DC's Best Falafel
DC without partisan sparring is like Rudy Giuliani without divorce papers. If it's not happening now, look for it in the next five minutes. But if there's one thing all District residents should agree on, it is the awesomeness of falafel. Never had it? You haven't lived. The fried balls of chickpeas are flavored with onion, garlic, cumin, and other spices and served alone or in a pita, drizzled with tahini, or with sesame seed sauce. Check out this list for the best falafel restaurants in DC. Falafel fiends are welcome to add more via the comments or the tipline.
[Photo]
Max's Kosher Café
2319 University Blvd W
Silver Spring, MD 20902
You live in DC. You pay higher taxes, put up with more crime, and fend off tourists like clockwork every summer. Why on earth would you travel to Maryland? You would go … because Max's Kosher Café is there. Max's offers some of the best falafel in the DC metropolitan area, the country, possibly the world ... you get the picture. Go, and bring some back for me. (photo) [link]
Zaytinya
701 9th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
Zaytinya is not a well-kept secret. The Penn Quarter restaurant is one of DC's most popular -- and with good reason. With a name that means "olive oil" in Turkish, it's … clear they know their Mediterranean mezze. The plates are excellent, particularly the falafel. Zaytinya is a good place to head when you're ready to spend a few dollars on a nice night out but don't want to completely deplete your bank account. (photo) [link]
Old City Café of Jerusalem
1773 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC 20009
[link]
Moby Dick House of Kabob
1300 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
You can call me Ishmael, but call Moby Dick House of Kabob a damn good Persian fast-food restaurant. Its Dupont location is conveniently near the metro and is a lunchtime … favorite of area employees. While the falafel in Dupont leaves nothing to be desired, be sure to also check out the original Georgetown hole-in-the-wall that gave birth to this successful DC chain. (photo) [link]
Amsterdam Falafelshop
425 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20006
People tend to get emotional about the Amsterdam Falafelshop. That's probably because they usually eat there at 3 a.m. after a debaucherous night at the Adams Morgan … bars. This falafel tastes like the best meal of your life after you've danced 'til dawn at local watering holes, and it's a less greasy alternative to the infamous Jumbo Slice. The shop offers a variety of fresh toppings, but seating is limited, so you may find yourself clutching that pita out on the street. Some claim Amsterdam Falafelshop is overrated, but by closing time you'll never know the difference. (photo) [link]
