Cafe Paloma Reviews

Afternoon lunch, as soon as you enter the restaurant the aroma tells you are in for a treat. The description is Mediterranean cuisine, but it reminded us of being in Turkey.

Gorgonzola salad was the best salad I have had in ages. Husbad liked his paloma platter (pita, olives, cheese, tomatoes and cukes, all very fresh and flavourful.) Friendly staff too!

My friend and I tried this Mediterranean restaurant on the way to a Mariners game because of the great reviews. We were not disappointed. We don't know much about Mediterranean food, but our waiter was also the owner, and he was very friendly and helped us order. We split a meze plate with 4 different appetizers, and the falafel. Everything was fantastic, including the baklava we had for dessert. Very cute restaurant, and enjoyed the Turkish music playing in the background. Highly recommended.

Small restaurant near The Best Western Pioneer Square. Service is polite. Clean. Qualifies as a safe space.

This average rating I have given this restaurant is solely based on the slow service. The food was excellent, I just didn't have time to eat it. I went there for lunch and it took the staff a minimum of 10 minutes to take our order, then it took 35 minutes to receive our order. The appetizer that was ordered took 20 minutes which given the item should have taken 2 minutes. We ordered hummus (which was excellent), Turkish Meatballs and a Prosciutto Panini. The food was very good but if you go plan for a long stay and don't go during business lunch.

Cafe Paloma bills itself as Mediterranean food but it's definitely Turkish. No matter; it's really good. Small menu, family run, friendly service. On a Saturday night it was empty until around 8pm, when it got crowded and loud. Recommend the falafel dinner.

We stopped in for lunch, the inside is very Mediterranean. The food we tried was the shepherds salad with lamb and the Gorgonzola with lamb, both were excellent. The ingredients were fresh and tasty, this restaurant serves quality food and good value for the high standard.

This unobtrusive restaurant charmed me from the outset. Small and bohemian, it delights with a warm atmosphere and excellent food, attractively presented, but above all very flavorful and satisfying. Cafe Paloma has a Turkish flair, with pale yellow walls in the entry room and clay-red and peach-colored walls in the longish dining room where cafe tables and chairs line up in pairs leading to a raised platform at the rear, weighed down by a brown baby grand piano and brass instruments, which are also deployed in other places, like the sousaphones hung from the ceiling. Modern art or photos are de rigeur for a bohemian eatery, and there is live jazz from time to time, with no cover charge. Between the food, the service and the jazz, I was quite taken with Cafe Paloma. It would be hard to imagine a better place to go for an intimate and cozy dinner with a special someone. My appetizer was an exotic dip made with roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses alongside oblongs of toast. The entree was a beguiling blend of the sweet and savory flavors of chicken sauteed with leeks, and cooked with currants, almonds, feta cheese, and pear hidden inside puff pastry shaped to look like a stylized ball of golden leaves, with a green salad on the side. I spied an open bottle of Marques de Caceres red Rioja; they were happy to sell me a glass. The wines by the glass are distinctly limited; the bottle selection is decent. One server took competent care of everyone, with a smile where warranted. My small candle kept going out and she replaced it repeatedly, eventually joking that I was "cursed." She also brought a latte and baklava for dessert. Beginning at about 8 p.m., a jazz quartet featuring pianist Wayne Horvitz and alto saxophone player Mark Taylor performed elegant West-Coast-style jazz, reminiscent of the early days of Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. You could not realistically ask for a better evening. As I left, I remarked to the server that my candles just burn hotter than anyone else's. "We'll see when you come back, " she grinned.

Wonderful panini, salads, hummus and salads satisfy locals and tourists alike! Tucked into the historic fabric of Pioneer Square, this cafe has great tastes and incredible value. Each panini comes with a spinach side salad topped with a tastey dressing. The made to order freshly squeezed lemonade is to die for! Dessert choices include fresh cookies or baklava, the coffee is some of the best you can find! The walls are always full of wonderful art! If you find yourself downtown on the first Thursday of the month the local art gallery scene is buzzing and the place is brimming with artists. Definitely the place to go for lunch!

Great on just about every level - friendly service, delicious food and decent ambiance. We went on a Saturday night and there were a couple of large groups that were rather noisy, but other than that it was great. Recommend the Kofte and the Borek!

I enjoyed the place. It has the feeling of a warm cafe with a touch of whimsy. I came here to get a quick bite since quite a few places were closed for dinner. Had a nice glass of wine, the hummus was great, and the lentil soup was pretty good. Friendly staff.

The caffe is very cute and it's food is quite good, as it offers an interesting selection of Mediterranean-Greek dishes, but the best part is the owner, which is a great character. Since he always sits in the street tables he knows and talks to everybody, either in the cafe, on the sidewalk or on the road. Its street tables have a great view of the Smith Tower.

We stopped in here right before catching the ferry to Bainbridge. We were in a bit of a hurry, and they were very nice about serving us quickly. I wish we had had more time to enjoy this the lovely food in a leisurely fashion. They serve organic beef and lamb. We had lamb pitas, which were fabulous. We will definitely eat there again when we are in that part of Seattle. Highly recommended!

For lunch suggest the $15 sampler plate. Choose 4 items from hummus and roasted eggplant to 6 or 7 others. Nothing fancy here, just really good flavors and plenty to share for a light lunch for two. Not crowded, a welcome change from the market area.

Had dinner at Paloma while in Seattle for a training. It's a quaint place serving delicious Mediterranean meals. I had the grilled eggplant sandwich with a glass of house red. Delicious! And under $20 for the total bill. Service was good, too. Recommended.

The selection is not huge, but everything was obviously freshly made. We ordered a sampler platter and lamb pitas. I ordered my first Turkish coffee, not really expecting to like it as it's so strong, but it was delicious. The service was very friendly and helpful as some of the things on the menu were unfamiliar to us and our server was nice about describing the different items.

Such a great experience here. Ordered the börek, falafel, soup & beet salad, and eggplant panini- all wonderful. Also a round of bloodies. Hole in wall kind of place just off the beaten trail of pioneer square.

We were staying at the Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel and after walking around all day, we were looking for a nice restaurant nearby. Thanks to Trip Advisor, we found Cafe Paloma. It is right up the street from the Hotel. It exceeded all of our expectations. The food was excellent (I had the Chicken Pita) It was well seasoned and tasted great... food, not sauces The servers were very gracious and very attentive to our table. The menu is not extensive, but does offer a nice selection of different foods. We will definitely go back on a future trip to Seattle.

Great little restaurant, food was amazing, the service was very good, it was a cute/quaint little place. My husband and I really enjoyed it, we both go the lamb pita. I recommend trying this restaurant if you are in seattle.

I stopped by for dinner recently. I ate on the patio. Service was great, sanitizing before I sat and then offering hand sanitizer to guests (nice touch)! I had the hummus for an appetizer and it was delicious. I really liked how the chickpeas were mashed but not totally broken. The tahini and olive oil on top was just the right amount without going over. For my entree I had the lamb pita. It was a generous portion that also contained a side salad with a delicious vinaigrette. The vegetables were cooked nicely and really added to the dish. My only minor complaint was that I felt the lamb could have been better seasoned. It was cooked well and was very hot, it just felt like it needed a pinch of salt or maybe a Mediterranean seasoning.

This small but comfortable Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant is a true treasure. The food is authentic and the choices are enormous. It was a pleasure to eat here and the food, wine and service were excellent. Would definitely return.

Very informal and understated place near the ferry terminals. We had an early evening dinner here. I had a gorgonzola salad and my wife had a beetroot salad. Both very fresh and wholesome and generous portions. Very friendly staff. It seemed pretty popular with locals - always a good sign. Nice relaxed meal.

My wife and I ate with another couple there last month and loved it. The food was fresh and very tasty. We had some sort of platter with various things to dip and loved it. It was on the appetizer menu but you could easily make a meal out of it. Also had some white Turkish wine that was wonderful. Price was a bit high but I think worth it for the healthy and flavorful food that you get.

We were impressed with the quality and variety of the food. A fun relaxed place to have lunch. The whole family enjoyed Paloma.

I love how adorable this place is. The ambience is awesome, and they have a wonderful sense of style. The food is light, not too heavy, and it has great flavors. My husband gets the dolmas when we go.

Yummy home made felafel and interesting flavor blends. Healthy beautiful food brought to the table freshly prepared. We enjoyed our Wednesday evening meal, and plan to go back on a night when they have music. The friendly owner came out to check with us about the food before we left-this is such a nice tradition in family run restaurants.

Throughly enjoyed the atmoshere of this small resturant. The Gorganzola panni was good but the Borek was outstanding.

On the way back to my hotel near Pioneer Square I noticed the intimate and inviting Cafe Paloma. When I read the menu, I was intrigued by the obvious Turkish influence on the menu. I was warmly greeted and found a seat in the main dining room by window facing Yeller Way. The chef/owner greeted me after noticing my conference with my Turkish name. By chatting with him, I found that everything is made in house. I ordered a cup of the lentil soup that was reminiscent of grandmother's recipe. It hit the spot on a cold, rainy evening. I also the ordered the Chicken Bohca (chicken and leeks wrapped in phyllo pastry) that was the day's special. They also have bottled Turkish beer. Service was attentive but not intrusive. My next course arrived. It looked amazing and tasted great. The pastry was accompanied by a small mixed green salad. I finished the meal with an intense demitasse of fresh Turkish coffee and authentic, home made baklava. The decor of the restaurant feature photographs from the owner's personal collection. It warm, cozy and just the right place for a date (I'll be coming back with my wife on our next trip to Seattle).

Great Mediterranean food. Quite small but very accommodating for our large group. Our waitress was superb. A had a metze plate of 4 different items. Really good value .

Was afraid this will be a bit of a tourist trap so we ordered with caution, soon to realize that there was no need. Food came out fast, nice portions, fresh and tasty. Atmosphere in restaurant was great, they were very accommodating (we had 2 kids...) Food was delicious and not your typical middle eastern restaurant - there was thought and an original approach behind the dishes. We truly enjoyed it.

I had lunch here and was happily surprised by the quality and taste of the soup and salad that I had. Ingredients are fresh and the lentil soup was of real good taste. The cafe is in a nice spot close and the waitress was friendly and helpful.

We were actually going to eat elsewhere, but that restaurant had closed after we finished the Underground tour. We were walking around and happened to stumble upon this lovely restaurant. My two older children had the falafel lunch and I had the shawurma. Everything was so very delicious that we were glad we found it! Both meals came with a salad of greens with a light dressing. Everything was very fresh and so tasty. My shawurma chicken was very tender and the taste was amazing. I really loved the bread it was on. Very tasty and was cooked perfectly. My girls loved their falafel too. Water is supplied on the table in bottles. Don't miss this hidden gem. A wonderful place to go for lunch. Very friendly staff too! We all really enjoyed it!!!

Popped in here for dinner this evening. It's a cozy cafe with a nice environment. Service was incredibly fast, but then there were only four of us in there. I had babaganoush and bread to start, and tahini chicken and rice for main. babaganoush was good, well flavoured and mixed, and the bread was warm. My main had good flavours but the chicken was somewhat overcooked and therefore a bit rubbery. Overall however, a nice place to grab a bite to eat.

We stopped here for lunch while on an extended layover in Seattle. I was with my one-year old daughter who was exhausted from traveling all day and wasn't in the best mood. Our server was so kind and went out of her way to make us both feel comfortable. The food was also great. I would definitely recommend this place to others.

The service was a little slower, but so worth the wait. We had an amazing meal, trying out the platter and a variety of appies, followed by pitas and Turkish meatballs....so good! Best meal we have had on our trip so far!!!

While waiting for Underground Tour to start, we looked for a nearby place to eat and found Cafe Paloma. Very small, but cozy. Had chicken pannini with salad, which was good. Great for couples (one young couple got up and danced on a 3x3 stage to the music overhead). Watched an indy film being made outside the window. Food was hot, fresh, & flavorful. Wouldn't recommend for families of young kids.

Stumbled upon this beautiful spot and had a delicious lunch- everything was so fresh and tasty- forgot the rain for awhile! Enjoy

I was in town on business and had the hankering for some Mediterranean food. Found this place on tripadvisor and thought I'd give it a try. The atmosphere was quaint and neighborly. Several locals came in while I was there and spoke to the staff as if they were old friends. The food was delicious. I had the hummus and a chicken pita. Very good. I would definitely recommend this place.

Cafe Paloma is about the noisiest restaurant I’ve ever patronized. We were there at lunchtime for this memorable experience. My Lady and I were joined by a friend who works in the area. I had falafel, My Lady had a pita with grilled chicken. Our friend had a salad with lamb. I love great falafel, but Paloma’s was below my bar. Overall, the food was just plain average. But, if you want to experience a noisy lunch environment, Paloma’s just might be the exceptional place for you.

I met the owner of Café Paloma at his newest bistro in Wallingford called Bodrum. Both places have great character and excellent food. I love Café Paloma for lunch and have taken several friends there over the past few months. I often have the soup and salad, which has been red lentil with nice green salad that comes with grilled flat bread. Also the falafel is some of the best I have had and a generous portion comes over a nice salad with bread and tzatziki. My friend had Kofte which he said was excellent and he spent time in Istanbul as a child and has two sisters there, so he spoke Turkish with the staff and really enjoyed himself. We will be back as I want to try the Kofte and Borek http://www.cafepaloma.com/

Had an excellent dinner here, fresh well prepared food and not expensive. Service was attentive but not overly. Atmosphere is pleasant.

This is one cosy, friendly place!! Located on Yesler, just south of Pioneer Square, the place is easy to miss, but it is worth finding. The menu is short and simple, but the food and the service are great. Tasty turkish dishes, quick and friendly service, and a great vibe. Quick service, tasty and plentiy food, live music some Fridays. The owner, Sedat, has just celebrated 20 years of operation on that same spot, and I hope that he and the cafe will stay there for years to come. I will be sure to stop by there for lunch or dinner, or just a quick drink, the next time I am in town.

The food is prepared with care and the wait staff was excellent. Recommend their lentil soup and sampler plate. Oh yeah, their olives are homemade prepared.

Arrived at noon in Seattle and were looking for a place to eat. The hotel recommended this nice restaurant close by. The falafel was good but spicy and the egg plant panini was good with hummus on the side. Overall, good, quick meal.

Happened to pass this restaurant while looking for another. Noted how good the food looked on the patio diners' plates - and very fresh. We ended up there and are so glad we did. Tried the following and would recommend all: carrot spread (sauteed carrots, yogurt, pine nuts), a red pepper spread w/ a surprising combination of roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate, hummus, and the shrimp dish (cooked in tomatoes and served over delicious white beans). We had good meals while visiting Seattle, but this was a surprise standout. Simple, casual and delicious. Totally hit the spot of the flavors and style. Nicely priced too. Would definitely go there again.

Walking around Pioneer Hill and saw this cute cafe and as we approached the wonderful smells lead us inside. We all enjoyed paninis with wine.

What can I say, except that the food was just incredible, the staff was friendly and the place was clean and romantically decorated. We enjoyed ourselves and the food very much.

Super cute place in downtown Seattle for Mediterranean food. Their service is super fast making it an ideal place for lunch. I loved the ambiance and food here. The servers are very friendly. Don't miss their walnut bakalava...it is soooo good!! Now the food- I loved everything I ordered- red lentil soup, falafel salad and grilled eggplant sandwich! A vegetarian would be able to get a hearty lunch here for sure. We also gave Turkish coffee a try which was ah-mazing!! :)

So nice to find a restaurant my non-veg friends and I are equally excited about! I had the eggplant sandwich and a quinoa tabbouli and it was delicious. My friends enjoyed the lamb and chicken just as much. My only quibble was that the greens accompanying the sandwich arrived a little underdressed, but they happily added a side of dressing.

After enjoying the ever-popular and always-entertaining Underground Tour, we popped into Cafe Paloma for a divine dinner! The hummus might be the best I've ever tasted, with a subtle lemon kick and a smooth consistency. The red bean soup, their house specialty, is perfect with a stack of their warm pita bread, and the kebabs are expertly cooked and seasoned. For a fresh change of pace, definitely check out this wonderful gem! The service was only average, and the seating felt a little cramped, but it was well worth it for the scrumptious food!

Having only stopped in for a glass of wine I can't really review the food, but I can say that the atmosphere in this place is lovely. I came in, had a couple of glasses of a Pinot Grigio they recommended me and sat and watched the traffic go by and people walking out in the drizzle. Wonderful ambience, warm, and very inviting.

Terrific lunch visit. Such nice people. The food was excellent. Lentil soup, Gorgonzola salad and Paloma salad. All fresh and good. Recommended

I was dining alone and had a lovely panini and a glass of dry red wine, in a nice, quiet atmosphere.

Our guide for the Seattle underground history tour recommended this restaurant and he was right! It was delicious, inviting, charming atmosphere, and attentively cared for by the owner, Sadat. Wish we could have eaten there twice so we could have tried more options. We suspect they would have been just as delicious as our gorgonzola salad with chicken, lentil soup, beet salad and lamb.

We stopped in for a snack at this charming cafe on a busy day sight-seeing in Seattle. Shared the falafel, which was perfect for a 3 pm pick-me-up.

Local cafe / restaurant with very good-tasting and healthy food - and excellent service. Mediteranian food but almost like a café in Paris. Loved it.

Wonderful Turkish dishes! So flavorful - it truly is the best falafel in town. Our dessert special was a strawberry shortcake-ish concoction that was light, fluffy, and amazingly delicious. Our server was friendly, attentive, and efficient. Definitely worth a detour!

Café Paloma is a small, but charming Mediterranean café off Yesler Way, just a short walk from the downtown office I was working in this past week. The atmosphere was quiet and inviting when we visited, and our waitress was extremely personable. We were seated behind the bar area, beside a stage that had several musical instruments stored away. I imagine for weekends, they may have live music there, and it's a shame we missed that! We started the table off with a few plates of hummus w/ pita points and bottle of a dry red Turkish wine. Both the food and drink were excellent, so we relaxed, chatted, and continued to enjoy the time. For dinner, I enjoyed the Köfte, which consisted of ground beef and lamb shaped into patties, over a bed of rice, serviced with a salad and yogurt. The patties were good (could have been much better with more seasoning), and the rice was actually fantastic - an interesting note on which one of my colleagues agreed with me. Wine was gone by this time, so several of us had a bottle of Turkish beer (Efes Dark) - also very good! Our time at Café Paloma was enjoyable. We had great service, drinks, and conversation. While I believe the beef and lamb patties could have had much better flavor, the rice (again) was amazing, the beer and wine were spot on, and really the hummus was so good; so this ended up being a great experience.

My wife and I are in Seattle for a few days at the start of a two week trip in the area. We arrived in the evening at our hotel near Pioneer Square. We settled on Cafe Paloma, which has a Mediterranean and Turkish menu. It is quite small, but has large windows facing the street and simple but artistic decor. Our waitress was attentive and very friendly. We ordered The eggplant plate as a starter.  Wow they were magnificent. I love eggplant and have spent a great deal of time preparing it in various ways. I have fried, baked, and used it as a main ingredient in many classic dishes. I thought my fried eggplant was excellent. However, today my fried eggplant not only lost its standing but it has been replaced by the outstanding eggplant served at Cafe Paloma. Our mains were really good as well, a lamb burger and fillo spinach dish. It was a perfect simple but delicious meal.

Stumbled upon the place during a rushed day visit to Seattle. We all stuck to Salads for lunch and were pleasantly surprised. Fresh and full of flavour with lunch topped of by a slice of Baklava. Decor was interesting and the proprietor (chief?) also added to the experience..

A whole family group of us had reserved the small-ish outdoor seating area before a Mariners game, and what a perfect summer experience. My first time trying a Turkish beer was a pleasure - light and crisp, perfect for a warm evening! My husband and I both had the soup and salad special. One can choose which menu combo they’d like. We also had hummus and pita. This food was fresh, not heavy, flavorful, not over-oiled, over-salted, or over-seasoned! Our server was friendly and did a great job of keeping up with such a large group! Will certainly return and highly recommend it!

Had the hummus and falafel. I really enjoyed the falafel. Nice and crispy with a tasty side salad. The salad had very good dressing that was drizzled over the salad and falafel both. Would definitely be back next time I'm in the Emerald City

My friend and I were instantly drawn to this cafe. We are from a resort town in Montana, so we have amazing food choices there, but we always love to explore and try new things. I am a Mediterranean buff, so of course... I wanted to stop! The staff was very attentive and friendly, the prices were reasonable for the big portions of food we received, and we loved our flavorful dishes! Two thumbs up!

We were on the Underground Tour and passed by this place. The food that a couple was eating at an outside table looked good so we went back after the tour. We both ordered the meze plate but for the life of me I cannot remember the 4 choices each of us made. There was too much food - neither of us could finish even though all the different dishes were very tasty. Service was fine and the price with tip was under $40.

Try the lamb pita along with a nice Cote-du-Rhone for a great lunch. Check out the concert scheddule: always great local group.

I have eaten at Cafe Paloma several times. Today my wife and I went for a late lunch. I ordered the lamb pita and she had the meze with three choices. Both dishes were excellent. The lamb was cooked perfectly and her three meze choices were also excellent. We had a nice red Rioja wine with it. Prices were reasonable, service very good, the atmosphere is simple but quite nice. Ovell, I highly recommend Cafe Paloma.

We dined out at many places. This was the best! The FOOD was amazing! Best falafel and organic salad I've ever had. Sinfully good Turkish coffee. YUM! Gorgeous atmosphere for casual or dressy dining. Affordable! Owner waited on us with usual staff. Top quality preparation + ingredients, presentation, and dishes. Don't miss this place!

Delicious food, nice atmosphere - service was very friendly. It was also more affordable than other, less tasty meals we've had in this area.

Fresh, taste-packed mediterranean food. Very casual and affordable. We had lunch here and would definitely eat here again. Hazelnuts were served with my salad yet they weren't listed on the menu. I have a severe hazelnut allergy, so the staff quickly re-made me a salad without a substitution of walnuts.

Cafe Paloma’s falafel was richly flavorful and well complemented by a subtle tahini. Simple fresh greens with lemon vinaigrette a nice addition. Be sure to have the baklava.

Everything we ate was incredible. It was hard to pull ourselves away (another party needed our table). Otherwise I was ready for seconds.

This was a pretty chill place. The owner is super friendly and warmly greets any who comes in the door. The waiter was very attentive and polite. All in all a good experience. The food wasn't too impressive to me. I have had the good fortune of having spectacular mezze plates, so this one left a little to be desired. I cannot say I recommend it, but the cool decor, laid back ambiance, and awesome staff still make this a four star place to grab some food.

This is a small, dark Turkish restaurant. The others with me seemed to enjoy what they ordered, but my lamb stew tasted more like mutton than lamb, so I ate very little. I wish I had ordered something I had never tasted before; perhaps my experience would have been better. Tubas were hanging from the cieling, which struck me as a bit too odd.

This restaurant uses fresh ingredients to provide you with a well-rounded tasty meal. I had a salad that had a delicious light dressing, accompanied with sauteed lamb that was tender and juicy. It is located in close proximity to the Underground Tour, so it's convenient to stop here before or after your tour. It is also steps away from the Best Western Plus Pioneer Hotel. If you're in the mood for some great Mediterranean food, this place should not be missed.

Delicious homemade Mediterranean fare that is a notch above. Really enjoyed the falafel, which is probably some of the best I’ve ever had — very tasty with a little kick of spice. The Gorgonzola salad is also delicious. Enjoyed the artistic ambience in the small dining room.

I've been coming to Seattle on business for a couple of weeks now (every other week). This is one if the places I like to go when I want a lighter meal. Although they gave what they call large platters, I find a salad is bug enough. Staff are always very friendly, even if you aren't a regular - and they seem to have an eclectic set if regulars. It also looks like they have live music some nights.

We ate here twice while staying at the Best Western just down the street from this gem. We had the meze plate with a beet & goat cheese salad & lentil soup. All very good. Second visit was big plates of falafel & lamb. Felafel was all the buzz folks say it is while the lamb had a pronounced iron flavor. Ambiance present, sweet people working here to make your meal a pleasant experience.

We were touring Seattle when we stumbled upon this place. What a find! Delicious Food, Excellent Service, everything you could want! We had the Spinach Pie, Delicious! We had the Lamb Pita, Delicious! We had the Red Lental Soup, to die for. If you like Middle Eastern food, this is the place. And did I mention, very reasonably priced. Best restuarant we've found in years, Try it, you'll LOVE it!

authentic, friendly and affordable... you will enjoy! I had a gorgonzola salad with lamb that was delicious!

Ate dinner here with my family while staying in Pioneer Square. The owner waited on us personally, he was friendly and talkative, giving us many suggestions for the surrounding area and our upcoming trip to Vancouver BC. I noticed that he greeted other guests as familiar as well. As we came in late the cafe was sadly out of the kofte I had been wanting to order, but the delicious meze platter with two different eggplant dishes, hummus and olives, along with baklava was memorable. Will have to come back for the kofte!

This place is a little gem in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. I stopped in for lunch before a tour. The staff are friendly and helpful and the food is delicious. Not too expensive, either. I highly recommend.

Nice portions, tasty, healthy. Good hummus,bean salad, chicken sandwich, friendly server. The menu had many choices and I believe they have music some evenings. Casual atmosphere for relaxing and visiting with a friend or spouse.

We really enjoyed this place. So convenient too, a couple of blocks downhill from the transit station, just at Pioneer Square. The menu item names were mostly familiar but the preparations were more Turkish than Lebanese. Wonderfully seasoned stuffed grape leaves, salads, soup. And open for lunch! They also have what looks like a well-stocked bar.

This restaurant has it all. Vegetarian and meat lover food. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere with interesting items such as old musical instruments. Great salads, falafel, lamb, etc. wine list.

For our last night in Seattle we decided to try Cafe Paloma. We’re very happy we did! This is a small, cozy restaurant filled with traditional Mediterranean-Turkish decor. We enjoyed a Meze Platter (red pepper spread, hummus, Yapral Sarma served with fresh, warm pita) and an order of falafel. Everything was fresh, expertly prepared and wonderfully presented. The young man who served us was very friendly, most welcoming and professional. The owner even came by to see how we were doing which was a nice touch. A most memorable way to end our trip to Seattle.

On my latest trip to Seattle, I took a friend from Texas to Cafe Paloma before descending into the Underground Tour. The food was fantastic and, faultless! We ordered Hummus, the Chicken Pita and, the Lamb Pita. We also shared a Baklava and, I had a Turkish Coffee. Sitting outside, we enjoyed the people watching but, the interior has a very comfortable atmosphere, too! The service was excellent! I highly recommend the Cafe Paloma. I will stop in again on my travels to Seattle!

We have traveled on turkey with our children. This food rivals the real deal. We are also vegetarian. Not tons of options on the menu but every single one was delicious. My taste buds are dancing. We got the platter of appetizers and they were each exceptional. Borek, a panini. Kids got the Paloma platter. I can't say enough how delicious everything was.

My shepherds salad was crunchy, fresh, cold and colorful. In short, a joy. I ordered it with chicken, which came hot off the grill, and made the inexpensive salad into a great meal. The house made baklava? Equally perfect and great with a cup of perfectly mellow, chocolatey high quality coffee. Service on a very busy day was so seamless that it wasn't even noticed! Imagine having a lovely chat with a friend and food appearing magically when you want it. It was that good

Went here for lunch with friend and was shuffled around between tables until we finally were able to order food and drinks. Probably waited a good 15 minutes - place only has one waitress and she was crazy busy with large party. The owner did offer us free baklava's for the inconvenient wait time, which was very nice. Had lamb and chicken pita, which were good but not overly tasty. would have been nice with some complementary olives.

We had a varied and easy meal after walking through Pioneer Square. Service was friendly and comfortable. Felt very genuine and had some interesting choices in addition to standard Mediterranean sandwiches and spreads. An initial meager offering of cold pita with a dip appetizer was remedied with another plate of warm and toasted when more was requested, so that was appreciated. The salads were delicious.

We came here for lunch and everything was great. Good service, nice sized wine pour and a great meal. I had the Borek and the filo dough just melted in my mouth. My friend had the Falafel and said it was really good, too. I'll be happy to return to this funky little jewel.

This restaurant is somewhat small and intimate, but the food more than makes up for the lack of space. The Gyro Platter was excellently prepared and seasoned, as was the Baklava for desert.

Why this restaurant isn't packed at lunchtime every day is questionable. It must be it's location off the beaten track in Pioneer Square. The food is always wonderful. Service is friendly and helpful. It's my first choice for lunch in downtown Seattle, and at a reasonable price. As one of the few places where I can find Raki (over ice) Cafe Paloma never disappoints. And they are open for dinner too. Enjoy a delicious meal.

The food was good. The establishment was clean and the wait staff was very friendly and informative. Prices were reasonable and the menu was varied. A nice, neighborhood cafe.

Hidden gem, very close to the free shuttle stop. Relaxing little place right near the Pioneer Sq. center. Nice assortment of Mediterranean dishes, that also includes gluten free and vegan.

While we stayed at the best western next door at Pioneer square, it was the closest restaurant, so we had dinner and recommended it if you enjoy middle eastern food, meze, etc.

During the "Underground" tour we passed this charming cafe with Mediterranean food. We had good fortune because the meal was delish. He had the lamb burger and I had the chicken pita. Both dishes were noticeably fresh and tasty-and I rarely eat lamb. The service was attentive and our waitress made perfect iced coffee.

Right by our hotel, this was a welcome cafe for varied tastes in our family group of 6 in town for baseball and sightseeing. The panini and falafel selection were the favorites. Middleeastern fare but with wide appeal. Later, the tiny spot burst onto the street with outdoor diners, spontaneous dancing and live music. Fine spot for a meal or a snack and coffee.

Not really a lot to say that hasn't been said already. We found it while walking through Pioneer Square. It's a small restaurant, but very comfortable. Service is prompt, prices are very reasonable and the food was amazing. One bit of advice, I believe Turkish coffee should be stirred, otherwise you're leaving a lot of the good stuff on the bottom!

We had just finished the underground tour at Pioneer Square and wondered where to eat lunch. My daughter said, "I saw a place that looked pleasant." Indeed it was, and food was excellent, and the decor was fun to look at. I had red lentil soup and a salad, and a turkish coffee, not always available at restaurants so I seized the opportunity.

Being from Seattle I typically don’t really care where the restaurants are that I go to but I have to say for travelers visiting, this place is aces!!!! The food, and I mean ALL of the food is excellent. This is a Turkish restaurant and I recently went to Istanbul. Do yourself a big favor and book yourself a table when they have entertainment during the evening. A secret-you don’t have to order off the menu. You can ask your server to select for you and they bring out multiple selections of their best dishes. I love this place! If you drink, finish off the meal with “Lions Milk” it’s Raki with water and ice.

In an inconspicuous building just off Pioneer Square this is a great local gem with really fresh food and healthy lunch options or vegetarians or meat lovers! The panini's are huge and welcome you as you walk in. The mixed greens fresh and the soups are really good - the lentil in particular. The Meze platter is great allowing you to pick several really good options - their hummus is the best around. Tip: Go early, this place fills up fast!

the place we had chosen from the TA reviews was closed so we were wandering around the neighborhood looking for something...the menu on the window looked interesting (the bait) and when we stuck our head in the door the wonderful smell hooked us. We did a sampling of various things...the lentil soup was wonderful, the stuffed grape leaves were very good, the chicken skewers were perfect and the cucumber salad was completely devoured. The house red wine was even quite fine. The prices are good as well. funky atmosphere and some nice photos on the wall.

There are not a lot of restaurant options in this area beyond pubs and pizza. We stayed at the Best Western Pioneer Square and were fortunate to find Café Paloma next store. Cafe Paloma serves fresh authentic Turkish food in a small, friendly, and funky setting. The menu is simple and limited. We had great red lentil soup with a goat cheese & beet salad. They have music on certain nights. Recommend.

My husband and I live 2 hours south of Seattle and everytime we get the chance to go up, we go to Cafe Paloma. We have NEVER been disappointed with anything we've ordered. Every hummus they have on the menu is to die for! I try hummus everywhere we travel, and no one beats them. Their salads and lamb and sandwiches are wonderful! I took my sixty-five year old parents who have never eaten anything like this before just to "try it" and they loved it. They were so surprised! The pitas are great and you can't beat the house red wine. It is really good.

Some of the best Mediterranean food I've eaten in North America. The service was very good. Delicious hummus, baba ganouj and stuffed grape leaves. The atmosphere and surroundings are eclectic and quirky. I hope to return.

A nice environment just off of Pioneer Square. We chose the falafel and the kofte as entrees. The falafel entree looked and tasted great, the kofte really just ok. Lacking any edge in flavour but the meat quality very good. The plates entrees are served on quite small so portion size a little small too. House wine in carafe measures very decent and the host friendly and attentive. Nice decor too adding to the atmosphere

I wanted to experience as much of the great restaurants that Seattle has to offer by promising to never eat at the same place twice on my vacation...I broke that promise after eating at Café Paloma! I wandered in on a whim and I am so glad that I did! the restaurant is small and has lots of charm and character. The staff was very friendly and made me feel at home. The service was quick but the best part was the food. Everything that I tried on the menu was a 10 out of a 10! I knew I was going to be back so I could try more dishes off of the menu. I spent some time in the Mediterranean and I know what Mediterranean food should taste like. This was hands down some of the best Mediterranean food I have had. I highly recommend this restaurant.

While in Seattle, some locals recommended we lunch at Cafe Paloma. GREAT Recommendation. There were nine in our party. We tried a wide variety of sandwiches and soups. Everyone - and I mean everyone - was impressed with their meal. Fun relaxed atmosphere. I will definitely go back!

Food was delicious and service wonderful. They were supposed to close early that day but stayed open so that was a blessing for us. So, if Yelp says they are closed, give them a call first. Worth the extra effort

Cafe Paloma presents a lot of character while providing great Greek food and drinks. There is an option to eat in a chained off sidewalk area or inside. As the weather was nice we are outside. We enjoyed a nice view of the water as well as the sights and sounds of pioneer square as we ate. The service, food and atmosphere all provide for a great experience.

Our hotel concierge recommended this bistro type establishment in an indoor mall in downtown Seattle and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of food and the variety of offerings. The wine list was very affordable, but we opted for drinks. We had the pita pizzas and the flat bread appetizer.The Cesar was passable without any undue sunrises and we passed on dessert. This is definitely a bustling "date" place and we were a little out of the element with a 5yr old in tow, but it was a fun evening and we tipped the concierge extra for her suggestion.

I eat here often with friends and work colleagues. It's a great Turkish Mediterranean restaurant where you can tell great care goes in to the cooking. The lentil soup is probably the best I've ever had, and the owners seem to really care about creating a friendly atmosphere. It's certainly not the fanciest place in the city, but I always feel great after eating here.

It's great for brunch but be aware that you may leave the cafe semi-hungry. The portions a small which makes it kind of expensive overall.

While visiting family in Seattle, they took us here, and so glad they did! It's a favorite of theirs and quickly became one of ours. I look forward to our next visit. It's small and intimate. Not being adventurous, I probably would not have gone into on my own, but oh so glad we were with folks who have been before! The food, service and atmosphere were all warm & welcome on a rainy afternoon.

What a delicious lunch I had when I visited Cafe Paloma for the first time. I was there to meet a friend for lunch who wanted a quiet place where we couild talk. We arrived around 11:45 on a Wednesday and it was nice and quiet. It did pick up to pull capacity within 30-45 minutes, so I suggest an early lunch if you want it quiet. The hummus was perfect and the eggplant panini I had was simply perfection. My friend had the pancetta panini and was equally happy with hers. Don't second guess this--just go!

Tripped over this yummy Mediterranean place for lunch. Had the Meza sampler - order the extra pita. Then we had the fallafal which was spectacular. Don't overlook the fresh squeezed lemonade. Highly recommend!

Delicious food and a truly lovely owner. Really great side step from a busy corridor that I'm making a top recommendation and must-visit for future trips to the city!

Arrived in town looking for something light to eat and this was perfect. I had the Gotgonzolo Panini and it really hit the spot! Cafe Paloma goes on the list of place to eat when I return to Seattle.

After our “Underground Tour” in Seattle’s Pioneer Square District we stopped at La Paloma for a light dinner. The menu was small but the quality of the food was large. I ordered the spinach borek. My wife ordered the chicken pita platter which she enjoyed thoroughly. The excellent tzatziki sauce was a good accompaniment. Each of us chose a substitute for the side salad specified for each of these dishes. I substituted the lentil soup while my wife substituted a side dish of white rice. The manager (owner?) was kind enough to give me a small dollop of their creamy delicious baba ghanouj so I might taste it. The lentil soup was a delicious puree. The worthwhile spinach borek was quite different from the usual spanakopita that I am used to. It was loaded with delicious caramelized onions, contained very little if any feta cheese and was drizzled with pomegranate molasses. I was a bit surprised by the “add on” to the check for the soup substitution but when I mentioned it the manager (owner?) took it off cheerfully. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for those in the neighborhood of Pioneer Square. Popoo

We eat here a few years ago and were impressed, so we thought we would try again. Still good, we started with the MERCİMEK KÖFTE Red lentils, bulgur, onion, scallion, parsley and coriander making lentil patties served in greens (great tastes) Next was BEET SALAD Organic mixed greens, roasted beets, red onion, oranges, hazelnuts, goat cheese with lamb (fresh and tasty) and LAMB PITA with a Gorgonzola salad (filling and tasty) Great Turkish food, we will certainly return.

Well-portioned, perfectly seasoned and prepared Mediterranean fare at lunch here, but it fills up shortly after noon. Service is friendly and professional; food arrives slowly compared to a lot of local lunch spots, but is worth the wait. Our party had soup, lamb plate, and kefta - all outstanding. We'll definitely be back.

Disclaimer: After spending long stretches of time in the Middle East, I am opinionated about Middle Eastern cuisine. The food at Cafe Paloma is good. Menu is not expansive and you’re not going to find a ton of new and unusual dishes, but if you’re looking for solid Middle Eastern cuisine you’ll be happy. Kofta, lamb pita and falafel were all good. To be honest, the falafel and kofta were exceptional. Everything else our party tried was acceptable; nothing we ordered was bad. So, like I said... good, solid lighter fare Middle Eastern food from a limited menu. Service was really slow; I think there was only one wait staff on duty... probably should have been two to make things faster. But who knows, maybe someone called out sick. Ambiance is disappointing; it was old and dated... and not in that good way. A face lift for the restaurant would definitely be a good thing. Overall, good food, ok prices, with less than exciting ambiance. I’d probably stop back in for a light lunch rather than a dinner the next time I’m in that part of town.

Cafe Paloma is a hidden gem in the Pioneer Square area. Sedat- host and chef- has built a wonderful community of people who love his food and camaraderie. the menu is small, but all items are prepared with fresh ingredients and are en excellent value. my personal favorite is the lentil soup, but it's impossible to go wrong at Cafe Paloma

Amazing Mediterranean food. Sedat, the owner, is friendly and approachable. If you're lucky enough to be around when they have a band there after 7pm, it's an array of good food, good wine, good company, and romance. Do not miss!

This quaint delicious restaurant really doesn't need my 5 star review. It does just fine on it's own. But I have to say it is consistently amazing just like it's sister restaurant Bodrum Cafe. Just go and order.....anything!

Couldn't get into our original restaurant for lunch so stumbled upon Cafe Paloma - 7 of us! Just beat the crowds too. Every single meal we each chose was delicious - but all said I won for having the Spinach Feta pie. I've eaten many and this was one of THE best. It came with a sweet balsamic drizzle with a lovely greens salad. Had a cup of lentil soup to start and it was so flavourful. Sampled some hummus which was also very well seasoned - not bland like some. Atmosphere lovely. Service amazing as we didn't have a ton of time. Food came out fast, hot and fast. Highly recommend.

I recently hosted a family group of 40 for brunch at this restaurant prior to attending a Mariners baseball game. The food was absolutely terrific! Fresh, tasty, healthy, nicely presented, and abundant! And the service by the owner and his competent staff was top notch. I highly recommend Cafe Paloma for a group or for anyone wanting a nice brunch/lunch in a quaint, casual, warm and friendly place. (PS - the location at Pioneer Square and within walking distance of the stadiums is terrific for a pre-game event!)

Mediterranean style cuisine, this a good refressing choice among the zillion Asian and America style (or no style at all) restaurants around the place. Love it!

We lunched here and enjoyed the casual atmosphere. When we came back at 8pm, every seat and bench was taken - people were crammed in like sardines. Seems to be popular!

We found this spot using TA and trusted the reviews. You might walk by otherwise. Great Mediterranean cuisine - not a huge menu but very well prepared. Tasty. Pretty casual with a 'locals' feel to the cafe. Right in the heart of Pioneer Square area...fun section of Seattle.

Lovely place to sit, eat good and healthy food, drink a simple but nice wine and take your time! No one rushing you here. Good service and funky atmosphere... In a good way!

Delicious food and friendly service! It's as close as we can get to the Mediterranean in Seattle. In summer, patrons include local professionals and tourists. Those with kids will find Cafe Paloma to be a good option. I am I could order chicken and pita bread for seven year old son.