Ikea Is Adding a New Item to Its Menu That’s 40 Years in the Making

Many of us know Ikea as the Swedish furniture store with build-it-yourself items that won’t break the bank, but will still keep your home looking put together. And while Ikea’s sofas and decor accents will always hold a special place in our hearts, they’re not the only items that give Ikea its devoted fanbase.

From the storage solutions to the $1 tote bags that rival Trader Joe’s, Ikea fans ride hard for the oftentimes overlooked products. And those same fans know that your Ikea trip doesn’t end after the checkout. Oh, no. You can’t go home until you’ve hit the restaurant. 

Ikea’s restaurant offers a smattering of Swedish-inspired dishes, from salmon filet to salads and dessert. Similar to how Costco food court fans love the hot dog, Ikea’s Swedish meatballs are the dish with a passionate following. 

Ikea has been serving Swedish meatballs for 40 years. Over those years, we’ve seen a few more iterations of the signature “food balls,” from Veggie Balls to Plant Balls, that have allowed the retailer to sell more than 1.4 billion food balls per year. 

Now, Ikea is marking its 40th anniversary of serving its signature meatballs by releasing an all-new food ball. The brand’s restaurant is adding falafel balls to its menu.

Ikea Restaurant Introduces New Falafel Balls

After years of testing new recipes, Ikea landed on the falafel as its newest round food offering. 

“We sell flatpack furniture and round shaped food,” Ikea’s Global Food Designer Daniel Yngvesson said in a press release. “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.”

The new falafel balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, thanks to the chickpeas, zucchini, onions, and spices. The crispy falafel, which will be produced in New Jersey, will be offered alongside couscous, aioli, and a slice of lemon. 

Ikea says its falafel will first be introduced at stores in the U.S. beginning in early 2026. The new meal expands upon Ikea’s plant-based options so more shoppers can enjoy the in-store restaurant. 

While the falafel balls won’t technically hit menus until Ikea’s 41st meatball anniversary, the brand is celebrating the 40th milestone with another new launch: a playful collab with Swedish designer Gustaf Westman for a new porcelain meatball platter. The $25 serving plate holds 11 meatballs in a row, and is available now at Ikea stores alongside the rest of Westman’s 12-piece collection. 

It’s a good year for round foods!