campus and from nearby residential streets. Street parking is available along Devine and on the side streets, though it can be tight during lunch rush. There is no dedicated lot. If you are driving from elsewhere in Columbia, Five Points is easy to reach from Beltline Boulevard or from downtown via Sumter Street.

The restaurant is also accessible by COMET, Columbia's public transit system. Several bus routes serve the Five Points area, and the walk from the nearest stop is short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order ahead or get food delivered?

Naf Naf does not offer online ordering or delivery. You order in person at the counter. During busy lunch hours, the line moves fast, but there is no way to skip it or reserve your order ahead of time.

Is the meat halal?

The restaurant does not advertise halal certification. If that is important to you, it is worth calling ahead to ask about sourcing and preparation practices.

What is the difference between shawarma and a gyro?

Both are cooked on a vertical spit, but shawarma uses Middle Eastern spices and is typically served with tahini or garlic sauce, while a gyro uses Greek seasoning and is usually topped with tzatziki. Naf Naf makes shawarma in the Middle Eastern style.

Do they have vegetarian options?

Yes. Falafel wraps, hummus plates, and salads are all vegetarian. You can also order any wrap or bowl without meat and pay a lower price. The kitchen is small, so ask if cross-contact with meat is a concern for you.

What time does Naf Naf close?

Hours vary by day and season. It is worth calling or checking online before going, especially if you are planning an evening visit. The restaurant is typically open for lunch and dinner but may have shorter hours on weekends.