I am convinced falafel is the food of Israeli gods. This place only supports that thought,-falafel that is yummy and fresh, as fresh as fried chickpeas can seem anyway. And by the way, who the fuck cares that it's a 2 foot by two foot little shack? There's a park about ten feet away. Park your ass there and eat. read more

A dark and stormy new york lunchtime. Me, in search of the Wired Store. Oh no, it is closed! The agony! What could save this lunch time outing? What is this, rainbow in the dark rain? The smells coming from the small door, the click clack of metal on metal, the monks of falafel's light shining over trays of lettuce, tomato and hummus, they call to me. They beckon me to join them, standing at a small counter, huddled and shivering, hoping for a tasty bite. And it is tasty, and it is good. The walk back to the office in the rain seems a flicker with hidden rainbows. HAZAH! Possibly the best falafel sandwhich I've ever had. read more

Guys, The chicken shawarma is some of the best I've ever had. Their produce, specifically the tomatoes they put on their pitas, are always fresh. And I don't know what their hot sauce is -- it's super unusual -- but I have regular cravings for it. The pita is fine, but I'm weird and usually just eat everything INSIDE the pita and toss the pita, anyways. It's also the best deal in this part of town. You should remember, however, it's cash only and there's no ATM inside! read more

I had a chicken shawarma. If you choose that, you're are going to eat a cold pita sandwich with "normal" pieces of chicken inside. They usually add lettuce and tomato with oignons and hot sauce. It is not a real shawarma chicken made on the machine that grilled the chicken. It is not made as the Turkish way, or the Greek way unfortunately.... It is just regular white piece of chicken with salad in a pita... It is cold... A big deception ! read more

I needed something to take to the park and this place seemed to fit the bill. I got the shawafel sandwich. Everything was good- the pita, the seasonings, the hot sauce, and the falafel was excellent. So why only 2 stars? The chicken shawarma was TERRIBLE! Big hunks of very dry chicken. Kind of overshadowed the rest. I'd recommend the place for a falafel sandwich but steer clear of the chicken shawarma. read more

I don't know if it is the best falafel in Manhattan. All I know is that after years of working in that area and then changing jobs, I have never found a decent falafel place elsewhere. The other day I found myself in Union Square. Hungry. 11:55am. I knew that if I hurried I could get to Rainbow Falafel before the lunch rush. I hadn't been in about a year or so, but was comforted to see that nothing has changed. The same polite couple stuck in that tiny closet together making falafel all day. Man, that must be love. Oh, the falafel? Perfect. Not dry but not overly mushy and moist. Slight crunch on the outside. BTW, I do the platter as it seems to be a better deal (and I get it with hummus). read more

Good home style falafel in an inexpensive hole in the wall in crowded Union Square. Falafel and hot sauce were delicious and clearly home made, but there were a few pretty weak parts and missing pieces. First, the whole thing was almost soupy and the abundance of sauce and the hummus on the bottom. Could definitely have benefited from some rice on the falafel platter. Second, the pita served with the platter was weak. In a plastic bag, cold, and not fresh whatsoever. Overall, good falafel, but it didn't taste healthy or refreshing because of the missing links. read more

Probably one of the best hummus I've tasted thus far. I think they put a bucket of cream cheese in that thing, aside from thy regular chickpea and tahini sauce. Or maybe I just like it when hummus tastes like cheese. I asked for a hummus sandwich, which was 4.75. Its so so. I wish it could be cheaper. For some reason the falafel is cheaper at 4.50. I might come back to try. its a pretty drippy eat. However the hummus tasted amazing. I wish they kind of added more veggies but it was already stuffed with hummus. They were pretty quick at assembling though. almost a 1:1 ratio of hummus and veggies. kinda wished there were more veggies. read more

I had high hopes for Rainbow. I read about it in Time Out NY's cheap eats issue and figured it was going to rule. I was really disappointed when my falafel sandwich was cold. The falafel wasn't even lukewarm. Based on everyone else's reviews, I'm guessing that was an isolated instance, but still WTF. Who am I kidding, it was really cheap, so inevitably I'll be back for more. read more

This place is a New York City gem. One of the best falafel sandwiches, and the extra hot sauce they make is phenomenal. I highly recommend you give this place a shot. Plus, the owners of this spot are some of the most special people I have ever encountered. I love this spot! 5 stars all around. read more

For under $5, I got a pretty good sized falafale. This place is definitely a hole in the wall but this is where you get the good stuff. Definitely is a no frills kind of place. I'll definitely go back to try some of their other menu items. read more

This is some good falafel! Served in an unassuming setting, the falafel here is super fresh and delicious. They have a great deal on falafel sandwiches for $8, which come with everything on them. Would be nice if they had seating and took credit cards, but not a huge deal since it's mostly a lunch spot. Recommend getting all the sauces they offer, as they're all super tasty. read more

Simply the best falafel in the city. Be sure to add the hummus. The friendly, pleasant staff seem to be a family, probably the owners. Easy to miss! It's basically in a small archway on a side street off Union Square. read more

The BEST falafel pita I've had in NY. Right around the corner from work, less than $5 and so tasty and filling. The falafel has the perfect amount of spice and the best thing, it tastes so so authentic. It's a hole in the wall but they have a variety of take away dishes. I tried the chicken shawarma here and it was ok, but the falafel is great! One thing though, it gets messy so make sure you grab a whole load of tissues or a fork as there's a lot of tahini in there. read more

Cheap, fast, convenient, flavorful. Can't ask for more out of this tiny falafel shop that's smaller than some closets in Park Avenue apartments. Recommend read more

Heads up, this place is cash only. This little space, and I do mean little, is a nice change of pace from the Flatiron lunch chains. There's a small counter to stand and eat, but this is definitely a to-go spot. There was no line at 12:30, and the falafel plate proved an interesting choice - $8.50+tax for five balls, hummus, pita, and an iceberg salad. While the falafel was fresh and flavorful, the salad was lackluster, and the pita came room temp in its original Orowheat bag. Skip the plate and just order the sandwich to enjoy the tasty falafel! read more

Just had the chicken shawarma tonight and it was really awful. The chicken was incredibly dry and the worst part was that there was a hair in my food. The price wasn't great either, I paid $7 for a sandwich and can of soda. I joined yelp specifically to write this review so it was a pretty strong bad experience. Probably should have read reviews before I went since many people had similar experiences with the chicken shawarma. it looks like the falafel is much better. read more

aw man - I really wanted to like this place and have been holding off on trying it for a while because i saw a review on Yelp where someone had a hair in their food. Just got the hummus plate and guess what i found. UGH. read more

Hole-In-The-Wall FAB!!! I like getting a large slice of their SPINACH PIE and ripping off some of the layers of Filo Dough so it's less "carb-y", tastes GREAT! Also, their LENTIL SOUP...deliciously spicy and warming, sooo good for you too. The BEST part? The family who quietly run this place...I adore their kindness! Only open M-F til 6:00PM. read more

There are only pro's here. Typically I do not buy any form of Middle Eastern food because I have been spoiled my entire life with a Palestinian mother who works wonders in the kitchen. Including Falafel. So I hold a very high standard to most Arabic foods. That being said. This place hit the spot for me. $4.50 for a sandwich which includes all the fixings...can't beat it...at least not the other places I been in the Flat Iron. There is always a line but it moves so fast...they are always frying fresh Falafel and all the other ingredients are fresh as well. With that, from the time you order to the time you walk out the door is literally no more than 90 seconds. Fast, Fresh, Tasty. Oh yeh and the people are friendly. I am there about 3 times a week for lunch. read more

This place is a true New York gem. I've been going there since 2001 and the quality has been excellent and consistent. Their falafel sandwich is the best, the BEST IMO. Ditto with the hummus and zatar bread. yes, its cash only - I don't see that as a big problem, their price increase over the last 18 years have been super conservative - this is a family run business and they take pride in their work. The ingredients are fresh, and the taste is unbeatable. read more

BEST FALAFEL, BEST CHICKEN FALAFEL This is a true mom & pop business. It's a hole in the wall place (literally) and family run. Mother, Father, Son. The falafel's are the best I've ever had. read more

Worst falafel sandwich I've had in a long time. Cold and greasy falafel. Brown lettuce. The sandwich was dripping liquid. I threw it away after a few bites. read more

This place serves the kind of falafel I can really get behind, you know? One of the major pitfalls of vegetarian dining is the preponderance of bland menu items one has to choose from. It's almost like there's some sanctified credo somewhere that mandates a total lack of delectability in the absence of flesh products. However, if there is such a tract somewhere, consider Rainbow Falafel utterly remiss in its adherence to that tasteless regime! Because these people serve up some of the most delicious falafel I've ever had. It's got a bevy of interesting flavor, and sundry ordering options to keeps things new, keeps things fresh. Variety being the spice of food, after all. I'm currently involved with their "2 Item Vegetarian" (not the cleverest of naming schemas), in which I get falafel and tabouli salad, with hot sauce, minus onions. And when I say "involved", I mean romantically, in that new-relationship kind of way, where I spend my time away from the 2 Item Vegetarian thinking about the 2 Item Vegetarian, and my time with the 2 Item Vegetarian putting my mouth all over the 2 Item Vegetarian. Being still new to the city, I haven't really scouted around for other falafel joints. But if my trips to Rainbow keep satisfying me so comprehensively, I'm going to be hard-pressed to find a reason to go anywhere else. Addendum: you can also by cigarettes here, which I find very strange. read more

This place is great! Stellar stuffed grape leaves! Really great falafel! Very reasonable prices and super kind people! (just don't get the chicken shawarma - very dry) Otherwise really great! read more

Best falafel and nicest owners! The only falafel that can even begin to compete in the city is Mamouns, and I'd pick Rainbow anytime. Also, their lentil soup is really, really good. My thoughts eating at falafel places all over Cairo: Meh, not as good as Rainbow. read more

Wow, talk about underwhelming falafel sandwiches. Yes, they're cheap but it's mostly filled with cabbage and tomatoes. There was barely any falafel balls in my pita sandwich. When I finally found them at the bottom they weren't crispy and were falling apart. The tahini sauce and other sauces they added tasted like a peanut sauce when mixed together. The sandwich itself was a mess to eat. Prepare to have plenty of napkins. read more

One of the last places in union square you can snag a delicious, quick bite. $4.50 falafel sandwiches are unbeatable. Perfectly spiced and the man that serves them has the biggest smile. And definitely way better than whatever falafel sandwich you would get across the street at Pret. Cash only! read more

Rocking, fresh and tasty felafel in a small space. Worth a wait in line for their food, though. The food is excellent, they're very nice and the price is right! read more

well i clearly should have gotten the falafel i got the eggplant sandwich and it was ehhhh ok. unlike the pita, the veggies were good and fresh. the eggplant was pretty tasty but the skin was tough and it wasnt distributed throughout the sandwich, which bothered me. overall, it was just an ok sandwich. new york has too much good food to just settle for ok. also, the owners werent the friendliest bunch but fast. read more

Best vegetarian platter (falafel, baba, hummus, grape leaves and tabouli) around. Ask for the cauliflower and eggplant too - delicious!

It's cheap. That's about all they have going for it. After trying their falafels and platters a couple of times, I've decided I'm never going to eat here again. They get rave reviews, and sometimes the line goes out the door. But since the space between the door and the entrance is only about three feet, that really isn't saying much. It's really like a closet sized bodega in there. Save your money and make yourself a sandwich. read more

Pretty decent-to-excellent falafel, depending on the day (or so I have found in my eight or so visits). I appreciate this place all the more for bearing the cross of being the only non-fast food, low-price alternative to the various upscale chains (Pret, Chopt, and so on) dotting the mall food court that is upper Union Square. Accordingly, it gets an extra star. Also, you probably shouldn't order anything besides falafel. read more

Really nice guys behind the counter, but my chicken shawarma sandwich lived up to the other reviews. Dry, not much flavor, bland lettuce and tomato. Honestly, the olives on top were the only enjoyable part. Maybe the falafel is amazing, but the chicken sandwich should just come off the menu if it consistently tastes like this. I don't want to sound mean but I tossed most of my sandwich in the garbage and now I need a second lunch. read more

Phenomenal homestyle falafel and expert hot sauce. Syrian (I think) family owned and operated. Haven't tried the soups yet, but the smell amazing. Not much room to eat inside, but super friendly. Only annoying aspect: America's Funniest Home Videos was playing during our lunch. read more

It doesn't look like much but Rainbow has some of the best tasting falafel in the city and for a great price.

Decent falafels for good on-the-go bites; I like getting something here and chomping on it at Union sq.

so when i type bone dry in google, a movie by brett hart is the most optimized result (yes i thought it was the wrestler too, but sorry to disappoint it isnt). to my disbelief i would have thought rainbow's shwarma would have been the number 1 result! just like mike l. said, this place has a potential being a hole in the wall, ethnic, and with the street cred of paraphernalia on the door including time out and ny mag cutouts. head over to moaz before your mouth becomes a desert of bone-dryness. ps. i asked the guy running the joint if they had yogurt sauce and he mentioned that yogurt is a "fake" sauce by his standards, he only uses the real TAHINI sauce! and he mentioned that my shwarma was going to be hot. and by hot he only added 4 pepper flakes to assist with the blandness. read more

this is the best falafel you will find anywhere in the city. it is so crispy and the inside is so moist (two of the worst things in the whole world are a mealy apple and dried up falafel). i had passed this place so many times but never wanted to wait on a line as long as the one outside carnegie diner. everyone kept saying how great the falafels were even though the place looked like a hole in the wall (it actually is a hole in the wall when it comes to union square real estate). so one day i was walking by and i couldn't believe there wasn't a line - so i gave it a try. wow. such good eats. now it is definitely worth the wait for me. the line actually zips by pretty quickly. never tried anything else on their menu, but why should you, the falafels are golden nuggets. looking for cheap, good falafel this is the place to be. read more

Small hole in the wall take out place. Reasonably priced with a good variety of middle eastern eats (dessert and savory) - the falafel is not quite as good as mahmoun's - most likely due to the fact that it wasn't fresh and hot, but the hummus was a little garlicky and delicious and there was a huge variety of other other middle eastern foods that looked good. read more