Middle Eastern restaurant

King of Falafel & Shawarma

AstoriaQueens

4.2· 2,010 reviewsOpen until 10PMVegetarianHalal
King of Falafel & Shawarma — middle eastern restaurant — in Astoria — Queens — NYC
King of Falafel & Shawarma interior — Astoria

Astoria

Queens

The brief

About King of Falafel & Shawarma

No-frills, popular food cart serving up falafel & other classic Middle Eastern staples.

Health inspection

NYC DOHMH Grade A

A

Score13(lower is better)

Inspected2/20/2025

Grade A is the highest mark from NYC's Department of Health — about 90% of restaurants earn it.

How grades work

Community Rating

4.2

out of 5

2,010 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about King of Falafel & Shawarma

15 verified Google reviews · 11 with owner responses

4.7

15 reviews

5
14
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
1
Sharon Tran
2 weeks ago

Hands down one of the best spots to order from if you want authentic Palestinian falafel and cold salads and dips. I usually order the mixed cold platter with a side of kofta for delivery and my order never disappoints. They also always add extra warm pita and falafel which is an awesome bonus bc you can never have enough of their falafel! Definitely come check this place out, it’s steps off broadway train station and super worth the commute!

Kelly O'DonnellLocal guide
3 weeks ago

I used to go to this place a lot. They are kind generous people who work there. I enjoy the funny anti-US and anti-Netanyahu messages but their map with the blatant erasure of Israel and Jewish people displayed to our community takes it too far. They’ll say that they are simply showing the map pre-1948 but we know what they really mean. I’ll never visit again. Too bad because the food is decent.

azima lakhani
a month ago

Absolutely loved the food and the place! The falafel was sooooo good and the patters and shawarma was very delicious! This is our new favorite spot. If you want authentic food that is true to its roots, this is the place to eat. I loved also how they give you falafel to try when you enter the place. The best falafel I EVER HAD!

Rob BinkowskiLocal guide
a month ago

Very flavorful food and great atmosphere! Would come here again

tunasandwich1
3 months ago

I used to live on Ditmars and I used to love picking up fresh food from their truck. I still have cravings- the best falafel in NYC. The employees were so nice and always ready for a free sample. Support this business and support freedom.

Response from the owner

hank you so much yeahhhhhbaby

Monti Knows It AllLocal guide
4 months ago

I remember back in 2008 when all they had was the cart in front of the supermarket. They would give out free falafel while you waited for food. They kept the tradition going now that they have an actual store n are famous. They didn't let the fame get to their head. Got the beef kabab. It was A+ nuff said

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhbaby

Andy ChenLocal guide
4 months ago

Food is phenomenal! Service is exceptional! Would order from them again.

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhbaby

Abdul Shah
4 months ago

One of the best falafel I’ve had in a long time. Super crispy and flavorful. Friendly and generous staff. They give you a free falafel as you wait in true Palestinian generosity. Touching artwork inside. Need Kanafe on the menu!! Free 🇵🇸🙏🏽

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhbaby

Q’s ReviewsLocal guide
4 months ago

Wow, what an amazing establishment in Astoria Queens.<br><br>The food was out of this world best falafel I’ve ever had. I could eat 10 of them by themselves.<br><br>I ordered the beef Shawarma and the kebab sandwich. Just absolutely spectacular and the pickled onions were superb. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to come to this establishment.<br><br>The service was out of this world I believe it took us about less than 10 minutes to get our food from the time we ordered it. They weren’t too busy, so maybe that is why but again the food was out of this world.<br><br>100% highly recommend the food

Response from the owner

Thank you for your support and am glad you enjoyed your experience yeahhhhhbaby

Julia Curtis
5 months ago

I’ve been meaning to try this place for awhile and finally got some takeout tonight. I ordered the chicken shawarma pita, hummus and a side of falafel. Both were delicious and flavorful! Love supporting my local Palestinian businesses 🇵🇸

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhbaby 🇵🇸

Sara SoltanLocal guide
6 months ago

So tasty and generous amout<br>The fries so crispy and delicious<br>And their generosity to give free falafel before even start to order<br>They sell falafel packs to cook buly yourself, I can't wait to try it

Response from the owner

Thank You So Much yeahhhhhbaby FREE PALESTINE

Natalie HernandezLocal guide
7 months ago

If you’re pro pali, coming here is such a treat! Great food. Touching artwork. This is a must visit!! 😋 I tried the king appetizer and chicken platter! So delicious

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhhbaby Free Palestine

Khan M_Local guide
7 months ago

The best, tastiest, freshest falafel I’ve ever had. And they’re big too. Also staff is nice!

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhhbaby

Giovanni Correa-QuinonesLocal guide
11 months ago

Everything from the place is phenomenal. From the entrance to the falafel to all the stickers and signs out there. I totally understand why the falafel is the best one ever. I would legit come back here every week if not every month. Food was mind blowing

Response from the owner

Thank you so much yeahhhhhhbaby🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸

Elif AkarLocal guide
a year ago

A proud Palestinian owned business and they have the best falafel I’ve ever had the pleasure of having in my entire life and I’m not exaggerating at all. It’s shaped like kibbeh rather than the traditional round shape, they start frying them as soon as you walk in and offer you a piece as you wait in line to place your order and it’s the best starter before your meal. That is if you can fight the urge to get more and order something else instead which I personally failed at and proudly had one too many pieces that day, no regrets. Oh and the meat shawarma was also delicious.

Response from the owner

Thank You So much Yeahhhhhbaby

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

Been here? Share one sentence.

No account needed. One honest sentence about your experience. All submissions are reviewed before publishing.

0/280

Anonymous · Reviewed before publishing

Was the health and dietary information on this page accurate?

Explore

King of Falafel & Shawarma is one of many healthy restaurants in our directory. See where to eat healthy in Astoria, Queens restaurants by health grade, vegetarian restaurants in NYC, and best halal restaurants in NYC.

King of Falafel & Shawarma is listed in the Eat Real Food NYC directory — a curated database of healthy restaurants in Queens, verified with official NYC Department of Health inspection data.