Ethan BrownConfession time: the first time I tried falafel, I accidentally mistook it for a very fancy meatball at a friend’s dinner party. Spoiler alert—I still finished three before anyone corrected me, and honestly, no regrets!
That’s the magic of good falafel: crispy outside, fluffy inside, and packed with flavour that makes you forget (or not care) whether it’s meat or not! Ottawa might have Parliament Hill and endless bike trails, but it also boasts some of the best falafel spots!
We’ve listed them here, and you absolutely can’t miss them. Read on!
Chickpeas
– Media credit: chickpeasottawa
Address: 500 Terminal Ave. A-05
Contact details: +1 613 789 8999
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $$$
Chickpeas is a spot that serves 100% vegan options—including their falafel, of course. You get a choice between white or brown pita, loaded with crisp falafels, drizzled with tahini sauce, and paired with tangy mixed pickles.
Whether you’re just popping in for a quick solo snack or you want to go all out, Chickpeas has you covered with servings ranging from a single plate to a wild platter of 24 falafel balls with two large sides. If I were you, I’d definitely go all out!
If you’re on the hunt for something else, don’t sleep on the special hummus fattah or kosahri. Hummus fattah is a creamy hummus topped with pita chips and chickpeas, while koshari is a layer of rice, lentils, and pasta all coming together in one bowl!
| Pro tip: If you’re looking to maximize value (and try a little bit of everything), grab their All-out Combo, which lines up a wrap of your choice, a classic side, and a drink, all at a sweet discounted price! |
Falafel Scoop & Shawarma
– Media credit: falafelscoop
Address: 398 Kent St.
Contact details: +1 613 421 8000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $$
Falafel Scoop & Shawarma offers falafels that are made entirely from fresh vegetables, so you know you’re getting that authentic taste and texture. What’s really cool is the bread situation: you get the choice of classic pita or SAJ, a traditional mountain bread.
Whether you go for the stuffed falafel, a full-on falafel salad, or just the “snacker plate” (with three falafels, pickles, and your choice of toppings), there’s plenty of customization and mix things up here. Want to try something else?
Patrons rave about the hot favorite bean bowl and the baba ghanouj, both vegetarian classics done right—creamy and rich, yet still somehow light. Basically, if you’re craving hearty, healthy Middle Eastern favourites, you can’t go wrong here.
| Pro tip: Falafel Scoop & Shawarma also caters! So if you’ve got an event, party, or office lunch coming up, don’t hesitate to ask—they’ll customize the spread to suit any occasion. |
Falafel On Wheels
– Media credit: falafelonwheelsottawa
Address: 1758 Montréal Rd Unit B
Contact details: +1 613 415 6544
Operating hours:
- Tuesday – 12 PM to 5 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 12 PM to 5:30 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 6 PM
Cost: $$
Falafel On Wheels keeps it all about the good stuff: fresh, homemade falafel made from scratch, fried to order, and 100% vegan. The setup here is straightforward—order at the window, grab your food, and you’re set.
Their menu covers the essentials in the best way: platters, sandwiches, fries, and salads, and you can always check the Truck Locator on their site to see exactly where and when they’re serving. If you’re new here, start with the falafel snack or sandwich—both are crowd favourites!
If you’re bringing friends or just really in a falafel mood, then go for the dozen falafel or the full falafel platter. It doesn’t end there; the falafull-fries are a must-try—bite-sized falafel tossed in with fries and sauce—you’ll really love this!
| Pro tip: They’re on wheels, so they open a little later and can close early or as soon as they sell out, so go early to beat the line. Oh, and the truck is seasonal and closed for winter! |
Fat Sisters Falafels
– Media credit: ottawas_favourite_foodie
Address: 2235 Robertson Rd.
Contact details: +1 613 550 3362
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Cost: $$
Fat Sisters Falafels is a food truck that keeps it simple: falafel, done right, in a few different ways so you can order it how you like it. It’s a walk-up, grab-and-go setup that makes lunch runs easy.
The menu sticks to the winners—wraps and bowls options—so you’re never stuck scrolling through a dozen variations when you’re hungry. The Iraqi falafel wrap comes on flatbread and is a must, while the Lebanese and Syrian wraps stick to pillowy pita.
If you still want more after the wrap, go wild with the bowl version and pile on all the fixings—don’t be shy with the amba and tahini, and definitely add pickled turnips! And if you’re sticking around, you’ll want to finish off with the pineapple mini cake—it has a cult following, which includes me!
| Pro tip: If you fall for the flavours (you will), you can buy their iconic Amba sauce and pickled turnips to take home and level up your own salads and sandwiches all week! |
Ottawa Falafel House
– Media credit: ottawafalafelhouse
Address: 1077 Cyrville Rd, Gloucester
Contact details: +1 613 745 1117
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Cost: $
Ottawa Falafel House’s menu is loaded with vegetarian and vegan-friendly goodness, loaded with all the fixings. The staff know their way around chickpeas, serving them up hot, crunchy, and full of flavour.
For a must-try, definitely go straight for their signature falafel sandwiches—be it falafel in pita bread, Arabi bread, or a falafel burger. But if you want it light (I know you’re just holding back), you can order falafel by the piece, with the option of original, cheesy, or spicy—seriously, just try all.
Now for something different, try the falafel with a side of their fattoush salad, which is always extra fresh and loaded with herbs.
| Pro tip: If you’re eating on the run, call ahead for pickup—these folks are fast, but lunch rushes can get busy! |
Mr. Fez Shawarma
– Media credit: ottawalist
Address: 129 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613 230 7077
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 3 AM
Cost: $$
Mr. Fez Shawarma is right in the heart of downtown, and while the shawarma gets all the buzz, locals quietly rave about their falafel. The falafels here are crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, with your choice of house-made sauces.
You’ll see plenty of regulars grabbing the falafel vegetarian platter—it’s a standout for the perfect balance of crunchy falafel, creamy garlic sauce, pickles, and a drizzle of their signature spicy sauce for a little kick.
Another winner is their mixed plate, where you can pair falafel with a bit of shawarma for the best of both worlds. For a side dish option, their dynamite fries are the way to go if you want something extra comforting.
| Pro tip: Mr. Fez piles on the toppings, so don’t be shy about asking for more sauce or extra pickles—it’s all part of what makes the wraps truly next level. And if you’re ordering late, they’ve got you since they do run pretty late. |
Tahini’s
– Media credit: ottawa.nibbles
Address: 238 Laurier Ave E
Contact details: +1 343 317 7057
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 4 AM
Cost: $$$
Tahini’s brings a modern spin to Middle Eastern street food, and their falafel is definitely worth the stop. Their focus is always on fresh, customizable options, so you can pick wraps, bowls, or platters and load them up with just the things you love.
Two essentials: order the falafel shawarma with a hit of their spicy tahini (it’s just the right amount of heat!) or go big with a falafel bowl, which lays everything out and lets you mix bites of crisp veggies, pickles, rice, and falafel just how you want it.
Their loaded fries topped with falafel pieces and drizzled with tahini are a sneaky best-seller—kind of over-the-top, but in the best way possible. And if you’re carb-counting or need gluten-free, just opt for the bowl or salad version.
| Pro tip: Download the Tahini’s app before you order—every time you grab a bite, whether in-store, online, or on the go, you’ll earn points that stack up fast. You can redeem those points for free food or exclusive offers! |
Jericho
– Media credit: theveggiehog
Address: 840 Bank St.
Contact details: +1 613 235 1289
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 2 PM, 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $
Jericho is one of those easy spots to hit when you’re craving falafel with that homemade, straight-from-the-kitchen feeling. The menu has a big focus on fresh, authentic Middle Eastern flavours.
The go-to order here is the falafel plate, stacked with perfectly crispy falafel balls, fluffy rice, and fresh salad, with sides of tangy house pickles and garlic potatoes. Fans also rave about the falafel wrap, which brings together all those flavours in a warm pita.
For another standout, their fatoush or tabouleh salads are spot-on for pairing—super refreshing and great alongside any falafel dish. Portions here are huge, so sharing is totally an option if you’re not starving.
| Pro tip: Jericho offers some fantastic vegan and gluten-free options, so don’t hesitate to ask about modifying your meal. And if you’re feeding a crew or want to bring home leftovers, their family and party platters are value-packed. |
Shawarma Palace
– Media credit: shawarmapalaceottawa
Address: 464 Rideau St.
Contact details: +1 613 563 9533
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $$
Shawarma Palace is a staple in Ottawa for anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern flavours, and their falafel is no exception. This place keeps things simple and delicious with just two falafel options.
You can grab a classic falafel plate, loaded up with all the fresh sides you’d expect, or go for the falafel sandwich, where crispy falafel is tucked into a pita with all the fixings.
Their recipes are all about authentic Lebanese flavours and only the freshest ingredients, making each bite seriously satisfying.
| Pro tip: Shawarma Palace doesn’t just serve up great meals in-house—they also operate a food truck you can hire for special events. |
Yummy Touch Kitchen
– Media credit: eatwithyumi
Address: 2786 Lancaster Rd Unit B
Contact details: +1 613 731 9000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 6 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 6 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $$
Yummy Touch Kitchen is a go-to for seriously good falafel in Ottawa. Their falafel comes in two main styles: classic with pita bread or as a stuffed sandwich loaded with veggies and their signature sauces.
Both options are reliable picks—crispy, flavourful, and satisfying whether you’re grabbing lunch solo or ordering for the crew. You’ll also find an impressive lineup of Middle Eastern staples, and regulars rave about how fresh everything tastes.
If you’re up for dessert, their cheesecakes are a local legend, with new flavours popping up all the time. Another standout is their cheese knafeh, which steals the spotlight with its gooey, cheesy goodness and sweet syrup finish.
| Pro tip: Ask about the rotating daily deals before you order—some menu options get a discount depending on the day, and you might score something you wouldn’t have tried otherwise (Monday breakfast is 20% off, for example). |
