There is other stuff going on at this stall - kebabs, savoury rice dishes - but as a vegetarian who already gets more through more than enough halloumi each week, I am only here for the falafel (see photo). Falafels, as a veggie burger with traditional roots, are important to me for a break from the dhals and so on that I have at home.
Zorbas falafel sandwiches are priced £2.95, but I was charged £3.50 which I think was for requesting oven-fresh bread to be brought over from the related The Market Plaice stall. For that, you get three pieces plus basic salad, a lick of hummus, and what tasted like a dill-flavoured tzatziki sauce. I found the whole package wholesome, if a little dry, but nothing that another spoonful of tzatziki wouldn't have cured. The falafel are good but I would rank them below Falafel or Atlas Shawarma of Rusholme, or Topkapi on Deansgate for that matter, although above most others in Manchester. Plus, the mezze are only OK - I didn't see any of the lush green tabbouleh which is common on Rusholme.
Still, I had no regrets at this price. I generally like the people-watching afforded by the Arndale Market tables and also Parched Tea is on hand with a variety of quality herbal teas for something interesting to wash my meal down with.
Anyway, onto the next gig, and my next Arndale Market feed will probably be a burrito from Panchos. My next falafel try-out is probably from Little Aladdin beside Oklahoma. read more