Ikea Just Added a Surprising New Item to Its Food Court Menu

Honestly? We don’t talk about Ikea’s food court enough—and we already talk about it quite a lot. Sure, we all know that it’s probably the best place in the entire world to get your fix of meatballs and mashed potatoes (with a side of lingonberry jam, of course), but the range of other dishes on offer there is pretty wild. Whether you’re in the market for salmon fillets, pasta, chicken tenders, salads, or pancakes and bacon, Ikea’s got you covered with all of its incredible food, and some of its prices are almost criminally cheap. We’re not ashamed to say that we plan our trips to the store entirely around its food court.

We’re going to be doing that even more in 2026, thanks to Ikea’s brand-new menu addition. The Swedish furniture giant has just announced that it’s introducing falafel balls to its lineup, continuing its obsession with food in spherical form. 

Ikea’s New Falafel Balls Celebrate Its Iconic Meatballs

Ikea’s latest menu addition isn’t just a canny alternative to meatballs for people who follow plant-based diets, it’s also a recognition of the success of its signature dish. Ikea began selling meatballs 40 years ago, and in the decades since, more and more people have become aware of the joys of eating them Swedish-style. Off the back of the success of its meatballs, Ikea began selling other ball-shaped foods, including chicken balls and plant balls, and now rolls out 1.4 billion food balls each year. 

Its falafel balls are simply the latest version of these, and they’re part of Ikea’s ongoing commitment to catering for plant-based diets and preferences. These balls are made with chickpeas, onions, and zucchini, with spices mixed in to add a little bit of excitement to the mix, and are then piled high on your plate. The falafel joins other menu items, like its pasta with marinara sauce and the aforementioned plant balls, as vegan-friendly options for when you’re completely shopped out. 

Ikea’s Falafel Balls Have a Spruced-Up Side Dish

Ikea hasn’t just slapped its new falafel balls down next to its typical sides (although we definitely wouldn’t mind having them with mashed potatoes or french fries,). The store has made a big effort to make this dish an event, and is serving the balls with giant couscous, mixed with assorted vegetables. Instead of the customary lingonberry jam, they’re accompanied with a bright garlic aioli and a wedge of lemon. 

Oh, and if you’re wondering how much this all costs, we’ve got some good news for you. An eight-piece serving of falafel balls, couscous, and aioli costs just $4.99. That’s half the price of its Swedish meatballs, and several dollars less than the cost of a plate of plant balls, mash, peas, and jam. Does anyone need any flatpack furniture (or want to pick up their groceries at Ikea)? We’ll drive!