Falafel is Dublin’s best kept secret in Dundrum & Temple Bar

SPONSORED CONTENT HALAL STATUS Fully Halal

One of the highlights of FtLion’s Halal food tour of Dublin in the Republic of Ireland was coming across the city’s very first falafel shop.

Having been founded over a decade ago, there’s two reasons why Turkish restaurant Falafel is one of the capital’s best kept secrets.

In addition to it being part of what is known as the Dublin Kebab Club’s Golden Circle, it is also one of the most affordable places to dine.

With three restaurants across Dublin, Falafel’s first in Temple Bar was launched way back in 2012, its Coolmine Industrial Estate branch three years later in 2015, and their most recent site Falafel Dundrum in 2022.

Their restaurant in Temple Bar’s Essex Street East is ideally located in the heart of the capital, with almost 200 customers having confirmed on Google that a meal here averages between just €10-20 per person.

While the same is true of their eatery in Dundrum, what makes their latest the obvious choice when in the area is that it is located virtually down the road from Dundrum Town Centre shopping mall.

Not only is Falafel’s fully Halal menu easily comparable to, if not better than, the 47 restaurants found at this shopping centre, but when it comes to prices, it trumps them all.

And as part of Dublin Kebab Club’s Golden Circle, Falafel is one of five kebab shops in the city guaranteed to “serve fresh, Irish, non-processed lamb doner, gyro, shawarma, etc., meat” as well as “freshly baked (on the premises) bread”.

Dublin’s first Falafel brand is all about fresh, fresh, fresh…

Falafel’s commitment to serving fresh food that’s cooked to order is demonstrated by their use of a tandoor oven, which ensures that all their naan breads are cooked to perfection.

It should also go without saying that, given their brand name, each and every one of their falafels are made from scratch, which is also true of their inhouse sauces, mocktails, and their starters, which include hummus, baba ganoush, taboulah, kibbeh, and more.

But, of course, it’s all about Falafel’s signature dish, the Palestinian Falafel, which is an absolute must, and which comes out of the frier piping hot and boasting a delicately crispy, herbaceous exterior, while being soft and fragrant on the in.

One of their most popular dishes – and it’s obvious to see why given how beautifully charred the meat looks – is their Mixed Grill, which comes with plenty of condiments.

With a long and juicy lamb kofta defining the presentation, there’s a single piece of French-trimmed lamb chop, tender segments of chicken and lamb shish, a varied Turkish salad, a mixture of chilli and garlic sauce, and rice or naan bread.

If you’re after premium doner meat though, then this is where Falafel really shines, with their Mixed Kebab coming from two huge mouth-watering chicken and lamb doner rotisseries that make quite the first impression.

If you’re over in Dundrum, then this site offers meal deals whose prices simply cannot be beaten, with a Wrap Meal of chicken, mix, or doner wrap with chips and drink for just €15, a New York style bowl with chips and drink for €7, or a Falafel Wrap with a drink for €9.

More crucially, they offer non-boycotted drinks in support of the beleaguered Gazans through the availability of the famous Palestine Cola and Cola Gaza, in addition to other beverages.

Note further that the Dundrum branch delivers through their partners Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat, whilst the Temple Bar site through Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

So if you’re after top notch, freshly prepared Turkish food at unbeatable prices, then Falafel really is the only place to hit when visiting Dublin.