Fala Bar, located right on Melrose Ave, is the perfect place to grab a Mediterranean lunch on the go. Although the location is tiny, Fala Bar’s food makes a big impression. I had been dying to check this place out since I discovered a picture of one of their salads on Instagram. The picture was so colorful and enticing that I found myself hungry as I scrolled through the rest of the restaurant’s feed, and the casual, unique to LA, lunch spot immediately went to the top of my restaurant “must try” list…
Fala Bar will leave you full and satisfied; the food is fresh, healthy and organic, and the portions are large and filling. If you are anything like me, and love a good falafel, then you will be dying over Fala Bar’s LA twist on the Mediterranean classic. Everything on the menu, with the exception of the pita bread, is 100% gluten free as well as vegan. The falafels, which are the restaurants most popular items, are available in original, sweet potato, spicy, crunchy and kale flavors. They even serve a pumpkin flavor as a festive addition during the fall! The falafels are available on a plate, burger, sandwich (substitute the cabbage leaf for pita to make it GF!) or on a salad. My favorite item to order is the “Fala Me to KALEifornia” salad with falafel on top. This kale salad is packed with vegetables, avocado, quinoa, chickpeas and hummus. The falafel on top is crispy but not dry; it’s my favorite part of the dish! Fala Bar’s portions are also far from stingy and I was able to make two meals out of my order. For those who aren’t falafel fanatics, I recommend trying the sweet potato fries or one of the salads without falafel.
As a lover of the Halal food carts that serve falafel on every street corner in New York City, I have been itching to find an LA replacement. Fala Bar serves the perfect Los Angeles rendition of this Mediterranean dish and I appreciate their use of organic, locally sourced ingredients. The food is gluten and dairy free but still manages to taste better (in my opinion) than the greasy street versions. There is no indoor seating at this tiny hotspot, and just a couple of tables available outside, but still, it is well worth the visit… even if it’s just to grab a satisfying lunch to go.