Need the taste of some satisfying, Israeli-style falafel, but have no clue where to go? Well, look no further! Helios has compiled three of the best falafel spots that everyone should try, uniquely different for every falafel lover.
Hummus Place: Located on Amsterdam Avenue between 74th and 75th Street, Hummus Place offers a delicious falafel pita with the classic Israeli salad, pickles, hummus, tahini, and fries on the side. Their salad and the composition of the pita is particularly good, as the toppings are nicely spread out so that each bite can have a little bit of everything. The one drawback of Hummus Place is their lack of options and customizations. Unlike the traditional falafel spot you might find in Israel with many toppings to choose from, the Hummus Place only has a few toppings. So, if you love to customize your falafel, this might not be the place for you.
Shawarma Shabazi: Shawarma Shabazi is a small restaurant that has both shawarma and falafel, located on Amsterdam Avenue and 93rd St. The shawarma is so-so, but is a good kosher meat option. They have both pita and laffa, and a wide range of toppings. The toppings are high quality, and the wide variety is great for anyone who likes to try new combinations, or just enjoys a lot of fixings within their pita. The pita itself is fluffy, which is great for people who love a heavier pita. The falafel is not quite as good as the one at Hummus Place, but is still tasty and very enjoyable. The servings are quite generous, especially when getting the laffa. This makes Shawarma Shabazi a great choice for both taste and value. We definitely recommend this place for anyone who really loves toppings in their falafel.
Mamoun’s Falafel: Located on Columbus and 85th, Mamoun’s Falafel offers a delicious, flavorful and moist falafel ball, certainly the best of all the spots on this list. Mamoun’s pita is quite thin, so if you are not big on pita this is a good place for you. Downsides: the tahini is quite watery, and the toppings are a bit underwhelming, but Mamoun’s still makes up a delicious falafel sandwich. The serving size is a bit smaller than the other places we tried, but the price is proportional to the size. If good quality falafel is your top priority, you should definitely check out Mamoun’s Falafel. However, if you are looking for a distinctive Israeli feel, Mamoun’s doesn’t fit the bill.