Moshe's Falafel: a legendary vegan and kosher restaurant in New York City

Moshe's Falafel in New York City

a famous Falafel cart, now a brick-and-mortar store in the Upper West Side

Established in 1981 by founder Moshe, who hails from Kibbutz Galuyot in Israel, Moshe's Falafel has been a staple in Manhattan's street food scene for over four decades. The brand initially gained popularity as a legendary food truck before opening a new brick-and-mortar location situated between Columbus and Amsterdam in New York City.

falafel hummus plate at Moshe's Falafel in Manhattan, NYC

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas (or sometimes fava beans) mixed with herbs, spices, and onions. The mixture is rolled into balls and deep-fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Falafel is enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, and the origins of the dish are unclear. One theory is that it was created by Egyptian Coptic Christians as a replacement for meat during the Lenten fast.

falafel platter at Moshe's in New York City

Menu

You can order the falafel by itself (serving of six pieces), but I'd recommend ordering one of Moshe's specialty meals.

The pita sandwich is a classic street food option, and probably the most popular dish at the original food cart. If you are eating in at the restaurant on the Upper West Side, I recommend ordering either the hummus plate (falafel with warm chickpeas, tahini sauce, olive oil, hummus, and pita), or the platter (falafel with quinoa, Israeli salad, chickpeas, red and white cabbage, pickles, tahini, hummus, and pita). The platter is my favorite, and I highly recommend it!

The meal is super filling and delicious, full of amazing fresh flavors and a contrast of temperature and texture (warm falafel and cold salad) which contrast perfectly in each bite.

Moshe's Falafel in Manhattan's Upper West Side

Location

Moshe's Falafel's brick-and-mortar restaurant is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan at 142w W 83rd St, New York, NY 10024, United States.

The original food cart is located at 94 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, United States, where it's served hungry locals delicious vegan and kosher lunches for decades.