Falafel is a beloved street food, generally enjoyed deep-fried in the form of crispy balls of ground or smashed chickpeas. This is blended with fresh herbs and spices, for a result that is savory and delicious.
Often enjoyed in a warm pita pocket, loaded with toppings, here’s just so much more we can do with our falafel. From salads to burgers, you may possibly see falafel in a whole new light.
Falafel Burger 
Falafel Burger at Miznon.
Miznon
At Miznon, fresh pita is filled with a falafel burger, tangy pickles, tomato, sour cream, and green chili peppers.
Chef Liad Balki, Director of Culinary Operations and Head Chef at Miznon says: “A great falafel starts with balance. It should be crispy on the outside, soft and herbaceous on the inside, and made fresh every day with high-quality chickpeas and herbs. Falafel is such an important part of Mediterranean culture because it brings together flavor, tradition, and nourishment in a way that feels both comforting and vibrant.”
Falafel Salad
Falafel Salad at Noor Mediterranean in Phoenix.
Noor Mediterranean
At Noor Mediterranean in Phoenix, crisp romaine and peppery arugula are layered with fresh mint, scallions, juicy cherry tomatoes, and radish for a salad that’s bright from the very first bite. Golden crispy falafel adds a warm, savory crunch, while tangy pickled turnip and earthy sumac bring bold Mediterranean flavor. Finished with a creamy tahini dressing.
“The inspiration behind our Falafel Salad came from the idea of elevating both the traditional salad and classic falafel into one unique dish that combines the freshness of crisp vegetables with the rich flavor and satisfying texture of falafel. To create a more modern presentation, we transformed the traditional flat-shaped falafel into bite-sized crispy balls, allowing them to be evenly spread throughout the salad so every bite delivers a perfect balance of freshness, crunch, and authentic Mediterranean flavor,” said Wael Yaziji, Owner of Noor Mediterranean.
Smashed Falafel Grinder
Smashed Falafel Grinder at Pita Jungle in Scottsdale.
Pita Jungle
At Pita Jungle in Scottsdale, the Seasonal Kitchen Craft Menu at Pita Jungle features the Smashed Falafel Grinder, a toasted baguette layered with baked smashed falafel, Mediterranean pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, tahini, Pita Jungle sriracha, fresh parsley and mint for a bold, herb-forward take on a plant-based sandwich classic.
“We wanted a falafel sandwich built for hot weather, something satisfying that could still be enjoyed cold. The perfect solution was a falafel baked with EVOO that creates a crisp Maillard reaction alongside a toasted baguette layered generously with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and pickles. Then, we add tahini, a kick of Pita Jungle Sriracha, and plenty of fresh mint and parsley for a bright, lingering burst of green freshness that cuts through every crispy bite,” said Bassel Osmani, Co-founder of Pita Jungle.
Falafel
Falafel at Motek.
Lemon Pop
At Motek, crispy-on-the-outside, herb-packed falafel served with Motek’s signature lemon tahini.
“Falafel is one of those dishes that seems simple, but when done right, it becomes incredibly memorable. Ours is packed with herbs and made fresh daily. They are crispy on the outside, soft in the center, and paired with our lemon tahini for brightness and balance. It’s a dish our guests come back for again and again,” said a representative for Motek in an email.
Falafel Sandwich
Falafel Sandwich at Sufrat Mediterranean Grill.
Sufrat Mediterranean Grill
At Sufrat Mediterranean Grill in Doral, Pembroke Pines & Miami Beach, Florida, falafel pieces with hummus, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, pickles, and tahini sauce. Served in a freshly-made daily homemade pita.
“Our falafel sandwich is all about fresh, authentic flavor, crispy falafel pieces layered with creamy hummus, crisp lettuce, chopped tomatoes, pickles, and tahini sauce, all wrapped in a homemade pita baked fresh daily, ” said co-founder Tamer Altillaw.
Falafel Salad
Falafel Salad at Rina.
Oliva Restaurant Group
At Rina, a casual, Middle Eastern street food concept on the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail in Old Fourth Ward, the Falafel Salad is made with romaine, chickpea tahini salad, Israeli salad, feta, crispy chickpeas, slaw, sunflower seeds, boiled egg & green goddess-tahini dressing.
“Our Falafel Salad is happiness in a bowl. It has so many bold flavors that complement each other with different textures and consistencies to provide the perfect bite. The crispy, green falafel balls are packed with cilantro and parsley, and sit on a bed of crunchy lettuce. Then, they are topped with feta cheese, sumac cabbage slaw, chopped tomato & cucumber. The salad is tossed in a creamy green goddess tahini dressing that ties all the flavors and ingredients together and provides that extra layer of freshness,” said Tal Baum, Founder and Proprietor of Oliva Restaurant Group.
Falafel Burger
Falafel Burger at Bobbie’s Airway Grill in Dallas.
Bobbies Airway Grill
At Bobbie’s Airway Grill in Dallas, the Falafel Burger at Bobbie’s Airway Grill is a masterfully constructed homage to Middle Eastern street food, reimagined as a fully loaded American burger. At its heart is a housemade falafel patty — vibrantly green and packed with fresh herbs including mint, cilantro and parsley — hand-formed, chilled to set, then deep-fried to a satisfying crisp. Layered onto a freshly baked, house-made toasted bun, the burger is built with creamy tzatziki, pickled onions, sliced feta, seasoned tomato, cucumber and crisp lettuce, with a final dollop of tzatziki before the top bun. The result is a dish that honors the integrity of traditional falafel while reimagining it through a modern, American lens and one that, as it turns out, wins over meat eaters just as easily as it does vegetarians.
“The burger is one of the most universal comfort foods in America, so it felt like the perfect vehicle for introducing falafel to guests who might not have grown up with it. With the Falafel Burger, we put it front and center, gave it the full burger treatment — bold, stacked and layered with flavor — because great falafel deserves that kind of spotlight,” said Robert Quick, founder, CEO and chief culinary officer of Western Addition.
Dining and Cooking