Super cute place in downtown Seattle for Mediterranean food. Their service is super fast making it an ideal place for lunch. I loved the ambiance and food here. The servers are very friendly. Don't miss their walnut bakalava...it is soooo good!! Now the food- I loved everything I ordered- red lentil soup, falafel salad and grilled eggplant sandwich! A vegetarian would be able to get a hearty lunch here for sure. We also gave Turkish coffee a try which was ah-mazing!! :) read more

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Love this place! Had some time to kill before a Mariners game so my son and I dropped in. Probably one the best hummus plates I have ever had. Get the meze plate so you can sample some of their starters! We got the hummus, carrot spread, olive leaves, and bean spread. My son opted for their creme brûlée over a snack at the game and he loved every last bite! read more

Cafe Paloma - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Went here just a few weeks ago. I was planning on getting the falafel but it didn't have the marker for vegan, so shared the Meze plate with someone and then got the lentil patties in lettuce. The Meze plate was good and the lentil patties were delicious! We just moved to Spokane so can't keep going back to Cafe Paloma, so tried to make them at home and they certainly weren't the same :( read more

Everything in the menu is amazing! Thoughtful, simple, and well balanced. Really adorable spot with great service.

Cozy and delicious! Excellent service. I will return on my next visit to Seattle.

We love going here. It is one of our favorite restaurants and we cannot wait till they are open on the weekends again. The restaurant proprietor and staff are really nice and the food is amazing. It is nice that they were open during Covid, so we could still come. Highly recommended! read more

Came in at 6pm on a Friday and immediately knew Paloma had that "something special" I hoped for. The atmosphere was easy going with only a few patrons. I was kindly greeted at the door and offered a menu upon request. They have both quick eats (side dishes of different sorts and panini sandwiches) if you're looking for a delicious lunch on the go, but also a nice sitting area if you're looking for a sit down dinner. I wanted a quick bite so I went with the "turkish version of tabuli" called Kisir. An extremely flavorful and refreshing salad that hit the spot. With many more dishes on the menu and full bar, I'll definitely be returning. The authentic atmosphere and service only sweetens the savory and makes Cafe Paloma a solid bookmark in my Yelp. read more

The Red Lentil soup is delicious. A great place to eat. I felt like I went back in time to perhaps a sweet place in New York City. The only thing i wished they had was other milk alternatives other than soy. read more

This restaurant was such a treat. I went with 3 friends for a Saturday lunch. Each of our meals were great--especially the falafel and hummus. Nice, cozy atmosphere. Ours was not a quick lunch--not excessive but plan accordingly. The slightly longer wait (think European dining) was so worth the fabulous food. read more

We happened to walk pass this restaurant just as my stomach started talking to me. Honey and I decided on a whim that this place was going to be our late lunch spot. After eating at so many different places on our vacation up until that point, it was refreshing to have something light and yummy at a low-key place. We had the roasted red pepper spread and the chicken pita. The red pepper spread was gorgeous tangy goodness. The chicken was tender and greens included had a nice vinaigrette dressing. read more

Cafe Paloma - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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SPLENDID! A great find in pioneer square. Great service, great food.. and I was very pleased to find that they were running $10 lunch specials. Really cute vibe. Try em out! read more

Really loved this little gem, staff were super nice and the room has a nice feel, especially with all the old instruments. Get the Meze Platter for appetizer and you get to select (4) Pita toppings...so good...but the best of the best is the carrot spread and red pepper spread. Also had the falafel plate, the falafel was perfect, crispy outside, warm and tasty inside, on a salad. I will go back when in Pioneer Square. read more

A great find near pioneer square. The lunch portion is just right although the service might be a little slow if you have a short lunch break. The staff was friendly and the food was good. read more

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Cute and bustling lunch cafe in Pioneer Square! Tried this place for lunch during the work week and it was packed, granted the place is quite small, but they were busy for a good reason. The menu is smallish, but the quality was incredible, I got the lamb kabob sandwich and can honestly say it was some of the best lamb I've had. The staff were friendly despite the chaotic lunch rush and I loved the eclectic ambience read more

I really enjoyed Cafe Paloma. Prompt service although a little curt. Clean, great atmosphere/ decor. Food was very good. I enjoyed a glass of their house red wine however at departure I ordered a mocha to go. This was the only let down. No flavor, a little watered down; didn't finish it. They were playing Pop music which for me is always a little bit of a letdown. I Enjoy hearing music associated with the cultural food atmosphere where I'm dining. Would still definitely return. read more

Finding myself at Jury Duty up the street I was looking for someplace vegan friendly and this place was really wonderful. The interior is bright and cheery with a row of tables along the window. I had the Meze combo plate. Some lentil "patties" on lettuce, some grape-leaf wrapped rice, hummus and some white bean salad. In Meze style it's all cool not hot. Everything was delicious. Being vegan I get my share of Mediterranean food and everything here had a fresh refreshing flavor that made it unique and not ho hum. If you, like me, find yourself hunting for a place to eat in Pioneer Square go here - have a seat by the window and watch the tourists stream by. read more

Cafe Paloma - My delightful and delicious plate of four Meze and ample pita. - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Had a great early dinner here with my brothers, my wife and toddler daughter. Not too busy at 5:30 on a Wednesday evening which made it nice. We had a meze platter with hummus, olives, quinoa tabuli, and lentil patties. All had colorful tastes and textures. I had one of the Turkish beers as well. Friendly and prompt service from who i presume is the owner. I then had the falafel plate which was downright delicious. Good crisp in the outside but nice and moist in the inside. We've been traveling so the fresh greens with the falafel was extra refreshing. Also tried some of the kofte plate and enjoyed the meatballs but definitely favored the falafel. Very accommodating of our young daughter - got her a glass of milk, they produced a straw when we asked, and didn't mind us barging in with a stroller and rearranging a table to make room for the high chair. Capped the meal with a giant chocolate chip cookie that seemed baked just right. I enjoyed the feng shui of the place and so did everyone else. Best pace I've eaten in the few days I've been staying downtown. read more

Ok. I know that Turkish and Lebanese Mediterranean food are different. But this was different than other Turkish food I've had. I know others have complained about portion size and I agree. For $16 the amount lamb on the Lamb Pita was small. It didn't even fill the pita when rolled up. I'm from LA so I'm used to higher priced food but compared to other places we have eaten at during this trip I was really disappointed at the portion size for a "Big Plate." The Meze were generally good. Hummus, Babaghanuj, and Olives were delicious. The Yaprak Sarma (stuffed grape leaves) were over-spiced. Turkish food and Egyptian food spice similarly, in my experience, but this was too much cinnamon. The Falafel was also good and actually a good portion size for the price. It could have done with some pita though. After a $50 meal- Lamb Pita, Falafel, and Meze Platter- we are still hungry. So that sucks. read more

Love love love! Some of the best humus in town! Service is great. And there isn't a bad dish on the menu. My favs are the Gorgonzola Salad, Turkish meatballs, and prosciutto panini! Must eat! read more

Cafe Paloma - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great salad options! Really enjoy the dedication of the staff and the homespun authentic feeling to the restaurant. Everyone is very friendly and open if you need dietary restrictions accommodated. Popular catering option within my office, but we normally schedule for pick up. read more

I cannot believe I have patronized this warm and wonderful place for 20 years and never wrote a review! I have one to get to know the owners and staff and how very much they have work they have put into helping both their fellow businesses, but also the community. They truly care about neighborhood and people. Yes the food and drinks are always exactly what I want. But the intangible things like soul are what make this place a sold 5 for me. read more

Down the street from our hotel is the cutest little Mediterranean café. The service was exceptional, the Köfte was delicious, the hummus was some of the best I've had. My wife and I enjoyed a glass of the House red which was fantastic. Highly recommended. Great vibe. Not bad price read more

Well let's see?!! This amazing fella opened this cafe while I lived upstairs in the same building some 20 years ago. Everybody in the building and the neighborhood frequented his establishment because of the great food, wine, and all around amazing vibe. It's been almost 20 years since I've been back. This city changes so much, so often, that for a restaurant to still exist in the same spot for that many years obviously something is being done right, right?!!! So awesome to see my old friend again and have a drink at the Cafe. And you know what else?!!! I ran into my old neighbors there too damn it!!!! Actually cost me a few bucks. Owed then some cash from a car a bought 20 years ago. Always fun to pay money to people you love, miss, and respect just cause, at a place you both love!!!!! read more

After taking the "Underground Tour" of old Seattle (highly recommended!), my hubby and I wanted a nice lunch. Mediterranean food is a favorite of ours so we chose Cafe Paloma and were not disappointed. The place is small and charming, the waitress was very friendly and attentive. The menu is small with many vegetarian options. I had the Falafel salad (delicious!) and my husband had the lamb pita. I think we both pictured "gyro" but of course that's not what the menu said. The meal was actually a mixture of lamb, tomatoes and onions in sauce, with pita slices, taziki sauce and salad. Although not what we expected it was good (the lamb could have been a bit more tender and the portion size was rather small). For dessert we tried the baklava, which was light and flaky - the best I've ever had. Only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is the small menu, the smallish portion sizes (good for a light lunch, not good if you are really hungry or have a meat lover in the group). And the water on the table had a bug or something stuck to the inside of the bottle. But the waitress brought us iced water without us asking. read more

Cafe Paloma - Falafel Salad (front) and Lamb Pita at Cafe Paloma, Seattle. - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cute little place in a relatively decent part of Pioneer Square. Small quaint patio outside, and a small but lovely dining area inside. They also have a deli type display where I guess you can order to go! We had the Meze Platter, where you can choose 4 apps. We had the Hummus, Babaghanuj, Quinoa Tabuli and Saksuka. We eat a decent amount of Mediterranean foods from a variety of places and my fiance is Lebanese and has a strong reference point, so we are always excited to try new options. This platter was ok. It was a small app starter, decent for two people. Four small mounds of the different items with about 8 pita squares (we really needed almost twice the amount of pita sadly). The hummus was fine- tasty, standard but fine. The Babaghanuj was tasty as well, and standard as well. The tabuli was ok- it is not a standard tabuli and really should probably be called something else. It is all quinoa (which it clearly states on the menu), with a smattering of parsley. It was good, but pretty far from a traditional tabuli. The Saksuka... I want to love this dish but it was ice cold and I just couldn't do it. Hot it would have been great I think. Cold...it made me want to gag a bit. The service was friendly and adequate although not much more. We contemplated getting a full meal after the apps and decided to press on with our afternoon and find another location to try for a full lunch. A lovely spot with decent foods, and I would happily go back to try an entree. Just be aware that they take artistic licence with the food so you might want to clarify if you are really picky about what "authentic" items are in a dish. If you are pretty open minded you should be fine. read more

Let me preface this review by saying I go to this place 2-3 times a week on average and often bring coworkers to try out this place as well. I always rave about the food, the amazing owner, and the European atmosphere. Today, this restaurant lost many customers. We came in for a team lunch (around 12 people) and called ahead to reserve the space. The food took a longer than usual and didn't arrive at the same time, as we anticipated. Not only did the food arrive staggered, but it also arrived lukewarm, and even cold in some cases. We didn't say a word. The real challenge happened at the end of the meal. I politely asked the waitress if we could just go up to the cashier and close out individually with cards. Four of us were regulars so I assumed it would be no problem to honor that request. She immediately said no. I asked her to ask the owner since it would truly simplify and expedite the checkout process. The owner came out and started yelling at us so loudly that everyone in the restaurant stopped talking and stared at our table. The regulars at the table were even more appalled and embarrassed than the rest of the group because in my wildest dreams, I did not consider this as a possible reaction. Rest assured that none of this party of 12 will be returning to this restaurant ever again. There are many competitive and incredible restaurants in the area to give our money to. The worst part is that they included an 18% tip for service that deserved no tip at all. If this is how they choose to do business, we want no part in it. Mind you, our lunch was over $250 and we were being treated with less respect that one gets at a McDonald's. read more

Okay, so I was addicted to yelp on this daily basis kind of way? And now I'm all, like, it's been too long since we've seen each other! I think the recent heat wave just killed any desire for manual effort, like typing and thinking and... something... The heat pushed me out of my kitchen, so I suggested to the bf we eat at Cafe Paloma. If he were to tell the story, he originally suggested the restaurant--at this point he would reference his Turkish friend, but the truth of the matter is I was sent a list of Turkish restaurants compiled by Citysearch and chose the locations in the city against yelp. But aren't we all winners in the game of Life? I ask you. My only experience with Paloma consisted of popping in for an Americano to-go before my French classes at Washington Academy of Languages. The owner of Paloma was usually behind the counter or cooking in the kitchen, and he was always cordial. Convival, even. I was disheartened to not see him when we arrived for dinner, but his staff were just as friendly. The restaurant closes at 9pm, but our waitress told us not to feel rushed during our meal. We started with a shepherd's salad and stuffed grape leaves, both of which were delicious. I'm used to Turkish restaurants on the east coast (read: New Jersey) that are heavy on meat and dairy, but Paloma offers lighter fare which is exactly what you want when it's hot. We ordered a bottle of white wine that was chilled just a bit too much, but the notes of almond came through perfectly when its temperature came up a bit. My bf had the spinach pie, and I opted for the wrap of hummus and shepherd's salad without the feta. The desserts, while they looked delectable, contain dairy, so I wasn't able to partake of anything. Instead, we finished our bottle of wine as the last table of the evening and chatted with our waitress who's from Turkey and has only lived in the states for 18 months. She's as charming as the cafe, I tells ya. read more

My chicken pita was good, as was the dill yogurt sauce. However, service was lacking. My server whizzed by my table at least three times before taking my order, tending to tasks (such as bussing tables) that clearly could have (and should have) waited until after I ordered. Grrr.... When I asked for more sauce, it never arrived, and I had to stand up and ask the owner for some. My meal was accompanied by an anemic looking spinach salad with a scant amount of dressing. The chicken pita was delicious, but hardly filling. I ate an hour ago, but I am still really hungry. :( Three stars becuase the food, what little I got of it anyway, WAS yummy. I just hate small meals. After shelling out over $10 for a quickie lunch, I should not be leaving hungry. Bah. read more

Oh, don't you just get down when you have high hopes for a place and leave thinking it could have been better? It could have been. Not that it was such a negative experience, it just seemed the place had more potential. We were seated pretty quickly, and I think there were a total of 2 other customers being waited on. We immediately ordered the Yaprak Sarma (grape leaves, stuffed), Kofte, and Falafel plates. While waiting for what seemed to be far too long, we decided to pass on the wine because nothing on the menu seemed appealing, and then we got to sniff the wonderful scent of... burnt bread? Eh. The food finally came out and I was slightly disappointed that the falafel plate didn't come with any pita bread + hummus, but came with a salad. Granted, the salad was VERY good - as was the falafel. It just seemed like a lot of money for fried beans and a side house salad. But I digress. The grape leaves were tasty and the boyfriend loved his Kofte. Server was very personable too, which I'm a fan of. I'm just not sure I'd keep Paloma at the top of my list for Mediterrean eat-outs. read more

What a fantastic little find! I've been kind of on a Greek/Mediterranean kick lately... You walk in the door and are instantly tempted with a display of panini sandwiches and wonderful aromas. The dining area is attached and it has the feel of a European cafe. We arrived at 11:45AM and it was just starting to get busy, by noon it was packed. Usually I can pick a few things out on the menu that sounds good, but honestly everything on the menu looked wonderful. We ordered the Meze platter, you can choose three selections and so we ordered the red pepper spread, the humus and the babaghanuj. It only comes with one pita, so ask for extra pita. The humus was quite good, I would have preferred it with a bit more garlic, but it was tasty. I loved the babaghanuj was sooooooooooooooo mouth watering, some of the best I ever had. The red pepper spread was a bit to oily on its own, but I put a bit on top of the babaghanuj. It was a flavor tango in my mouth... We also split the borek. It was so rich, gooey and flaky.. all good things! The ambiance is really quaint as well. It is in Pioneer Square and so there are a lot of homeless wandering around. They seem to be a bit more aggressive in this area, just be cautious. With tip, tax and everything it cost $30, and we had left overs. I will be back... great little spot! read more

Favorite falafel, great hummus, and the best people. We stopped in 50 minutes before closing on a Saturday and stumbled upon live music and a poetry reading that is usually paid reservation only, but they had two chairs and allowed us to join for free. Best experience ever. Amazing music, great food, and the vibe was so fun and welcoming. Will 100% be coming back if I'm ever in Seattle! read more

Cute little restaurant in Pioneer Square. They offer quite a few vegan options. I did a plate that allowed me to try four different vegan sides. It was delicious and came with pita slices. My colleague's falafel order seemed to have gotten lost, but when we asked for it, they went above and beyond to apologize and make sure we were taken care of. The staff were amazing and even though we got an order late, the customer service related to the delay made it a five star experience. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in town. read more

This place is so delicious! My husband and I got the lamb and Gorgonzola paninis. So tasty and the salad was amazing. The lady working was so nice and gave me extra salad cause I loved it so much. read more

Love Cafe Paloma. I've enjoyed their fresh take on Mediterranean food. Great for a late lunch or dinner during gallery walk, or any night - so good. Great salads, hummus, Falafel, baklava... I always feel better after eating there. Great for take out too if you're headed to the ferry. read more

I have wanted to try Cafe Paloma for a while now and finally had my chance when I came here for the first time this last week to pick up lunch to go. I have to say I was a little disappointed. I ordered the Chicken PIta and paid $11 (with tax). The quality of the dish was just okay and the portions were really small. This dish comes with some chicken pieces, a side salad and pita slices. I liked the incorporation of sauteed tomatoes and herbs with the chicken but thought it lacked salt. The side salad that comes on the side had a nice vinaigrette dressing but the portion size was really small...maybe a half cup of greens? And, finally the dish comes with about 6 small triangular shaped pita slices which help fill you up but seemed underwhelming. Overall, I felt I overpaid for my meal and was disappointed. I (unfortunately) will probably not be returning. read more

The service is a bit slow when it's full but the hummus with warm pita's is the best I have ever had. It's creamy and flavorful it make you want to get another order to take home. This place is done best as a tapas bar style. Share! Then you can try more. I don't dare to try and spell the dishes, but do try them all. I found this place a nice place to hang out. PS They have a great line up of music. Get on their e-mail list and get first hand information! read more

My husband and I are visiting Seattle on our way to taking a cruise to Alaska. We ordered a Gorgonzola salad and Hummus for a take out dinner. They were almost closing but they took the order . The salad and the hummus were enough for both of us and were delicious. Most of all they were very nice and gracious. I recommended. read more

Cafe Paloma - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington

So I met a relative here who suggested this place for an early dinner. The place has a quaint sidewalk cafe type feel and you can eat outside and people watch if you want. We chose to sit inside. Place is quiet and great for a date or any type of dinner where you want to hear your partner's conversation. I had the eggplant panini with salad. My dining partner had the falafel. They have a small but decent selection of foreign beers to go with your meal. This would be a great place if you're a vegetarian as there are a lot of non-meat dishes on the menu. Service was very nice and friendly and non-intrusive. Being that it is Pioneer Square, my dining partner had to park about 5 blocks away. read more

This was a pleasant surprise in a last minute search for lunch. I wasn't expecting much when I walked into a near-empty cafe that looked like it only consisted of a fridge and a counter upon entry. It was delightful to be whisked away to the actual seating area and be handed a simple (but varied) paper menu for lunch. Though the prices seemed a little high at first, the portions and quality of the entrees was satisfying. I only made it halfway through my chicken panini ($10) before electing to take the rest home. A decent wine list also accompanies the food menu, which offers plenty of affordable fares. The place seemed to start filling up (without being too crowded) after about noontime. Service was relaxed without being annoying, but I would expect to spend about an hour enjoying your sit-down meal. read more

A vet friendly restaurant with low-key ambiance and common Turkish dishes. I accidentally ran into one of the music events it hosted, so I had the extra benefit of enjoying some life music too. A very pleasant experience. read more

Cafe Paloma - Sample mezes. - Mediterranean Near Me - Seattle, Washington