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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A family-run Middle Eastern bakery in the suburbs.