The cafe has a little outside seating area that is the cutest ever. This cafe is a staple to the local community and you can tell the owner is passionate about his food. Personally, he makes the best Garlic Chicken plate I've had coming from someone who grew up eating Lebanese food. Also the baklava is amazing. Give it a try! It won't disappoint. read more

Very small restaurant run by the owner - super friendly guy who does everything (cooking, serving, etc). Fun, casual, relaxed setting with 4-5 tables. Food served on paper plates, with metal silverware and colorful ceramic bowls for hummus and sauces. Very easy street parking. Tasty food that tastes homemade with fresh ingredients. Yummy spicy lemonade. Great felafel. Fresh hummus. Quality is about what you would expect for a decent Mediterranean restaurant in a bigger city. Menu has two main sections - vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Vegetarian menu doesn't mark what is vegan, but owner knows what vegan is and most veg items are vegan. Everyone in our group of four enjoyed it, including a vegan (me), vegetarian, and two meat-eaters. read more

Paprika Cafe - Fun decor. - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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I was so excited to try this place after seeing the 5 star reviews. I'm originally from the South Bay, so I've had my fair share of Mediterranean food over the years. I was so disappointed. The chicken was dry, the rice lacked flavor, and the salad was sad. The hummus and pita were the only decent items I ate. The baklava wasn't fresh and had an interesting after taste (Maybe because it's vegan). The owner seems nice, but the food really was subpar. Won't be returning, and I feel mislead by the reviews. read more

Paprika Cafe - Vegan Baklava - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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This place has great, fresh food for a reasonable price and lovely service. We ordered the lamb and beef kofta plate and falafel and spanakopita plate with drinks and a side of extra rice for our toddler. The owner was so kind and thoughtful he brought out extra bread and treats for our kiddo. And gave us a free vegan baklava! There are only three little tables here but they are under a calm, flower-covered trellis. A perfect way to end a busy day. We'll definitely stop here again when we're back in Monterey. read more

We are so happy we found this place. After reading the yelp reviews, and after spending the last couple of days doing the touristy things in Monterey, we were anxious to (hopefully) try some local dining. When we walked up to the building, we noticed that the sign said "Closed". Both my wife and I groaned "Oh Nooooo...", and hung our heads in disappointment. As we started to walk off, a guy came running up to us and said, "No they are open. We are just fixing his vent, so he had to close the restaurant. We will be done in just a few minutes." Elated, we walked back to the restaurant, and stepped in. As others have noted, it is a tiny place, and just the one gentleman runs everything. I'm guessing that he does the shopping, cooking, service, dishes, pays the bills, and everything else for the business himself. To me, this is awesome! I love it. He's been in business for over 20 years, which is an accomplishment for any business (especially for a restaurant), and tells me that he's doing something right! The first thing to note is his homemade lemon aid. I tell ya, it is literally the best I've ever had. Really smooth and delicious. I ordered the Gyro on Pita, and my wife ordered the Chicken and Kafta combo. Both dinners were really good. The bread was hot and fresh and absolutely delicious. I enjoyed the humus and spinach in the pita with the gyro meat. The rice was also extremely good. He brought us out complimentary baklava at the end, and to be hones, neither my wife or I actually like most baklava. In this case though, his baklava was wonderful! It was not too sweet, and really really good! Just a quick bite to finish up the meal So yea, I'm a fan! [ What do you do when you see a spaceman? - Park the car, man! ] read more

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Short (~10min) walk from the aquarium. Food was absolutely amazing. Portions were perfect for lunch and highly recommend the baklava! Will definitely plan to return next time I visit Monterey read more

This place is a gem! The owners are so sweet and the food is absolutely delicious. We had the falafel combo. The babaganush is the best I have ever had. The falafel were very moist, they could have been better if they had more parsley and cumin inside. The tabuleh was great, hummus absolutely delicious and the dolmas! Omg! The dolmas were yummy! Lots of vegan and vegetarian option. We will definitely return at our next visit To Monterey. read more

Paprika Cafe - Falafel combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

This restaurant makes some of the best Mediterranean food. The flavors are great. The food is fresh. He always makes us feel welcome and always gives us consistently the same good service. He makes the best hummus and baba ghanoush!! read more

This is a great and affordable Lebanese and Mediterranean food option. The menu is great for vegetarians as there's a lot of choices as well as those meat eaters so you can get your Gyro and Shawarma fill. Owner is very nice and it's a one-man show. He does all the cooking and bussing as well as the restaurant itself is very tiny. I enjoy the falafel platter as the falafel is rather dense and comes with the tabbouleh hummus and pita side. Also, you get complimentary baklava! read more

Had a great lunch there! It was a platter with falafel, baba ghanoush, hummus, tibouli, salad and pita bread, and the proprietor insisted on giving us some complimentary and wonderful baklava. They have no indoor seating. You order at the window and eat at a little table outside. It's a very sweet little place. read more

Paprika Cafe - Little outdoor seating area - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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It's a hole in the wall restaurant, small waiting and patio area. The food here is great. I like their garlic chicken wrap and falafel plate. read more

A one man show!! He serves wonderful food. Window service only. Don't let that dissuade you. He is a master of his domain!!!

We first found Paprika Cafe out at the farmers market in Monterey. As we walked by and oogled their wares we swore we'd go and try their restaurant. It's small and cute inside. The owner/chef/server is very friendly and gracious. Hard to believe a man of his age does everything by himself! I had a falafel wrap. It was big and he was generous with the filling. The Naan was soft and it was a good wrap. My husband had the Kafka plate which came with some hummus, rice and Naan. I liked what he got a little more than mine. The Kafka was very flavorful. The hummus was smooth. The rice was delicious. The only bad thing here is the parking situation. Almost entirely street parking in front of the restaurant. But you better be careful getting out on the drivers side, you could get hit. People drive down Lighthouse fast and it's narrow. There are a couple of spots in the small restaurant parking lot but you better have a small car to be able to turn around. read more

Super cute little spot in Monterey. The food was delicious! The owner even gifted us some delicious baklava! Will be coming here for all my shawarma cravings! read more

Great menu, much cheaper than any other restaurant we went to in Monterey. Got take out to eat by the ocean, which came with free delicious baklava. The gyro and spanakopita were delicious. The owner was delightful and I would go back again just to chat with him. read more

I wish I could give 6 stars Just eat here. It's phenomenal. He earned a Michelin plate for crying out loud! We ordered a chicken shawarma rice plate and a chicken shawarma pita sandwich. The ingredients, the flavor, everything was delicious. Even the pita bread was well baked and had a wonderful texture. Beyond the food, the owner is incredibly warm and thoughtful. His love is in the food. Why are you still reading? Go call and order. My wife, who is picky and doesn't even like Mediterranean food, yelled OH WOW after the first bite of the pita. read more

Did you know Paprika Cafe is featured in the Michelin guide?!! AUGH such a wondrous find in the middle of New Monterey. Paprika Cafe is my go to spot for Mediterranean food now that I am back in town. Although the cafe itself is very small, its patrons fill their cozy establishment with their welcoming personalities and heavenly scents of meat and spices. I recently had their combo plate with Shawerma, rice, and salad. AH! So many rich spices and fresh ingredients. For some reason, I really enjoyed the charm of eating off a paper plate in a Michelin star restaurant. I'm so glad that Paprika's quality and service have not suffered over the years from their increasing fame and popularity. Keep doing you, Paprika Cafe! OH AND BTW. Their pistachio baklava is HIGHLY recommended. Would definitely buy again. read more

Best Mediterranean Food I've had! I normally don't leave Yelp reviews. Garlic Chicken Plate is the best! I had it two days in a row. The baklava is fresh and yummy! Fantastic food! I'll always come back when in Monterey! 6 stars! Amazinnnggg! read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic Chicken Plate and Garlic Chicken Kafta - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

I found this place via Yelp, looking specifically for Lebanese food. It's pretty unassuming at face value. Also, it was during the Omicron surge so take out only. I opted for the chicken shwarma salad. The owner was super nice and threw in a couple of baklava samples with my order. I took it all back to my hotel. So, so, soooooo good. Loved the shwarma. Great flavor. And then, I reluctantly sampled the baklava because I don't really like it. Well, this baklava changed me forever. It was so delish. More like a cookie. Usually baklava can be overly sweet and a little oily and this one was NOT. I can't stop thinking about it and can't wait to head back to Monterrey where a meal at Paprika will be a definite. read more

Can't understand the 5 star reviews. Did those people really eat here or have they not eaten Mediterranean food anywhere else? From the look of the outside and inside, you walk in with some doubt. The grey haired gentlemen who greets you and asks how many in your party is friendly enough. The menu is pretty slim and there isn't a great variety or the ability to order sides of meat. We order a gyro, a Kafka platter and Domas. While we wait we notice the dingy tapestries on the wall, the Yelp certificate validating that people love them, and the dirty silverware. We think there is only the elderly gentleman working the restaurant by himself. The food comes and the kafta is dry and so is the gyro meat. The salad that comes with the platter is a small collection of spinach leaves with a single solitary slice of tomato covered with some olive oil. The grape leaves are oily and soggy. 4.5 stars is terribly misleading and I feel duped. Hoping this review can save someone the same disappointment. read more

Just paid $45 for these meals that were supposedly "just cooked." The chicken was obviously at least a day old and just reheated. The rice was gross and just not cooked right. The hummus tasted like nothing. Just overall not a good experience. Now we know. read more

Great flavor, FRESH ingredients, the chef recognized me after 1 yr of not visiting! Amazing service, this is always a go to spot in Monterey. read more

This place and it's owner are the real deal. The owner is a tough, hilarious, and friendly dude who runs the place himself. He told me "I know how I cook, I don't know how anyone else cook. That's why I do it myself." Reminds me of my Iranian dad haha. I love it. My girlfriend is vegan so of course we bought some fresh made baklava (among other things) and let me tell you, that it was among the best I've ever had. He even threw in an extra box of baklava on the house after I expressed my gratitude to him for being genuine and running an honest business. Great guy. Would recommend to my vegan and non vegan friends. read more

We've been buying delicious items from Paprika for years! Right now, our favorite items are the Baklava in pistachio, walnut & cashew & the spinach pie!! We love ALL of their items. We support small local businesses and always exercise the utmost patience when ordering because we want these businesses to be around as long as they can and we feel this business always gives 100% Tasty. Really good portions for the $ read more

Amazing Mediterranean food by the sweetest Lebanese man. He is so sweet and genuine. The food is authentic fresh and large portions! Highly recommend! read more

Paprika Cafe - Chicken and kofta plate on left, gyro plate on right - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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Wonderful! Healthy, great service!! They really keep the customers happy. Always with a smile!

Hands down the best Mediterranean Food I have ever had. Hidden gem. I wish I can bring this place back home with me. Order the Garlic Chicken with salad and rice...the sauce is UNBELIEVABLE. I will be coming here every time I visit Carmel. read more

Absolutely divine pita bread. Pillowy soft! I had the tabouli and hummus wrap and the bread put it over the top!! Highly recommend

Like all of the 1-2 star reviewers here, I am perplexed by the 4-5 star reviews and wondering if perhaps the couple of times I've tried this place in recent months were just off days by this place. How can a Michelin star rated restaurant be so bad though? How can you F up mediterranean food twice?? Both times I've been here, the dishes have been so flavorless and the meats were clearly not fresh or made with any pride or love whatsoever. The meats were dry and of such poor quality, it took a whole day for my body to digest it. I should have taken photos of the entrees I ordered just so you can all see how sad and disappointing they were. Shame on me for giving this place a second shot, but it will definitely be the last. Something must be off with their kitchen in the last year if there are so many positive reviews here. read more

In this cute, tucked away location you'll find the food Yummy! My favorites are, tabouli, hummus and the baklava

I just recently tried this place on my bday. I was craving Mediterranean food. The waitress and cook was so nice and fun to talk to. The food was amazing. I got the chicken and lamb combo. It was so good and juicy. The rice was delish. Husband got the chicken and kafta. Also very delish. We also ordered a side of hummus and pita. My 18 month old went to town on it. She also loved the chicken and rice from our plates. The baklava was the BEST i ever had and it was vegan and normally i dont care for vegan stuff. This will be our go to spot anytime we are in Monterey!! The only down sides are: Small inside maybe seats 10 and cramped. Serves can soda Small parking lot. read more

Paprika Cafe - She also approved of the hummus and pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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I cannot stop raving about this place. I normally don't like falafels because I find them mealy and dry but this was so moist and perfectly crispy on the outside! The grilled eggplant and feta pita wrap was exquisite as well, very nice char flavor on the eggplant. The dolmas were fantastic as well as the tabouli and baba ghanoush. Everything was perfection, and if you spend over $33 you get a free box of baklava worth $9! If you're in the area you have to try this place out. read more

Paprika Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

10/10 this was such an amazing hidden gem! The food was so flavorful and their baklava was literally the best we've had(we tried the chocolate pistachio) but the real show stopper was their mango juice. O.M.G I've never had anything so delicious in my life. If you go here you HAVE to try their mango juice we literally raved about it the rest of our road-trip haha read more

It advertises indoor dining, but it's take out only. The owner was pretty rude about it too.

Be prepared for a very long wait. I had the time but don't come here for a quick lunch. The interior is also super small and crowded just a heads up. However, the food is delicious. Everything tasted super fresh, flavorful and authentic. Paprika Cafe is a literal one man show and he does a great job preparing all the food and managing the crowd. However, the service can feel a bit rushed or harsh at times, but if all you're after is truly great food this is the place to be! The rice on the garlic chicken plate has got to be the fluffiest rice I've ever had! read more

Paprika Cafe - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

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Delicious gyro salad and amazing paprika lemonade!! Highly recommend this little Michelin hole in the wall read more

Paprika Cafe - Restaurant - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

Ordered 2 Garlic Chicken wraps. Paid $26 . Portions were small and chicken was dry and didn't taste fresh.

delicious food and great customer service. There's very little seating, but the food makes up for it. Great vegetarian/vegan option

My fiancé wanted to come here after reading the reviews and was craving the garlic chicken. I'm know it's tough being an owner operator. But this man was very unprofessional, discourteous, and didn't seem to care about his customers. Went up to the window and rang the bell for service. I gave him my order and he told me to hold on, that he was busy making another order. He came up a few minutes later and asked for my order again. After telling him my order for a second time, he tells me there are two orders ahead of mine, and to come back in ten minutes. ????? I go to stand in front, 2 minutes later another couple walks up to the window, and he proceeds to take their order with no issue. As he is taking their order he makes eye contact with me. Nothing. Doesn't attempt take my order. Just goes back inside. My fiancé and I took our business to another Mediterranean restaurant in the area. read more

Definitely my favorite falafel on the Monterey Peninsula! The falafel has a nice light crunch on the outside, but is very moist on the inside. I've only had falafel that is dry on the inside. They are absolutely handmade and have a great flavor as well. The hummus is also fresh and tasty. Be warned, you'll need breath mints on hand afterwards as it is garlicky. It's worth it though! The owner is very friendly. The venue is small with only four to five tables inside, although with COVID everything is takeout through a window at the front of the restaurant. read more