Chickpeas soaked overnight, ground with parsley, cilantro, onion and garlic, seasoned with spices we grind in house, then fried to order so the shell shatters and the middle stays green and steamy. Served as a plate, in a wrap, or with tahini for dipping — and it is vegan.
Good falafel is a matter of timing. We soak dried chickpeas rather than using canned, grind them fresh with a heavy load of herbs, and fry only when the order comes in. That is why ours arrives crisp on the outside and bright green inside instead of dry and dense.
Falafel is also our most flexible dish: it is vegan, dairy-free and made to be shared. Order it as an appetizer for the table, as a wrap for lunch, or as part of a platter with hummus, salad and fresh bread. It is one of the reasons vegetarians and vegans across Winnipeg keep our number saved.
Dried chickpeas soaked overnight give falafel its structure. It is slower, and it is the only way to get the texture right.
Parsley and cilantro go in generously, and nothing is fried in advance, so each batch reaches you hot.
Our falafel contains no egg or dairy. Paired with tahini, hummus and salad it makes a complete vegan meal, and gluten-free choices are available on request.
Falafel is the ideal starter before Msakhan or a chicken shawarma platter, and it travels well for office lunches and catering. Add za'atar and cheese manakeesh to make it a vegetarian spread for the whole table.
Yafa Café has served homestyle Palestinian street food from 1785 Portage Ave since November 2017. We are open every day from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM for dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering, and we regularly serve guests from Polo Park, the West End, Wolseley, St. James, Silver Heights, Woodhaven, Sargent Park, Daniel McIntyre, Minto, Weston, Brooklands, Deer Lodge and Sturgeon Creek. Order Falafel online, call (204) 221-1636, or see the full Yafa Café menu.
Visiting from Belleville, ON
“Having lived in the Middle East for many years, eating here was like being transported back to the Middle East! The lemon mint juice was PERFECT!”
Verified diner review
“Every time I have eaten food from Yafa Café, I've been blown away by how fresh, delicious, and well portioned the food is. 10/10 restaurant.”
Regular guest, Winnipeg
“The staff and owners are super friendly and wonderful, the place is super clean and you will always get the best quality of food.”
Yes. Our falafel is made from soaked chickpeas, fresh herbs and spices with no egg or dairy, and it is fried to order.
Yafa Café at 1785 Portage Ave sits between Polo Park and Assiniboine Park, a few minutes from the park and zoo, and fries falafel fresh all day until 11:00 PM.
Yes. Falafel can be served as a plate with salad and tahini instead of bread, and our kitchen offers several gluten-free choices — just ask when ordering.
Yes. Order online for pickup or delivery to the West End, Wolseley, St. James, Polo Park, Silver Heights and surrounding areas.
Order online for pickup or delivery anywhere in Winnipeg
Order Online View MenuYafa Café sits on Portage Avenue between Polo Park and Assiniboine Park, with easy parking and quick access from the West End, Wolseley, St. James, Silver Heights, Woodhaven, Deer Lodge and Sturgeon Creek.