Right around the corner in Dundee, next to the renowned eCreamery, lies a Mediterranean gem: Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob!
This locally owned and operated restaurant offers a cozy, casual dining experience. Upon entering, we noticed its small, intimate setup featuring two long bar tables with a total of ten seats. It’s perfect for a casual meal with a friend or two, but not suited for large groups or parties. The menu is straightforward, offering only two main dishes, six appetizers, and a small kids’ menu. This simplicity allows the restaurant to focus on perfecting its core offerings.
Angel and Olivia ordered the two different entrées that the restaurant offered to sample their specialties. Angel ordered the falafel plate, which featured a spicy mixture of ground vegetables with chickpeas, formed into balls and fried. The plate came with hummus, tabouli, carrot chickpea salad, pickled red cabbage, and a spicy sauce made of garlic, vinegar, spices, and ground chilies. Olivia chose the doner kebab (a beef and lamb combination) plate, served with the same sides, but accompanied by a garlic sauce made with tahini and yogurt. We also shared an order of curry fries with mayo and ketchup. Their popular curry fries were visually appealing, topped with a vibrant blend of spices. The first bites overwhelmed us with intense saltiness, making us thirsty right away. While the fries had a decent overall flavor, the spices were overpowering at first. Olivia rated them a 7/10, saying she’d order them again, while Angel gave them a 4/10, noting she wouldn’t. Olivia enjoyed her doner kebab, describing the meat as soft, juicy, and flavorful. She especially loved pairing it with the hummus and garlic sauce. Her rating: 7.5/10, and she would order it again. Angel’s falafel was a delightful, all-vegan dish packed with flavorful vegetables. The perfectly fried exterior provided just the right crunch, complementing the soft interior. Although Angel isn’t typically a fan of hummus, she found it particularly enjoyable here. The spicy sauce paired well with the hummus which enhanced the overall flavor. Her rating: 8.7/10, and she will definitely order it again. While the main dishes were excellent, the sides left much to be desired: the carrot chickpea salad was bitter and lacked harmony between the chickpeas and carrots, which created an unpleasant flavor. We would give it a 2/10. The Tabouli was the least enjoyable, with a strong initial taste followed by an odd aftertaste sort of like “spiced milk.” Which we rated a 0/10. The pickled red cabbage: sweet and tangy, this side wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t suit our tastes. For those who enjoy sweet pickled vegetables, this could be a hit. We rate it a 2/10.
Despite its small menu, Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob delivers on its promise of flavorful main dishes. The cozy atmosphere and focus on quality make it an ideal spot for a quick, convenient, and satisfying local dinner. We’d definitely return for the falafel and doner kebab, though we’d skip the sides next time!
