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    College Falafel

    4.1 (108 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order College Falafel Takeout or Delivery

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    COLLEGE FALAFEL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Joyce L.

    College Falafel is owned by kindest couple you will ever meet. They have been restaurant owners for 30 years. Twenty years at their previous location, another ten years at this location. College Falafel existed before me. I adore unassuming hole-in-the-wall mom and pop shops! Who can complain about healthy homemade food made from scratch with love? The display window was filled with bowls of bright fresh parsley and spinach. A tray of fresh out of the oven cheese pie was displayed prominently. The perfect stimulus to draw you into the store! I salivated like the dog from Pavlov's experiment as soon as I saw the food display! College Falafel serves falafels wraps ($7.00) made to order! The owner forms the falafels with a mold as soon as the order is placed. It was moist and crisp. The yogurt sauce, marinated beet salad, pickled turnip and hot sauce added layers of flavour to the simple wrap! My friend ordered the beef donairs dinner. He said it was "so good", then devoured the plate of food. I managed to steal some perfect spiced food off his plate! The rice, tabouli salad, potato, beet salad, pickled turnip and donaire complimented each other. It was an interplay of flavor.

    New dining area
    Monica F.

    This has got to be the BEST chicken shawarma in Toronto, hands down. You get all the usual toppings and then some, including pickled beets which are my absolute favourite. Everything is fresh and home made!!! The chicken they use really makes this place stand out. The seasoning is almost like a tandoori flavour...so good. Unlike any other falafel/shawarma joint I've been to. If you can, call 5-10 minutes ahead so they have time to prepare your food carefully. I've been coming here for years and it's consistently delicious. Enjoy!

    Noel D.

    This is my go-to spot on many occassions. There have been several times I am running late for a gig and I am starving, so College Falafel is always on my way and I tend to grab a falafel, shawarma or some samosas -- something quick and portable. I really need to expand my selection though because this place is apparently known for their Halifax donair. In fact, the last time I was there these two girls came in and were raving to the owners about the donair and how great it was. (Update: I have since had the Halifax donair and it's delicious. In fact, it trumps the falafel or shawarma option hands down.) They are open until 3:00am on Friday and Saturday but they close at 10:00pm on other days, which is not late enough for an owl such as myself. They're not exactly cheap either... Shawarmas are 5 bucks and falfels are $4.40 -- what happened to the $2.99 falafel in Toronto? They recently expanded and are now twice the size with a makeshift "dining" area. Expect this place to be a zoo at 2:30am on Saturdays.

    Sunmin L.

    Decent chicken shawarma, nothing special. Ingredients do seem to be fresh but I've had better elsewhere. Overall taste was a bit bland, very healthy tasting. I prefer stronger flavours so I won't be returning.

    They are not cheap on the amount of meat either!!!
    A D.

    I work very close to this place and I always get my lunch here. I feel I have to write a review because I have yet to find shawarma or falafel that tastes as good as theirs! I usually get the shawarma or the falafel and they are both amazing...the marinating makes them really good. What I also really like and which make them unique are the topings especially the really good pickled red cabbage and of course the Tahini sauce. The falafel is also cooked on the spot and it tastes so fresh as opposed to other places. Also, they are not cheap on the amount of meat or toppings they put. That really annoys me in some places...where I have seen them measure things. I actually crave their shawarma and falafel when I am off work (I'm a teacher). I always get soo disappointed when I go to other shawarma places because they are so bad and dirty. This place is definately clean and there are all homemade and nongreasy healthy meals... I also get their baklava a lot...really like it. I highly recommend!!!

    Fries - not cooked and totally greasy
    Nishita V.

    I was really looking forward to having a falafel from here because of the reviews. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. I ordered 3 falafels, a cheese pie and French fries for take out. I also asked for garlic sauce with the fries. I was informed they were out of the garlic sauce (disappointment #1). But not to worry because their fries were so great on their own they didn't need anything. The man fresh cut the fries and popped them into the fryer. My order was ready and I went home exited to eat. After getting home I emptied the take out container of fries onto a plate and was sad to see that not all the potato was fried/cooked (see pic). The fries were also terribly greasy. Disappointment #2. My friend took a bite out of the cheese pie and proceeded to spit it out almost immediately. Disappointment #3. The oil that the pie was made with and/or the cheese was rancid. Gross! Now onto the falafel. It was just ok a little dry. Not enough sauce. The hot sauce was not hot. Or maybe they forgot to add it?! Overall, this place did not live up to the reviews. I won't be going back.

    A Nice Donair Plate. Extra meat. 
Delish.

    1.40am, Feb.14.2015: I jumped out a cab, ready to roll. jumped in a cab earlier, as it was about time I eat for once. -***i decided "Shwarma" for the 1400th time since being in this city. For those that are late-night types like me... you'll see that even though you live downtown there really isn't that much to check out. I'm glad that I made it here. College Falafel: This place hit the spot. The owner didn't mind my hyperactivity nor my nonchalant "eccentricity" either. Food: I ate the Donair. Had some extra meat, as I usually request. It was pretty good. I was happy. Nice sweet sauce, yogurt, and fresh vegetables. + I got a nice spinach pie (like spanikopita). -Very good food. Looks clean. Not too expensive (comparable). Better food than a high percentage of places I've been too. Better than -In a city where [Delivery joints], "Open-now" don't deliver and are not open, [this place DELIVERED!] in terms of good taste, good portions, and a nice staff. I will be back. You don't mess with Good Food. Especially when the Owner, looks like a younger, taller, more capable Robert De Niro -Verdict: 4.5 Stars. Nice Owner. Excellent food. Comparable cost. Will return when I am in the mood for some nice Donair or Shwarmera.

    Bon mangeries.
    James L.

    Healthy home made food made with love. I used to eat there twice a week, but I moved away, so now I only get to eat there once a month. My favorite is the Chicken Schwarma dinner. I have to travel a lot for my job, and this is probably my favorite meal food in all of Canada, comparable to Yarmouth Lobster or Vancouver Sushi. It's freaking goood

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    10 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Best falafel I've ever had. And so glad it is right around the corner from my house!

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Thank you for the large amounts of food and friendly service! Perfect dinner spot, have to try it.

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    12 years ago

    the food is really fresh and delicious / mostly prepared right in front if you ... Lots of options! And don't miss the samosas

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Love it sooooo good! The chicken shawarma is amazing and the rice pudding is the best I've ever had

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    15 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Not the best schwarma I've ever had but not the worst. I enjoyed the chicken schwarma platter, good portion sizes and the food tasted good.

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    This is the best shwarma joint in Toronto. Everything is made from scratch! Very healthy and tasty.

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

    I went in after noticing it while waiting for the bus, had a donair. The food was excellent and the service was kind and prompt.

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Very good, simple, home cooked style food. Falafel sand which ftw!

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    12 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    Linny’s Luncheonette

    Linny’s Luncheonette

    3.8
    (5 reviews)
    0.7 km

    I was walking down Ossington a while back and I noticed Linny's Luncheonette was getting ready to…read moreopen, so I vowed to return. Return I did on a recent Saturday and we showed up just as they were opening up for the day, which meant we were able to snag one of the two outdoor tables available. It's a small menu, so ordering the Pastrami sandwich was a no-brainer. We also grabbed a small order of the Coleslaw to try. The food was ready to go within minutes. It's a great sandwich. The meat is super tender and perfectly complemented by the fresh bread and tasty mustard. Do I wish the spicing on the meat were a little more prominent? Yes, definitely, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the 'wich. The coleslaw is great, too. I'll surely be returning very soon.

    Linny's Luncheonette is the sister restaurant to Linny's next door, however, Linny's Luncheonette…read moreis a completely different concept compared to Linny's. It's a take out deli sandwich shop focusing on quality ingredients with a multitude of sides you can choose from. Other than their sandwiches, you can also purchase deli items like pastrami spice, beef salami, or half sour pickles. I've been waiting for Linny's Luncheonette to open since last year! When I dined at Linny's in Dec 2024, the waiters had hinted that there would be sandwich shop next door. I arrived at Linny's Luncheonette around 11:30am on their opening day (May 9th). The place was busy with customers coming in, however, the service was fast and efficient as chef David Schwartz stood by to make sure everything was running smoothy on the first day. In terms of the decor, think deli retro vibes! The interior is cute with bright orange countertops and a mirror on one side of place to make the space appear bigger. There are a variety of random candies and chips on display you can also purchase. The menu consists of sandwiches - pastrami, potato and pickle and smoked fish, as well as sides (knish, coleslaw, potato salad, karnatzel, cookie). I ordered a pastrami sandwich and a small side of potato salad. My order was made at a reasonable time (less than 5 min) and service was friendly. There isn't any seating inside the restaurant but there are a few chairs outside and 2 small tables. The great thing is that Linny's Luncheonette is located along Ossington so it isn't hard to find a table close by the place. I decided to head to the park to eat my sandwich. Foodwise...the pastrami sandwich was deliciously amazing. I loved the pastrami at Linny's so I knew that Linny's Luncheonette would be the same. The pastrami had the perfect meat to fat ratio...which made it oh so tender and juicy! I am not a huge fan of pastrami to begin with but...I would come back for this sandwich again and again again. Anyways...back to sandwich, the bread held the meat together well where there was a hint of mustard spread as you took each bite. I got sad when I reached my last bite. The potato salad was also great, not too creamy with sizeable chunks of potato. Overall, a great new addition to the Ossington strip! The pastrami sandwich is a must get here!! Can't wait to return for more in the future! (tip - go early as they can sell out)

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    Linny’s Luncheonette
    Linny’s Luncheonette
    Linny’s Luncheonette

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    Ai Fam

    Ai Fam

    4.7
    (7 reviews)
    1.8 km

    AiFam Sandwich Shop and Food Market is a family-owned Italian sandwich spot on Harbord Street that…read morefeels warm and welcoming as soon as you walk in. It blends a traditional Italian deli style with a modern downtown vibe and is known for fresh panini made with quality meats and ingredients, many imported from Italy. We tried their "Il Padrino" and "Capricciosa" panini, and both stood out with crispy fresh bread and a great balance of mortadella, prosciutto, salami, cheese, veggies, and sauces. The combination of fresh bread, curated deli meats, and flavorful sauces gives each sandwich a really nice touch. Besides sandwiches, they also carry Italian-style groceries like pasta, cheeses, desserts, and drinks, which makes the visit feel like a quick trip to a small Italian market. It's a great stop if you're looking for a simple but high-quality lunch in the Harbord Village area.

    Are you hungry? Get…read moreyourself to Ai Fam sandwich shop & Italian grocery! It's on Harbord, just west of Spadina, on the north side. Take away & eat-in options! Blink and you'll miss this one! It's down some steps and features so outdoor seating as well. I was intrigued when I heard that another Italian cafe/sandwich shop opened near the Annex/Harbord Village. They have a variety of panini style sandwiches with a fridge/freezer of imported items such as frozen meals, meats, dried and spreads, sauces, cake slices and gelato! All the sandwiches sound delicious! Hard to choose! I went with the Alla Romana $16 (Prosciutto from Abruzzo Italy, Semi-dried cherry tomatoes, Balsamic glaze, Fior di Latte). The bread was crusty & warm - all quality ingredients!! The prosciutto & other topping were plentiful. Great flavours. Fresh! You can tell it was made with care. I was surprised at how big the sandwich was. It was cut in two & placed in a take away container which travelled well. The sandwich was still intact and perfect when I got home. The bread has a good crust but was soft inside to be a good compliment for the filling! I did get a piece of tiramisu & a small single serve cup of gelato from the fridge/freezer to be tried later!! I am a big fan of sandwiches with quality great & quality filling and this checks off the boxes. Staff was friendly and the sandwich is a good value given the top quality ingredients. If you've been to Italy you will appreciate inspired sandwiches & pantry items! Quite a few tables to sit down and enjoy your sandwich with a cold or hot beverage. They have a TV with the Olympics on too! The sandwich picture doesn't do it justice! Go see for yourself!! :)

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    Ai Fam
    Il Padrino
    Il Padrino
    Ai Fam

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    Naomi

    Naomi

    4.3
    (20 reviews)
    1.7 km
    $

    Best Club Sandwich in the big smoke. The chef slices and dices better than any restaurant I've been…read moreto in the 6. It's a quaint place but I took mine to go to enjoy the summer air. Lovely hidden gem!

    Naomi is run by the most adorable couple who really love the restaurant. I only stepped into the…read morerestaurant to glance over the menu and within seconds I was making a purchase because the old happy man was too chummy to refuse. And it pains me to write this review about the bad quality of their entrees. I've been to Naomi twice. The first time I bought the Salmon bibimbap and the second time I bought the Chicken teriyaki. The pictures looked really really good so I opted for them, but both dishes were disgusting. I was really thrown off by how quickly they were able to prepare both dishes. Under 5 minutes?!?! It seemed almost too good to be true. When I opened the container and took the first bite of the meat, I fully understood why. Naomi uses canned meats. For some people, this is okay, but I really could not stand how "plastic" the chicken felt. The meats weren't even seasoned, rather covered in mediocre sauces. The teriyaki sauce wasn't even teriyaki sauce... it was a transluscent orange with a syrupy consistency. The bibimbap was also poorly done. There was no sunny side up egg, and the only veggies consisted of bland bean sprouts, overcooked carrots, and boiled spinach. Although, the "gochujang" sauce was not bad. However, my friends have all claimed that Naomi's sandwiches are extremely tasty, but after my two bad experiences, I'm probably not going to come back. TLDR: don't get any entrees. Stick with the cafe classics.

    Photos
    Deli-like menu
    Deli-like menu
    "Salmon" bibimbap was also suspicious... sauce was good though
    "Salmon" bibimbap was also suspicious... sauce was good though
    Note:  Food that is served here is more like a café, as opposed to Korean food.

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    Note: Food that is served here is more like a café, as opposed to Korean food.

    College Falafel - mideastern - Updated July 2026

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