Mitch Aldawsari produces some of the city’s best falafel. At first he operated Real Falafel out of a small market stall. In late 2019, he closed shop on the old stall and moved to a larger site in the market. The expanded Real Falafel stall comes with a cafe and deli attached.

The existing menu – Aldawsari’s renowned falafel in pita pockets and bowls with fried potato, hummus, pickled cabbage, tomato, cucumber and tahini; and sabich (pita filled with eggs, eggplant, salad, tahini and amba – a pickled-mango sauce) – is still available. New to the expanded shop are Middle Eastern breakfast classics such as shakshuka (two types – classic and “messy”, which is a scrambled-egg version); and an “Arabian smoothie bowl” with tahini, dates and cinnamon. “All the ingredients are absolutely wonderful,” Aldawsari says with a grin.

The menu is entirely vegetarian, with plenty of vegan options. They’re also serving organic coffee. The deli is stocked with Middle Eastern hot sauces and other imported condiments, as well as products used in the menu – such as falafel; dips like hummus, tahini and baba ganoush; plus house-made pickles.