GOLDEN FALAFEL
About This Spot
Stepping into Golden Falafel on East Yale Avenue invites you into a modest, unpretentious corner of Mediterranean flavor nestled in Denver’s vibrant south side. The pace here is easy and unhurried, perfect for those moments when you seek comfort through familiar, hearty dishes rather than theatrical dining theatrics. It’s a place where the focus remains on the simple joy of sharing meals that carry the warmth of home-style cooking.
The atmosphere feels quietly authentic—more about the food and less about frills. Light chatter and the occasional friendly nod from the staff create a hum of everyday routines, making it an inviting spot for locals and curious travelers alike. The décor may not be flashy, but there’s a sincere, grounded quality to the space that lets the dishes speak for themselves.
Here, the menu unfolds like a journey through Mediterranean staples, where falafel arrives with a focus on texture and seasoning that avoids dryness, and shawarma is layered with garlic sauce lending a gratifying depth. Vibrant plates of fresh vegetables, pickled sides, and the occasional touch of saffron rice provide subtle contrasts that engage the palate without overwhelming it. Sweet bites like baklava hint at tradition, rounding out the experience with a familiar, comforting sweetness.
Golden Falafel’s appeal lies in its honest approach—a spot where you can dig in without fuss, and where every plate tells a story of carefully balanced flavors and shared meals. The steady rhythm of service, marked by attentive but straightforward hospitality, complements the unassuming atmosphere and lets diners settle in for something genuinely satisfying. It’s a quiet invitation to explore Mediterranean tastes with a calm, grounded heart.
What’s Available Here
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No-contact delivery
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Delivery
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Takeout
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Dine-in
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible restroom
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Wheelchair accessible seating
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Healthy options
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Vegan options
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Vegetarian options
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Restroom
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Casual
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Quiet
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Family-friendly
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Locals
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM - 07:00 PM |
Olivia Hubble 02 Jan 2026
Really really delish. Was too hungry and excited and forgot to take pics of all the food. But we ordered baba ghanoush and the zaatar pie to start. Both were **chefs kiss**. Then ordered the chicken shawarma plate and the gyro plate—they were out of beef shawarma. The garlic sauce on top of the chicken shawarma was nuts. And the gyro meat was really tasty. Point being, no complaints. The flow of take out was very consistent though we dined in and we were able to take about 2 meals of left overs home—healthy portions! Would return!
Andrew Land 23 Dec 2025
We had a pretty good meal at Golden Falafel. We started off with a greek salad which was good 7/10. As an appetizer we tried the falafel, good flavor, a little undercooked but still happy with them 7.5/10. The entrees came with a side of hummus, which was a little on the bland side, but still a nice sized portion 5/10. The pita was thin and flat and also left a little to be desired 5.5/10. For entrees I got the gyro, much better than other places that I have been to. The seasoning and flavor were great, the rice left a lot to be desired 8/10. My girlfriend had the chicken shawarma plate, which was alright, the meat was a little thin but all in all 6.5/10. For a dessert we got the baclava, which was very small, but still tasted pretty good 6.5/10. I do not live close to here and would not say that it was worth the drive. If you live close to here, this is an alright spot for Mediterranean food.
Michael 21 Dec 2025
Elevator speech -gyro, fries, falafel good, pita dry not homemade, hummus too bitter, too much tahini. Interior decoration is miserable, weird vibes. - - - - - - - If you are still with me, I’ll say, overall it was a good experience. The older gentlemen that served us wasn’t nice but wasn’t mean, and was attentive and quick. I didn’t mind that. We had high hopes for the pita bread as it was large and looked ALMOST homemade but it definitely wasn’t. Dry and leathery. I would go back for the gyro and the fries oddly enough. The fries are really good and certainly homemade. I ended with a Turkish coffee and it’s the first coffee that’s woke me up in a while. Tiny and mighty! Lastly, this is JUST ME because I’m really into music, (audiophile) but they have a really small, pitchy speaker that sounds terrible, full blast in there. It made it super awkward and comical. Felt like we were on an episode of always sunny or something funny like that. Alright, tootles.
Heather Crenshaw 12 Dec 2025
Wow, what a treat! We are visiting Denver for the gem show. After a very long day of shopping, we were famished. We ordered way too much food, and loved everything! We got the gyro plate, vegetarian sampler, lentil soup and pickled veggies. Everything was so fresh and flavorful! My favorite thing was the baba ghanouj! The sweet and tangy flavor of pomegranate seeds was the perfect addition to the creamy eggplant. We also enjoyed sipping on the Moroccan Mint tea. We will definitely be back next time we are in town!
Courtney 16 Nov 2025
The food was amazing, the prices are good, and it's the best felafel I've found! It didn't feel dry like so many do. I'll definitely be back. I ordered the vegetarian plate and a side of saffron rice. I didn't realize the dish already came with rice, lol. It's a great portion, and every element was prepared perfectly! I also ordered a sweet green tea to go :)
Andrew Lee 19 Sep 2025
We’re a family who was visiting town for a concert, and the night before went to a popular, highly rated diner that we found very mid. We walked into Golden Falafel after the lunch rush with measured expectations. It was clear that this restaurant was a beloved neighborhood spot because every table had remnants of devoured meals. The very friendly host cleared off a table for my family to sit and look over the menu. Super helpful service and delightfully plated dishes. The falafel was truly one of the best I’ve ever had. My wife’s grilled lamb had a great flavor to it, but I really loved the gyro plate that I ordered. It was my son’s first time trying gyro meat, and he loved it too. The pickled plate was huge, and my son demolished the olives. In fact, all the plates were large portions. I left the meal stuffed and satisfied. If we’re back in the area, we’d definitely come back.
Lazslo Dante Riley Jr 15 Sep 2025
Stopped by on my lunch break and ordered the lamb shank. They said it would take about 20, but they whipped it up in 15. Took my first bite and was blown away The salad was amazing and the lamb was cooked great with savory sauce and onions on top. Absolutely delicious, definitely worth a try.