Best falafel
A falafel pita from Pita Palace. Photo: Gene Lee
YOUR PICKS
1. Pita Palace
You say, “Pita Palace has a serve-yourself toppings bar that is yummy” and “It reminds me a lot of Maoz which is the best ever, but not in Atlanta.”
2. Falafel King
3. Ali Baba
4. Hovan Gourmet
5. Café Agora
OUR PICKS
1. Mediterranean Bakery
The AJC dining team’s specialist in International Cuisine Gene Lee says, “After the first few bites, I immediately knew the falafel at Mediterranean Bakery was my top choice. They are a tad larger than my other four selections and also are the lightest in color. The nutty, crunchy exterior crackles against your teeth, and the steamy interior reveals balanced flavors of chickpea and cumin with just a hint of perfume from coriander. This is the ultimate falafel.”
2. Café Agora
3. Hovan Gourmet
4. Pita Palace
5. O U for U
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122 comments Add your comment
kevin
July 25th, 2011
11:10 am
Star Provisions. It’s not traditional, but it’s the best I’ve ever had.
Garbanzo Guy
July 25th, 2011
12:24 pm
Falafel King and Mediterranean Grill near Emory are a tie. Different takes on the taste and texture of falafel, both addictive.
Alexa Kravitz
July 25th, 2011
12:30 pm
Falafel King. I ate on every week of my freshmen year and it was the first falafel I really liked.
Maya
July 25th, 2011
2:06 pm
I know that it may seem almost blasphemous to nominate a food court find, but there is no denying that Hovan at Perimeter Mall makes a darn good falafel. It’s certainly my favorite in the city, and I’ve tried many of the buzzed-about falafel places. Mediterranean Bakery on Chamblee-Tucker would be second on my list.
Pam
July 25th, 2011
2:42 pm
Cafe Agora!!!! Hands down
J
July 25th, 2011
3:37 pm
PIta Palace and Moshe’s authentic Israeli
ben
July 25th, 2011
3:38 pm
There was an Iraqi gentleman in Avondale Estates on College Ave (next to current Our Way Cafe). His falafel were incredible… Light, crisp, succulent… Best i’ve eaten. Wish I knew where he went.
Andria
July 25th, 2011
3:42 pm
Hovan in Perimeter Mall! And they’re darn proud of it, too.
Gooch
July 25th, 2011
3:49 pm
Mezza on Lavista Road……fanstastic.
Last Word
July 25th, 2011
3:50 pm
Nicola’s at Briarcliff and LaVista.
Best eastern Mediterranean cuisine in town!
Order the Mezza & sample!
Amazing!
ANDRE HYLTON
July 25th, 2011
3:53 pm
Jerusalem Bakery Son, best middle eastern food in Atlanta.
kevin
July 25th, 2011
4:03 pm
Nicola’s is quite good too. As is Ali Baba’s.
Emily
July 25th, 2011
4:09 pm
Cafe Posh on Roswell Rd (just ITP) – amazing, amazing falafel’s and everything else!
Shannon
July 25th, 2011
4:11 pm
Being both very busy and chronically ill, I’m a fan of delivery. Chris’s Pizza does a pretty good falafel and delivers it to my door–so I’m a fan of them.
Michelle
July 25th, 2011
4:12 pm
Pita Palace
koko
July 25th, 2011
4:17 pm
Ali Baba in L5P. hands down.
Avi
July 25th, 2011
4:19 pm
mar1jdh
July 25th, 2011
4:20 pm
OU for U (Hammond and PT-Dunwoody). Authentic, cheap and best of all delicious.
nancy
July 25th, 2011
4:24 pm
Olive Bistro – best I’ve ever eaten. Very moist and tender. Yummmm
John
July 25th, 2011
4:31 pm
Sababa on N.Peachtree. Always hot, crispy and moist. As good as any I’ve had here in town or NYC for that matter. Pared with his fresh hummus…awesome.
Helen
July 25th, 2011
4:32 pm
Cafe Agora has the best falafel and mezze in the city! We love them!
Nicola Fan
July 25th, 2011
4:33 pm
Nicola’s has the best middle eastern food by far. Lawrence’s or Mezza has excellent falafel.
Ash
July 25th, 2011
4:40 pm
Ali Baba’s has the best falafel I have ever eaten. It’s the perfect combination of a crispy outer layer and moist, tender inside. Never greasy, never dry. Tastes great room temperature or warmed up. Star Provision’s falafel wrap is also quite tasty; however the actual falafel itself is best at Ali Baba’s.
John
July 25th, 2011
4:40 pm
Sorry for the wrong street…Sababa on N. Shallowford.
Mary
July 25th, 2011
4:46 pm
“Falafel King and Mediterranean Grill near Emory are a tie.”
I agree. I think Falafel King wins by a nose because their sauces are so good.
Spavin
July 25th, 2011
4:47 pm
Cafe Agora in B’head!
Big Doc
July 25th, 2011
4:49 pm
Ali Baba’s has the best falafel. Downtown Atlanta, You must try their food. Great ppl over there
Mark K
July 25th, 2011
4:53 pm
I’ll go w\ Hovan @ Perimeter Mall.
JR Ledger
July 25th, 2011
4:55 pm
Without a doubt: OU for U has the best and most reasonable prices! You cannot go wrong!
JIMBOB (aka James Robert)
July 25th, 2011
5:15 pm
Cafe Sababa is really good. When you’re there, you’re family(!)
Have heard good things about Pita Palace. As long as it’s freshly made, not buried in thick hummus, I’m generally pretty happy.
Mel
July 25th, 2011
5:19 pm
Basil Wraps in Marietta is great, and you won’t meet nicer people than the owners.
Kbo
July 25th, 2011
5:19 pm
I have been loving Makara’s on Roswell Rd. in Sandy Springs. I agree with some others that the secret is to have the falafel freshly fried, which Makara’s does. Plus they have a really great consistent quality.
falafel connisour
July 25th, 2011
5:20 pm
heavenly cafe next to gsu!!!
Michael Maguire
July 25th, 2011
5:32 pm
Falafel Republic makes a great packaged falafel that can be heated up in 25 seconds in the microwave. It can be purchased at BJ’s. I bought my package in Cumming.
Joe
July 25th, 2011
5:35 pm
Any TGIF (This Can’t Be Falafel!), hands down.
KJG
July 25th, 2011
5:42 pm
Ali Baba’s is my favorite- Downtown or Little 5 Points.
eav
July 25th, 2011
5:48 pm
Ali Baba’s blows. Falafel King is cheaper, cleaner, and better tasting. Great shawarma too.
David G
July 25th, 2011
6:27 pm
Falafel King is quite good, variety of sauces. I like Olive’s Bistro as well.
A
July 25th, 2011
7:22 pm
Pita Palace, hands down.
mark
July 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
cafe agora!! Cant wait for their midtown location yummm
A
July 25th, 2011
9:39 pm
Ali Baba’s doesn’t event serve their falafel freshly cooked, no way they are the best Cafe Agora is the best I’ve had since Ali in Avondale Estates closed his store. I wish he would resurface.
Ms V
July 26th, 2011
3:52 am
Leon’s International Foods on Chamblee Tucker Rd makes the best!
Native
July 26th, 2011
6:28 am
Best Bread Baking Co. off of Peachtree Ind. Great falafel wrap! Under $5 too. The best I have had outside of Jerusalem.
Diane
July 26th, 2011
6:40 am
My husband and I are living and working in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and they definitely have the best Falafel! Any orders?
Mirza Baig
July 26th, 2011
6:50 am
Uptown Grill in down town Lawrenceville,has the best Falafel.
TT
July 26th, 2011
6:53 am
Ali Baba’s on Broad Street!!!!
steverino
July 26th, 2011
7:03 am
I can’t go to school today…I falafel.
a reader
July 26th, 2011
7:15 am
if anyone has ever tried any of the quick falafel places on the lower east side of manhattan and has found similar around this parts please speak up. a falafel belongs in a pita with yogurt sauce not on a plate.
The Bald Eagle
July 26th, 2011
7:46 am
#1 – Ali Baba. I prefer the one Downtown (I had a very bad meal at the L5P location). Falafel King comes in a close second, and Olive Bistro gets an honorable mention.
Mom
July 26th, 2011
8:08 am
It’s a very close tie between Hovan at Perimeter Mall and Pita Palace at Lavista and Briarcliff. Hovan uses flat bread rather than pita bread, which makes it easier to eat, but Pita Palace has a serve-yourself toppings bar that is yummy. It’s a toss-up.
Datfire
July 26th, 2011
8:17 am
Mezza has a good one!
Dr Richard Handler
July 26th, 2011
8:20 am
Buckhead Pizza. Sam the owner is Syrian and makes it fresh and as a Syrian, I can tell you it’s the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yummy
July 26th, 2011
8:23 am
Basil Wraps in Marietta is great!
KK
July 26th, 2011
8:24 am
OU for U and Hovan at Perimeter Mall
Steve
July 26th, 2011
8:30 am
Try Veggie Patch Falfel at your Grocers produce section… good eats and convenient
Falafel Eater
July 26th, 2011
8:39 am
Leon’s International Grocery on Pleasantdale. Creamiest, best falafel out there.
Deb
July 26th, 2011
8:49 am
Ou for U always a pleasure going there!
Bina
July 26th, 2011
9:00 am
Cafe Sababa on N Shallowford has the best falafel! All his ingredients are really fresh tasting and the falafel has the perfect light crisp outer crust and tasty inner filling. Yummmm….gotta go there now!
Vegan Queen
July 26th, 2011
9:09 am
Olive Bistro rocks!
PeaChick
July 26th, 2011
9:11 am
For those of you up in North Gwinnett/Hall County: Divana Mediterranean, exit 16 on 985
LL
July 26th, 2011
9:15 am
Ali Baba in L5P is horrible and overpriced ($7+ for falafel??)
Falafel King is the best “cheap” place and Olive Bistro is the best “not cheap” place
Diana
July 26th, 2011
9:16 am
Olive Bistro. I do wish someone would take your suggestion that it makes for great street food and create a mediterranean food truck. There is one that parks close to the MOMA in New York that I always stop at when I’m there.
Israel
July 26th, 2011
9:22 am
Cafe Posh on Roswell Rd is a real good place for Falafel (and other dishes) . I always like their food.
moshing badger
July 26th, 2011
9:24 am
Mingles off of Roswell Road in Marietta. Its a Mediterranean/Jamaican restaurant. The falafel is Israeli-style, and all the falafel balls are all made fresh.
kangning
July 26th, 2011
9:26 am
who want make friend with me?i am chinese.my e-mail kangning_7788@126.com
susan
July 26th, 2011
9:26 am
Ali Baba downtown on Broad Street
Cameron
July 26th, 2011
9:26 am
I always enjoyed the falafel at Jerusalem Bakery in Alpharetta.
kangning
July 26th, 2011
9:29 am
just want change express our country culture.also can teach you chinese free.and introduce some mogolia cultire.expect everyone to my good friend.
ane
July 26th, 2011
9:32 am
I can’t decide between Pita Palace or Jerusalem Bakery in Marietta. I do admit I enjoiy the falafel on laffa at the Jerusalem bakery better than the pita bread. I’ve also eaten at Olive Bistro and found it ok but expensive.
greg
July 26th, 2011
9:38 am
Falafel King in Emory Village is the best. Their falafel is crispy and perfect every time.
Jim
July 26th, 2011
9:51 am
Mediterranean frickin grill
SouthernMan
July 26th, 2011
10:22 am
Marcos Pita’s on Ponce!!!
E
July 26th, 2011
10:27 am
Star Provisions. Delicious!
Michael
July 26th, 2011
10:29 am
Cafe Agora.
Michael
July 26th, 2011
10:30 am
Mediterranean Grill is gross, Star Provisions is mediocre.
Joe
July 26th, 2011
10:45 am
Hovan @ Perimeter Mall. HANDS DOWN! I know it sounds crazy, but there is an older gentleman there who I believe is the Owner, he claims its his long time family recipe. But its AMAZING. I live a block from Pita Palace and used to eat thier exclusivley until I discovered Hovan at Perimeter, its the best Falafel I have had in the States with out a doubt – I can’t even compare how good it is to Pita Palace. Hovan @ Perimeter Mall.
Peaches
July 26th, 2011
10:46 am
Ali Baba’s downtown or in little 5 has the best falafel vegetable wrap in the world. I found myself craving it every day that I lived in the city.
Chickpea
July 26th, 2011
10:46 am
I gotta go with Hovan Gourmet @ Perimeter Mall. It’s fresh, nicely seasoned, crispy on the outside and award winning. Try their lamb schawarma, too with everything on it. It’s the best! Messy, but most good food is. For holidays and family get togethers we also get a couple of platters of their Hovan rolls. Healthy, delicious and everybody loves them.
L
July 26th, 2011
10:49 am
Lawrence’s Cafe on Buford Hwy near North Druid hills! It’s a little known hole in the wall, but still awesome.
Jennyl
July 26th, 2011
10:54 am
Borage Grill in Olde Town Conyers…Great little restaurant!!!!
atlHOkie
July 26th, 2011
10:56 am
Makara’s in Sandy Springs has a great Falafel!!!!
Colleen
July 26th, 2011
10:56 am
Café Posh hands down. There is no comparison.
hb
July 26th, 2011
11:11 am
The Beirut in PTC. Fresh, authentic, great menu all Lebanese food!
David
July 26th, 2011
11:16 am
Cafe Sababa on N Shallowford in Dunwoody is the best by far. Doni Tamli runs the place and one of the best chefs I know.
RA
July 26th, 2011
11:19 am
Jerusalem bakery makes some best Falafel. They make authentic middle eastern food. I like shawarma more than falafel. They are conveniently located in Alpharetta and Marietta. They have a website too, if any of you may wanna visit it.
PJ
July 26th, 2011
12:49 pm
Aladdin’s at Roswell Rd & Dunwoody Pl
Typical Redneck
July 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
I must disagree about Hovan. I enjoyed as a kid, but the last time I was there it was awful. Maybe I hit it on a bad night.
71Relic
July 26th, 2011
10:43 pm
The Iraqi gentleman in Avondale Estates on College Ave, mentioned earlier, moved to San Diego but is back, and hopes to open a new restaurant next to Taqueria Los Hermanos in Tucker on Hugh Howell Road. His Falafel was and is the best. I know. He told me so.
Google Wish for Shish, then Best Falafel: Ali’s Mediterranean Avondale
atl-expat
July 27th, 2011
10:59 am
Mezza – best falafel in a sit-down dining experience
Cafe agora – best falafel sandwich
Ali Babas – best street food-style falafel
Ugh!
July 27th, 2011
2:42 pm
I had some really bad middle eastern food for lunch. Now I falafel.
Scott
July 28th, 2011
6:22 pm
It’s tough competition, but Cafe Sababa is my pick hands down. This little eatery in Dunwoody at 4639 N. Shallowford Rd. is consistently good. Well worth a visit.
http://www.cafesababa.net/
Island Breeze
July 28th, 2011
8:45 pm
Ali Baba in Little 5, exceptional!
FryThyBrain
July 28th, 2011
9:41 pm
Mediterranean Cafe, off Chamblee Tucker and 285 has the best at 50 cents a piece.
Falafel King
July 28th, 2011
10:54 pm
I have 3 Places to offer: Ali Baba’s L5P, Hovan at Perimeter Mall, Alladin’s off Roswell Road and Dunwoody Place
Josh
July 28th, 2011
11:03 pm
Pita Palace, no question
michael
July 28th, 2011
11:11 pm
Cafe Agora of course. In Buckhead but a “hole in the wall”. The owner is a character (similar to the soup nazi) but awesome food.
Amanda
July 29th, 2011
12:18 am
Pita Palace, it reminds me a lot of Maoz which is the best ever but not in Atlanta.
Johm
July 29th, 2011
5:26 am
Posh Cafe has the best I’ve ever had anywhere.
MarieLetsEat
July 29th, 2011
5:33 am
OU For U Cafe in Dunwoody makes the best, although Mediterranean Grill’s are indeed wonderful.
Jon
July 29th, 2011
5:45 am
I lived in Egypt and Mediterranean Bakery is the Best and most Authentic Arabic food in Atlanta! Hands down!
Jon
July 29th, 2011
5:48 am
By the way Mediterranean Bakery & Sandwich is at Chamblee-Tucker and I-285
Soufflé Chef
July 29th, 2011
10:19 am
Uptown Café in Lawrenceville. It was recommended to me by several Middle Easterners and they are 100% spot on. Delicious!
Michelle
July 29th, 2011
11:12 am
Cafe Agora–coming to midtown in October!
Annie
July 29th, 2011
11:56 am
Cafe Posh is also my best pick. Fresh and served on sandwiches and salad plates.
Jenni
July 29th, 2011
12:35 pm
I love Makara! I treated myself to lunch there once when I was 8 months pregnant and had a falafel sandwich which I will dream of. It was so delicious and made one very pregnant mama very happy!
Jenn in Kennesaw
July 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Cafe Istanbul on Wade Green near the Big Lots. everything i have tried there was wonderful. the falafel is VERY good. the staff is super nice. the place is beautiful. also very reasonably priced.
Leonard
July 29th, 2011
5:12 pm
Falafel balls are almost identical between all the places except for minor differences in seasoning and whether the balls are served fresh out of the oil, warm, cold or microwaved. Where the variety really comes in is how the whole “sandwich” is prepared. This depends on the country of origin of the shop owner. The Syrian falafel sandwich is different from Israeli version which is different from Egyptian one, etc. Latin America has its soccer wars and the Middle East has its falafel wars.
Steven Josovitz
July 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
I think the Falafel at Mediterranean Grill is pretty pretty good. They are super friendly and bend over backwards to please you. The Owner and most of the staff are from Lebanon so they know how to make this stuff. The side i.e pickles, marinated radishes ( or turnips ) olives, hummus, baba ganoosh is awesome. A secret that no many know about is there homemade Gazpacho… that is a reason alone to go there but the Falafel is yummy.
carol g
July 30th, 2011
6:59 am
Ali Baba’s on Broad Street!!!!
Global Living
July 30th, 2011
7:37 am
Cafe Agora. Next best thing is the Trader Joes frozen falafel, and their tahini is also delicious.
Falafel Hot Spots | Oaks at Briarcliff
July 30th, 2011
2:26 pm
[...] [...]
bisnono
July 30th, 2011
10:00 pm
Hovan at Perimeter Mall Food Court is the best. I’ve been to both Ali Babba and Falafel King and they’re OK, but certainly not anything I’d willingly drive 10 miles out of my way for. Plus Hovan’s pasta salad and hummus are also outstanding.
count_schemula
July 30th, 2011
10:35 pm
Café Sababa or Café Agora
I’ve never had the falafel at Hovan, but mall or no mall Hovan is quality stuff. I’ll def give the falafel a try next time.
falafel connisour
July 30th, 2011
10:45 pm
its not really in atlanta, but niks place near marietta square probably has the best falafel i have ever had! They have their own sauce called niks sauce which is the greatest sauce ever made!
love falafel
July 30th, 2011
11:13 pm
Pita Palace- best falafel, and best schwarma!!
Honest Ingine
July 30th, 2011
11:28 pm
Hovan at Perimeter Mall, along with Hovan at Lenox Square.. Lawrences on Buford Highway, ….1.2.3 Hands down…
witheld
July 31st, 2011
4:58 am
I have not had the pleasure of any of the above mentioned but I have eaten this delicacy all over the Middle East and I believe Alon’s at Perimeter has the best in the U.S.
Matthew Cook
July 31st, 2011
6:54 am
Mediterranean Grill near Peidmont park is the best I’ve found for Greek food and falafal.
Bob Cobb
July 31st, 2011
7:18 am
Star Provisions!
terri
July 31st, 2011
7:26 am
cafe agora!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matthew Hale
July 31st, 2011
7:30 am
Athens Grill – Loganville. Great food, friendly and authentic.
eric
July 31st, 2011
8:04 am
I used to partial to Hovan in Perimeter Mall, but their flafel has underwhelmed the past 3-4 times I’ve had it — too dry. So I’d go with the terrific Mezza, a restaurant that does so many things well…