Sultan’s Market has earned its reputation as Chicago’s Best Falafel, consistently winning praise from locals, food critics, and media outlets alike. For over three decades, we’ve been honored by The Chicago Reader, Time Out Chicago, and The Infatuation as the city’s destination for authentic Middle Eastern fare.
Explore why our falafel isn’t just food, it’s tradition you can taste, made the Sultan’s way.
At Sultan’s Market, we don’t just make falafel; we honor a 30-year commitment to freshness. Every batch starts with high-quality chickpeas, soaked overnight and ground fresh every single morning with a massive amount of hand-cut parsley, cilantro, and green vegetables, giving our falafel its signature GREEN GLOW and vibrant herb flavor.
Since 1995, we’ve refused to use shortcuts or fillers. We flash-fry each piece to order to ensure it’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It is this daily dedication to simple, plant-powered ingredients and authentic spices that has made Sultan’s the gold standard for falafel in Chicago for three decades.
Experience the ‘Green Glow’ for yourself. Whether you’re grabbing a quick Falafel Sandwich on the go or sitting down with our legendary Vegan Combo Plate, every bite is a 30-year Chicago tradition served fresh to order.
Falafel is believed to have originated in Egypt, where Coptic Christians created it as a hearty, plant-based alternative to meat during periods of fasting and Lent. Over time, falafel spread throughout the Middle East, becoming a beloved everyday food known for its bold spices, simple ingredients, and satisfying flavor.
In North America, falafel was once found mainly in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Jewish neighborhoods. Since the 1970s, it has grown into one of the most popular street foods across major cities, loved for its versatility, cultural roots, and plant-based goodness.
Today, falafel represents more than a dish. It represents tradition, migration, and the sharing of food across cultures, values that continue to shape the way we prepare it at Sultan’s Market.
At Sultan’s Market, our falafel is made completely from scratch and 100% vegan:
We soak dried chickpeas overnight for better texture
Hand-grind herbs and spices for vibrant color and flavor
Shape the mix into perfectly sized bites
Fry each batch just before serving for that ideal crisp-outside, tender-inside finish
This careful process gives our falafel its signature satisfaction, the kind Chicago keeps coming back for.
Our falafel is incredibly versatile and delicious in a variety of ways:
Warm, handmade pita lined with creamy hummus, filled with crisp falafel, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and tahini sauce, a beloved staple.
Falafel served with house hummus, vibrant tabuli salad, your choice of curry basmati rice or rice & lentils, and warm pita, a complete and hearty plant-forward meal.
Add extra falafel to any meal or catering tray (great for parties!) for only 50¢ a piece.
Chicagoans have long made Sultan’s Market falafel a go-to, crisp, flavorful, rich in tradition, and always made fresh daily. That’s why locals regularly rank us among the best falafel spots in the city, and why reviewers describe it as a dish worth seeking out.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just love bold flavor in every bite, our falafel is built to satisfy.
At Sultan’s Market, our falafel is made with 100% chickpeas and gluten-free ingredients. If you have severe allergies, please ask our staff, as cross-contact may occur.
es, Sultan’s falafel is 100% vegan. We use a traditional heritage recipe consisting of ground chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices, fried in vegetable oil. We never use eggs, dairy, or flour fillers.
Falafel is a nutritious, plant-based option that’s naturally rich in fiber and protein. It can be enjoyed in a sandwich, plate, or as a lighter option served over a fresh salad.
The falafel is made from scratch daily. Dry imported chickpeas are soaked overnight, ground with fresh green herbs and vegetables, seasoned with a secret spice blend, and then fried in clear liquid vegetable oil.
Our signature “Green Glow” comes from the massive amounts of fresh cilantro, parsley and green veggies, we grind into our small-batch dough every morning.
Falafel Sandwich: Approximately 20g of protein and 25g of fat
Vegan Combination Plate: Includes three pieces of falafel and provides about 25g of protein and 30g of fat
Individual Falafel Piece: Naturally rich in plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and potassium
Falafel is delicious in a warm pita sandwich with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce, served as a plate with rice and salad, or paired with hummus and mezze sides for a complete Middle Eastern meal.
Absolutely. Sultan’s Market offers Middle Eastern catering for events of all sizes, including falafel trays, vegan-friendly options, and full spreads for meetings, parties, and celebrations.
Falafel is believed to have originated in Egypt and later became a staple throughout the Middle East. Today, it’s enjoyed worldwide as one of the most popular Middle Eastern street foods.
Whether you’re new to Middle Eastern food or a longtime falafel fan, Sultan’s Market is where Chicago comes for falafel made the traditional way. Our falafel is prepared fresh every day using a time-tested recipe that brings out bold flavor in every bite.
Visit us at any of our four Chicago locations and experience why falafel here is more than just a dish, it’s a tradition.
Looking for meat options too? Explore our tender chicken shawarma and rich lamb shawarma, slow-roasted and full of flavor.
