Lacto
Ovo
Mediterranean
Middle Eastern
Lebanese
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Lebanese food menu where the vegetarian items labeled on separate menu list. Open Mon 11:30am-8:00pm, Wed-Sat 11:30am-8:00pm, Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm.
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309 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, California, USA, 93940
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Last update on 06 Oct 2018 by Guest
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32 Reviews
First Review by Nikkijeanman
larebeast
Points +24
Very good - Edit
Excellent food, amazing vegan Baklava.
Read moreGuest
kayla.mc
Points +24
Great food, friendly staff - Edit
Great options for vegan and non vegan people. I got the falafel plate (vegan) and my hubby, who is not vegan, got the gyro wrap with the side salad. We also got a box of pistachio baklava to go. The friendly gentleman who served us was kind enough to give us each a piece of cashew baklava for free! The baklava was divine!!!
Read moreThe dining room never reopened after COVID, so there’s three small tables on the patio outside (we chose to eat there since the weather was lovely).
Definitely recommend this place!
Pros: Friendly staff, Vegan/vegetarian menu, Patio
Cons: No indoor seating
Guest
Munchi-chi
Points +842
No indoor seating - Edit
3 1/2 stars. After a rainy day hiking in Pinnacles, we walked over to Paprika. Only seating was outside on wet tables and chairs. We were in the mood for Mediterranean so we decided to order and eat at our hotel. The plus here is the vegan baklava. Many choices and the owner gave us 3 extra of another flavor. A plus for choices too. They have around 8 plates that are vegan. I wished I got what my husband got though. He got the green bean dish with rice & hummus. Very tasty. I got falafel with taboulie and hummus. Falafel was very dry. You get 5 pieces, which is plenty. But the hummus and taboulie portions were lacking though. For the hefty price, I expected more. It is a very touristy area, so there is that.
Read morePros: Baklava , Options
Cons: No indoor seating , Dry falafel , Portion size
Guest
brendy
Points +28
Vegan baklava!! - Edit
Walnut, chocolate, pistachio, and more very good very good price
Read moreGuest
zéFix
Points +359
Decent Falafel, Great Hummus - Edit
The owner of the shop was very nice and the food was really really good. We had the falafel wrap and hummus with pita bread.
Read moreThe only (small) reason why I wouldn’t give five stars (if it would be possible) is because the place is a bit shabby and there are no restrooms available, but the food is delicious and fresh.
Updated from previous review on 2023-09-09
Pros: Friendly staff , Great food
Cons: A bit run down , No restroom
Guest
nicolecarnevale
Points +410
Solid falafel wrap! - Edit
The falafel wrap is vegan as is and is pretty good!! Good sauces and the falafel is tasty. The vegan baklava is really nice and nice to have that option, however I have had better
Read morePros: Lovely staff , Nice patio
Guest
Ahimsa8
Points +53
Must try the vegan Baklavas! - Edit
Delicious and unique Vegan baklavas!
Read moreThey taste like homemade fresh pastries and no one could guess that they are vegan. One of the best I have ever had!
Pros: Freshness , Delicious , Local and friendly owner
Cons: A bit pricy , Hard to park there , No ambiance or room for sitting
Guest
tj9045
Points +445
Amazing vegan baklava - Edit
Went here just for the vegan baklava - a must try! The owner is also very friendly.
Read moreGuest
AnaGoldberg
Points +89
SO GOOD - Edit
Don’t skip the baklava which is all vegan!
Read moreGuest
andyjng
Points +5432
Vegan Baklavas were Fire! - Edit
One thing drew me in and kept me in: Vegan. Baklava.
Read moreWho would've thought that Paprika Cafe would own the baklava empire in all of Monterey? This small little cafe is located on what appears to be the ground floor of an apartment complex. You order from a take-out window but there are two small tables around the corner that you could 'dine out' on a nice day.
At first we were only planning on ordering a side of 3 baklava ($5), but we ended up getting a side order of their hummus and baba ganoush (both at $11). Although they were labeled as sides, each of their homemade dips was actually quite filling with the amount of warm, fluffy pita bread that they provided.
I'm not sure if it was homemade pita but if it was, damn was it good. The hummus was some of the best homemade hummus I've ever had and the baba ganoush had just the right amount of smoky flavor to my liking. Although these were all 'snacks,' we ended up getting really full from just these items.
The owner was super awesome and accommodating. He even offered an extra baklava just so my friend and I could try more.
Pros: Large 'side' portions, Vegan balkava
Guest
mccolligan
Points +155
Friendly owner, good Mediterranean vegan options - Edit
nice owner/baker, he kindly gave us a box of cashew baklava for free, this place won the Michelin Star in 2019 right before COVID, currently no inside dining but there is a couple of tables in the shady grotto by the front ordering window where the owner himself will bring you out the food. Food was standard Mediterranean fare, tastes good enough and prices reasonable. Good value in expensive Monterey
Read morePros: good prices, friendly owner, outside tables available
Cons: only 2 outside tables, wished food was served on plates with real utensil
Guest
doroluvscats
Points +29
Soooo good! - Edit
This place makes such good food! Vegan baklava and the owner knew which of his food was vegan - & knew I’d ask!😄
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Vegan baklava , Nice owner / cashier / cook
Guest
EatPlantsNotFriends
Points +235
Amazing staff and food! - Edit
Seriously the owner was so kind in helping me to understand the menu. The food was authentic and delicious. I was also blown away by their reasonable prices! I can’t wait to go back here again.
Read moreGuest
BaileySchneider
Points +2220
Amazing vegan baklava - Edit
I would give five stars but happy cow won’t let me.
Read moreLet me start by saying I walked up to the window and was confused because it said ring the bell, but the bell was on the other side of the closed glass. I was a little confused so I knocked on the window. A man came to the window and nicely told me that they were actually closed but he would still sell me the baklava. Then I only had card, and they typically only do card if your order is over $18, but again, he still took my card and sold me some baklava. He was very sweet to even give me service in the first place since they were closed. I felt so silly on both accounts but the man was very nice about it. He didn’t have to do any of that for me but he still did.
There are three baklavas: walnut, cashew and pistachio. I got the pistachio. One box was $12 and it came with 12 rolls of baklava. They tasted soooo delicious. I will definitely be returning here to get some more!
I also saw signs that said they ship their baklava nationwide as well so that was a big bonus! 🥳
Guest
ArianeLeaMichaud
Points +86
Delicious - Edit
Some of the best hummus we have had in a while. The person who served us (the owner?) was so welcoming, friendly, and outlined the vegan options we could choose from. Food was delicious, and the baklava was just as described!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Amazing spices and flavors, Friendly staff and COVID safe
Guest
Kracken87
Points +53
Rad spot - Edit
Amazing service & great food. A separate vegetarian menu exists that can be ordered vegan as well
Read moreGuest
SoyCoffeeFTW
Points +742
Amazing baklava! - Edit
I ordered the Loubiya (green beans in tomato sauce) plate and the pistachio baklava. The Loubiya was very flavourful with just the right amount of spice. But the true showstopper was the vegan baklava. They were so good that I nearly ate the whole box in one sitting. I recommend the pistachio baklava. It’s more expensive, but definitely worth every penny!
Read moreI’ll definitely be back for more!!
Pros: Vegan baklava, Veeeegan baklavaaaa, VEGAN BAKLAVA
Guest
AnnetteRogers
Points +152
Amazing baklava - Edit
Stopped for the baklava, stayed for the baba ghanoush. This was my first time having baklava since going vegan and it was so worth it! I got the pistachio. I also tried the baba ghanoush which was so good I could’ve eaten it with a spoon. Altogether an excellent restaurant!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Vegan baklava
Cons: Pricey but worth it
Guest
hollynicole_03
Points +100
BAKLAVA - Edit
Only stopped for the baklava and was well worth it. Cashew, walnut and pistachio.
Read moreGuest
pixiesnakes
Points +175
Vegan baklava!!! - Edit
The vegan baklava is weird but good. I’m definitely into it. Food is a bit heavy on the garlic but otherwise tasty and good portion size for the price.
Read moreGuest
CRW
Points +655
Delicious Mediterranean Food - Edit
This is a sweet little restaurant in Monterey, walking distance from the aquarium. I had the falafel and baba ganoush plate with dolma and tabouli. My daughter had the falafel wrap. Everything was delicious and light. I loved the tabouli and the falafel was so fresh and the best I’ve had. As almost everyone has added, the vegan baklava is excellent. You can buy a box to go and if you don’t have time for a meal I’d swing by for a box of baklava to go!
Read moreGuest
PaulShapiro
Points +230
It was pretty good - Edit
The food was fine. Very limited seating and it seemed like entrees were pretty pricey ($15) for food that’s served on a paper plate. The vegan baklava was very good.
Read moreGuest
sunnymae
Points +43
LOVE! - Edit
One man show who takes pride in his homemade dishes. Very delicious, great customer service, and the vegan baklava is amazing.
Read moreGuest
jbo
Points +24
A gem - 5 star vegan food - Edit
Tiny and lovely. Such authentic food and hospitality. Extensive vegan menu and they'll sub tahini for tzatziki. Had a combo platter w baba ghanouge, a dolma, 3 falafel w tahini, salad, tabouleh, hummus, and pita. And vegan baklava for dessert. Incredible. I was so bummed the vegan place up the road was closed and then I found Paprika Cafe!
Read moreGuest
KWdaddio
Points +1441
Fantastic find - Edit
The food here was fresh and delicious. The owner operator takes great pride in his nearly 25 year old establishment and it shows.
Read moreI had the Baba Ghanouge and Falafel combo and it was very tasty. I also had a pistachio baklava - very tasty too.
They also sell packaged Baklava and I ended up leaving with a box of there cashew variety.
Pros: Authentic, Good quality , Vegan friendly
Cons: Not much parking, but standard in Monterey, Decor a bit dated.
Guest
GráinneO
Points +118
Would give 5 stars if I could!! - Edit
Falafel is delicious! It’s such a cute little cozy restaurant, the owner is lovely. Great value; you can actually buy falafel by the ball, so less waste if you don’t fancy a full portion😄
Read moreGuest
Brenda Jauqe
Points +725
Vegan Baklava! - Edit
I love the hummus, pita, falafel and baklava here! The hummus is the best I’ve found in the area and the falafel is bomb! When I found out they have vegan baklava, the owner gave a piece to try out and its amazing!
Read morePros: Vegan baklava, Best hummus in town , Fair price
Guest
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