Falafel Cafe

A great spot to satisfy that taste for Greek food. It wasn’t easy to locate, but my friend swore by it and I must say he was correct. Such a delicious 😋 lunch spot. I gave the Dalamades a try and I’d try them again. You never go wrong with a gyro platter, perfect portion size. Let’s not forget the warm pita bread triangles they bring out, so good. Great and quick customer service.

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Delicious Turkish Coffee and I got a classic gyro with shirazi salad. We also tried the homemade hummus. The pitas are soft and dip very well. This food is wonderful, but some may not like it during colder days. It is very light, refreshing fare with cucumber, tomatoes, and mint highlighted in many dishes. I find it delicious anytime. I highly recommend giving this place a try.

Owner is a sweet guy, it’s a nice atmosphere but the disparity between the differences in the dishes is one that makes me stay away. Ordered a gyro platter and there was more tzatziki and hummus than there was gyro and the gyro wasn’t traditionally shaved, seems like it was pressed with a jerky gun and cooked. I think I maybe had 14 pieces of gyro, one pita for $17? Coming from Chicago I could eat for two days with a gyro for that price. I finished this and was still hungry. Other dishes were very huge for the price - won’t be coming here again

Came in for lunch, it was pretty quite for a place that has such great food. I order their ground Beef Koubideh of there lunch menu and Aush-e-joe soup. The Koubideh was soft, juicy, and very well seasoned. Have a great meaty taste complemented by the citrusy Sumac; very impressed. The soup was alright, very hearty but I feel like something was missing, couldn’t tell what it is. Would definitely come back for lunch only.

We enjoyed the falafel platter, Turkish coffee and Iranian tea. Everything was delicious! The hummus was the best I’ve ever had. The owner and employees were very welcoming. I can’t wait to come back for dinner. Thank you, Reza!

Excellent service and excellent food. It's not a fancy place and it feels like a dive but that adds to the ambience. Pricing was good and left satisfied at a good price. I had the hummus plate which as a creamy delicious hummus with paprika with warm pits bread. The Falafal was messy and satisfying with layers of hummus. The baklava was doughy and crispy and not too sweet served with fresh hot tea that was delicious. The tea is so good you won't need sugar.

Loved the environment. It was nice seeing how all the staff worked together. Everyone was friendly. I had the falafel wrap! It was amazing! Will be visiting often.

Fire, straight fire this place is. Everything from the salad, chicken kebab, falafel we so good. It’s in the back of a building tucked away, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. Worth the price, most entrees $15-25 & you get a lot of food. Not pictured was my salad. I ordered a vegetarian platter with a chicken kebab on the side.

The fresh and flavorful dishes served always made our dining memorable. It has been awhile since our last visit (relocated). I won't recall every dish tried but the falafel, gyros, lamb kebab were outstanding. The hummus and eggplant appetizers were equally enjoyable. Service was always prompt, professional and courteous.

The name of this restaurant makes it seem like it's a college student hangout, or just normal mediterranean spot. The reality is that it's run by a super nice Iranian-American family who serves authentic Persian cuisine. Beyond falafels- Try their authentic persian stews like the Fesenjan or the Ghormeh Sabzi. Our family loves this place!

A great spot to satisfy that taste for Greek food. It wasn't easy to locate, but my friend swore by it and I must say he was correct. Such a delicious lunch spot. I gave the Dalamades a try and I'd try them again. You never go wrong with a gyro platter, perfect portion size. Let's not forget the warm pita bread triangles they bring out, so good. Great and quick customer service.

Food was delicious and the service was great . We will be returning to try more items in the near future. We liked the set up as it was not hard to find.

Kind of a hole in the wall! It's a bit outdated inside and out but the food is so fresh and delicious. All of our food was fabulous most notably the tabouli, hummus, and gyro meat. The garden salad comes with like a yogurt-y ranch type dressing. It was good but I prefer the lemon dressing in some other middle eastern cuisines. I mentioned to the waiter I really like the lemon dressing and he said that they do have that as an option, you just have to ask. He said they have customers that order it that way regularly. If you prefer the lemon/ olive oil dressing just be sure to ask! The waiter was kind and helpful. I liked that we could see into the kitchen where the meat was being cooked. As a side note, they do advertise on their sign that the meat is halal for those requiring that. If we pass by again, we will definitely stop!

Love the food, service and low key vibe of this hidden gem. I always shop at the Persian store that is right next door whenever I eat at this restaurant.

It's my second time dinning at Falafel Cafe and I am hooked. Great prices, friendly service, prompt, and clean. I ordered the hummus and it was finger liking good, and the pita bread soft and crunchy where it matters. The chicken and lamb was beautifully seasoned, tender and juicy. I was attended by Janel which is always nice and polite. I love that it's hidden and so quite inside, very relaxed feel to the place. Highly recommend for the people that work here even though I'd rather keep this gem to myself.

Hidden place off of Cobb Pkwy that it's worth trying. We eat here pretty often even if it's a 40 min drive from where we live. Great quality and choice of flavors. I absolutely love their eggplant dip. Not a fan of the Koubideh so I always order the Lamb Kabob or the Kabob E Barg. Great for take out even large orders!

Ive frequented this hidden gem for over a decade and I have yet to find a better hummus or gyro anywhere else. Love love love this place.

If you are looking for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine this is the spot! For a second we forgot we were still in Marietta. Our food was served very quickly. Perfect for the lunch crowd. The restaurant has a homely vibe, welcoming staff, great prices, and is highly recommended for vegetarians. There are options for indoor and outdoor seating. Food:5/5 Atmosphere:5/5 Service:5/5 Cleanliness:5/5

I absolutely adore the hummus and wraps here! The flavors are incredible, and I can't get enough. Plus, the service is consistently fantastic--it really elevates the whole experience.

If it weren't for friends that stumbled upon this place, I would have never known about this amazing gem. You can tell the true authenticity of the restaurant, as soon as you walk in the door! We were greeted and decided to sit outside. We all ordered Gyro Platters & soon received some fresh pita bread. The food was fresh, hummus was delicious, gyro meat delicious & the tzatziki was soooo good!! I'm glad to have visited Falafel Cafe & will be back to try the Falafel Platter!

Ambience sucked. In the days when inflation wasnt a factor, this would be an acceptable single digit pricing outlet. But now that most places have to charge 15 and above to survive, they need to up their game . And it's just not a good value because the quality of the food is barely average, the ambience is subpar. It is kind of depressing to set foot in this place with 80s era basement decor. Service is OK but not attentive. Had the chicken kabob and beef koobideh. Both were meh. The rice was below average by Persian standards. There are so many great persian places in Atlanta. THis is not one of them.

This place is a hidden gem! From the time we walked in till the time we walked out we were treated like family. The owner and his staff were extremely friendly and very informative of the menu and took the time to answer all our questions. We started out with the hummus appetizer with pita bread. It was the best hummus we've ever had! Then we had the very fresh Shirazi, perfect for a hot summer evening. We had the Falafel platter which was delicious and a great portion and the Fesenjan Stew which was amazing! It came with BasmatiRice that was cooked to perfection. The iced tea and hot tea were delightful. And last but not least, the Baklava for dessert was the best end to our meal. We found a new favorite place!

What a delicious slice of "home." I grew up in LA, home to one of the largest group Persian diasporas. It's hard to satisfy a craving for Persian food in most cities but Falafel Cafe delivers. If you're a fan of Rumi's you'll find most of your favorites here in a dressed down presentation. We ordered numerous vegetarian items and they were all well spiced and well cooked. The falafel were crisp and airy. The pickles and dips were delicious. You must have them with your order. The Sultani was the only meat dish we ordered. Both kabobs were tender and well spiced. While very good, I think the vegetables really stole the show. I have to give bonus points to Falafel Cafe as we ordered during the week after Covid restrictions were lifted. Everything was done as promised and very quickly. Many restaurants have been struggling with irregular demand, causing timing or quality to be off. In our order the sorts of ingredients you'd expect to have suffered were all very fresh. The pita was delicious and had not been sitting around getting stale. Kudos to them for that.

The restaurant is basic in looks HOWEVER the traditional Persian food is beyond awesome. Everything...I had falafel...the tzatziki sauce was the best...the meat tender and flavorful. Husband had lamb kebab with basmati rice.

Best mom & pop spot in Cobb County. It's been around for years. Dependable good food!

Everything was just okay. Not the best example for Persian. =. Ambiance is bland, hole in the wall, smoky from grilling and a big TV in the back. =. Food was okay. Skimpy on protein, boat load of rice, no substitutes for salad (instead of rice), watery salad. Yogurt sauce was what saved the lunch. Lamb kabob was a little salty and gamey. - Low value for the quality of food =. Service was fine. Prompt seating and food came out fast. But no refills on tea and water without asking. = Parking was ample but this resto is in the back or basement of a shopping center...drive to the BACK

Low portion of food for the price . Below average kabobs. The owner has attitude. Go there only if you are desperate for kabobs and are ok to Below average food .

Outstanding! We've been here several times and every time is terrific. The falafels are SO GOOD!! The gyro platter is delicious, and definitely try the Fesenjan stew- authentic sweet and savory flavors that are unique and satisfying! The service is always top notch. This is a Wonderful place to have middle eastern food.

I had such a nice lunch today with a friend I've not seen in a while. They had a very courteous staff and an easy to read menu with many options. Of course, the food was great with perfect portions.

Food is amazing, takes about 20 minutes to make. The food is absolutely worth it! Come try if you live around. Best Persian in town!

The koobideh is fire, but the rice could be better. Ghormeh sabzi was good. Chicken joojeh was good. Great service.

I'm a regular here and it's a true hole in the wall. Although the spot is unkempt in appearance and hidden; the food is exceptional! Pros: Tasty food, a ton of rice that's well buttered Cons: Odd videos on play, aesthetically unpleasing, tables are uncleaned around you for many minutes, limited drink menu Service: A staff of dull ladies. They're neither happy nor unhappy to see you. Waitresses do not care to ask if you need anything. Taste: I get the chicken kabob. DAYUM! Soo tender and savory! Not enough meat, mostly rice fills you :-( Timing? The duration fluctuates, expect to sit for an hour or one and a half hour. Return? Yes, for a casual experience.

Great food & great service! Never disappoints and it is definitely a crowd pleaser. Vegetarian friendly!

I went to Falafel Cafe on a Friday evening after reading reviews. Yes it's in the back of the shopping center and you need to drive down the hill. I must admit I hesitated to go in but I'm glad I did. When I entered the restaurant there was only one party eating. I was greeted by a very nice man and I asked him for suggestions. I ended up going with the gyro platter for $12.95 and y'all it was really good. It came with lamb, hummus, pita, salad dressing and taziki sauce. My order was prepared quickly and again the service was awesome. Do not let the physical look of the restaurant deter you from going in. I look forward to trying the eggplant when I return. Also they have an A rating, not a B that's listed on Yelp. A 92 to be exact, just like give credit when it's due.

I've returned to Falafel Cafe several times since posting my original review a few years ago. I've tried some different items on the menu, which I like and recommend, so here's an update. Despite it's somewhat hidden location, the restaurant's popularity continues to grow and maintain. I've been here for weekday lunches where almost every table is taken. To me, Falafel Cafe still remains one of the most authentic Mediterranean/Persian restaurants in metro Atlanta. It's evident in both the food and drink. Restaurant specialties include Mediterranean salads, kabobs, and stews and traditional dishes such as stuffed grape leaves and gyros. Prices are affordable as you won't be spending more than $5-6 per salad/appetizer and $10-15 per entree. Lunch specials, which are smaller portions of the main menu items, are available for under $10 each. Recommendations: Eggplant Dip - seasoned and pan-fried eggplant and sauteed onion, topped with cream of whey and sauteed mint and garlic Falafel Platter - three falafel patties, hummus, Tabbouleh salad, and tossed salad topped with yogurt dressing Lamb Kabob - marinated and charbroiled lamb sirloin cubes served with basmati saffron rice The eggplant dip definitely has a roasted/smoky taste and aroma. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting the first time I tried it, but it turned out to be pretty good. The plateful of dip looks like Mexican refried beans drizzled with melted cheese. However, it's not cheese, but whey. The dip is addictive. All dips (e.g. hummus) are served with warm pita bread. If you're looking to go simple, healthy, but still tasty and filling at the same time, order the Falafel Platter. This platter not only tastes good, but looks good too. The platter is made of glass and is separated into five different compartments. The main compartment contains the falafel patties, one compartment each for the hummus and Tabbouleh salad, and two compartments for pita bread (four slices total). Everything is freshly prepared and is appetizing. The falafel patties are comforting and the Tabbouleh salad is tangy and minty. The Lamb Kabob, and all of the other meat kabobs for that matter, are flame-broiled. You can take a peek over the ordering counter and see the flames cooking the kabobs. Speaking of which, the kitchen is semi-open, so you can see the owners and cooks working away and preparing meals. The cubes of lamb meat are nicely charred on the outside with some bits of crispiness. The meat is sufficiently tender and flavorful. The saffron basmati rice is amazing. I think they put some butter in the rice to make it taste that much better. It's soft, fluffy, and aromatic. I love this type of rice. Service is still polite and friendly as always. Falafel Cafe is a casual, hole-in-the-wall restaurant. They haven't changed the space in years and it feels a bit old and dingy. Regardless, the food is where it's at. There's an outdoor patio and the parking lot has been repaved. See my previous review below for additional thoughts on this restaurant including the Fesenjan Stew, which made Creative Loafing's 2011 list of "100 Dishes to Eat in Atlanta Before You Die."

How terrible is it that I tried this place, literally after I graduated from Life University, which is right behind this restaurant. But lucky I live close by, and I still go to school for seminars and such. So, we went during COVID. We came into the cafe and told them how many were sitting with us and that we would be sitting outside. Most of us ended up getting the gyro, and because literally everyone wanted more of the Tzatziki. The food came fairly quickly. the food - literally amazing. The pita was warm and delicious. (I typically hate breads of any kind, but pita hits my soft spot). The meat was flavorful. I loved the tzatziki. There isn't much to say how amazing this place is. It is simple food done correctly.

One Star is too high... Spoiled food, rubbery texture, and the food smelt rotten. And you thought I was talking about the bathrooms... Well, they match. The place is in need of an over haul from top to bottom. It used to be good, but the last several years it has declined. I hope they get it back to their glory days from the past. As an FYI, we tried many dishes, and it was the same...

The Barg and Koubideh are our favorite dishes to order here. Everything is made fresh and tastes incredible!

Very tasty hole in the wall! Don't be afraid about having to drive around to the back of the strip mall to find this place. It's worth the round the way trip. We had the Kashk-o-Bademjan (Eggplant Dip) as an appetizer. As the charming owner explained, it's similar to Baba Ganoush of Middle Eastern cuisine. It's made without the Tahini that is a favorite spice of Arab culture. We were pleased they were willing to put the whey garnish on the side for us without a problem. Shirazi Salad was tastier than the Tossed Salad. Since most people want to avoid onion breath, they make the Shirazi Salad without them. When we come back, we will ask them to include the onions to enjoy it in the more traditional Persian style. The Lamb Kabob was flavorful. The Fesenjan was a wonderfully new taste to us. Chicken breast, pomegranate, crushed walnuts served with Basmati Rice. Loved it! And then .... The Persian Pistachio Ice Cream. Heavenly!

Not only is the food fantastic and flavorful and the owners and workers are so nice but they have a bidet! Do you know what that is? It is an attachment for the toilet to clean your bum so if you have the sauce or the crumbs between the buns, you know where to go. Absolutely the best cleanse in town. Highly recommend.

Amazing quality persian food, very delicious would def recommend it. The staff were really friendly and the place was very clean, they even sanitized the table in front of us. We had the Soltani and joojeh kabob that came with side salad, and kashke bademjoon. Everything was super delicious thank you!

Great quality food. Good job! Delicious persian food, we tried Soltani kabab. It was awesome.Chicken Kabob

Excellent hummus/nan bread and kabobs. Great staff! My favorite place for Persian/Iranian food.

love the food here, gotta try the falafel 10/10 would come back again ! everything about this place feels like a homey experience and you can taste that everything is fresh !

Always delish. I wish they would move to Fernandina Beach because I miss their food so much! Anytime I go to Marietta, I have to eat there!

Why are the places that are hidden away are always the most Delicious places? I stopped in for lunch. I ordered the Gyro platter. It came with a salad and Gyro meat with tzatziki sauce and humus. And of course Pita bread, you cant forget that. I really loved being able to construct my Gyro and eat it the way I wanted to eat it. The Lamb was seasoned to perfection. I really could have just eaten that by itself, it was so tasty. The tzatziki sauce was pretty good and so was the humus. The best aspect of this place was the service. I was immediately greeted upon entering. My food was served quickly and I was checked on periodically. I even got a lesson on lemon grass seed water. I will definitively return and I recommend this place to anyone who wants good food and even better service!

This place is such a hidden gem! It is family run and authentic Persian food. I wish it was a little closer to where I live but I often go out of my way to come here to get the Chicken and Barg kabob. The restaurant does look a little sketchy from the outside and can be difficult to find but it is so worth it. Give this place a try, you will not be disappointed!

I absolutely love this place. The owners are awesome and friendly. The food is the best Persian I have ever had. I get the same thing: Chicken Kabobs (juicy & flavorful) and Hummus/Pita bread, and hot tea. It is small and cozy. Try it

The most amazing hummus I've ever had! This place is so warm and welcoming, the love from the staff is as good as the home cooked meals!

This cute little restaurant serves really good food. I come here a few times a month. It's located off Cobb Parkway (41) just north of Dobbins Air Base in the back of a little strip mall. I arrived at 12:30 and the place was buzzing, not too crowded but doing a good business. Forewarned- the restaurant is a little run down. This is not fine dinning. It is a hole in the wall serving delicious food. The staff is very friendly. I got one of their lunch specials - 1 Chicken Kabob with Basmati Rice, Pita Bread, Charbroiled Tomatoes and Salad. Everything was Delicious and at $8.95 for all that food it was a deal. I have leftovers for dinner. Note- Lunch Specials are Mon - Fri only. I also got 2 dips that came with soft, warm pita bread. The Eggplant dip ($5.95) was wonderful with lots of eggplant flavor and cream of whey on top. It is a must if you love eggplant like I do. The other dip I got was more subtle but equally delicious. It was Yogurt and Shallots ($2.95). It tasted great on my chicken kabobs and basmati rice. I highly recommend these two dips. *Avoid the Falafels - my friend said they were dry and flavorless. So happy I found another good place to put on my list of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Restaurants.

My wife and came here for lunch, we both ordered the gyro platter the meal was just right for lunch. I ordered tea it has a spice to it, very good.. Everything was fantastic so good. We will be coming back

It is located behind other stores. Well worth finding it. Great food. Loved all of it. Enjoy

Horrible quality food for a high price and service below standard. I have absolutely nothing positive to say about this place. Koubideh tasted like an omelette and load with salt. Must museer had no flavor! Owner was not friendly and staff didn't care about service.

Super delicious kabobs, Persian tea, rice and fresh salads. Its place to come back again and again!! Big thumbs up

This my husband's favorite restaurant! He loves the mild spices and the tender chicken and beef kabobs that are cooked to perfection! Iranian spices are flavorful, but do not burn like the Indo-Pak cuisine. The portions are large and satisfying. The yogurt and tsaziki sauce are great for dipping with pita bread, warmed. It feels like you are eating in your mother's kitchen, because the food is so fresh--if your mother is an A+ Mediterranean chef, of course!

Haven't had really good Persian food since I moved to the East coast, until today. Had the hummus, maust-o-khyar, chicken sultani kabobs, fesenjan, pita, rice, and salad. Tasted authentic, like home cooking - total comfort food. To the people posting negative reviews and making accusations, they have a long history of excellent health inspection records (which is disturbingly rare for the Atlanta area).

This place must survive by word-of-mouth b/c the signage in front is very small, and the restaurant itself is actually located in the back of the strip mall. We drove right past it the first time and had to turn around. So I will do my part too and spread the word: the lunch specials are a great deal. My friend & I got the chicken kabobs for $5.95, which comes with salad, pita bread, and basmati saffron rice. The salad is iceberg but fresh, crunchy, and we esp. loved their homemade salad dressing - it also made a great dipping sauce for our pita bread and chicken kabobs. The pita was fresh, super flat though, and they will bring more upon request. The chicken was delicious, definitely marinated, and maybe just slightly on the salty side - but I'll take slightly salty over bland any day. The rice was rice and there were lots of it. Portions were perfect. Service was very friendly & courteous. Atmosphere is interesting - it's a cafe/diner/market on one side, and "fine dining" (dated though) on the other - and fresh flowers at each table! I'll definitely be back and next time, try their Falafels, too. After all, that's their namesake :)