Kismet Falafel

"How often do you think about falafel? Maybe once every few months, you feel the need for a semi-healthy, but not really healthy lunch and make the trip to Joe’s. This was our falafel M.O. for a long time. Until we met Kismet Falafel. Now, we’re constantly plotting excuses to get downtown to inhale the fried chickpea balls. This is falafel worth driving across town for. Traffic ticket? Sure, we’ll pay it in person at the courthouse. Friends in town? Better show them Broadway and make a stop at Grand Central Market, home of Kismet Falafel. Finally getting a ticket to The Broad? More Kismet Falafel. Once you get to Grand Central Market, grab one of the few counter seats. The falafel come either on a salad or in a sandwich, but for first timers, you’re going to want to go sandwich. The falafel are a little smaller than those you’re used to, and there are no herbs or anything in the mix, making it all about the crunchy-on-the-outside-smooth-on-the-inside texture. The sandwich is rounded out by super fresh vegetables and ridiculously good flatbread, which might actually be the real stars of the show. photo credit: Benji Dell Basically, this falafel isn’t anything like what you’ve had at Joe’s, or that little Middle Eastern store in a strip mall. There’s no tabbouleh, and no precariously thin pita. Kismet Falafel gives falafel the makeover we didn’t know it needed, and it’s become our must-hit spot in GCM. Not only because it’s truly awesome falafel, but because it’s some of the best food in town, full stop. What’s that, you have a meeting downtown and your car’s in the shop? Sure, we’ll drive you. Food Rundown Kismet Falafel This is our favorite combo. Tangy pickled fennel and cauliflower aren’t your usual falafel suspects, but this guy proves that they probably should be. If you’re going to order one thing, make it this. Classic Falafel As close as you’re going to get to a traditional falafel here, but something so much more - the accompanying red hot sauce is some of the best in town. Sumac-Beet Soda Stay with us - you’ve never had a soda this good. It tastes of beets, but it also doesn’t, and the sumac brings an unexpected complexity. So refreshing, it’s like giving your tastebuds a cold shower." - Jess Basser Sanders

"Kismet Falafel, the only stand to shutter at Grand Central Market since March, closed due to the challenges posed by the pandemic." - Mona Holmes

"Kismet Falafel is doing a pierogi night at Grand Central Market on Monday. The evening event is a collaboration with Eater Young Gun Kae Whalen and Good Time Charlie’s, and runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m." - Farley Elliott

"The switch-up at Grand Central Market is on, as Madcapra is now called Kismet Falafel. The new name marks a new beginning of sorts for the popular Middle Eastern stand, putting it more in line with Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson’s other projects Kismet and the upcoming Kismet Rotisserie in Los Feliz. In addition to the new name, expect a variety of new menu items like their chicken pita sandwich (with bread from Bub & Grandma’s), spiced fries, and other mains like the above Moroccan salad. The space itself has even been touched up a bit, and now includes a new ring of food images wrapping the stall, plus new branding and a redone menu." - Farley Elliott