Madcapra Falafel

Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market brims with food, flavor and, now, falafel. This once hidden food market is inviting new vendors and catering to a slightly more hip crowd. Recent additions include a kombucha bar, swoon-worthy ice cream and Madcapra Falafel.

This corner falafel vendor always manages to have a line. Their small seating area surrounds an open-concept kitchen, giving diners a front row sea to the cooking action.

Madcapra’s chickpea-patty falafels are completely gluten-free. Guests can choose from red, green or orange style. Red is vegan and comes with tomatoes, cabbage, pickles, tahini and basil. Green is a bit more mild and has cauliflower, cilantro, fennel and labneh (yogurt sauce). Orange features carrots and walnut-yogurt sauce.

Madcapra Falafel, Los Angeles, California © Veronica An

All of the options are light yet filling; they provide a tangy crunch and the falafels are made fresh. You can enjoy them in a sandwich or salad. Madcapra provides good-sized portions and is willing to customize orders. Despite this, there is usually a long wait — this may not be the best choice if you’re just running in for take-out — but the fresh food is worth the wait.

Madcapra is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.

Madcapra Falafel

317 S Broadway

Los Angeles, Calif. 90013