Falafel Metro

Middle Eastern cuisine is full of vibrant flavours, colours and textures, and thanks to Falafel Metro, the residents of Tauranga have easy access to some of the best. Falafel Metro is a culinary oasis, positioned amongst a local culture where Middle Eastern is certainly less prevalent than other cuisines.

Falafel Metro was established in 2015 by a couple that managed to grow a very loyal customer base throughout their seven year tenure, despite only having a few simple options on the menu. Sold to friends in 2022, Israeli born Daria and Tomer have nurtured and grown the reputation and success of Falafel Metro, further enhancing Tauranga’s ever expanding culinary landscape.

It should be no surprise that the restaurant’s signature dish is the Jerusalem falafel combination in pita bread with house made spicy sauce. Naturally, a special oven for baking pita bread was imported all the way from Israel, and of course, the pita bread sells out most days. 

Ensuring maximum freshness, the falafel is made to order. First time visitors are encouraged to try falafel the traditional way, but other popular items on the menu include falafel flavours that draw inspiration from other cultures and countries, including the Bangkok combination and the local Kiwiana flavour combo. 

Middle Eastern food should be nutritious, satisfying and most importantly, delicious. There’s something about convincing even the most adamant of meat eaters that vegan and vegetarian food can be satisfying, and that healthy food can be both flavourful and surprising. It’s definitely counted as a win when those meat eaters end up as regulars at Metro Falafel, as they often do.