eating out: falafelbaren

A really good falafel is hard to find. At least in Stockholm. But today I met what is most likely the best falafel I've ever had. In Stockholm and elsewhere.

Best overall falafel meal is still by far Hummus Bar in Budapest. Though as far as falafel itself goes, this one was super lovely, both in texture and flavour. Light and crispy.

The falafel and I met at popular hipster place (though I was glad to see there was a wide range of other guests too) Falafelbaren (The Falafel bar) and enjoyed a lunch together. Or at least I enjoyed the lunch, falafel was simply eaten.

I chose the falafel salad with halloumi. I know, I'm trying to eat vegan as much as possible but it was ages ago since I had halloumi and it looked so good. Sadly - or not! - it didn't taste much and it was difficult to remember why I've used to love halloumi. If there'll ever be a vegan version I'm no stranger to trying it of course...

The rest of the salad consisted of different mezes with flavour and textures that made the palate a very happy one. (Although carrot salad was no where near as heavenly as the Hummus Bar carrot and coriander one...)



My company chose luxuary falafel in pita bread and enjoyed it immensely too.

All food served at Falafelbaren is vegetarian. Most of it is vegan apart from the cheese and egg in a couple of dishes. The rennet in the cheese is non-animal.

Already looking forward to my next lunch there!

Edit, January 2015 - Please beware of a horribly slippery floor in the restaurant. I crash landed and unfortunately the coat needed a good dry cleaning after the incident, but things could really have gone so much worse. They apologized profusely but I was not offered anything as a compensation, like a free meal.

Edit again - they were really good on social media after the incident and they offered to pay my dry cleaning. Great customer service!

Food - 4/5
Service - 3/5
Ambiance - 2/5
Value for money - 4/5

Falafelbaren
Hornsgatan 39
Stockholm
Mon - Fri 11 am - 7 pm (or until they run out of falafel)
Sat 11 am  - 4 pm

for the love of trams

I think public transportation is a brilliant thing - if well thought through, well-built, well-kept and used by people who actually know how to act in a decent way - and I just do not get societies which are built around the excessive use of cars. Bad for the environment, bad for the waistline and bad for the wallet.

As a recent reminder of just how bad a lot of excessive driving really is for the environment and health, with the recent presidential visit in Stockholm, pretty much the majority of the inner city streets where closed off for traffic and the emissions dropped drastically. I wish politicians could learn from this, put more money and resources into public transportation, I wish drivers could make an effort and cut down on their excessive driving.



Which brings me to my favourite type of public transportation, the tram. Adore it. But I don't fancy the Stockholm trams we have these days, too modern and therefore dull and uninspiring. (Apart from the special cafe tram above. Which I, believe it or not, have yet to try.)



What I thoroughly enjoy is riding trams when on trips, love the Helsinki tram-system (not only because they have free wi-fi, which in itself is awesome) and the way in which you can have a great and unpretentious sightseeing around the city with it. I digged the trams in Lisbon, because they were so pretty, old, rickety and a bit scary due to their borderline ramshackleness. And I totally fancied the trams in Budapest, their opened windows offered sweet relief from the summer heat as well as lovely views and easy transport.



What's your favourite kind of public transport?
And do you have a favourite city/place for it?

budapest people in pictures

Taking pictures of people unaware of it (or at least not posing) is really one of my favourite things to do with a camera. Even better is taking pictures of people taking pictures. Alas it's usually a bit easier to catch them unaware with an iPhone than with a DSLR, but that rarely leave room for any close ups. Here are a few unpretentious favourite no-iPhone people moments caught in Budapest (SOOC) -







Workers in blue and yellow, dressed in the Swedish flag-looking



Budapest certainly has one of, if not the, prettiest parliament building ever.



This old man was so utterly untalented and made such a ghastly noise with that poor violin that people had to give him money to stop.



The Hungarian police.



If you don't have a travel companion to take pictures of you can always take pictures of other people's travel companions posing.





I may have misinterpreted this scene, but it did break my heart a little when I saw it...



I call this one "deep asleep on the bus".



The perfect place for selfies.



These two girls reminded me a bit of myself as a kid.





Like mistress like dog.



Blue and red lifeguard on duty.



Hey you unknown guy begging me to take your picture, now you ended up in my blog too.



Everywhere, in every country, all these ridiculous, meaningless, outdated military procedures...



Castle tourists.



Love this message, love this scene. Love people watching and people snapping.

hot dog

Another thing to appreciate about Budapest is the overall general impression of well-kept, well-behaved and much loved dogs (which certainly isn't always the case at travel destinations, quite the heartbreaking opposite) -



this happy chap just jumped into the water feature at the square and played around like crazy (it was after all +35C), trying to catch the illusive squirts, to much everyone's delight nearby. Soon followed by a few little girls. A truly smile inducing scene. The unadulterated joy.

budapest ferris wheel

Never got to ride this particular ferris wheel, even if I think they're rather great for enjoying a city from above I'm not too charmed by the modern type of ferris wheel. Probably more practical and safe I suppose, but not nearly as romantic and enchanting as the old ones.



Riding a ferris wheel by yourself is pretty un-entertaining and when in the company of someone who's afraid of heights, well, having a spin in it isn't a fun option.



Do you enjoy ferris wheels?
If so, where have you had the best ride in one?

eating out - hummus bar, budapest

Last time in Budapest we happened to stumble over this place, Hummus Bar, which was situated nearby our apartment at the time. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options but also other dishes for less discerning guests, the portions generous indeed, the prices more than affordable (and they also offer student discounts on the already low prices), the food delicious and fresh.



The first time back then we made the mistake of ordering many dishes since we thought they were small due to the price - left overs are great if you're able to take a doggy bag with you and eat later, if not, as in on holiday with no inclination to reheat food at the hotel/apartment, well not so great - I think we ate about 1/4. Realised hoummus is very, very filling...



This time around we were more modest and even if we tried a few other vegetarian/vegan places I think we ate at Hummus Bar at least once a day. And every time I enjoyed a bowl of this simply incredible carrots in coriander. One of the nicest, simple side dishes I've ever had! So flavourful, so fresh. Mostly accompanied by a pita bread sandwich filled with veggies, hoummus and aubergine or chips or falafel.



And a big glass of their fabulous fruit juices (mango, pomegranate or guava). Thorougly enjoyable and reviving meals after all those miles of walking around a hot summer Budapest.

The staff is really friendly, attentive and swift - after one visit they remembered what we ordered the last time - and we noticed the delivery of food were regular and in small quantities so everything made was really freshly prepared. Hummus bar has been awarded "Best exotic cheap eats" by TimeOut.













Food - 5/5
Service - 4/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Value for money - 5/5

Hummus Bar is a chain with eateries in several places in Budapest, but we kept going back to this one in the old Jewish quarters.
Hummus Bar VII
Wesselényi Síp utca 16 street corner
Budapest, Hungary

bye budapest

it has been nice, very nice to see you again. granted you've been a bit hot and exhausting, but you've also offered grand views, sights and architecture, lots of vitamin D, fabulous vegan and vegetarian food and drinks which have made my heart sing. many adorable dogs and serendipitous moments. and the magic of rose sorbet.

you also gave me lots of opportunities to think about life, love and choices. i know i complained a tad about your temperatures yesterday, but i somehow think that hot weather can release the thinking process, the mind and body in unexpected ways. so thank you for that too. we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, but i know we will.