IKEA celebrates 40 years of meatball success with falafel

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 09. 19. 11:34

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IKEA is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the global success of its legendary Swedish meatball (köttbullar) with a new plant-based dish: falafel. The novelty is made from chickpeas, zucchini, onions and a spice mix and will be served with couscous, aioli and lemon slices in restaurants. It will be gradually available in IKEA restaurants in more countries over the next six months.

The Swedish furniture manufacturer aims to encourage more guests to eat plant-based food with falafel, while combining Scandinavian gastronomic traditions with sustainable eating. The company’s catchy motto remains the same: “We sell flat-packed furniture and round-shaped food.”

Milestones in the history of meatballs: The classic köttbullar was introduced in IKEA’s first restaurant in 1960, and has been available in all stores worldwide since 1985. Today, nearly one and a half billion pieces are sold each year, while the company serves a total of around 710 million guests in 473 restaurants in 63 markets. Over the years, the range has been continuously expanded: in addition to the classic meatball, chicken and vegetable balls have been added to the menu, and from 2020, the plant-based “huvudroll” has also been added. Now, falafel is joining the list, further strengthening IKEA’s sustainability strategy.