Move over meatballs: IKEA’s new menu item is capturing attention
The Swedish furniture giant celebrates 40 years of meatballs with a new plant-based twist for U.S. diners.
A trip to IKEA invariably means spending far longer there than you originally anticipated, which often leads to a stop at the restaurant. The menu is filled with Swedish-inspired dishes, including salmon fillets and salads. However, nothing says IKEA more than its meatballs, which some argue are as famous as its build-it-yourself furniture.
Meatballs get new competition
Now, IKEA is adding a new item to its menu that it hopes will rival meatballs in popularity. The furniture store has served a variety of “food balls” over the years, from veggie balls to plant-based options. According to IKEA, it has sold 1.4 billion food balls annually for the last four decades, a truly impressive feat of counting, it should be said.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the first meatball served in its stores, IKEA will soon list falafel balls on its menu.
Falafel joins the IKEA menu
“We sell flatpack furniture and round-shaped food!” said Daniel Yngvesson, Global Food Designer at IKEA, in a press release. ”Following the many different meatball variations introduced over the years, once we started testing recipes, we felt the falafel would be the perfect addition to the menu. The falafel has become a staple in Swedish food culture over the years, and the aromatic and nutty flavor is a beloved favorite all over the world. It’s also an exciting new flavor profile for IKEA.”
When will IKEA start serving falafel balls?
The introduction of falafel balls represents a continuation of IKEA’s drive to offer more healthy, plant-based options. The new food ball is described as “crispy on the outside with a tender inside of chickpeas, zucchini, onions, and spices” and will be “plated with couscous, aioli, and a slice of lemon.”
Falafel balls, which will be produced in New Jersey, are set to arrive in IKEA stores across the United States in early 2026.
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