Ah, the Falafel. The popular Middle Eastern dish has a mysterious origin, as many countries claim to be its birthplace, but we can say one thing confidently; you won’t find a better selection than right here in Brunswick!
Big claim, we know, but Brunswick is the mecca when it comes to this mouth-watering delicacy of deep-fried chickpeas combined with fresh vegetables, a generous dollop of tahini and hummus wrapped in warm pita bread. Whether it’s lunch, dinner or an early morning snack after a night on the town, we have the best spots in Brunswick for the greatest falafel options in Melbourne. We’ve done plenty of in-depth, first-hand research for this one, folks, so strap in for the ultimate list.
Very Good Falafel
This list isn’t in any particular order, with the exception of this first spot. Kind falafel hunters, trust us when we tell you this is the best falafel in Melbourne, possibly Australia, possibly the world. With a name that is the greatest understatement in history, Very Good Falafel is very, very great.
Started by Louisa Allan and Shuki Rosenboim, the crew at VGF make their falafels fresh, deep fry them to high heaven and produce amazing results. The menu is quite simple, and we strongly recommend getting the falafel in freshly baked Israeli-style pita. You will literally dream about the tahini drizzled over the top and thoroughly enjoy the spicy surprise at the very end. The customary way to eat a VGF falafel is by picking up the falafel ball placed on top and eating it first as some sort of ritual/homage to the joy your tastebuds are about to experience.
The homey has minimal seating right next to the open kitchen and is decorated with a bookcase that houses turntables, Hebrew and Lebanese cookbooks, jars of peppers and various vinyl. The menu is rounded out by a selection of salads, hummus and cooked eggplant, but the lines out the door come for the falafel. Grab a window seat and people-watch Sydney Road if there is one free, or settle for takeaway; just do whatever you must to get some VGF.
Tiba’s Lebanese Restaurant
Tiba’s is another legendary spot along Sydney Road, offering family-run, authentic Lebanese cuisine. The Tiba menu is freshly prepared and Halal Certified, but it’s important to note that you won’t find any alcohol here (including BYO). For years many delighted visitors have grabbed a takeaway box of fried falafels to bring home from Tibas, but you can also get them in wraps with all the usual inclusions like hummus, lettuce, tomato, turnips, onion and tahini.
Just look for the big, bright Tiba’s sign along Sydney Road, pop in for some group dining with your friends and settle in for a falafel institution that never disappoints.
Mama Manoush
When visiting Mama’s restaurant, you’ll likely see Mama herself in the kitchen, mixing tabouli and rolling sambousik dough. Mama’s famous neon pink sign may look modern, but the generations-old recipes passed down through Mama’s family offer a menu that is as traditional as they come.
If you visit Mama’s, you’ll likely want to try their banquet-style meals so you can sample a wide array of dishes paired with Lebanese wines, but we’re here to talk about falafel. This is one of the most talked about inclusions on Mama’s menu, and it is as simple as some lightly fried falafel balls smothered in the house-made tahini on a plat. No frills, just flavour.
Need more proof? This Google review from Mish says it all, “I’m Lebanese, and I don’t usually go out to Lebanese dinners because I always end up disappointed, especially when I can get it for free at my mama’s house, but the food was delicious, and I can’t wait to come back again.”
Alasya
If it’s late at night and you need something to soak up a night of fun, Alasya, the Ottoman word for Cyprus is always here for you. Now, while we do rave about their falafel, there is a falafel-companion reason to visit Alasya; the bread. The artisan Turkish bread that is baked on-site in the stone floor, wood-fired ovens that carry these falafels to your mouth is truly to die for. Plus, you can buy it standalone, bakery-style, to take home.
If you do get a falafel in bread, be prepared for a big meal (we recommend sharing one between two people). They will be loaded up with all of the salads and sauces you like (be sure to grab the chilli sauce) and exactly what you need to ensure there is something delicious in your stomach before bed.
A1 Bakery
No matter when you visit, A1 Bakery along Sydney Road is always packed, and for a good reason. This Lebanese bakery and Middle Eastern grocer has bread (khobz), pies, Lebanese pizza, and of course, falafels, which you can buy frozen to take home to cook later as well. These are some of the crunchiest falafels available, and they come complete in a wrap with pickled cucumbers, pickled turnips, lettuce, tomato and tahini sauce.
You may see the A1 Food Truck out and about, and it can also be hired for special events. If you are popping down for lunch on the weekends, get ready to line-up, as this is a very popular one with the locals. A1 may also be the one spot in this list with the biggest co-sign of all; celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain once visited A1 as part of his Melbourne food tour back in 2009.
Brunswick Kebab House
We like to think of Brunswick Kebab House as a bit of a well-kept secret. It isn’t much to look at, and it’s essentially a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot at the entrance to the Brunswick Market. The falafel wraps are delicious, and their sauce game is on point, but they make our list due to something we haven’t mentioned yet but is a must-have falafel companion; the chips.
That’s right, you need some chips to go along with your falafel wrap, and the ones and Brunswick Kebab House are delicious, moreish and worth seeking out. We recommend combining the sweet chilli and standard chilli sauces in your wrap for a taste explosion, using the aforementioned chips to mop up any spillage. This is another spot that is open late for those looking for something to snack on after a night out, so pop in, load up, then walk a few doors down to Oussou to keep the party going.
Mankoushe
Mankoushe means gathering from the soil, and this popular spot in Brunswick East does that with seasonal dishes made by hand, using locally-sourced produce. The best of Middle Eastern cuisine from Iran to Morocco is translated here with vegetables that are handpicked from the Coburg market, and the results are worth multiple visits.
The falafel wrap comes with tahini, parsley, mint, tomato, pickles, and hummus, prepared in the same way as it’s made on the streets of Beirut, simple and fresh! Locals love this place so much; multiple reviews call for a Michelin star! The yelpers have a point…
Teta Mona
Teta Mona is a funky little spot along Lygon Street, which is a homage to Mona, the grandmother of owners Antoine and Bechara Taouk. Mona arrived in Australia from Lebanon in the 1950s, and luckily for all of us, she brought her traditional village recipes with her, which are now replicated in-house using wholefood ingredients.
The menu features plenty of traditional Lebanese dishes, but it’s the falafel served with pita, tart pickles and tahini that is bringing us through the doors repeatedly. Sonia Sakr sums it all perfectly with her 5-star Google review: “Beautiful ambience, quality and delicious food that never fails, amazing service and friendly staff, what more could one want when dining out?! Your taste buds will thank me later, sahtahn!”
EBV has great public transport options providing direct access to the iconic number 96 tram (Melbourne’s busiest tram route), and we also have a car share facility and plenty of bicycle spaces so you can ride down Sydney road for your falafel fix.
