If you’re hanging out in Midwood and haven’t been to Falafel Tanami, you are seriously missing out on what many locals (and even the New York Times) call the best falafel in the entire city. Now located in a bigger, brighter spot at 1824 Avenue M (right on the corner of E 19th St), this family-run gem has gone from a tiny "if-you-know-you-know" shack to a neighborhood legend. It’s got that classic, bustling Brooklyn energy where the staff is fast, the food is fresh, and there’s usually a line of hungry people waiting for their fix.
What makes this place stand out isn't a massive menu; it’s the fact that they do a few things better than anyone else. Their falafel is legendary—super crunchy on the outside and bright green and herbaceous on the inside. But the real game-changer is the pita. They bake these thick, fluffy cushions of bread to order right in front of you. When you get a Falafel Pita or the Sabich (an incredible Iraqi-Jewish sandwich with fried eggplant and boiled egg), it’s not just a sandwich; it’s a warm, loaded masterpiece.
The "salad bar" experience here is another major perk. You don't just get a boring scoop of lettuce; they pack your pita or platter with authentic Israeli salads, creamy tahina, spicy schug (if you can handle the heat), and tangy amba. If you’re really hungry, go for the Falafel Laffa, which uses a huge, chewy flatbread that’s big enough to feed you for two days. Everything is 100% Kosher (OK certified), making it a go-to for the whole community.
Since the owners, Galit and Ronen, are total perfectionists who make the falafel mix and salads by hand every morning, the quality is always 10/10. Just keep in mind they follow traditional hours: they are open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM. On Fridays, they usually close a few hours before sundown for the Sabbath, and they are closed all day Saturday. It’s the perfect, affordable lunch or dinner spot that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into a market in Tel Aviv without leaving Brooklyn
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