Best Falafel in Melbourne

The exact origin of falafel is unknown, but the deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas (and sometimes fava beans) are held dear by a large chunk of the Middle East, including Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon. We can see why. Apart from being high in fibre and protein, they’re downright delicious. Add pita, some salad and a generous dollop of tahini for maximum satisfaction.

Words by Broadsheet Editors
Updated on 15 April 2024

Restaurant

Very Good Falafel

We can tell you this much: the name isn’t false advertising. It’s exactly what it says on the tin, very good falafel and little else. Very Good Falafel is owned by the Rosenboim family, and the chickpeas used in the falafel and hummus come direct from a farm just outside of Melbourne. Doesn’t get much fresher than that.

Restaurant

Wazzup Falafel

Everything is made in-house at this vegan diner. Stop by for some of the best falafels and fatteh in town and watch owner Ahmad Al Alaea – donning his signature cowboy hat – work in the open kitchen.

Cafe

Half Moon Cafe

Anyone who tries a dish here – kebabs and falafel are the bestsellers – is an instant convert. Half Moon inspires devotion, and the fervour is especially strong for the falafel. These golden nuggets are made the Egyptian way – with broad beans (not chickpeas) mixed with copious coriander and parsley.

Restaurant

Tahina Northcote

This High Street spot (with another location in Fitzroy) is a beloved Northcote staple. According to Estelle owner Scott Pickett, Tahina has “the best falafel, the best hummus. I get a falafel and hummus pita with green chilli every time, and it’s amazing.” If you don’t live nearby, you can find Tahina on most delivery platforms.

Restaurant

Miznon

Eyal Shani is the host of Masterchef Israel. Although celebrity chef-led restaurant chains have a patchy track record, Miznon is a bona fide success story. Falafel shows up across the menu here, usually as a side, but sometimes as the hero of a pita wrap.

Cafe

A1 Bakery Brunswick

It’s A1, so of course the falafel’s good. Have yours in a wrap or as a platter, or just add a couple on to whatever else you’re ordering – one ball costs less than a dollar.

Restaurant

Tavlin

Near Balaclava? Need falafel and/or hummus? Tavlin’s your spot. You can have falafel in a pita, a wrap, a hummus bowl, a salad bowl, on a plate or on top of some loaded fries. However you get it, it’ll come topped with amba, an Iraqi mango sauce that’s equal-parts sweet and tart.

Cafe

Advi's Falafels

The Lebanese-style falafel here are served like an open souvlaki on pita with hummus and four types of salad. Most of the rest of the menu is vegan (including the baklava), with one notable exception: deep-fried haloumi fries.

Restaurant

Falafel Place

Continuing the theme of earnestly-named falafel purveyors, this humble Smith Street spot is great value for money. The portion sizes are huge, especially considering what you pay. Although the falafel are excellent, the sides star: salads taste fresh, the pickles have just the right amount of acid, and chillies provide heat without overpowering anything. Try a halloumi wrap if you’re on a break from falafel.

Cafe

Oasis Bakery Fairfield

This sequel to the Murrumbeena original is one of the best Middle Eastern grocers in town. But its in-house diner deserves more attention (even though it’s takeaway-only right now). The falafel wrap is one of many options on the all-day menu, but it’s absolutely stellar. Also in Murrumbeena.

Restaurant

Bekka

The finest falafel in Moonee Ponds? Quite possibly. Almost every dish on the menu at this Lebanese restaurant is a home run, but the falafel – made using chickpeas and broad beans – is good, good stuff. Falafel also comes in the affordable banquet, which we recommend if you’re ordering for two or more.

Cafe

Neri’s Hummus Bar

Open on Fridays only, find this tiny hummus bar in the front section of the Tahini Neri factory. It only serves one main thing: hummus bowls with tahini, red and green harissa, falafel, pickles and warm pita bread. Recipes come via founder Neri Lipshatz’s grandmother; she taught them to him before he moved from Israel to Australia.

Restaurant

Abla’s

The chicken rice (rightfully) hogs the limelight at this Carlton institution, but just as much care goes into the falafel. Abla has been making falafel since 1979, so she knows what she’s doing.

Restaurant

Just Falafs

Yet another cleverly named falafel spot, these falafel are no joke. They’re really running the show here, and there’re a lot of options. On top of a healthy line-up of pitas and plates, there are family packs and date-night deals. Falafel dominate proceedings.

Restaurant

Teta Mona

At this is all-purpose Middle Eastern diner, falafel appears in many meal deals. But if you’re a purist, go for the DIY bowl, and customise to your heart’s content.

Shop

Oasis Bakery Murrumbeena

A family-run Middle Eastern bakery in the suburbs.

More Options

The Pita Man, Caulfield and Bentleigh
Oven-fresh pita pockets like you’d find in Tel Aviv. They’re fluffy two-handers generously filled with the star ingredient, plus a signature hummus and a variety of Mediterranean sides. But first – choose your falafel flavour: harissa, kalamata olive or an original herbaceous green.

Falafel Omisi, Caulfield
As well as the falafel (made from a secret family recipe), this mainstay in Melbourne's south is a go-to for plant-based shawarma and sabich: Israeli pita sandwiches stuffed with eggplant, boiled eggs, salad and house-made tahini. The menu here is kosher and vegetarian from top to bottom.

The Falafel Man, South Yarra
Next time you visit the Prahran markets, follow your nose until you find The Falafel Man. And if your sense of smell is completely off, look for stall 123. There’s a cart serving piping-hot plates of crisp, crumbly falafel and salads.

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