Padria Mediterranean Cafe — Restaurant in Kirkland

We ate outside on a beautiful autumnal Saturday. Little did we know the wonders that awaited us, as it was our first time. My friend ordered the Chicken kabob with rice/lentil. She kept raving about how tender and well seasoned everything was. I enjoyed the falafel salad. I honestly have to say the falafel was the most amazing, handmade, fluffy, crispy, light with lovely hints of spice I couldn’t figure out. It didn’t matter, because these crispy falafel were like eating a savory donut!! The tzatziki was beautiful and the feta , olive, cucumber salad has the most amazing simple light dressing. I loved it so much, I’m taking my hubs there tomorrow. We’ve lived in London, the Mediterranean, traveled to Turkey and all in between. Never have I ever enjoyed such a lovely dining experience as I did here. You can tell they make everything to order which is why it tastes so good. A man came out of the restaurant with a take out lentil soup and raved about it. Can’t wait to try it too!! Everyone working there is super kind and you can tell it’s a family run business with a...

If you’re looking for authentic Persian food, Padria should be the last place you try—because after that, no other restaurant will compare. I always search for Persian restaurants when I travel, hoping to find good food. So far, Padria is the only place where I’ve truly tasted real Iranian cuisine and actually enjoyed the experience.

At other places, I’ve often left disappointed, wondering what the chef was thinking serving something so far from what Persian food should taste like. But at Padria, the flavors are authentic, the ingredients are fresh, and the care put into every dish truly reflects the heart of Persian cooking.

I can confidently say—if you don’t enjoy the food here, Persian cuisine may simply not match your taste. But if you’ve tried Persian food elsewhere and didn’t like it, it was probably because the food wasn’t well made. Give Padria a try—you might fall in love with Persian food for life.

I highly recommend trying some of the classic Iranian dishes here, no matter what your nationality is. You just might discover your new favorite...

We came twice this week, drawn back by flavors that lingered long after the meal ended. Our first visit was for lunch, where we savored fragrant cranberry rice paired with tender chicken kebabs, alongside a hearty bowl of lentil soup. Each bite was a revelation—portions were generous, the spices perfectly balanced, and nothing felt heavy or oily. Watching everything cooked fresh before our eyes added to the magic.

For dinner, we returned, this time sharing a bottle of wine to pair with our meal. We couldn’t resist ordering the cranberry rice and chicken kebabs again, but also ventured to try the legendary lamb shank. When it arrived, the lamb was so tender it practically melted off the bone, perfectly cooked with just the right balance—rich yet not overly fatty.

We can’t wait to bring our kids and friends here. This place is a rare gem, a warm haven that feels like home, where food and atmosphere are crafted with love. We were lucky to meet Shay, who was as graceful and welcoming as Audrey Hepburn herself. We left with happy hearts and the...