Rainbow Falafel
“Get the Vegetarian Platter – it's a perfect combination of falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, salad, tahini, lemons, peppers, …”
“If you are a regular, they recognize you, and it is nice to know that your business is appreciated in the lunch heaven that is Union Square.”
“They have wonderful tahini, crisp lettuce, perfectly browned falafel with creamy interiors – and a great fried cauliflower if you don't like falafel.”
Rainbow Falafel
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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Rainbow Falafel is one of the last remaining mom and pop joints in Union Square. It operates out of a tiny space on 17th street the size of a small car, yet brings flavor that tastes like it came from a kitchen full of expert chefs.
I always get the Shawafel, a shwarma/falafel wrap hybrid that is filled to the brim with tasty meat, well-cooked falafel, lettuce, tomato, onion, tahini and other herbs and spices. For 5.95, you can't get as full of a meal for that low in very many places in this neighborhood.
They have a bunch of imported candies and specialty foods as well, all crammed into this tiny space. Despite long lines at all the trendy salad places nearby, you can usually get in and out of Rainbow in just a few minutes as they adequately prepare for the lunch rush and keep traffic moving.
Definitely worth a try if you are looking for something less corporate in Union Square for lunch.
Best and cheap falafel place in the city!!!! It's the hole in the wall kinda place but who the f cares, it's good AND cheap. 😀
Had the most disappointing chicken schwarma in the history of chicken schwarmas today. I was starving and i have been here in the past and thought the falafel was solid. I love chicken scharma so i wanted to give it a try. First of all the chicken had zero flavor. The chicken was so beyond bland. Secondly, the chicken was so dry! Even the yunmy white sauce couldn't help it. There was no effort with this sandwhich. I was sad when i was eating it. No other special touches…just plain lettuce with dry chicken with no falvor. Sooooo disappointed!!!
Just on the outskirts of Union Square there is a tiny hole-in-the-wall falafel shop called Rainbow Falafel. Their offerings, though, will leave you anything but smiling.
I wanted to see what Rainbow could offer up, so I got their Vegetarian plate at lunch time to sample their Falafel, Hummus, Grape Leaves, Tabouli, and Salad. The Falafel was the only item in the dish that was even passably prepared, but certainly didn't warrant any type of recommendation or praise.
For a plate to be so overwhelmingly packed with displeasing items was very surprising. This wasn't simply a matter of preference: the consistency, flavor, presentation, and quality of the ingredients were all lacking.
Don't be drawn by the short line or the cheap pricing – this is a place to avoid.
I used to come here when I was broke, it really satisfied my hunger! Cheap and good falafel!
I have literally passed by this place for over a decade and have never stepped in…until the other day.
A co worker decided to treat me to lunch and I was craving falafel, so we came here.
The two men working behind the counter were super friendly and my falafel was created very quickly. I also added cauliflower on top of it to make it really tasty. Because I'm a glutton, I also asked for a baklava as well.
My coworker handed them his card to pay, but alas, it was cash only! Fortunately I had cash, so nothing was lost.
When we went back to the office to eat, I ate the Falafel, but I must say it was pretty underwhelming. Maybe because I'm comparing it to Maoz (which makes my stomach hurt, so no more of that), but the sandwich was pretty dry. The pita was thin and overall it was just okay. The baklava was super dry, like the honey just evaporated.
I might come back and try them again…but not for a long while.
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!
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