What a fantastic and amazing dinner we had tonight. As due to the Covid time we are in we drove up and ordered after reviewing the menu on line. Parked in front , walked up to the open window with a mask & Christof took our order. Two beef dinners and a chicken. Garlic dinner. We decided to try something new & not our favorite dinners. A order of dolma for a appetizer before dinner. And a packet of I dessert called baklava, there are three different flavors. Pecan is our favorite, but you have to ty them all. Then I decided to buy a box of each for the weekend. I have loved baklava for 30 years and his is the best I have ever had. Made fresh ingredients, the Filo dough is so light and amazing. The nuts are ground to a perfect consistency, and they are so light and tasty. Many other people who make them drown them and honey and you can't taste the flavor of the baklava. He is a master so making and baking them right every time. We took our meals and drove down to the park by the Coast Guard pier next to Camry row, that is famous in Monterey. Thursday walk and bike path right above the beach. Sundown is a perfect time to dine in your car and watch the sailboats sell back at the harbor why are you dying on the most beautiful and tasty dinner. Perrier water and baklava were so amazing at the end of fine dining. We have done this three times during the pandemic and this is the only place we know we can get the best fresh food prepared that day. The salad dressing and the other rice, and the beef was so tender you could cut it with a fork and the toppings are to die for. We drive 50 miles just to have his dinner takeout and go to the beach and watch the sailboats and sunset. $75 and we have Damas,and baklava We hope to have for the weekend. I don't think it's gonna last till Saturday. I was find myself thinking of dolma wrapped in grape leaves. The last time I took a takeout lunch and a packet of dumb as they did not make it back to the office for lunch. My wife did not even know that I bought them. They are so tasty and amazing, the best I've ever had I eat one then two three then I looked down and the plastic container was Empty....all 6 were gone...so I just hid the container in the Bach seat, before I got out of the car. If you go to paprika's, say Ray said "you have the most fantastic meals ," and if you've never had dogmas, You must try them, I guarantee you you'll never have anything like them anywhere else you go . Oh his the baklava is to die for. I can't wait for us to get through this pandemic so if you go back into the restaurant I have one of those fantastic dinners, and talk to him with his smiling face he treats you like a member of the family and caters to your every need. His dinner s are amazing the taste just tantalize your tastebuds. And when you look it's ability of the meal you won't believe it. He could charge twice as muchAnd it still would be a goodbye. You will enjoy a meal and then go back again and again. read more

After a long day running along the beach and kayaking in the beautiful bay. My friends and I were starving! We had only peanut butter sandwiches out on the water with us and no one had eaten anything more than that. Naturally we use our smart phones to check yelp for a great place to eat that is also inexpensive. That is how we stumbled upon this after our first attempt was an upscale mexican restaurant and cantina that we were not dressed for its classy table service or have our pocket books to pay for that event. When we drove by at first we missed it, "That is when you know the place is good!" We made a wailing U turn and got a parallel spot right in front on the street. This tiny hole in the wall could barely seat the 6 of us and that is what made the experience so much nicer! We waited for a couple to finish while the owner brought us some of the best pita bread and hummus we had ever had in our lives!!! We cleaned the bowls with in seconds and he was so surprised when he glanced over that we had finished it that quickly. Every plate picture on the wall we wanted to eat. We did not have a lot of money on us being that only a few had brought their wallets. We ended up sharing plates. Every plate was being passed back and forth between us because every bite was so incredible and full of flavor we wanted us all to try it. By the time we were done with our Gyro's Dolmas Kabobs Rice Salads ect. the plates left no trace of food ever having been there. He was so thoughtful to bring us a little bite of baklova for each of us. This meal was as though he had invited us into his home for a holiday dinner and cooked for us the most amazing meals that usually only his family gets to enjoy. It was like we were the little matchstick girls out side the window and he played an amazing parental roll by feeding us home cooked meals from greece! The entire restaurant is made to feel like a patio with awnings and lights and plants. The kitchen ware that you could imagine must have been passed down through the family is on the walls as decoration and the lights above must have been hand made they are gorgeous. The best part about this home cooked meal was it felt like we stumbled upon a secret in a city full of generic meals made to how Americans fancy them, plane and separated to their picky children's liking... If you want to feel as though your money on a meal was well spent and you had an experience while you were dinning. Then you should come to this restaurant. read more

My family walked out of Persian Grill after seeing the prices and lack of vegetarian options. Still in the mood for Middle Eastern food, we headed to Paprika Cafe to be greeted by Christophe, the friendly Lebanese owner/cook/waiter. All the dishes we ordered were delicious. I particularly enjoyed the dolmas and falafel. Make sure to order the garlic sauce (it comes with the chicken but is so amazing that you must get it no matter what)! The prices are great compared to every other restaurant in town: $5 for any wrap and $10 for any combo plate, and the portions are perfect. The bite-size baklava that comes free with every plate is vegan, not too sweet or greasy, and made on-site by Christophe. "Shukran" ("thank you" in Arabic) and if you enjoy the food, which you will, say the food is "kuwayyis awi" ("very good"). read more

This has become our favorite go-to spot for quality Mediterranean. Sooo good. The problem is that it is apparently discovered by a lot of people and it is tiny. Just about eight counter seats and a couple of tables. But if you can squeeze in at an off-peak time you are in for a treat. Very fresh ingrediants, lots of lamb, beef and chicken selections, delicious and at fair prices. The owner etc. seems to be a one man army, so you may have to wait a bit, but it is worth it. The dishes tend to be sort of Lebanese/Turkish/Arab with super Kebab choices. read more

We had high hopes for Paprika Café after reading so many great reviews, but unfortunately our experience didn't match the hype. The food we ordered was quite dry, and everything was served on paper plates, which made it feel less special than expected. The outside of the restaurant looked a bit run-down, which added to our disappointment. On the plus side, the person taking our order was really friendly and gave us some baklava samples for free and the menu does have a lot of variety -- it just wasn't the quality we were expecting based on the reviews. read more

This Paprika Café Monterey is NOT AFFILIATED with the racist Paprika San Francisco. This is a completely different business. The owner of this Paprika Café MONTEREY is a wonderful and kind-hearted man who has never ever been racist to anyone. He treats every single human being with great respect and has never discriminated against anyone. Everything's so clean inside in the cafe. The owner serves great & healthy food and has been awarded and recommended by Michelin a couple of months ago!! read more

lmao I went to get some baklava and the guy didn't understand I wanted 3 pieces of baklava , one of each they have to offer. He moved the pieces of baklava in the tray next to him with his bare ungloved fingers. I definitely didn't want anything after that . Then he tried to sell me a box of them and when I repeated myself asking just for the three pieces as stated on their menu he left to go take a phone call . Terrible and so rude . read more

NOTE: This Paprika Cafe has NOTHING to do with the racist restaurant Paprika in San Francisco! On the contrary, Paprika Cafe in Monterey is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in California! Christophe, the owner, is such a friendly guy and is always such a delight to talk to!! He makes everyone feel incredibly welcome at his quaint and lovely cafe. I recommend the garlic chicken and of course, the famous vegan baklava! read more

The absolute BEST baklava, tabouli, dolmas, spanikopita, pita bread, and falafels my boyfriend and I have ever had. Pick up was easy and smooth, and the service was warm hearted as heck. The gentleman behind the window was properly wearing his mask also, which was greatly appreciated. I was able to eat an excellent, entirely vegan meal for a reasonable price. The food served here is last meal-on-death-row material. read more

This Monterey Paprika Cafe is NOT the Paprika San Francisco that everyone is referring to as racist! Please check the page in which you're writing your review. The owner of PAPRIKA CAFE here in Monterey has always been wonderful and has never been racist. The service here is always impeccable, and I highly recommend. read more

so so so good! came here 3 days in a row. the food is so delicious and VERY vegan friendly, + good for meat eaters too. there is one man working who makes everything and he is so so soooo sweet, the service is amazing! super cute & cozy outdoor seating area. very highly recommend! p.s. get the vegan baklava!!! read more

Cute, small (I mean like 10-12 places inside), quality Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, one man band owner/waiter/cook/whatever kind of place. He's friendly, busy, but has his act really together. Long on hummus, garlic, kabobs and well cooked foods. Priced right and let's hope he is a huge success. read more

Tried this place because one of my friends talks about it and says the owner is a crack up. If its busy, he will let you know its going to be a few minutes before he can get to you. The owner is a funny man. Friendly and straight forward. Food was great. Homecooked tasting. I will be back. read more

Had dinner here with my boyfriend recently, and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. A small quaint restaurant with a homey good-feeling. The owner was there by himself and very gracious. Food was affordable and well prepared. Loved the hummus and pita texture. Will be back again! read more

Best vegan baklava!! Amazing customer service and food, would definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick bite to eat when you're in Monterey, lots of vegan and vegetarian options. We got 2 falafels and the dolma combo plate and it was perfect. read more

Funny little and I mean little place down on Lighthouse. The owner is taking a very personal interest and it shows. If you can squeeze in, you will have a treat with the light excellent food at a very reasonable price. Mostly Mediterranean dishes. read more

NOT the Paprika restaurant in San Francisco! This is in Monterey, CA and we are so lucky to have this close by. One of our favorite local spots. Delicious, authentic Mediterranean food and friendly, hardworking owner. Sooooo good! read more

This place was wonderful. The food very flavorful and service friendly. Loved it because it was away from the hussle and craziness of cannery row. Thank goodness for hole in the wall restraurants..they are always the best. read more

Outstanding little place with the owner involved and it shows. This place is small, but if you can squeeze in or go outside normal lunch time, you are in for atreat. Pita wraps are excellent, and the prices aren't a gouge. read more