Waves of Arab and Turkish migration took falafel through Europe especially to Germany.
Falafel reached Europe through migration from the Middle East and North Africa, with Germany becoming a particularly important destination. A large Turkish population had established roots there, creating a receptive setting for Middle Eastern and Turkish food businesses.
At first, falafel in Germany was eaten mainly by migrants. During the early 1970s, Turkish food stalls and restaurants helped make it more familiar to German customers. As falafel entered the wider street-food market, recipes could change to suit local tastes and available ingredients.
This history is sometimes confused with falafel’s origin. Germany did not create the dish; falafel most likely originated in Egypt and spread across the Middle East before reaching Europe. Germany’s importance lies in the role of migration, restaurants, and food stalls in transforming falafel from a migrant food into a widely available vegetarian meal.