Kikero Falafel

Long day, needed good vegan grub. This place was amaZing. Delicious simple falafel. Wish I was in Istanbul longer to eat more.

Ok for a quick snack

If you are in the Galata area, I would recommend Kikero for a Dürüm to go. I found their falafels very tasty. The dürüm is also filled with a splash of tahini sauce, fresh tomato and cucumber, as far as I remember.
The price of 9 TL is slightly expensive for Istanbul - but you will get fresh, tasty, vegan food.

We ate at Kikero twice on our four days in Istanbul. The falafel was good, and the fried veggies were ok (a little oily). The location is very convenient, right near the tower, and we had a great time sitting in the window and watching Istanbul go by. The restaurant itself is quite cheery, and the guys behind the counter are also very nice.

Overall it was a nice part of our time in the city,

After moving to this new location, they seem to have changed the falafel recipe at the same time, unfortunately not in a good way.

The falafels they serve now appear to have a lower chickpea content and more of a breadcrumb-like texture. They're not terrible, they're just not that great either.

Additionally, where before they were careful to either include hummus in the wrap, or at least ask you if you wanted it, now the wraps are just assembled with a splash of tahin sauce - even though there is a tray of hummus on the counter, and it's listed as included in the wrap on the menu. Weird.

edit: I went back a second time, and there was a different guy serving who added the hummus without prompting, which made it a lot better...so check that they add the hummus at the start!

They have added a few other bits and pieces at the counter, and at least it's stayed all vegetarian, however it's slightly confusing since the other items don't always have clearly marked prices, and they're not making full use of the screens in the store to display prices etc.

What's more frustrating is that no-one had any idea of the veg. status of the cheesecakes or other desserts as regards egg (or even gelatine).

Presumably they're vegetarian, but it's a bit disconcerting when the staff don't know the ingredients in somewhere that advertises itself as veggie.

The assida dessert (non vegan) was quite delicious the last time I tried it. It might be worth checking out if they haven't altered it too much.

The special toast is not bad although slightly too oily.

There is some seating upstairs on the 2nd floor, which is not immediately obvious when you go in.

If they would just fix the falafel recipe, fix the veg. labelling and perhaps add french fries to the menu as part of a meal deal, it could be so much better.

Updated from previous review on Monday November 05, 2012

Located just a few blocks from Beyoğlu's busiest street, Istiklal Caddesi, this is a nice vegan option for a quick bite. This location has about 7 seats inside. The tomatoes, parsley and other ingredients made for a great falafel wrap or sandwich. Has nice sign outside saying Vejetaryen-Vegan (always nice to see that “vegan” word displayed! Friendly service.

They used to make falafel wrap better. Their falafel wraps are no longer thick. They are thinner and tasteless compared to old ones.

I too am glad to have this vegan option, near Galata Tower.

The falafel balls were good -- made fresh and sent up by dumbwaiter (an interesting system!). I also am a fan of the thin-type wrap version of falafel. I was a bit surprised by the dearth of accoutrements, though. I'm glad I asked for hot peppers and some sauces, because otherwise it would have been a bit of hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, and really quite bland. It's a pretty thin falafel, and a bit odd considering they specialize in... falafel!

I didn't find it crazy expensive. 9TL for a falafel, I believe. I wish I could more heartily recommend it, but they really need to up their game in terms of toppings! That's half of the action in a falafel, after all.

I ordered with the delivery service a falafel wrap and it was very good ! The delivery was also very quick. I recommend it

Falafels, especially good ones, are strangely quite hard to find in Istanbul so this place is definitely worth a visit. It is not the cheapest option but it is still reasonably priced and believing in supporting little independent vegan-friendly establishments, I recumbent everyone to give this place a go. (It is also worth the visit thanks to the lovely cats you will meet while sitting outside. The best company to have during a meal!)

falafel wrap with hummus is now 9 tl. bad for turkish lira earners, still good for euro/dollar earners.

not the best falafel i have ever tasted, but hey this is istanbul, how many falafel places are there in total? so just go and support this independent small enterprise.

I truly can recommend this place. Tasty falafels, cheap prices and good lokation.

This is a tiny little shop (only one little table inside or a few chairs outside) but makes amazing falafels! The staff have limited English but understand you saying yes and no to different ingredients. They basically just serve falafels (either in a sandwich, wrap or just falafels on a plate). Falafels are cooked fresh when you order. Delicious!

The menu is basicly just falafel + something (i'd recommend the wrap), but it's really tasty and cheap (7 TL i think). Also sells sodas and such.
It's a really small place, but the staff is very friendly and also understand us vegans fairly well, which in Istanbul is a really big plus.

They also have no less than 3 super cute cats.

Small and good falafel! They make vegan falafel but be sure to tell them that you dont want youghurt sauce ;-)! I tried falafel all around the world and this one I will surely remeber!

Near the Galata Tower. Very reasonable, delicious, and clean. Friendly employees.

very clean place, very healthy food!
Definitely worthy go there! If you visit the galata tower.

When I say this place is tiny, I mean you better hope no one else is eating when you get there or you won't get a table. Order at the counter and keep moving as the food is wrapped to go. Very clean. Friendly woman behind the counter. The falafel was outstanding. Even our carnivore guided loved the food.