The Paris Falafel sandwich is a pita-pocket built at the Rue des Rosiers counters: five fried falafel, aubergine, red and white cabbage, cucumber, hummus, harissa, tahini.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
Falafel arrived in Paris's 4e Marais with the post-1945 Jewish migration from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. The Pletzl quarter on Rue des Rosiers had been the Jewish centre of Paris since the 1900s but turned to falafel-as-street-food only in the 1970s. L'As du Fallafel opened 1979 and codified the €9 takeaway-pita format that now anchors a four-block strip with at least six rival counters. The sandwich is closed Saturdays for Shabbat at the Jewish-owned shops; King Falafel Palace three doors up opens to fill the gap. The pita is overstuffed by design; the trick is to eat it standing.
Common allergens: Sesame, Gluten
Tip from the editors. Tinned chickpeas hold too much water; the falafel will fall apart in the oil. Always use dried, soaked overnight.
L'As du Fallafel in Paris is the Marais falafel window open until 23:30 most nights, with a €9 sandwich and a queue that moves in 15 minutes at 23:00.
Try: Falafel pita
Tip: Closed Saturdays for Shabbat. The line keeps moving past 22:00; takeaway is faster than table.
Eyal Shani's Miznon in Paris's 4e plates roasted-cauliflower whole-head pita at €14 and a slow-cooked lamb shoulder pita at €18, with fries and a sit-down.
Try: Stuffed pita
Tip: The whole-head roasted cauliflower is the order; takeaway is faster than the 15-seat counter.
King Falafel Palace in Paris is the Marais falafel rival to L'As, three doors up the same Rue des Rosiers. €8 sandwich, faster queue, six pita variations.
Try: Falafel pita
Tip: Open Saturdays unlike L'As. The aubergine-and-egg variant is the order if you want a switch-up.
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