Shawarma for one euro ignites chaos in Dortmund, Germany

German press reports revealed that the opening of a shawarma restaurant in the city of Dortmund (located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia) on Sunday (November 8, 2026) turned into complete chaos, following riots that broke out during the opening.

The restaurant owner had announced that the price of shawarma was one euro as an advertisement for the opening.

Big mess

Video clips on social media showed hundreds of people queuing in front of the restaurant, in order to get shawarma for one euro. (It is noteworthy that the price of shawarma in Germany starts from 5 euros).

Focus magazine reported that about 300 people gathered in front of the restaurant, including many minors. At times, crowds obstructed traffic and endangered the safety of road users.

The owners of the new restaurant had to cancel the opening ceremony. Although the restaurant owner hired a private security company to secure the event, the event got completely out of control.

The restaurant owner described the situation in a video clip he posted on Instagram as “an exceptional situation out of control.” The restaurant owner himself contacted the authorities to request assistance.

While one of the eyewitnesses told the well-known newspaper "Bild" that: "The youth have completely lost control. They do not have any politeness or respect."

Focus magazine reported that the police were pelted with bottles and stones as soon as they arrived at the scene.

She added that the matter did not stop there, as some people threw chairs designated for the restaurant’s outdoor seating at the police “at the hands of a group of rioters.”

The police restore order

On the other hand, the newspaper "Mercur" explained that the police called in reinforcements from the riot control forces. A police helicopter also flew over the neighborhood where the shawarma shop is located. She continued that the police were able to calm the situation and return things to normal.

Police reported at least one arrest. Criminal proceedings were also opened against a number of those involved, including charges related to disturbing public security, damaging property, and insulting others.

In addition, the authorities issued a decision to temporarily prevent the restaurant from continuing its activity. In this regard, the police said: “The extent to which the restaurant owner can be held responsible for police security intervention is the subject of ongoing investigations.”

Dortmund Police Chief Tim Frommer strongly condemned the violence targeting police officers.

“Recently, events, as well as gatherings, have become vulnerable to being hijacked by people who seek nothing but violence,” he said.

He continued: "Whoever practices violence, especially against law enforcement police officers, is not just a young man looking for excitement or a troublemaker, but rather a criminal."

While one of the employees in the restaurant appeared in a state of shock. He said in a video circulated on social media platforms: “The store is being destroyed. I don’t even know if I should cry. But we did not expect this to happen, and we never wanted things to reach this point. We apologize... We truly apologize to everyone.”