The Best Places to Buy Falafel in London

As a child, the owner of Pilpel (which means chilli pepper) used to watch his grandfather making falafel using the family recipe, and knew that he would continue on with the tradition. The menu may be small, but the best things aren’t determined by quantity — the queues that form at lunchtime indicate just how popular it is. Choices include the classic Pilpel family recipe falafel as well as Greek falafel, Mediterranean falafel, salad boxes, and guacamole.

Established by the owners with the aim of bringing their Nana’s salt beef recipe to London, Nana Fanny’s is now just as well known for its falafel. They claim to be the best in the capital and many Londoners seem to agree, as they are repeatedly voted as such by various London-based websites. With both vegetarian and vegan options, their falafel is served with salted pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes and tightly wrapped in a Lebanese style flat bread with home-made chilli sauce. You can find them at various markets across the capital.

At a first glance, Mr Falafel may appear to be a simple, no-frills establishment with brightly coloured plastic tables. But the queue that forms outside is a testament to how good their Palestinian falafel is. It’s cheap (between £4.50 – £6.50), it’s hearty, and there is a choice of 11 wraps including the supreme plus falafel wrap consisting of avocado, halloumi, humus, olives, fried aubergine, tomatoes, mint, tahini, and pomegranate syrup.

Run by Sam and Eamon, who grew up on the streets of Jerusalem eating falafel, ChikP is a market stall that serves up fresh Middle Eastern falafel using an old family recipe. Wrapped in flat bread or simply as a salad box, the falafel comes with the option of red cabbage, gherkins, salad, and pickled turnips coloured with beetroot juice. ChikP doesn’t have a permanent location but they can be found at various markets including Shepherd’s Bush Market and St Katherine’s Dock.
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