Detroit has some of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in America, and there is nothing quite like the warm ball of deep-fried wonder known as the falafel. Made of ground chickpeas or fava beans, and (gasp!) sometimes a mixture of both, a tasty falafel should be deliciously spiced and seasoned before it is deep-fried.
In my mind, it has to stand alone even if it is eaten plain. It shouldn’t coast on the strength of its garlic sauce.
Start salivating over the best falafels Detroit has to offer.
1. Hamido’s Restaurant in Dearborn Heights
You can’t get more authentic than Hamido’s in Dearborn Heights. They just serve solid Middle Eastern food all around, but everybody goes for the Hamido’s Special Plate, which is this whopping meat sampler to be shared by a group of people. The Hamido’s Special Plate For Three (which could easily feed five people) includes falafel, as well as a fattoush salad, Meat and Chicken Shawarma, Shish Kabab, Shish Tawook, Kafta, Hummus, Rice, and Grape leaves.
25412 Ford Rd, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
2. Anita’s Lebanese Kitchen Cafe in Ferndale
It’s not a coincidence that Anita’s Lebanese Kitchen has been voted “Best Middle Eastern” in Hour Detroit’s prestigious Best of Detroit for five years in a row. The food is amazing and it is a classy place. The kitchen is constantly re-innovating Middle Eastern classics. For a limited time, try their AK Slider Trio, which includes kafta with cucumber labneh sauce, falafel (your choice baked or fried) and chicken shawarma, served on fresh bread buns.
22651 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, Michigan
3. Harmonie Garden Cafe in Detroit
You can’t go wrong with Harmonie Garden Cafe, where they dedicate a whole section to their special falafel creations. They’ve got a Falafel Burger, a Falafel San Fran, a Falafel Stir Fry, and my personal favorite, the Flobby Joe, which is like a Middle Eastern vegetarian sloppy joe. The Flobby Joe is their Falafel burger topped with vegetarian chili and tahini sauce.
4704 Anthony Wayne DR, Detroit, Michigan
4. Falafill in Detroit
Yea, yea. We know Falafill is a franchise and they came to Detroit by way of Chicago, but Chipotle is a chain, and no one is complaining. Falafill’s unique dining concept (basically a Middle Eastern Chipotle) let’s you customize your order into a wrap, a pita pocket or a bowl. No matter what form you’re into, you have to choose their Indian-inspired Curry Falafel, which is their Dal Lentil fritter heavenly seasoned with yellow curry.
4206 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan
5. Rafic’s Falafel in Dearborn
Rafic’s Falafel makes such good falafels it’s worth the drive to Dearborn. These falafels do not have a fancy twist; they are just cooked made to order, and prepared really, really well. It is the epitome of what a falafel should be: tasty, crunchy on the outside, and soft and warm on the inside. Honestly, skip the falafel sandwich. Cut to the chase and get the falafel plate that comes on a bed of greens, with pickled turnips piled in the middle.
6905 Schaefer Rd, Dearborn, Michigan