Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant

This is a great mediterranean spot not far from downton. The platters with hummus and baba ghanouj are must-tries; we got both the one with meat and without meat, and they were great. The chicken shawarma wrap was good but somewhat small given what you pay for. Also, note that you need to go up to the counter to order. It seems like this spot is a staple in the area; two old friends met up for food while we were there. We overheard one of them saying they'd been coming for decades.

I had high expectations for this place, but it didn’t quite live up to them. The food was just okay—not exceptional—and I personally think Olive Tree in Milford does a better job with Middle Eastern cuisine. They offered outdoor seating in the summer, but it got uncomfortably hot, and the seating itself wasn’t very comfortable. Inside, the restaurant felt a bit dingy and uninviting. On top of that, the staff weren’t particularly friendly or helpful.

This restaurant is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, the employees were kind, the atmosphere was great, and they had a sizable vegan menu. Almost half of the food options are vegan, the menu itself has a full vegan section, and they mark which pastries/desserts are vegan as well. I also did not run into small portions as other reviewers noted. I ordered the falafel plate, hummus/pita, and some pistachio baklava. They were all prepared quickly and were fair amounts. The problem for me was that in decades of eating hummus, I have never encountered hummus this acidic. The hummus tasted as though a lemon had been squeezed directly into it. I mostly just gave up on it and ate the pita plain. The falafel was good, though nothing out of the ordinary. The baklava was sweet and deciduous. So

Mamoun’s: A Falafel Spot Worth the Hype Mamoun’s is hands down one of the best falafel spots on the East Coast. I visited Connecticut from Maryland during Covid, and my friend insisted we stop by. He said it was really good—but to be honest, I didn’t put too much stock in his excitement. As a true foodie, I’ve learned that everyone’s taste buds aren’t created equal, and that’s okay. I went in with zero expectations. But this food? It knocked my socks off. Everything was fresh. The owner was warm and welcoming. The hummus had a little zing to it that I still think about. The salad? Crisp and flavorful. The falafel? Perfection. Ever since that day, I’ve been dreaming about Mamoun’s. I promised myself that before this summer ends, I’ll be back. In fact—I’m planning a full-on falafel tour.

Love coming to eat here when I’m in New Haven. Was in the area for work so I decided to stop by. Got the chicken shawarma with veggies and their spicy sauce which is delicious. Got the baba ganoush with pita which came out hot and crispy and great to dip.