This fast-food falafel place is the best option for healthy and inexpensive nosh on Old Compton Street. It’s a simple formula, first perfected at this chain’s many outlets in the Netherlands: brown or white pitta bread, a filling of small fried falafels, the option of houmous and/ or fried aubergine, then your pick from a well-stocked salad bar that includes dairy-free coleslaw, couscous salad, pickled chillies and – our favourite – baby pickled aubergines that are stained purple with beetroot juice. The meal deals are great value, such as the £4.20 meal, which includes a soft drink and nice fat English chips, not the Low Countries frites you might expect. It’s mainly a takeaway place; seating is spartan and limited. Not only delicious, Maoz is also kosher and vegan, and open late: useful for late-night Soho revellers in search of sustenance. There’s also a new branch in nearby Brewer Street.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2007
check the New York Post review
check this website for Maoz Munich
This cheap and cheerful café is a great place to have a quick bite to eat in Soho. This branch is one of two in Soho and part of an international chain which originated in Holland. Their philosophy is providing fresh vegetarian fast food. Falafel is offered with or without pitta bread and or houmous or other toppings and you can help yourself to the salad. Portions are generous, very reasonably priced and very tasty indeed. A take away is available or you can sit at one of the tables, sharing with other diners if the eatery is busy.
Jane Wright – Wednesday, February 15, 2006
As unexpected an arrival as one could imagine on South Street, Maoz is also one of the most welcome. The Dutch chain has the city’s finest falafel crisped but not hardened on the exterior, with a warm sensation of chickpea meal inside and a do-it-yourself topping/salad bar.
Best of Philly
Maoz has quickly established itself fondly in the hearts of those who frequent Old compton street.OK,it’s simple fare but i’m always impressed by the freshness of the veg and the friendly staff. yoshimasa watanabe
“Best Falafel EVER!!” Posted by seapheasant on: Saturday, December 03, 2005 at 02:47 AM PST
Review: I live in Paris these days, after living in NY for 15 years. I am a falafel conoisseur. MAOZ is the BEST Falafel ever. More fresh ingredients than you’ve ever imagined to put on top of the falafel. Marinated beets, radish, carrot salad, fresh tahini, 4 levels of hot sauces, also roasted eggplant is amazing. Once a week I walk from the 7th arrondisement (35 minutes) to eat at Maoz. The best! Also, friendly people and a good tourist location near St. Michel.
At Maoz the rows of warm pitas that nestle inside wide pine boxes behind the counter are the secret to the success of its sandwiches. Im struck by how soft and puffy, yet surprisingly elastic and strong they are, capable of holding what seems like an endless amount of falafel, pickled vegetables, fried eggplant rounds, and tahini without bursting out the bottom.
The Philadelphia enquirer
Maoz has hit on a winning formula falafel sandwiches in pita bread, with added houmous or fried aubergine plus a selection of salads and sauces to add yourself. The place looks fairly functional, but with an edge of modern Soho chic.
Time Out London
Everything is super-fresh and very tasty, and even the classiest middle eastern restaurant couldn’t serve better falafel. Friendly staff ensure that everything is kept running smoothly. Make sure you don’t miss the bright purple pickled baby aubergines delicious.
Time out London
Boah, you are now even in Munich?? How awesome! I mean. One of the reasons I was so happy to come to Amsterdam was always because of the delicious MAOZ falafel. Hmmm… yummy. And now you are in Munich? Coolness. You are the best, I love you! Still, I’m going to visit Amsterdam even in the future! ;) Cheers
Gerhard Limburg, Munich
“Best Falafel on Earth” Posted by veganbutterfly on: Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 11:36 PM PST Review: I hyped up this place all weekend and it still didn’t let down my boyfriend who said… we can eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… who needs anything else?! Yes, it’s that good. I recommend the falafel with eggplant (aubergine). YUM! The salad bar is awesome. Biggest bang for your buck. And who can beat fries in a cone?!
Aug 06 2006 07:27PM The quest for the best vegetarian sandwich in Philly stops firmly at Maoz Vegetarian, located at 248 South St. This no frills take out spot features a falafel sandwich like none other in the city, or anywhere in this country for that matter. The first Maoz location opened in Holland in 1991, and the one on South Street is the only one in the US. What makes this falafel sandwich so unique is the self serve “salad bar,” filled with all kinds of well-seasoned mixtures of veggies to top your sandwich with. Shredded cabbage in purple or white, big chunks of sautéed carrots, fried looking chopped cauliflower, black olives, and tabouli salad are just a few of the potential toppings, all loaded with interesting (and tasty) Mediterranean-style spice combinations. The contrast of the cool salad and the hot, freshly fried falafel balls will have you telling the story long after your trip. To top it off, hot french fries are served with the meal combos, in a funky triangular cone of foil. All this, plus a beverage, for around $6.
By Kaya Casper
The Maoz logo will be familiar to anyone who’s ever hungrily roamed the streets of central Amsterdam. However, the small chain is now expanding into territory outside its native Netherlands: along with branches in Spain, France and the US, it’s opened this plain but surprisingly large takeout counter and waiting room right on ever-buzzing Old Compton Street. The menu is simple: falafel (from £3), served in pitta with or without houmous or tahini, and topped with as much or as little salad as you like. It won’t win any awards; indeed, the falafel at Gaby’s (see p150), half a mile down the road, knocks the Maoz variety into a cocked pitta. But they’ll serve you quickly, and the healthy scran will fill you up in no time. Worth knowing about, if hardly worth a special trip.
Time Out London
