Not wanting to wait for lunch @ Schooners, we stumbled on this amazing family owned restaurant. Had an amazing lunch w/ family outside the restaurant in their secret corner surrounded by beautiful plants. Food, delicious & fresh, you can't find a bad dish here!!! The Lebanese owner & his wife were very hospitable ppl and did everything possible to arrange our table outside to prevent us from waiting. Expect to have a very unique experience from positive staff & extremely delicious, healthy food! read more

Owner was nice but bit too busy. Waited 30' and was almost late to our Aquarium reservations. Portions smaller than expected and meat was a bit dry. Garlic chicken sauce was on side and bit too flavorful as I had garlic taste for next 8 hours! Hubby's kafta and gyro were quite dry as well. However, the baklava was one of the best I've ever had!!! Get that! read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

Great mom and pop shop! Love the garlic chicken wrap and the baklava is amazing!!! Very friendly owner. Will definitely be back!!!

Super fresh hole-in-the-wall in Monterey. This was the perfect place to take three vegetarians who wanted to eat healthy. We got three sides and that was more than enough for four people. Everything tasted fresh and the pitas were nice and warm. My personal favorites were the falafels, baklava, and espresso. The owner was the only one working but our food came out very quickly! Don't come if you have more than four though. There is very limited seating. read more

MIND-BLOWING FOOD!! You know that feeling when you enter a restaurant expecting to eat good food and it beats the hell out of your expectations and goes ten notches higher!! That was how I felt at the Paprika Cafe! We ordered the hummus, pita, falafel and spinach salad. The owner of the cafe took our order and he made everything himself. Everything was freshly made using delicious ingredients! The hummus was so flavourful - they definitely got that absolutely right! My favourite was the Spinach Salad - the dressing combined with huge chunks of feta cheese was to die for! And just when I thought that things couldn't get better, there it was - complimentary Baklava! Needless to say, it was great! The ambience was really nice and the owner of the restaurant was very hospitable! A very few places get their food right, this is one of them! :) read more

See all

The garlic chicken is to die for! We get it every time we come to Monterey. The baklava is pretty yummy too.

As they say, there's no place like home. Having a meal at the restaurant was my favorite meal of the vacation. Excellent salads, warm pita, flavorful tzatziki and hummus, perfect falafel and baklava. The prices were likely some of the least expensive on the peninsula, and we had some great conversations with the owner on various Lebanese dishes. If we were local, we'd likely eat there weekly. read more

Great food and the vegan baklava is awesome. Garlic chicken is also very tasty. Owner is super nice read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic chicken combo plate and lamb/beef gyro plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

After a long day at the aquarium this was the perfect find! Small little restaurant with a big kick to their food! We ordered the garlic chicken plate and falafel plate and both were absolutely DELICIOUSSSSS!!!! The chicken was tender and juicy and the garlic sauce that came with it complimented it very well! The Falafels were perfectly cooked and yummy.hummus was very good and salad nd dressing as well. We wanted to try the baklava and our awesome waitress gave us some to try on the house we got the cashew one and OMGGGGG it was mouth watering good! Will definitely be back next time we are in Monterrey! read more

See all

I enjoyed the baba ghanouge and falafel plate; it was surprising that this style of falafel didn't have as many green herbs, but the hummus and baba ghanouge were wonderfully creamy, especially with the fresh pita! I also enjoyed the tabouli and the dolmas which had well-balanced flavors and weren't overly sour like others I've had in the past. We also had the garlic chicken wrap and although it seemed like it would be a simple dish, I was impressed with the garlic sauce which elevated it to a special meal! It was also fun to try the freshly-made baklava with the many layers of crispy phyllo dough. The owner was extremely friendly, preparing our order with care, and he created a charming small outdoor eating area with a few tables surrounded by plants and flowers. Although the restaurant was unassuming, the food was delicious and I hope to visit again in the future! read more

When I came here to eat my lunch it was one of the best foods... delicious humus shawarma and baklava

I've been to Paprika 20+ times since I've lived in the Monterey area, and it has consistently been a delicious and wonderful experience overall. I usually order the garlic chicken. Perfect. Best pitas ever. The Turkish coffee is a real treat. Yes it's not ideal that everything is served on paper plates but it's because there's usually only the one guy doing all the order taking, cooking and ringing up, etc. and I'm guessing that dishes would be impractical/impossible for him to deal with. That one guy doing all the things is a big part of what contributes to the local and authentic feeling of the place and the attention and appreciation that you feel as a patron. In my experience he has always been friendly and efficient. It's a tiny place - again, it is part of the ambiance. The food is just so good. Not cheap but not extreme. Just a great, local, authentic place. I will recommend it forever! read more

I think that the pandemic really affected this place. They have not reopened the dining room and are doing take out orders from an exterior window. It's a very unappealing setting--cob webs and old paint etc. makes you wonder what you are getting to eat. Agree with the reviewer about long wait times. It was lunch hour, but would have needed 20 minutes to fry a falafel because none had been prepped. Wait, what? Probably time to stick a fork in it... read more

Great lunch in Monterey. The spanakopita was unique and delicious, as were the dolma and baklava. Stop by if you're looking for a healthy, delicious bite. read more

Paprika Cafe - View of the walk-up order window from the cute little seating area. The owner was lovely! - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

I absolutely love this restaurant. The restaurant owners, the delicious Lebanese food, and the comfortable and cozy environment all contribute to making this place of gem on Lighthouse Ave. I can only speak of the garlic chicken because that is the meal I get each and every time I go. It is satisfyingly tasty and the proportions are just enough for me to enjoy and homemade baklava treat. You have three baklava options to choose from pistachio, walnut, and cashew. They are all worth a try! read more

See all

This evening my family and I enjoyed this restaurant. We ordered the garlic chicken, Kufta kebab, and the gyros . Everything was so tasty and the food was prepared like a family kitchen. I really appreciate the effort of the owner putting in his personal touch and of course the free baklava!. Thanks for hosting us! read more

Sorry, but I can't give this a high rating, as so many have done. I didn't understand it's only take-out, unless you want to sit at a dirty table on an even dirtier tiny porch above the noisy traffic on lighthouse. No. So I got my shawarma wrap to go, along with a box of baklava. I was really hungry by the time I got home, and unwrapped the wrap. The bread was stale, and breaking instead of wrapping. The meat and sauce were good. The spinach and tomato were fresh. I did eat the whole thing, (hungry) but I won't be back. The baklava looks like an egg roll. Tasty, but dry: not enough honey. Next time I'll go to the tried and true Mediterranean Market down the street. read more

Amazing food, wonderful atmosphere. Lovely service, highly recommend going and sitting in the lovely outdoor seating area!! Nice smells

Grumpy old man with an attitude even if you try to speak to him with respect. That's not why I gave 1 star though, I don't care about customer service, I care about the quality of food. The old man gave me cold falafels for my meal twice. I picked it up as soon as it was ready and ate it in my car, so it's not because I waited too long. He didn't even try to reheat the falafel, it was stale and probably from the day before. read more

Great food, and the owner is such a sweetheart! Don't miss our on the baklava or spanakopita, fresh from the oven!

We just did takeout here a couple of nights ago and I would say the food was very average. The portions were decent and the flavor was there, but the chicken and beef were very dry. It was as if the food had been cooked and under some sort of a heat lamp since lunch. I did enjoy the complimentary baklava but I don't know if I would return just based off of how dry the meat was. read more

Sooo good!!! We had a smorgasbord of middle eastern vegetarian delicacies... all extremely well prepared and super tasty... Spanakopita , baba ghanouge, tabouli, falafel, hummus, dolmas and then finishing up with a small piece of baklava... My tastebuds are thanking me for inviting them on this journey!! read more

Our meals were really good. The dolmas were excellent, the spinach pie was delicious and the baklava was yummy. This is a tiny place with outdoor seating on a busy road, with for two tables of two. Highly recommend but takeout would be best. read more

Long story short, my party and I arrived on a Sunday from Davis (3 hrs away) and discovered, to our dismay, that they are closed on Sunday. Turns out, while we were despairing in front of the restaurant, the owner was there and saw us. He asked where we're from and after understanding that we came from 3 hours away to visit this place + the aquarium, he told us to come in and "opened" for the 5 of us. He made us all food. Yes, he is the only person who works there (except for an occasional friday or saturday) but he told us that he has been doing it for 18 years and "wants every dish to come out right by his own hands". He decorates his own place and takes Sundays to do more decorating, cleaning, and just taking sometime for himself. We were really grateful that he sacrificed his sunday to cook for the 5 of us. Everything is made from scratch. The owner is the cook, the cashier, the waiter. But everything is made from scratch. The hummus was delicious as was the garlic aioli! The garlic chicken was delicious! The pita bread was yummy! We got some free baklava at the end of the meal too! If you're here, swing by and check this place out! You won't be disappointed! read more

This may be the most interesting and unique restaurant experience you'll ever have! Like previous reviews have mentioned, the owner does EVERYTHING - cooks, serves, buses, you name it. Also, the restaurant is basically a converted house, so you are literally eating in a living room. The kitchen is a few steps away, and you can actually see him preparing your food as you wait. The decor is absolutely eclectic and wonderful - we really enjoyed the quirky Christmas lights, the various plates on the wall, the fake grapes hanging along the ceiling...Christoff, the owner, really takes pride being creative and unique with his decorations. It's definitely a place worth checking out, if you love interesting/kooky settings! It's a very small restaurant, only seats 13 people and no more (he will not make exceptions to this, the area is simply too small to fit any more chairs!) Okay, now onto the important stuff - food! The pita bread is to die for. They are the softest, fluffiest, chewiest pita bread I have ever eaten, and they are addictive! He is very generous with the pita, so you'll likely have some to take home. I ordered the foul, which is a fava bean mash with spices, garlic, and a LOT of olive oil. It's a warm, rich, and satisfying vegetarian dish that is perfect with the soft pita bread. The garlic chicken is epic - it is the sauce that makes it absolutely phenomenal. It's this thick, creamy sauce that tastes like pure puréed garlic. If you love garlic, this is definitely something you should try. Like, this isn't one of those dishes that claim to be "garlicky" but only have a measly clove of garlic. No. This is straight up, in your face GARLIC sauce, the kind that will make you laugh and cry and wonder how you ever lived your life without it. The tabouili is pretty rad, too. Super fresh and complements the rich food. Ultimately, this was a very unique and enjoyable experience. The food was great, but most of all, the owner was quite the character and he will certainly make your dining experience unforgettable. My mom and I were the last ones at the restaurant after he closed, and we stayed for another hour just chatting with him. He really loves getting to know people, and he has an incredible memory (he's learned phrases in 20 or more languages from customers in the past, and he still remembers what some people ordered ten years ago!) read more

See all

We were in Monterey for the day and found this wonderful little cafe for a late lunch and ended up staying, eating, drinking coffee and cheerfully chatting the afternoon away with the owner. As one reviewer said -- if you don't like cozy, if you don't like the owner being your server then move on, or just get over it, loosen up and enjoy the food and the ambiance. There are many reasons why the Monterrey area is desirable and now Paprika Cafe is added to that list. If I lived closer I would be eating there at least once a week. The place is small, charming, and cozy. The owner is friendly and loves to talk about food and his country, Lebanon. We had a wonderful extended conversation about the fine art of making hummus. I ordered the eggplant wrap and my partner ordered a falafel plate. Everything was fresh, tasty and fulfilling. The pita bread just melts in your mouth, my eggplant was grilled to a soft and tasty consistency and the sauce was creamy but not overbearing. My partners' plate had falafel, dolmas, hummus, tabbouleh, pita and a nice side salad. I'm sure there was more on his plate but we dug in and soon it was all gone! The owner brought us a lovely dish of some of the best and unique baklava we have had outside the Greek area in Toronto. He makes it himself and it's crispy, nutty, and sweet but not cloying and sticky as some are. We also had coffee -- served in a lovely little metal pot and thick as could be but so tasty! The coffee was thick, smooth and had a delightful aroma -- I'm guessing he puts some spice in it because it had a very slight fragrance. The owner is truly a friendly person and he loves his cafe, loves to cook, and loves to see people enjoy his food which we did. He saw us to the door and waved goodbye -- as though we had been visiting an old friend. Now, if I can figure out a way to go back to Monterey soon, Paprika Cafe will be tops on my list! read more

Paprika Cafe - Paprika Cafe -- delicious coffee! - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

Tiny little restaurant that only fits around 5-6 tables but has one cool owner to it. The guy that was there.... was the only one working at the restaurant... Cashier... waiter.. the cook.. i dont know how he does it but it worked. Very Genuine guy who looks like he loves his job. Lets start off with the food.... I got the lamb/ beef kebab rice plate while my lady got the garlic chicken. Each plate ran around $14 pre tax and tip. The food was a smaller portion than i thought it would be for the price but i can argue that food is top notch. The flavor... herbs and sauce was just on point. The garlic chicken sauce had its unique garlic taste that made it seem like it could go well with any type of meat. The lamb/ beef kebab were 4 rolls of kebab that was very tasty but could've used more. It was pretty much 4 sausages, rice, some salad and sauce. At the end...the guy gave us some sort of unique candy that tasted like an almond roca which he said he made himself and can only be bought exclusively. the garlic sauce itself can also be bought for $4 in which i was pretty tempted to buy for home usage. Overall a very cool little unique restaurant with an awesome restaurant owner. Come by and support this guy!! read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Great place for trying new food. Moroccan, Greek or Lebanese food. Tried the Turkish coffee was amazing. The Greek salad was tasty and had a tangy balsamic dressing. I would recommend using pitted olives vs ones with pits for the salad. The garlic chicken pita was creamy, garlicky and hints of curry. Lots of spinach and big tomatoes but overall delicious. The owner was a sweetheart and have as baklava for dessert. read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic chicken pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Great restaurant in the tourist traps filled Monterey. This tiny cafe is a one man operation with only a handful of tables. The food is really good and the price is very modest. Came here for lunch during my Memorial Day weekend trip to Monterey and was very surprised to find it half empty. I guess the location is a bit further out from prime tourist area. Tried two pita wraps here and they were both wonderful. Kafta Kabob was flavorful. Lamb Kebob was super tender and juicy. The pita bread has the perfect thick and fluffy texture. I could use a bit more yogurt sauce but that is just my preference. If only the tomatoes are dice into smaller chunks the flavors would mingle even better. I am nitpicking I know. The complimentary baklava is excellent. A bit soft but still flakery and not overly sweet. Bookmark this place for your next trip to Monterey. Avoid all those crazy overpriced tourist traps and head straight to this gem. read more

See all

My awesome friend took me here for my long, awaited birthday dinner & we had a wonderful experience! Luckily, we came on a good night & were the only ones there so we had the owner's full undivided attention! hehe... this cute little restaurant sits in an area where you can pretty much miss it while driving on Lighthouse Avenue. However, if you DO find it, you will NOT be disappointed. My friend & I both ordered 2 different combo plates that way we could taste the different meats they offer. We agreed that the best tasting thing here is the Garlic Chicken. Since I'm a coffee connoisseur, I decided to order their Turkish coffee & we agreed that it perfectly complimented our meal! (as with wine & Italian food!) This place is perfect for a family gathering b/c it is so kid-friendly! The owner was so accommodating & attentive towards my 7-month old son (bonus points!) Even my son had some hummus! Overall, great food with great prices, excellent service, I am definitely coming back soon! read more

Paprika Cafe - Garlic Chicken Combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

See all

Somehow, I never got around to writing about this place over the summer, so here it is now! I went to Monterey in July of 2013 with a group of friends to hang out, enjoy some sunlight, and to see the sunfish at the aquarium (sadly, he was in a different tank so we didn't get to see him :[ but the thought was there!). In any case, we decided to stop here for dinner before going back home. The place is supersuper tiny, so perhaps not the best for groups, but we made it work. The food is amazing, and I am of the belief that you probably couldn't go wrong with anything on the menu. We decided to family-style it so we could try most everything. Compared to the prices everywhere else in Monterey, this place was a really good deal and definitely worth the walk through the rain from the aquarium. :o (Finding parking kinda sucks.) There's also free baklava to look forward to at the end of your meal! :] read more

Paprika Cafe is a small, but nice, find among the many average restaurants you'll find in the Monterey area. It also distinguishes itself by being very fresh and among the healthier options you can choose if you've had enough of the fried seafood and rich chowders that are almost served everywhere. When you enter Paprika Cafe, you'll find only a few tables and an ordering counter. Pictures line the back if the counter and are helpful in choosing what to order if you aren't familiar with this type of cuisine. It seems to entirely be a one-man operation (a fact the owner shared several times) so service can be exceedingly slow. He tends to get the order for one table, bring out their food, and then get to the next table. I can't imagine what it's like during the rush hour of lunch. One customer asked for a to-go order and wasn't able to get a time estimate so he left. Too bad, as the food is quite good. We ordered two dishes: Kafta Kabob - one of the most popular combination plates, it combines a beef and ground lamb and is served with hummus and a simple salad. Everything tastes incredibly fresh and home-made because it literally is and isn't processed. The hummus was a standout. Garlic Chicken Pita - the garlic chicken is entirely white meat and was a bit dry for me, but the garlic sauce on top is fantastic. Baklava - is complimentary with every order and is a nice touch. Paprika Cafe, despite the slow service (hope he can hire help!), is a nice find and a nice change from the many restaurants in the area. Paprika Cafe accepts credit cards, including American Express. read more

See all

2019: Every time we visit we stop here now! Always yummy! His taziki is amazing. As is his hummus, pita & shawarma dishes. My favorite are the grape leaves. 2018: WOW!! AMAZING & AUTHENTIC! This place is a gem of Mediterranean food! Owner is from Lebanon and a true chef! Gracious, too! We had 3 little kids with us & he was so nice! read more

We stepped in for lunch, right before heading home... glad we did. Place is small, bright, colorful. Prices are totally affordable, a welcome change from the tourist traps. Excellent food, whole dining experience was awesome. The owner is SUPER nice: talked to us the whole time about Lebanon, his food, the area... he cooks everything himself! Dolmas are amazing, rice was great. Everything was clearly made with a little bit of love. Verdict: GO. Worth the stop! read more

A nice family owned restaurant. Delicious food!! They were aware what was gluten free and what's not. Both the Sharwarma plate and Garlic Chicken plate is gluten free. It comes with a corn tortilla instead of Pita bread. read more

Paprika Cafe - Sharwarma plate and Garlic Chicken plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

Sorry - this place disappointed me so much that I walked out before ordering. When I stopped in for lunch last week, there was only one other table occupied (by 2 people). The owner was in the back and I stood there for a few minutes until he came out front and told me I could sit wherever. Another five minutes passed until he came to ask me what I wanted to order. I had heard about the great lunch special by reviews here on yelp - but when I asked, he said "this is our menu - everything here is special!". OK, cute and all, but I don't want dinner portions and dinner pricing at lunch. For there only being one other occupied table, I was surprised that everything was so slow. I was kinda fed up by this point, so I just left. There are way too many other restaurants along Lighthouse to put up with disinterested service. read more

This place was superb.... The food was very very tasty ... Or maybe we were very hungry... Anyway Christophe the owner was very hospitable... That made the experience that much more better... Dont miss the garlic chicken.... read more

See all

The food: * Pita is served warm, these fluffy little delectables are unforgettable. * Garlic chicken and tzatziki: flavorful and healthy The place: * A "mom-and-pop" kind of shop, except more of a "pop" shop since there's only 1 guy who really runs it (cooks, serves, everything!) Only downside is a potential wait here, otherwise this super affordable place rocks. read more

Outrageously good. The best falafel I have ever had. Spanikopita like you would not believe. I am still recovering emotionally from this meal. Come here. Be prepared to wait as it's one guy doing all the work, but trust me: it is worth it. Addendum: I had the baklava. I will never be the same. Colors are brighter. Come eat here. read more

Considering that I work 30 secs from Paprika I figured it was due time for me to give this place a try. Plus, with so many positive reviews I knew I was in for a treat, at least I expected as such. I went here about a week or so ago and ordered the garlic chicken plate which came with hummus, pita bread, tabouli, rice and a side of garlic sauce. Hummus: had a nice subtle flavor to it with just the right texture. Tabouli: fresh and vibrant and complimented well with the entire plate Rice: it was cooked and seasoned nicely. Pita Bread: fresh and served piping hot Garlic Sauce: garlicky goodness but texturally I found it unusual Sadly, the chicken it self was extremely dry!!! Any hint of moisture was sucked out of it and rendered it a chewy jerky mess. If I had the time I probably would have returned it for another plate. Overall Thoughts I will certainly give this place one more try but next time I wont be so kind read more

Paprika Cafe - Pita Bread - Mediterranean Near Me - Monterey, California

See all