Traditionally it is mainly eaten in the Middle East, but increasingly also in Western countries. Shawarma shops sell it as a form of fast food in a sandwich (pita bread or Lebanese, Arabic or Turkish bread, with salad and sauce) or as a dish (usually with sauce, salad and chips). The sauces that are usually served with falafel are tare sauce (based on tahini), hummus, onion sauce, yogurt sauce, garlic sauce or a spicy sauce.

Falafel is also made from dried broad beans, possibly with a handful of chickpeas. In Egypt people often only use beans. After Israel was established as a country, falafel was adopted as a national dish. Some Palestinians object to this appropriation of what they see as their justice.