Classic for a reason. I've been coming here since high school and now I'm... (decades older). But it's still a little storefront with a few inside tables. The service is still quick and friendly even though I no longer see the original to me owners. The falafel sandwich is loaded and the falafel balls are still crisp on the outside, warm, and herby on the inside. Perfect. Solid meal for a reasonable price. read more

Opened in 1971 by Syrian immigrant Mamoun Chater, the flagship Greenwich Village location on MacDougal Street is the oldest falafel shop in New York City. Operating out of a tiny, fast-moving storefront, Mamoun's is a legendary staple of Village food culture, known for serving affordable Middle Eastern classics late into the night. Using their exact menu terminology, here is how the food breaks down: Shawarma Sandwich: Thinly sliced 100% lamb cooked slowly on a vertical spit with signature spices, stuffed into a warm pita pocket with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and smooth tahineh sauce. The Manhattan: One of their loaded signature sandwiches featuring deep-fried falafel, creamy hummus, smoky baba ganouj, and fresh tabbouleh, all packed into a pita with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, pickled turnips, olives, and tahineh. Famous Hot Sauce: Made in-house from imported hot pepper spices, this signature crimson sauce is famously potent--just a few drops add a massive kick of heat to any sandwich or plate. Lines often stretch down MacDougal, but the team works with speed to get sandwiches out in seconds. A timeless NYC destination for quick, authentic Middle Eastern food. read more

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Ughh what happened to Mamoun's?!?! I haven't been here in years but I remember this place being my fave place for falafel sandwiches! This was a Must Go-To while in Greenwich Village. They've been around for decades, and were renowned for their falafel sandwiches. Fast forward to 2026, and sadly, the Mamoun's I used to love no longer exists. Same location but now terrible falafels! Just awful!! My Falafel sandwich was made with what seemed like a hard supermarket pita pocket, loaded with a ridiculous amount of iceburge lettuce, with 3 half falafel balls which I could barely see or taste. It only cost $6.50 but you're basically paying for a lettuce pita sandwich! I wish I had remembered to take a photo to show you all, but I was so distracted & disturbed by my lettuce sandwich, that I forgot! What a disappointment. read more

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Amazing, I've had falafel all over. How they manage to get the exterior crunchy yet the inside moist is beyond my comprehension. The east village sandwich was delicious and at $7-8 is unbelievable with today's economic situation read more

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Shop is a bit run down, which is fine. Seating is very limited, probably about 8 chairs in total. Got a couple pitas -- they do NOT have fries so that review prior is wrong. Pitas were fine. Not too flavorful imo. Just drunk food. read more

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Wonderful counter spot with fresh, well seasoned, delicious Mediterranean food! I got the vegetarian plate with hummus, baba, and falafel + rice and salad. Generous portions at a great price point. Everything was excellent! read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Veggie Combo Plate w/ hummus, falafel, and baba + rice and salad. LEGIT. - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

All my falafel were so burnt they were just black :[ What a disappointment. I came here to get just a side of them (5 pieces I think) and all were the same, barely edible and pretty dry. If you smelled the insides, there was definitely seasonings. I think there was potential there, and that makes it worse. read more

We were stuffed and somehow still finished a traditional sandwich. The price went up to $6 since we were here last 15 years ago and it's still a steal, with the best falafel flavor/ texture to date (includes California and NYC and other areas). read more

Cheap cheap cheap and pretty good. Very fast. Easy access to Washington square park and the west village

Outstanding falafel, shawarma and hummus, convenient to grab and go. Very fresh! Watch out for the hot sauce a It's legit. read more

WOW!!! What a find! Small, Little Hole In The Wall! Food was good! Filled with lots of flavors and very satisfying to the palate... Pita and Hummus (Medium Size) was delicious! The portions are big and fed 3 adults with lots to take home Falafel and Shawarma sandwiches filling... make sure you have lots of napkins This is definitely one place I would recommend Order at counter ~Self Service, there are no waiters... Limited seating read more

I passed by this place because I was craving some quick bites. There was a long line but it was worth it. There's some seats like two table but a lot of people grab and go Sometimes they don't mention what the meat is so I would clarify before you buy! Definitely get the hot sauce read more

Fantastic way to start off a food tour! Really enjoyed this falafel (with their fava beans) and all the history of the shop. The tahini was delicious and the falafel was moist and flavorful. Love the little seating area outside - but be prepared it might be a messy eat! We got the 3rd order of the day, so I can attest it's really good at any time of day (or night)! read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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One of the best meals I had in NYC AND it was the cheapest! Mind blown! Thank you yelp & google for steering me to Mamoun's! Just a tiny hole in the wall falafel place near NYU with tons of veggies options. I opted for a plate & my husband got a sandwich and we both crushed our lunches! So fresh, tasty, authentic, and wholesome. And I can't believe all this food totaled to $17! (FYI they are cash only) 1000% recommend esp if you are vegetarian read more

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We got the falafel sandwich and it was very flavorful but quite small for the $10 price! The service was fast and good! It is a small shop with outdoor seating, which is nice! read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

How have I never reviewed Mamouns? I've been coming here for almost 20 years. The falafel sandwich and lamb shawarma are both still absolutely fantastic, though both are about 3x more expensive than they were 20 years ago when you could get a lamb sandwich for almost the price of subway fare, c'est la vie. For heat lovers, their hot sauce is fantastic both in heat and flavor - use it liberally to set your mouth on fire, and then buy a bottle to go. It's a tiny place with almost no seating inside, but since the pandemic getting seating there has been *much* easier with the outside seating. Worst case scenario, get it to go and walk just 1 block to washington square park (where there's a public bathroom with water fountains if needed). They're always super fast, even when the line is long. This is a classic can't-skip if you're in the village. read more

This review is long overdue as I've been coming to Mamouns for nearly 20 years. They've since opened one up in Hoboken and I would go to that one during the time I lived in Jersey City. But this review is for the Greenwich Village location. For starters, Mamouns is a tiny spot with few tables and a bench so there isn't much in terms of atmosphere (except for all the plaques reminding you good the food is). The service, however, is awesome and the food even better. A lamb shawarma sandwich hits every. single. time. I mean, every time. If I have any complaint at all, it's that you can't stir up the ingredients inside the sandwich but it's just fantastic regardless and a true staple of NYC. read more

We recently had Mamoun's Falafel catered in our friends home and everything was absolutely delicious. The lamb was tender and perfectly shredded, full of flavor in every bite. The falafels were a standout -- crunchy on the outside, perfectly fried, and soft on the inside. Everyone loved the spread, and the quality was consistently excellent. read more

Go to any other halal cart. Nothing special here. $12 for a sandwich. Good chicken. Yummy messy sauce. But I think I've had better quality at some halal carts throughout the city. Also they only accept cash. read more

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We order lunch from here whenever we're in the mood for Mediterranean food. The food is usually consistent and delicious, and the portions are good. We especially enjoy the shawarma when it's fresh and tender. However, the last few times, the meat has been a bit dry, which was disappointing. Overall, still a reliable spot for a tasty meal, but consistency can vary. read more

I finally tried the famous Mamouns original shop in Greenwich Village. I ordered hummus, babaganoush, falafels (all this came with side of pita). Everything was fresh and tasty. I also ordered a bowl of soup and rice, which was my favorite part of the meal. Lentil soup was delicious. Highly recommend Mamouns Falafel. read more

Fantastic place. A bit of outdoor seating in a nice neighborhood. Fine service and very friendly and helpful explaining what things were. Remarkably fast! Worth the stop and would go back. Good value too. read more

What if the best falafel (the actual ball of fried beans) you've ever tasted was served in a very flimsy pita and topped with iceberg lettuce? The famous icerberg lettuce that is 98% water and tastes like nothing? Yes that one. Mamoun's has you iceberg lettuce enthusiasts covered (sometimes literally on your shirt because this pita couldn't a single bird's feather without crumbling) . I'm not sure what you can serve in these pitas that won't instantly have it fall apart. You basically have to eat this falafel sandwich on a plate like a salad if you don't want its contents spilling on your new Temu fit. There's office printer paper that can hold the ingredients of this sandwich together better than Mamoun's choice of pita. You can read this review either as a complaint or as an appeal to honor the town's best-tasting falafel with a worthy pita and lettuce. The kind of pita you can fill with soup and it won't fall apart after three minutes. It deserves a lettuce that household ants wouldn't hand back to you in annoyance and irritation. Will I return for a falafel? Yes. Will i have a heftier pita in my backpack to replace theirs? Also yes. read more

Undisputed world champion of New York City Street. falafel. Protect this business at all costs. Keep this business open. Go there give them your money order a falafel sandwich and lentil soup. Stand in front, and eat your food off of a trash can this is absolutely all that is great about New York City and cheap eats. read more

Been going here for years and have not been in a while. I ordered delivery of the new hummus platter, and separate orders of hummus, tahini, hot sauce and stuffer grape leaves. The newly offered hummus platter was pretty good. The hot sauce side was not the hot sauce I know of Mamoun's which has a thick texture - what was delivered was runny like water and looked to have been watered down. That's so sad. If you want the hot sauce, consider just buying a bottle because it seems like they are altering the product that's a paid side. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Runny hot sauce from Mamoun's, different than their normal hot sauce - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

Falafel was very spiced up (parsley, cumin...), crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Shawarma Plate - some pieces were chewy, not gamey, pretty good. Compare to Halal Food (feel like it's the right comparison but also unsure) the portion was much smaller with double+ the price. read more

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Pretty solid falafel, cash only. The falafel is the best thing here with the sauce. It's more of a takeout place.

Omg!! One of the best things I've ever eaten. Falafel!!! Who knew. I added the spicy sauce- and it was spicy!! But in all the good ways. I wish my stomach was bigger because I wanted to keep eating more. You order quick and wait for your food to come. If there's a line- wait!! You will not be disappointed. Mamoun's - please open a place in NC???!! Pretty please. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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Mamouns Falafel is one of the best Middle Eastern Restaurants in NYC. They are known for some of the best Falafels! They are family-owned and have been around since 1971. They have a lot of locations but the original one and where I went is at MacDougal St. My girlfriend and I shared a lot of food! Grape Leaves Shawarma Plate Baba Ganoush Falafel Plate Everything was exceptional and so authentic. Just for your information, it is cash only. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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I really love this place and the staff at the front are always kind and welcoming, but I want to address something that has happened repeatedly, especially during the mornings. Several of the men working in the kitchen have given me, my friends, and other girls I know uncomfortable and inappropriate looks on multiple occasions. It has made us feel uneasy enough that I've started trying to avoid coming here, which is disappointing because I genuinely enjoy this restaurant otherwise. read more

First and foremost, wanted to thank my wife when planning our trip, as this was our first stop, which allowed me to push other places out of the way later, to go back again! When you're walking up to the place, you might easily miss it, because they've done well to stay hidden , as it literally is a hole in the wall, (which is a shame in my opinion). My wife and I walked in, looked at the wall (with options) which had me promptly ask the man at the front (possibly one of the owner's) what we should get (my wife wanted a falafel, and I wanted a shawarma). My wife got the West Village (their best falafel) and I got the West Fourth ( their best shawarma). The food was absolutely perfectly made (and if I may say so myself, addictive). All the men I saw did go back to get more food, so, full disclosure there. My only negative feedback is there isn't enough seating, and for this food, you want to eat it fresh! But, you'll do what you have to do. Also, remember, it's cash only (so be prepared). read more

I'm from CT and lived 10 years in NYC and I so enjoyed trips to Mamouns in New Haven and indulging in the late night village falafel! I have since lived in Austin for almost a decade. My mom sent a gift basket and I just had to come on here and say everything was delicious but the hummus and tahini sauce (mixed together!) blew my mind. So so creamy and tasty! read more

Shawarma sandwich is flavorful and decent amount. My bf brought me here and said this is a good authentic place. Nothing fancy yet food are yummy. It is a grab and go place but there are small tables in the restaurant so you could sit and eat. Service is prompt and efficient. Definitely recommend to give it a try when you are in the area. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

Love the falafel plate! I'm still shocked that's it's only $10! The taste is perfect! The falafel is crispy on the outside . It's not dry at all! Served with a warm pita read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Falafel plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

the food is admittedly great... purchased online, fast delivery and accurate order. but saddened to learn that stores filled with palestine propaganda, The Syrian father who started this is in greenwich village was a promoter of Jew-Muslims-Christians eating together in peace. too bad the sons seem to have taken it in another direction. All people should be comfortable there, read more

WHY IS THIS SO PERFECT?! We popped in to get falafel - with their famous tahini and spicy sauce, and I'm so glad we did. The falafel was absolutely delicious! The balls are nicely seasoned, they pack a ton of flavor, and they are perfectly cooked. Pairing them with their recommended sauces just launched them into a special level of deliciousness. The shop is small, so go with only a few friends, but the staff is friendly and will gladly pack these bad boys up for you to take away. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

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Overpriced and terrible food. So much sauce on falafel didn't taste anything. Fries were so small and tasted terrible read more

Still as good as I can remember from when I lived in NYC eight years ago. Portions are great and everything is delicious. I got the falafel combo bowl and it was amazing and filling. Hummus is amazing. Wish we had one in DC but I'll just have to come back. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

Came on a Saturday night around 7pm and the place was packed. There are only 2 tables inside this small hole in the wall restaurant so it's definitely more of a grab and go kind of place. The line was long but man are they fast! Those orders were coming out before the next person ordered! The hot sauce is HOT. And it's CASH ONLY, which, I didn't see a sign anywhere stating that, and a lot of people stood in line only to get to the front and find out it's cash only, so I would recommend putting a "cash only" sign on the menu. read more

Mamoun's Falafel - Shaloma - Middle Eastern Near Me - New York, New York

There was a lot of hype behind this and I'd say for the most part it met it. I can't comment on the wraps, but at least for the plates, my biggest issue was just that the proportion of salad was too much. Otherwise, the rice was fine, and the falafel was actually quite good. Reasonably good value too I'd say, with wraps around $6-9, and plates $11-17 or so. read more

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