Chickpeas — Restaurant in Ottawa

We actually read very rave reviews of the place and were quite excited to be there - at least till we tasted their food. I would definitely give this place a skip next time - for a couple of reasons.

Food: We went for a Fawaffle, a Hummus Mix Plate, and a Falafel 6 pieces. We got the Hummus Mix Plate first with 5 hummus - Original, Black Bean, Red Beet, Roasted Red Pepper, and Mango. They were out of Avocado, so it was replaced with Mango twice. Except for Original and the Roasted Red Pepper, the rest of the hummus could be given a skip. Mango hummus hardly had any taste of mango. Red beet was okay but the bright pink color doesn't really say "beet". What I feel a big let down was the oil that they poured over - which is supposed to elevate the hummus but in this case did the exact opposite. Only the original and the roasted red pepper were able to hold the taste. Dead cold pita bread didn't help either - to the point that we had to ask the gentleman at the counter to at least warm it up a bit. Next came in Fawaffle - very innovative and interesting. However, I am not sure how they envisaged the dish - the tomato and pickles just didn't feel the right combination and it brought a lot of sour taste to the dish - with pickles particularly overpowering everything else. It might have been a good idea to complement the Fawaffle with something sweet - but the pros would know better. We basically had to leave the pickles and just finish the fawafles separately. The dead cold pita bread - again - didn't help much. By the time we reached Falafel 6 pieces, we had basically given up, so we got it packed. Now, falafels were actually very good - nicely made, not oily at all but very delicious.

Ambiance: Great ambiance. You can't escape noticing the high ceiling, hanging lights and the education section explaining about chickpeas, hummus, and falafel. The seating capacity is quite good. The cucumber water that they have is very refreshing. A lot of emphasis on recycling and cleanliness - which is quite good.

Staff: The gentleman at the counter was good and gave a walkthrough of the menu after he came to know that we are first-timers. The service was quite quick but if one has to serve cold pita bread, of course, the service will take that much less time. Overall, it was still good.

Overall, okay place - wasn't...

I have been a loyal customer of the Chickpeas Falafel restaurant since its grand opening, and it has undeniably become one of my go-to spots for a delightful falafel experience in Ottawa.

The standout feature of Chickpeas Falafel is undoubtedly the consistency in the quality of their falafel. Every visit guarantees a plate of fresh, flavorful falafel that never disappoints. The restaurant has successfully mastered the art of preparing this Middle Eastern delight, and it's evident that they prioritize using high-quality ingredients to create a memorable culinary experience.

The ambiance at Chickpeas Falafel adds to the overall dining pleasure. The establishment is always impeccably clean, providing a welcoming and comfortable environment for patrons. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a leisurely meal, the well-maintained surroundings contribute to a positive dining atmosphere.

While the food and ambiance consistently impress, there is room for improvement in the area of organization. One noticeable aspect is the difficulty in placing orders over the phone. Unfortunately, the restaurant often fails to answer calls promptly, leading customers like myself to prefer placing orders in person. Addressing this issue could significantly enhance the overall customer experience and convenience, especially for those who prefer the ease of ordering over the phone.

Despite this minor inconvenience, Chickpeas Falafel remains one of the best falafel establishments in Ottawa. The exceptional quality of their falafel, coupled with the inviting atmosphere, makes it a favorite among locals. I am hopeful that the management will take steps to improve their organization, ensuring that the outstanding food and service are complemented by a streamlined ordering process.

In conclusion, Chickpeas Falafel has consistently delivered on its promise of delectable falafel in a pleasant setting. With a bit more attention to organizational aspects, this restaurant has the potential to elevate its overall customer experience even further. I wholeheartedly recommend Chickpeas Falafel to any falafel enthusiast in Ottawa, as it remains a standout choice for a satisfying Middle Eastern...

My wife and I were on a 4-day vacation to Ottawa and went to the Ottawa Train Yards to visit a clothing store named Shepherds. Once we were done at the store, we looked around for somewhere to eat and discovered this gem of a restaurant within the Train Yards complex. Thankfully, we had Google Maps to help us locate it because the Train Yards is a rather large complex with many buildings and cross-streets.

Anyway, we entered to find a small and welcoming restaurant that was spotless. As first timers, we told the person behind the counter (Rami) that we needed a moment to figure out the menu and he immediately jumped to our assistance. Even though we had only met him a few moments earlier, he treated us like family.

We ended up getting two bowls and some zatar wedges, because zatar is one of my favourite spice blends.

Rami told us to have a seat and he would call us when the food was ready. A few minutes later I went to the counter to pick up our food and I was surprised to see an additional item on my the tray. Rami heard me talking about how much I loved my late Mom's baba ganoush because it was made without mayonaise. Rami made a small serving of baba ganoush the same way my Mom used to make it. Not only that, he refused to let me pay for it. This act of kindness touched me deeply.

After eating the best meal of our entire 4-day vacation (we ate at a lot of nice restaurants in Kanata and Byward Market, but this was the best food by a margin) I spent some time chatting with Rami and learning about the restaurant, his personal story and how his business model is sure to make Chickpeas the kind of place that you will go back to time and time again.

I know that we will go to Chickpeas whenever we are in Ottawa and if Rami ever expands into the GTA then we will be one of the first to visit the restaurant.

NOTE: this is a strictly vegetarian restaurant with a middle east flair, however you should not have trouble finding something to eat that is incredibly tasty, well made, fresh, attractively plated, filling and priced very...