Before Mamoun's Falafel, I would have confidently told you that I'm not a falafel person. Turns out, I just hadn't had good falafel before. And now that I have, it's actually a bit of a problem -- because whenever I travel and order falafel somewhere else, it almost always ends in disappointment. Mamoun's completely changed my opinion. The color, the texture, the seasoning, and that perfectly crispy bite in every mouthful -- whatever their secret is, this is the falafel that made me love falafel. The owner is also one of the kindest and most welcoming people you'll meet. Always polite, well-dressed, and genuinely warm. If you see him there, say hello -- he's a pleasure to chat with. Beyond the falafel, I've tried most of the platters on the menu. The kebabs are very flavorful and juicy. The baba ghanoush, hummus, and falafel are consistently fresh and delicious. The bourani might actually be my favorite way to eat spinach, and the mjadra is a fantastic, flavorful alternative to the usual white rice. I've been coming here for years and the quality has never changed -- which is rare and worth appreciating. I sincerely hope it stays exactly the same for many years to come. PS: unfortunately they are open just for take out since Covid-19 read more

I loveeee the gyros at Mamoun's. It a go to lunch for me. My favorite thing to get is the falafel . It is so fresh and tasty, even the lettuce tomato and onion. Their sauce is fresh as well, and you have to try the mint lemonade. Fantastic! The owner is so friendly and sweet and they have been here for years. It's takeout only now so you have to either call and place your order or order online and pick it up. Works for me! Love it here! read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Falafel Sandwich - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

Only updating this to give the name of the UNIQUE/GREAT dish I described previously, which everyone MUST try, which is Urfa Kabob (though it is not on a kabob), and to say it is just takeout now. Don't let that stop you from enjoying the incredible flavors and friendliness here! -Shoulda mentioned the nice service earlier! read more

Tucked away on Washington Avenue is Mamoun's Falafel, a real find for authentic Mediterranean cuisine in central Albany. I ordered the combination platter and a Turkish coffee to go. The platter was amazing - a large heaping of hummus, smooth and creamy with lots of lemony freshness and a real pitted olive and carrot stick dropped in for contrast, side-by-side with a smokey baba ghanouj, both easily dipped with the warm pita wrapped in foil. There were two balls of felafel and two grape leaves sitting on top of a large, fresh salad. The felafel was crispy but not dry, with plenty of flavor. The grape leaves were the perfect size to pop into your mouth with a nice balance of flavor and texture from the rice, leaves and olive oil. The salad was bright, fresh, and crunchy. It seemed like enough for two people, but I ate the whole thing easily. Drinking Turkish coffee from a paper cup is like drinking wine from a shoe, but it was still worth it. Dark, hot, and bitter, with all manner of tiny grinds resting at the bottom of the cup, Mamoun's Turkish coffee hit the spot and was a perfect counter-punch to the combination platter. If you have a craving for Mediterranean, Mamoun's is the perfect lunch. I will definitely be visiting Mamoun's again, and you should too! Next time, that baklava under glass has my name on it... read more

See all

OMG! Last week I had a chicken falafel & grape leaves and a mint lemonade ! Chefs kiss! Food tasted fresh & made with love. I ordered for pick up & it was hot & ready ! Staff were kind & friendly. 10 out of 10 highly recommend. FYI- They are not open for dine in, take out only. read more

Delicious home made hummus and pita! I'm sad that they don't have dine-in as an option but the quality makes takeout worth it!

Always delicious and well prepared!! BEST falafel on pita sandwiches EVER! Wish Mamouns would return to in-house dining again. Nonetheless, we are grateful for their beautiful take-away fare--thank you so much!! Especially love the graciousness of the restaurant's owner read more

Mamoun's Falafel is always great, but I've never done takeout from there before. We're in the middle of a pandemic. I had a falafel craving. So I was happy to find out that the eatery is open daily for takeout business! The restaurant is clean, charming, romantic and dimly lit. I called my order in ahead of time. I was met by my server who was wearing a mask. I also had one on. The service was prompt and friendly. My falafel got a little bit soggy on the 10-minute ride home, but I love a good falafel and this one was delightful. It was packed well, so for the first time ever, none of the contents fell out of the pita ! I also got a Turkish coffee-to-go and the Baba Ghanoug (eggplant) appetizer, which I will save for tomorrow. I'm glad to do takeout. I got so tired of cooking my own meals. I can't wait until the self-isolation order is lifted. Then, I can bring a friend with me to Mamoun's for lunch or dinner! In the meantime, I'll keep doing takeout! Thanks, Mamoun's Falafel! read more

See all

Really wish it was dine-in, but the food is AMAZING. The hummus, pita, and chicken kebabs were delish.

Still adore the food! So sad it is now a takeout only restaurant. The owner is incredibly kind. It's an Albany must have!

I used to go to Mamoun's every weekend for a falafel sandwich back in the 90's when I would be across the street at the QE2 for a hardcore show. I miss this place and it's not like it's far from me so I decided I need to get back there ASAP! I love their food. It took me right back to the 90's. The falafel sandwich tasted exactly the same and that is amazing. Most places end up opting for cheaper options and cut corners but the food here is so fresh and has not changed at all. The bonus is the building and the atmosphere. It's beautiful inside. The service is great too. Everyone is always so friendly. If you like Mediterranean food, you're going to LOVE Mamoun's. read more

I went early on a Wednesday for lunch and was the only one there. I got takeout and my salad with falafel was really tasty. When I got to eat it the falafel were still warm and the dressing was cold. There was enough lettuce and vegetables in the salad so I was full. The cardamom iced tea was pretty great as well although I added some almond milk which rounded it out quite nicely. I would return for dinner because the service was quick, the portions were large enough and I was happy. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Dessert - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

Amazing restaurant in the state capital. I was road tripping to upstate New York and made a stop in Albany to see the city. Saw that Mamoun's was highly rated so went to check it out. Because of COVID, they were take out only so we called in advanced. The co-owner ended up serving us, and he was incredibly kind and helpful. He allowed us to eating inside because it was so hot, and the food was amazing. The falafel and hommas were standout, and the Sultani was packed with flavor. The roasted vegetables were cooked perfectly. The salads were also good with a great dressing. Highly recommend for anyone in the area to get some incredible food and support a local business. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Falafel appetizer on top (minus one ball), lamb salad on bottom - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

I got jailed because of my repeated bad behaviour too. Yelling profanity, exposing my bottom, and such. Well it wasn't the profanity that landed me in a cell. It was "my moons." It was worth it. What to get: Shawarma & Falafel combo pita, with all the extras added, and you must get it with a mint lemonade. Why: Because you and the lemonade will fall in love. It's mint to be. Are you sure: Yes. I'd falafel about it if you didn't. What about when it's cold outside: This food shawarma you up pretty quickly. The best Pita place in the NYC area (now that Hummus World is closed down), and the best in NJ, is also the best pita place in Albany. Their shawarma sandwiches with falafel inside them are amazing, especially if you ask them to add all the extras to the sandwich. It becomes a smorgasbord of heaven inside a perfect puffy pillowy pita. It's unmissable. If you're in Albany, and have never tried the ones on MacDougal St in Manhattan or in Hoboken, then you are in luck. There's a less thrilling one in Brunswick, NJ too. Also get their Mint Lemonade, or any of their fancy delicious drinks really. So so good. The Mint Lemonade is heaven, it wins the drink war. Lots of other good ones, though. And then there are some great desserts related to Baklava and Custard. So good that I actually make my own custard at the thought of eating them. Did I mention that it's cheaper than most Middle Eastern places? Twice as good as the vast majority, and twice as cheap as most of them too. How could it not be 5 stars? I actually moan when I'm eating it. If you pass by the restaurant, and I'm eating a pita inside, you will hear "Mymoans." read more

Mamoun's Falafel - You've seen my sun, wanna see ma moon? - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

If your looking for some authentic falafels sandwiches & hummus. Than the famous Mamouns is where you want to go. Very very fresh food. The staff is polite. read more

I now think of Mamoun's much like Miss Albany Diner. Come for the architecture, and stay for the food. Mamoun's is housed in a beautiful, warm, old and elegant room. It *was* indeed empty for dinner, except for one other table. And the whole time I was there, I kept repeating to myself, "I can't believe I get to eat in this room for buying a $5 falafel." That said, for all the talk about the falafel, it was good, but not great. Served in pita (I prefer lavash) which does a poor job evenly distributing the veggies, sauce and chickpea patties. The patties were warm (which is a requirement, not a bonus, in my book). Same for the hummus. Good, not great. Fried pita chips are a treat, if a bit heavy. But I'll be back to try the eggplant. Overall - 3* food, plus 1* bonus for exceptional ambiance (the service is as warm as the atmosphere). read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Dark and lovely. - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

We came up from Brooklyn on a 97'F day and luckily found this gem for lunch. Falafel (perfect) and shish kabob (juicy, tender) and so flavorful. I wish we had this in Brooklyn honestly, worth the trip up just for this. Good portion. Homemade pita chips to dip in amazing hummus. The owner was also very nice. A++ read more

The falafel was perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection; the hummus was also very good. I'm going to order a side of the pickled carrots as they were very tasty. I went to a different and am sad that I did. I'll be coming back here for tasty falafel. read more

First time ordering, I got the Combination Vegetarian Plate for $11. Well worth it! Included were the best stuffed grape leaves I've ever had, falafel, baba ganoush, hummus, salad, and a generous portion of warm pita bread. They're take-out only at this time. Everything was wonderful. Tasty and freshly made. I'm definitely going back for more. Maybe the eggplant pita next time... If you're vegan (like me), or vegetarian, there is much to order on the menu. read more

Such a fresh and great experience. I instantly have become starving just thinking about. We ordered all vegetarian options because there was so many great options not because we had to. We ordered the tabouli which was so fresh and full of zest. Our server, possibly the cook and or possible the owner of the restaurant was very proud of every player presented to us as he should be. Every plate was ascetically pleasing. Drinks we ordered were cardamom tea and mango iced tea. Both are recommended especially if you're in the mood for a nice cool creamy mango iced tea. Our filling entree's were so delicious. So much thought and care was put into the recipe and structure that you can taste it in every bite. I feel like this is a restaurant that truly wouldn't sell a product that wasn't great and didn't live or to the high standards of the owner. I ordered the combination plate with the baba ghanouj on the side because I am allergic to eggplant. ( I gave it to my date who enjoyed the eggplant falafel sandwich platter) my date could not get over the pita fries. She was floored!! She loved them! I'll just go ahead and say that I am a vinegar lover and that this entire meal hits all the vinegar notes in all of the ways. The dressing for the salad. The stuffed grape leaves. Then the hummus to balance it all out. This was out fourth time trying to eat here and we finally were able to!! We will return so soon to say yum! After every bite. I can't wait p.S don't think I left without taking some bak lava home. Of course it was delicious. read more

It's been years since I've gone to Mam loloun's. There's limited parking, it's not cheap, and it's a bit of a hike from where we live. It also takes too long to fit into a half hour lunch. I was looking to get lunch delivered for a coworker and I, and was happy to see that we could get it delivered via GrubHub. We got the kabobs ($18 each), and split the vegetarian mixed plate as an appetizer ($12). There was a $4 fee plus tax and we did a 15% tip. The total came out to $65. Certainly not a cheap lunch, but the lamb was warm, flavorful, and melted in my mouth. The falafel had a nice texture/flavor, the hummus was creamy, the grape leaves were delicious. I'd definitely do it again if someone is offering to pick up the tab. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - They deliver via GrubHub! - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

We ordered lunch for 10-12 people from Mamouns. I ordered the day before so they are prepared. Everything was ready at the pick up time of noon, food was packed well with adequate silverware, napkins etc., no mistakes were made with any of the orders, all containers were labeled and we all loved the food and it was plentiful! When in pandemic, people seek excuses for sub par food and service, this primarily one man show is running pretty impressively. read more

The food is amazing, the service is incredible and it has a unique, calm ambiance. This is definitely a great place to eat and all the food is halal! Amazing owner, we needed catering last minute and he was able to accommodate us and we received nothing but great remarks from all of our guests. One of Albany's gems. read more

I thought that I wanted some falafel for lunch, but it turns out what I really wanted was Mamoun's baklava. The falafel sandwich I just scarfed down in under 5 minutes will probably go on my 'top 5 best falafels I've ever had' list. The falafel was soft yet contained some crunch and the seasoning was definitely present (I don't find that often in Albany). The sandwich overall was excellent, the veggies added a great fresh crunch and the tahini sauce added just the right amount of juicy tanginess. But, what really knocked my nonexistent socks off was the baklava! Even after delivery, it was warm and gooey, and I want 5, or 10, or 20 more pieces. It was filled with just the right amount of nuts, and the honey was pure deliciousness. If you decide to order from or go to Mamoun's you HAVE to leave room for this little triangle of baklava heaven. Also, delivery was super fast! Even with the delivery driver getting a bit lost my food arrived well before the estimated delivery time. After such a great delivery experience, I am itching to dine in as I've read that the building that houses the restaurant is quite impressive! read more

I moved to Albany at the end of 2018. One of the most exciting things about the city to me was the food and being able to try new local restaurants. I used grubhub a lot at first, as ai work a ton of hours and rarely want to go out. I've ordered everywhere for three years now and the chicken and rice from here is still my favorite dish in Albany. I treat myself to it at least once every few months, it's amazingly good and unique. One day i will visit the restaurant and sit down for the meal! read more

The owner is incredible and makes most of the food! Authentic Mediterranean food and a very cute spot!

This is a go-to for Pandemic take-out when I visit Albany. Falafel sandwiches are fresh and soft, and I highly recommend the hummus. Tabouli is great for those of us who like that sharp bite of parsley and lemon. Meat dishes are always cooked to perfection. The staff are friendly and polite, and I'm happy they are so close. read more

This place is making best Mediterranean food at capital region, restaurant atmosphere dark, I think they should make a fresh atmosphere but food is really good. read more

Great food in a beautiful restaurant with friendly service, it is no wonder Mamoun's is an Albany institution. I had the falafel balls which I thought were excellent and the Mujadra lamb, with rice and lentils. Really good. The lamb had great flavor and some light char, and the rice and lentil was light and flavorful. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Mujadra lamb - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Mamoun's was a lunch staple for me when I was in walking distance. Food is excellent and fresh. Best falafel around. Great place for lunch or dinner! read more

Delicious chicken falafel pita sandwich! Can't wait to go back when I visit town again.

I pretty much agree with the other reviews on this page ... the food gets the job done, the room is really cool looking & has a certain je ne sais quoi, the place was not crowded & the music is truly shitty. i think there was only one other table seated ... and this was on a friday night at 7:30 ... might have something to do with the fact they don't serve alcohol not sure what's up with the lack of patronage; mamoun's is well worth a visit read more

Mamoun's Falafel - signage - Falafel Near Me - Albany, New York

See all

Food is always excellent. Best Falafal in town. Don't get offended by the unfriendly owner. I don't think he will ever change. I am always worried that one day he is going to tell me that "No Falafal for you!!". But he is a nice guy. My favorite items are Falafal, Bulger, Chicken Falafal platter , Pita chips with hummus. read more

Great, authentic food offered by a family that's been cooking it for generations. Incredibly friendly, even on a busy Friday. Comfortable setting. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

We have ordered takeout twice. Both times the food was done promptly. The order was accurate. Everything was delicious. The proprietor was courteous and kind. We would recommend this restaurant without hesitation. read more

First review, though I've come here many times over the years. The food is reliably very, very good. Not too spicy for me and my tummy. The selection is varied, vegetarian & meat options, but no alcohol. I had the lamb kabob on a plate with 2 each: grape leaves, felafel, some hummus, baba ganoushe, & salad. Accompanying pita slices were warm and fresh. Dessert was almond baklava, which II'd never had before! It was very good- better than pistachio baklava, but below walnut. Very few decaf beverages- no decaf coffee unfortunately, as I wanted to try their Turkish coffee but didn't want to be up all night. Noise: very quiet to quiet, depending on how many diners and how the music is adjusted. The very pleasant owner would probably adjust it, if it was a problem for you. This is an iconic Albany restaurant. Don't miss it! read more

I've been a customer of Mamoun's for the past 5 years indulging on their sandwiches and platters throughout the east cost (stores at Nj and at NYC) and the quality is just as good. This place more specifically looks more cozy at the inside and is run by one of the family members of Mamoun himself. Therefore expect welcoming and warm atmosphere that can be good for students, professionals, dates or just group of friends hanging out! Enjoy the background Arabic music. I've tired the falafel sandwich, the hummus, chicken shawarma and the sultani. My suggestion is stay simple and don't order the fancy, pricy sultani that the quality is above average but I had better in other places, just an opinion, either way the meat was tender, rice was soft and spiced well, grilled onion and tomatoes was delicate and generous. I also tried the desert menu that is all made in the house and it is deliciousness beyond description. I've never dined in this store but I think it will be good due to the attending staff members. I hope to dine in here to try their juices (hoping they do). read more

Stopped in for a Saturday lunch. All three of us really liked our meals. I had a chicken skewer and order of rice. Excellent. My partner had a pita sandwich with eggplant. Good enough that she wants to go back. Good service and excellent value. My two main reasons for going were convenience and the business's support for WAMC radio. Will definitely go back if we are in Albany. read more

This family owned establishment is over 30 years old. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. I cannot add any more accolades than those that have already been provided. The operator is a one-man show. He takes orders, cooks and does everything else. It's never crowded in there, so don't worry about service. It's nice just to stop in to order just a Turkish coffee and baklava. The location is drawback, if for no other reason than the traffic congestion. Don't be put off by the appearance of the place -- think of it as "authentic." The place is clean. p.s. -- he neither serves alcoholic beverages nor does he permit patrons to bring alcohol into his restaurant. read more

I ordered a variety of dishes. All were amazing but the lamb kabobs were definitely a standout as well as their pilaf. Fantastic foods!