WOW super good food! hidden gem! and authentic really

Delicious little spot. We had garlic chicken (absolutely wonderful) and kafta, which was perfectly seasoned and balanced between lamb and beef. Owner was very friendly and ran a great little operation. We sat on the little nook patio and felt like we were tucked away somewhere abroad. Will be back.

The owner is a wonderful, generous person serving up unique Lebanese cuisine. It's a more intimate atmosphere, so I wouldn't bring a party bigger than 4 or 5. The garlic sauces are incredible! I was equally amazed that the baklava was tasty and vegan, not that I was seeking that out. This long-time restaurant is a must-try, even with a number of quality Mediterranean restaurants on the peninsula.

Absolutely phenomenal! I got the Baklava Sent to Atlanta, GA and it is hands down the best I've ever had! I'll never order from anywhere else again! This deserves TEN stars. The Baklava is flaky and moist, and sweet without being TOO sweet. So amazing!

Delicious Lebanese fair just like mom makes. Easy going owner who loves feeding people. Relaxed home like atmosphere.

Food was absolutely delicious, quaint hole in the wall vibes. Owner was so kind and welcoming. Would 100% come again

Amazing food, plenty of vegetarian options. The owner runs a very tight one man- show and it can get very full very quickly! Go there with plenty of time and enjoy the flavours :) closed on Tuesdays because he is at the farmers market downtown.

EASY FIVE STARS - fantastic chicken and great service from the owner. Small place and not quick because the owner prepares all the food. But overall super good. Recommended to all!

food was phenomenal and the guy working there was ridiculously nice! If you are in search of a meal or even just a bite to eat this is the place. The hot lemonade was my personal favorite.

Terrific hole-in-the-wall lunch on New Year’s day. Delicious food. Away from touristy spots.

The garlic sauce is amazing, and everything else was as well. The owner is so kind. Best Turkish coffee I have had in a long while. Patio is small, but very cozy even in the rain.

Really loved this place the owner was very friendly and nice to talk to despite the place being so busy. All of the food we had was good. I got shwarma. Also the baklava at the end was really good, had to get more to bring home. .

Lovely restaurant with many vegan options. A variety of baklava to choose from!

The food was absolutely delicious and the service was very friendly. Would definitely come back!

it’s takeout and a few tables we like to get it and take it home! The food is wonderful, clean and super flavorful! I love it and there’s always something good! Don’t miss the baklava, it’s in many different flavors and it’s all insanely delicious!

Wonderful man working there as I dined with a friend. Delicious food and spicy lemonade

Food was so good , tasty and so fresh . And the owner he is so sweet and welcoming. If you visit Monterey , do stop by this place . Love it

We are repeat customers here and the food just keeps getting better and better. Amazingly fresh and flavorful, it’s easy to order and wait times are never long. The owner is also an incredibly pleasant man, always very sweet and accommodating for whatever additions you need to make for the food. He’s also given me little pieces of chicken for my service dog, which I think is very kind. The quality of the food, the reasonable pricing, the good service, and the pleasant atmosphere keep us coming back again and again. Highly, highly recommend this place!

Wow what an incredible experience. The food was beyond amazing the flavors were incredible, the owner was so sweet!!! The baklava was delightful! A must try for anyone visiting.

Great food. Small, but cute outdoor sitting area. Tasty gyros, garlic chicken and baklava.

I’m vegan and visiting Monterey when I saw vegan baklava! I stopped and the sweetest man was incredibly kind and helpful when assuring me that ALL baklava were vegan! It’s a small, locally owned family business and he was so sweet at my excitement that he even offered my family a sample of his favorite- the coffee walnut! We ordered every flavor, and I can confirm that they were all DELICIOUS!!!!!! I would absolutely recommend you stop for sweet treats! I’ll be back to try the food next!

The meal was SO good! This is falafel and tabbouleh wrap, incredibly delicious, I took the other one to go

I didn’t get to take a picture before digging in. Their serving sizes are reasonable. I had the spanakopita and falafel plate and the gentleman who was there was really kind and he gave me a sample of the baklava. They have a small patio of you want to eat there but not a lot of space. I recommend for plant based eaters, solo travelers and anyone who likes healthy delicious homemade food.

Absolutely incredible. We got 2 garlic chicken wraps and baklava. The wraps were amazing, the sauce was perfect. The baklava was so good too. The man who runs the restaurant was super nice. Will definitely be coming back every time we are in the area! Highly recommend!

Haven’t been to Paprika Cafe in years and it did not disappoint. Everything is unbelievable and better than I remember, if that is even possible. The Spanakopita, hummus, tabouli, falafel, EVERYTHING is a winner. Highly recommend.

A little place full of delicious surprises run by a very nice owner and chef. Cozy seating area inside, nicely decorated, serves Mediterranean dishes. Lots of vegan options. Tasty baba ganoush, tabuleeh, hummus and falafel. Not to mention the baklava!

This place is phenomenal. Some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. Would return in a heartbeat.

+2

I've been here many times over the years. Christoph's food is always so good, and he purposely designed the inside to feel like you're in his living room. He treats his guests like they're in his home. Kafta and the lamb are my favs, but I've never had anything bad there.

Absolutely amazing food! The owner was an extremely friendly man who obviously is passionate about the food he cooks! Absolutely will go back again!

So delicious! Seating on the patio is so cute & the chef was the nicest! Oh and of course the baklava - I can't wait to visit again!

The owner is a gentleman who gives excellent service and food. The food was fresh and delicious, I highly recommend! Everything is 100% halal as well.

This was on the first sight, a hole in the wall place. The menu felt very traditional Mediterranean food but the taste was oh-my-god amazing. Hummus was one of the best I had and the dolmas were like the very best. They offered us complimentary Baklava and I tell you, we went back and got more for the drive back home. Must, must try.

I ordered the falafel plate and it was so good! The man that works there was really kind and helpful when ordering. He gave us a free taste of his baklava (it’s amazing! He’s a great baker). If I had to go again I would order the Loubiya (apparently his specialty). I’m not vegetarian but the veg/vegan food were amazing. We also had a side of labneh and it was great, highly recommend!

A cute small restaurant, run by one person. Excellent service, we all really enjoyed the food. The falafels were delicious, the freshest out there; the pita bread is soft and fresh, the flavors are delicious. Really amazing eatery, not to be missed!

Garlic chicken and falafel combos were excellent. The baklava was the cherry on top.

Food was absolutely delish!! Full of flavor! The garlic chicken pita wrap and the gyro are so yummy!

One of the best Mediterranean restaurants I've been to, in the bay area. Small cozy place with great variety and menu options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Everything is freshly prepared, dolmas are pretty good. We ordered a second plate to try some other offerings on the menu despite being full. Must visit if you'r in the area.

The hummus and combo platters taste out of heaven. The food is sooooo good. Highly recommended. We will be coming again soon. The chef is the nicest person. He noticed that my wife and I were newly married, and he offered us box of baklava has a gift

The food was absolutly amazing. Some of the best food I have ever had. The sitting area was outside and very cute. The gentleman who took our order and served us our food was kind and welcoming.

Oh my gosh, this place was amazing. The food was excellent and the owner was such a sweet man. The baklava was so good too, now over sweet, just enough. 10/10 recommend!

Amazing Mediterranean food. Very fresh and perfectly spiced. Ambience of the little sitting space with the jasmine flower vines was very suiting to the town.

When we got there the older gentleman we assumed was the owner warned us that it was going to be a long wait since he was working alone because his helpers didn't show up for work. But he did it all. He took orders cooked everything from scratch and served food for the 4 tables of patient customers. It didn't even seem to take that long considering the circumstances. The food was fresh and very tasty. He was friendly and made a point to even make cute faces at my friend's baby and talk to us about his family. Next time I am in Monterey I'm definitely making a point to come back.

His food is always good ! Fresh and Clean! The portions are nice and service is great! Once you eat here it will become your favorite place to go to

Amazing food and the owner is awesome to deal with. Authentic Mediterranean and they even had quite a bit of vegan options including Baklava. The humus is top notch, the Baba Ghanouge is good, the falafel is amazing and the Baklava was spectacular. This is the type of local business that you want to support. It's a small space and parking is limited to street parking in front of the location. If you have more than two people, do takeaway, the food is well packaged and stays in good shape till you get it to your location. They don't skimp on the portions or things like the pita bread. Highly recommend this restaurant.

+1

Great food, owner has a wonderful sense of humor. Very home style food that took me back.

Friendly guy, fresh food, and you gotta try the spicy lemonade. Highly recommended

Very yummy food! Owner gave us each a free piece of baklava with the meal 🥹also cute porch to eat in

Authentic Lebanese food. The owner is extremely hospitable, and the food is top-notch. The flavor of the lamb kafta is uncompared to any other around the area. I would also highly recommend the falafel and tabouli wrap as those are a perfect dual combination. Sa5tein!

This place is pretty awesome. The food is good you order at a window there is a small outside seating area but I took it to go. The baklava is also really really good 12 small pierces for 12$. The falafel wrap was 11.25 and was a good amount of food, it felt healthy and filling. Now I understand why it had a write up from Michelin. I will return.

Food was fresh and service was great. I got the vegetarian spanokopita and falafel plate and it was delicious. The vegan cashew baklava slaps. They also have a pistachio and walnut version as well. Will be back regularly.

Good halal food. They know the food they serve is delicious. So the chef is not at his best with customer service. Small dining area but I would definitely eat here again.

+6

I passed paprika Cafe many years only because I caught up with him every Tuesday at the Farmers market but now I've noticed he is not there so here I am at his restaurant where he hand makes everything from scratch. I love it I will go to no other place. Why because I just came from Mykonos and now I know what the authentic taste is for Greece and countries that are close to it. My taste buds are craving since I've been back, my favorite is the Lamb and the eggplant baba ganoush but decided to order the spanakopita combo. Ahh it's fantastic 😍😊😘❤️

A Taste of Beirut on the Monterey Bay: Paprika Restaurant Delivers Authentic Magic From the moment you step into paprika restaurant you're transported. The warm, inviting atmosphere, the gentle strains of traditional music, and the intoxicating aroma of spices instantly set the stage for a culinary journey. Nestled in Monterey, this gem of a Lebanese restaurant offers an experience that transcends mere dining; it's a celebration of flavor and hospitality. I've had the pleasure of sampling Lebanese cuisine in many places

Quite possibly the most delicious wraps I've experienced. Don't be put off by the tucked away location or the quick, blunt service! We were gifted some pieces of baklava on the way out, and we couldn't stop singing its praises the entire walk back.

I came to Monterey for a self care day and decided to check out this cute little cafe =) I am happy I stayed through the longer line. I expected that meant good food. And it sure was. I noticed it was a one man show. He was super sweet to gifting us free bakalavas for the wait time. I lovedddddd the walnut and the apple cinnamon. I ended up buying 20 pieces for my drive home! I got the falafel and baba plate with the spicy lemonade. It was super tasty. What I love about his one man show, is the dedication to this place, his love of food. It is not your typical fast food culture, it is a come sit, talk, stay awhile, enjoy this food and good company kind of vibe.

I am vegetarian, my boyfriend is not, and it is so hard to find a place to cater to both of us. We are just visiting the area but I wish we had this place where we live because it is perfect! The vegetarian snakatopia plate was so delicious and my bf had the garlic chicken plate and he loved it! My also bf got the spicy lemonade and it was delicious. The owner said he could make the “spiciness” to our liking which is great for people who have a specific preference but I didn’t think it was spicy at all, just delicious. I ordered the Turkish coffee but shortly after I realized (for medical reasons) I could not drink black coffee and he was so kind to take it back, plus he gave us free baklava! Wow it is nice to see kind people like him in the world spreading kindness and a smile. The owner does it all, he’s a one man show, but he does it so well! There is limited seating but it makes for a cozy atmosphere. P.S. There is no bathroom but the 7 eleven across the street has a clean indoor restroom. Highly recommend this Michelin star restaurant!!

I ordered a gyro, and a dolma wrap. It was delicious. We also ordered falafels that were packed with flavor and only 65 cents each. The food was homemade. I think it was a mom and pop cafe. Both the chef and waiter were very nice and accommodating. Although there were only 5 tables, it was cozy and and peaceful.

Great place, the owner /chef serves one party at a time, is super friendly and the food is great and appropriately priced and portioned. My partner and I ordered the falafel plate and the tzatziki plus two pitas, the spicy lemonade and mango nectar. Got a free baklava for spending over 40$ as well!

I came here very hungry and lefy quite satisfied. The owner was very personable, friendly and helpful in choosing from among the many delicious options. I chose a combo plate because i want them all. The chicken was amazing and the gyro was flavorful. The outdoor seating was cramped but the lights added ambiance. This place is worth a try.

What a flavor bomb! While you may not be able to sit inside right now i was not disappointed by the taste of the food, felt like home cooking. Each item on my plate had its own identity. The owner and operator was also very welcoming and I could tell this was his passion.

Mahlon

I work not far from here so I always pass it by on my way home, and had been meaning to try it. My family is currently visiting, and my brother LOVES Lebanese food so I wanted to surprise him with it. The man working the counter was extremely friendly and even gave us some free cookies and baklava. Their garlic chicken is out of this world! Best garlic sauce I've ever had. They also have some outdoor seating that appears to be protected from the elements with a roof and clear acrylic on the sides.

Andrew Suri

Amazing hole in the wall. If you want the feeling of a home cooked meal, come here. Food was delicious and the owner was kind and generous allowing us to try all the items on the menu. Not a lot of seating but the patio area is decorated nicely and has a lot of character!

Alicia Kutkut Arroyo

We just eat there, the owner also chief is amazing who does everything and prepares the food and amazing Turkish coffee, that I highly recommend with baklava super yummy. He is the kindest chief owner I have ever seen in the US, made sure we leave with more that what we paid for and my kids loved the cookies he gave them free of charge and insisted on not charging for them. Food was hot and tasted amazing, we sat outside in the cozy space after ordering from the widow. Had a great conversation with him and we came out very happy and full. I highly recommend and appreciate his kindness.

Sharon Woloshen

Wonderful food but be patient or call in your order. This is a one man operation. We had a beef and chicken plate and a felafel pita sandwich. Everything was very fresh and well seasoned. Looking forward to bringing some baklava home with me.

Hannah Mirviss

Wonderful experience at Paprika cafe! The owner took our order and was super flexible and accommodating with us since we were the very last table of the night. Outdoor seating only, but it is covered so we were still protected from the rain. All the food was homemade and delicious!

Mehveen Sohail

The food at Paprika Cafe is Zabiha Halal, making it a great option for completely halal food. The food was delicious and not excessively expensive, costing approximately $10-$20 per person. The owner was also very friendly and hospitable; I enjoyed my experience.

Mark Syrovatka

Absolutely excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Some of the best Lebanese food I’ve had in California. I especially recommend the Turkish coffee with Baklava for dessert.

Mimi Sanchez

Paprika Cafe is such a gem! I ordered the chicken and gyro plate and it was absolutely amazing flavorful, and very satisfying. My partner had the lamb and loved it just as much. The service was quick, with no complaints at all. We sat outdoors, which was lovely, and the owner was incredibly kind and welcoming, even allowing our dog to dine with us. As if that wasn’t enough, they surprised us with complimentary baklava, and it was delicious! Overall, Paprika Cafe is quaint, charming, and definitely worth a visit. We’ll be back!

Aaron and Erica Roberts

What a gem! The meal was delicious and the owner was a generous and gracious host (not to mention the chef!). Our kids loved the food as much as we did. We will definitely return the next time we are in the area.

M Kob

Everything was delicious - Garlic chicken, chocolate baklava, and spicy lemonade. This is a type of restaurant I sincerely wish to remain open since this gentleman’s food satisfies not only tastebuds but also heart. I’d like to revisit next time when I am in town. That garlic sauce was 👍👍.

Mercedes Paredes

Delicious place! The falafel were light and crispy and the garlic chicken smelled like heaven. Baklava was tasty too. The host is super nice too! Good stop in Monterey!

Michael Mishchenko

This place has very good food and it's very reasonably priced for the area. As someone who eats Mediterranean food as often as I can, I thought it was quite authentic. Spicy lemonade: delicious. The guy running the little restaurant was nice. To anyone misunderstanding the man's demeanor, they simply don't comprehend how culture is in the eastern world.

C Decker

We visited when spending a weekend in Monterey and loved this place! The owner/staff was so friendly and helpful, the food was amazing, and the little outdoor seating area was charming. Will definitely be back when we are in the area.

Erika Delemarre

Paprika Cafe is a true local favorite. If you know, you know. This tiny restaurant is owner operated – I’ve never seen another staff member. He cooks the food himself fresh to order every time. The falafels are exquisite, love the hummus, the garlic chicken is perfection… I could go on and on! Do not pass up the homemade vegan baklava - it’s packed and ready to go right next to the register. The owner has occasionally thrown some in for free when I place a big group order for my friends. I’m kind of ashamed I’ve never left a review for this spot because I stop in at least once a month and I have never been disappointed. So fricken good! I’m so glad this business prevailed through Covid shutdown when Monterey lost so many great local restaurants.

Chris Roberts

The garlic chick wrap is amazing. The garlic sauce they use is incredible. I loved the warm pita, chicken, and vegetables too. I got baklava too and I think it's excellent. I highly recommend coming here.

Debby Tiner

Dog friendly. Wonderful service. Some of our order got confused but was quickly and nicely resolved. Delicious food, especially the baklava and Turkish coffee!

Parikshith Mj

Limited place but we were taken care of well by the owner who runs it alone. He was just opening up and went back to kitchen to prepare our order. Hot Falafal was easily the best of the lot which we totally enjoyed since it was a cold day. The dolmas were yummy too. We also tasted Baklava which were very juicy and fresh.

Valentina Pallin

The best falafel I’ve ever eaten. Laid back atmosphere off the beaten path—nice outdoor seating. My husband enjoyed his lamb gyro, everything was freshly prepared and we could taste the care that went into our meal. The chef/owner made sure to make us feel welcome…we definitely hope to stop by again if we are back visiting the bay.

Jenny Willden

Incredible! The owner was so kind and welcoming. We both ordered the garlic chicken platter and loved it. Don’t miss the vegan baklava. The owner told us he’s been running the restaurant by himself for 29 years! Amazing food. Get a patio seat or take it to go on the beach.

It is my first time tasting Lebanese food and I can definitely say that the food is good, and the owner is very kind & friendly. It’s a cute little It’s a cute little window service restaurant to stop by for a Mediterranean snack. I do think it is a little over priced considering the portion sizes and food items included but I would definitely come here again for a quick snack if I’m ever in this side of monterey :)

Delicious food, probably better ordered as take out as there's not much seating. Seemed like only one employee working at the time, but he was working extremely hard.

Decent place for Lebanese cuisine! Would recommend this place!

Great place for Lebanese food. The humus as a starter is also very good. There's limited parking space though and is gets busy during the sunny summer days.

Adorable little shop with great vegan options. The food was fantastic. Accessible from the street but easy to miss if you're not careful. Gorgeous outdoor eating area. Atmosphere great. Highly recommended.

A charming little hole-in-the-wall spot, run entirely by the owner who manages everything from cooking to billing. We decided to try the falafel wrap based on its high ratings, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. I found it quite chewy, possibly not freshly made. It was a bit of a disappointment, TBH. That said, the spanakopita was a pleasant surprise! It was flavorful and well-made, which somewhat redeemed the experience.

You'll likely get suckered in because of the giant signs saying VEGAN BAKLAVA. It's acceptable, but a lot of people love it. It's a decent spot, but not very big. It doesn't tend to get busy, but it seems crowded even with only one other table being served.

It's a Lebanese food cafe . We tried its lunch twice and it tasted good

+5

Had the gyro combo plate. Food was ok. Not much flavor but I would go back to try something else. Came with raw spinch, rice, yogurt, a tomato quarter, hummus and pita pieces (which were soft 👍🏽). A person took my order through a window and seating appeared to be outside only. Three small tables. They gave me a small piece of baklava, which was delicious!

Not sure how this place is rated 4.6 and was in the Michelin guide. Very mediocre to low quality food - everything tasted precooked, then reheated. Do not recommend even if the options around here may seem quite limited.

Jennifer M.

We had the garlic chicken and lamb/beef pita wraps. The gentleman at the window was a bit blunt when answering our questions about the food. I almost felt like apologizing for not being an expert. The food took a long time to be prepared, there was only outside seating and the man second guessed our choice to get our pitas to go rather than sit outside in the cold. The pitas could have been bigger or cheaper. The lamb/beef pita was definitely better, but not earth shattering. The chicken was overcooked and tough. Were they good? Yes. Will we eat here again? No The man kindly gave us baklava, but I’m sorry to say it was the most underwhelming baklava I’ve had.