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Cafe Rakka
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
38 Ave BNew York, NY 10009
Neighborhoods: East Village, Alphabet City
(212) 777-5264
- Nearest Transit:
-
2 Av (F)
Essex St (J, M, Z)
Delancey St (F)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
45 reviews for Cafe Rakka
Review Highlights
45 reviews in English
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Review from Jeaj S.
Los Angeles, CA
6/25/2011
Rules for the **Five Star Experience**:
Stick to the falafel and you'll be happy.
Don't complain about service. Frying falafel balls for drunk yuppies in the middle of the night would make me grumpy too.
Rakka falafel is worth the extra buck because the sandwich and BALLZ are BIGGER than Mamoun's and they are 10x more delicious. BOOYAH -
Review from Mike H.
New York, NY
12/31/2011
Unassuming hole in the wall with solid food several cuts above street meat. Great falafel, chicken, and shawarma. Excellent tahini.
As for the NYC falafel hierarchy, Rakka puts Mamoun's to shame but falls short of Taim. -
Review from m T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/20/2012
So much better than it looks from the outside! I love the veggie combo platter with bulgur, taboule, hummus and babaghanoush. (I'm not a vegetarian but it was a super-satisfying yet light and healthy meal, provided you don't overdo it with the bread.) Everything tasted fresh (most uncommonly the bounty of herbs in the taboule), and-- this is critical and really sets it apart for its price range-- perfectly seasoned. I expect to enjoy this place again and again, but the two things keeping me from giving it a five are 1. the pita, while fine, didn't wow me the way it does at some of the places in Brooklyn who bake it thin and puffy to order) and 2. I feel like as a point of pride they should spiff up the facade and the menu board inside. The food IS the most important thing, but it's too good to be served in a dumpy setting.
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Review from Greg W.
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Win. Best falafel I've had in the city thus far. Very good grape leaves as well.
Stumbled upon this place while beer bar hopping - very glad I did - give it a try! -
Review from Andy S.
New York, NY
6/23/2011
This place is good. I like this one better than the one on St. Marks.
Food is pretty fresh. Decent Value.
Will repeat. -
Review from kiki b.
New York, NY
4/7/2011
Best place ever for beer munchies. It's cheap and NOT pizza. Can't go wrong with that at 3am.
the whole menu is good. -
Review from Tendy C.
New York, NY
10/26/2010
Middle of the night (3am), first and second choices disappointingly closed (before listed closing times - bad luck for me), So i stopped by Rakka. It was my first visit to Rakka despite living within stumbling distance; I staggered in desperately in need of some food to tamp down the indulgences of a long Friday night before heading home to Netflix and bed. Not only was the food inexpensive ($5 for a
schwarma sandwich) but it was tasty. I got it with the hot sauce which was only moderately spicy but flavorful, it was prepared quickly, and served with a smile.
The guy at the counter was friendly, the food was just what I was craving (though not what I initially imagined I was wanting), and I'm now on my couch deeply satisfied.
It'll get no Michelin stars but it's solid, cheap, flavorful, fast, filling, and served with no attitude (which I've found to a shocking rarity in the east village after 1am).
I'm pleased. Entirely. -
Review from Peter D.
Love this place. It's a quick, cheap, spicy option for dinner. I used to go with a gyro or chicken kabob sandwich (~$5); both are flavorful, well-constructed pitas with salad and hot/tahini sauce added to your liking. I also ask the Surly Weekday Rakka Guy to throw some onions on there just for kicks.
Recently I've discovered that for around $2.75 more you can get yourself a nice chicken/gyro platter and add 2 veggie items like falafel (best I've had in the city), hummus or babaganouj. You get a couple of pitas, and salad, and you can go home and construct at least 3 of your very own sandwiches. If I wasn't a fatboy, I would even say that it could feed two people. For less than $8.
I was in there late one night while some yappy, drunk girl was babbling nonsense at SWRG after she ordered. He just stared straight at her, leaned over and turned the music all the way up. That made me like SWRG more. Tip him.Listed in: east village restaurants., alphabet city., the best., cheap eats in nyc., spicy.
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Review from Matteo R.
5/2/2010
After a friend wrote an enthusiastic review about their St. Mark's location, I stopped here to grab a bite on my way to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe' last Friday.
I wasn't disappointed.
The falafel sandwich ($3.50) was excellent: fresh and flavorful, with nice, crunchy vegetables, and the pita is not overstuffed. The hot sauce was ok, although I would have liked it hotter.
Since they were out of shawarma, I tried a side of mujadarra (fluffy cracked wheat and green lentils with fried onions; $3). Although flavorful, this dish was rather dry. It is probably best enjoyed together with hummus or babaganouj.
Service is slower than at other similar establishments, but if you consider that the falafel is fried fresh in front of your eyes, I can't complain. I'll take a fresh falafel sandwich that takes 5 minutes to prepare any time. -
Review from Kristine R.
Cambridge, MA
9/16/2008 3 Check-ins Here
Mmm...FALAFEL SANDWICH - $3.50
That alone deserves five stars. I come here either when I'm drunk and need some food or when I'm coming home from class and need a cheap meal (other than $3 pizza with drink).
I was going to take off one star for the man who always looks bitter, but really - who cares as long as the food is good.
It's great that this place is walking distance from me. -
Review from Natalia C.
New York, NY
1/12/2009
I love this place. The customized combination platter where I include couscous, fava beans, salad, falafel and spicy sauce is delicious. The falafel are perfect. Not overly dense, not too greasy (my common complaints) and piping hot.
Food is cheap and guys behind the counter are friendly - a gem. -
Review from Erica L.
9/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted this place to be better than Mamoun's since it's right around the corner from my apartment, but it just doesn't live up.
First is the price - $4 for a basic falafel sandwich. No thanks.
Then there's the "hot" sauce. More like "mildly flavored" sauce.
Then there's the massive chunks of tomato that is put on the top of the sandwich, acting as a barrier between your mouth and the falafel inside.
The actual falafel balls are pretty good, but I'll walk the 8 blocks to Mamoun's next time. -
Review from Bathrooms Only ..
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2006
Baller ass falafel in the East Village.
I get so upset because every time I am in New York I have excellent falafel and SF has been always wishing for something better. Oh well. I guess good falafel is always a reason to justify a trip to New York.
The falafel was freshly made and the hummus was a nice addition to my sandwich. It was totally slammin' and right on the spot from the memories of my super delicious falafel in Denmark.
If I am ever in East Village, Cafe Rakka is a place I'd stop by for a quick bite to eat before or after the bars. -
Review from Darren G.
Grinnell, IA
9/12/2008
Delicious! Great falafel. Good prices, outdoor seating (so you can watch the multitude of puppies walking by)
Really no complaints, I just wish it was closer to where I live.Listed in: Cheap-Ass Places to Eat, Eatin' Out
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Review from Saad M.
Manhattan, NY
9/20/2011
By far my favorite middle eastern spot. Maybe its because I always end up in Alphabet City at 3 am and need some good schwarma/falafel to ease me to sleep. Maybe its the surly guy at the counter that is actually a really cool dude (threw me some extra babaganoush after recognizing me come in a bunch of times and even let me use the employees bathroom one night I was in dire need). Maybe its the corny egyptian cleopatra soundtrack coming out of the sony stereo circa 1984. The platter is a great deal to split between 2 people, the falafel balls are always cooked just right and the schwarma is PACKED. No joke one time the bottom gave out while eating it. I'm moving into the neighborhood and probably will gain 10 lbs my first month from eating Rakka.
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Review from Thomas T.
Brooklyn, NY
10/12/2007
Excellent falafel - made fresh to order - delicious hot sauce and hummus. $3.80 or so for a falafel sandwich.
-1 star for the staff who always seem really miserable, and for some reason turn the music up too loud as soon as a customer sits at one of their 4 small tables. -
Review from Betsey C.
Kew Gardens, NY
7/29/2010
This small Middle Eastern place makes a decent sandwich. The falafel was crispy and relatively big. Certainly worth a try.
An extra tip: The menu lists the items form 1 - 10. #1 on the list is the falafel sandwich for $3.50 and $4.50 if you choose 2 items from 1-10 and $5.00 for 3 items. I got confused and the cook didn't speak English well, so I was thinking the other items would be sides. But really, they just put them inside the sandwich. -
Review from Jin C.
New York, NY
4/24/2010
I'm surprised that this place managed to secure a consistently high score throughout all 25 reviews. I had a shish kebab, and my boyfriend had a chicken kebab. The meat I had was tough and in large chunks, and took me great effort to chomp down. The white sauce had a strange bitterness about it. It might have been only $6, but I still expect my food edible.
Saving grace? The emptiness of the tiny cafe. We ate and we left as soon as we could. -
Review from Chicken S.
New York, NY
11/11/2009
Best falafel I have had in the city. Their hot sauce is better than mahmouns and their hummus is really good. Friendly staff.
I would avoid the dolmas and the pies. -
Review from john r.
New York, NY
4/2/2006
Rakka has the best falafel in the East Village, and also great veg lentil soup. Say 'yes' to the hot sauce.
Rakka's only real competition might be Bekeret, but that's only because of Bereket's more flexible hours way into the morning. Rakka is open pretty late on Fri-Sat, though. -
Review from Alexa C.
New York, NY
Updated - 1/13/2010
Just tried Rakka's falafel sandwich - super flavorful and tasty.
The falafel balls themselves were huge and infused with the most delicious blend of spices. I didn't even do the hot sauce, just falafel, lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini, and it was lovely.
At $3.50, it rings up more expensive than Mamoun's, but Rakka's sandwich is a bit more filling due to the larger falafel balls, and the veggies seem to be of higher quality. A great deal all around.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/24/2009
Really great vegetarian lentil soup served with warm pita bread for $2.50.
They've got lots of… Read more »
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Review from Fallopia T.
Manhattan, NY
11/3/2010
Cafe Rakka is my favorite felafel in the neighborhood; it's my go-to when I'm walking home and need a bite. Actually, I usually get their sides: tabbouleh, foul madames ("What is this foul MADNESS?") and that one I can't pronounce, so I point--all good.
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Review from Peter S.
Manhattan, NY
11/16/2011
Decent food, but painfully slow. Consistently takes 12-15 mins for a takeout gyro or similar if there are any customers in front of you.
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Review from Meredith F.
Jamaica, NY
10/28/2010
I don't agree with others that Cafe Rakka has the best falafel. It's not bad by any means, but I think Moustache in the West Village blows this one away. The hot sauce wasn't very hot, and the falafel itself was on the dry side, and not as flavorful as I would have liked. It was just okay.
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Review from Denis S.
10/27/2008
If I had written this review right after eating their chicken pita, it would have gotten a higher rating. The sandwich was simply delicious, and well worth the $5. However, after experiencing digestive problems last night and this morning... I'm not sure how excited I am about going back.
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Review from Nils J.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2009
They do something magical with their falafel here. I don't know what it is about Cafe Rakka, or even this specific Cafe Rakka (the other that I've been to hasn't been as good), but it's really, really good falafel. Perfect drunk food if you're looking for something that's not a slice.
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Review from Dylan W.
New York, NY
10/25/2009
Favorite cheap restaurant I've found since moving to NYC. The falafel and hummus sandwich is really good. I smile when I eat it, even when I'm by myself.
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Review from Rosemary A.
New York, NY
8/29/2009
for what it's worth, this is my favorite cheap-eats in NYC.
I live in Midtown East and on numerous occasions have traveled to Avenue B specifically for their fantastical falafel sandwich.
The Egyptian-style falafel is a little different from what most people are used to. The falafel balls are a made a little bigger and with Fava beans instead of chickpeas. I'm not sure if it's because i grew up with this kind of Falafel, but i prefer it exponentially to the palestinean/israeli style.
Anyway, the guy behind the counter is a total douche. i've tried warming up to him a million times since we have the same heritage but he's not havin' it. There's no way i'm taking a star off for his bad attitude because his falafel is something from the heavens. -
Review from Lisa C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/10/2010
Best falafal sandwiches in the U.S of A! The guys that work on Ave B & 3rd st location are the sweetest guys ever. I used to live across the street and used to buy their soups, falafel and baba ghanoush quite a bit. I love their falafel sandwiches but if you're not a huge fan of tahini like me, ask for the hummus instead which makes the sandwich taste even better. Definite win in my book.
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Review from Nada O.
New York, NY
8/16/2007
Oh man, I haven't had falafel this crunchy since I lived in Minneapolis. I kid you not. Delicious sandwhiches, enhanced with a spicy hot sauce. They even expertly warm the pita bread for maximum softness and tastiness. I am tempted to eat lunch here every day.
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Review from john M.
New York, NY
1/23/2010
Simply put, Cafe Rakka is healthy, quality food, at a cheap price. I'm normally a firm believer in the saying "You get what you pay for" Which is usually a fair assessment in the contrast between price paid and quality received, however, this is one of the rare occasions where there is an exception to the rule. Whether you're ordering from the restaurant or getting it delivered, Cafe Rakka is consistently great, quick, and cheap.
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Review from Zubin D.
Berkeley, CA
1/31/2010
I thought this place was pretty decent but the best falafel I have had in the city still goes to Taim hands down. I thought this was basically a fresher version of the Mamoun's falafel. All the ingredients are the same, but the hot sauce isn't total fire like Mamouns, which I kinda like. I would ask for extra hot sauce on the side since it's not too potent. They fry the falafel fresh on order which is pretty nice. It costs a little more than Mamoun's but is still cheapo. I got a falafel with hummus and a Coke for $5.75. I am sure I will be back.
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Review from Joe M.
New York, NY
9/27/2010
Another Delicious hole in the wall! I go often when I'm in the neighborhood and usually get a lamb gyro. The meat is spiced perfectly and everything is fresh. The falafel is also good.
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Review from Alyssa F.
Brooklyn, NY
6/26/2010
Oh hell yeah. If you like your falafel spicy and crispy and available with a variety of deicious toppings, you will love this crap! Omg! The best tahini sauce I have ever tasted! My falafel sandwich was $3.50, which was more than I usually like to pay, but it was well worth it. Yumz.
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Review from Aaron N.
New York, NY
7/18/2010
Definitely not the best falafel in the world and am quite surprised at how highly regarded this place is. The price was right, but it just felt like something was missing from food.
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Review from mugwump s.
Woodside, NY
12/3/2008
outstanding falafel. super tasty and cheap. this used to be my favourite falafel joint in town. it made me believe that there was some hope to get some good falafel in town. it almost made me believe that there is a god, after all. a falafel-shaped god. i saw him in my dreams. he told me, "son, do not forget to add that extra hot sauce to your sandwich." to which i replied, "thy wish is my command, my lord." i kid you not, it happened.
really, no complaints but i'll save the 5 stars for my new favourite joint, mamoun's (both cheaper and tastier). sorry i dumped you rakka. it's nothing personal. no hard feelings. -
Review from Chase E.
Manhattan, NY
8/19/2009
The chicken sandwich is probably the single most dish consumed at my apartment. Can't really describe why it's so good, but I has something do with it being $5 and the hummus I get on it. Their hummus is probably my favorite out of anywhere in the city. It's plain and simple, but really good.
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Review from Brock A.
New York, NY
1/8/2010
Don't be turned-off by the shoddy exterior of this place. The old adage holds true, "Don't judge a book by its cover . . . unless you're paying for sex ".
I've actually never been inside, but ordered two meals this week on-line. The quality-to-price ratio is quite good and I was very pleased with my simple, yet plentiful Med. Salad and Chicken Kebab platter. Good portions, fresh ingredients, nicely prepared chicken, authentic all-in-all. -
Review from Irena C.
Brooklyn, NY
5/12/2010
Rakka has the best falafel in the area (sorry Mamoun's) and I would venture, city. Perfectly crisp and seasoned! The kebabs are great, too.
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Review from Kendall E.
Dallas, TX
5/22/2010
A friend and I wandered in here to grab a bite before a show at the Mercury Lounge. We were the only ones in the tiny place. The young guy working there was so great and let us use the employee only bathroom and drink beers we had bought earlier! Not to mention, the falafel was out of this world. I will definitely be hitting this place up again when I'm in the area.
