Cafe Paloma — Restaurant in Seattle

Firstly, food was fantastic. So juicy and absolutely delicious. However, solo diners beware! My rating goes down because I went as a relatively young solo diner, and I could feel a palpable, uncomfortable difference. I watched all the tables get at the very least a greeting - “How are you all? Happy to serve you today,” etc. For me, I got the dessert menu placed on the table, no eye contact, not another word. When my food was served, same thing, absolutely nothing. Every other table of 2 or more people got at minimum, “here’s your __!” A quick check in of “How’s it going, how’s the food?” I got radio silence, literally no consideration at all, unless I raised my hand to order something else. To be clear, this isn’t about the wonderful older gentleman in the kitchen who was very kind to me - but the waitress who ran the whole experience. I don’t feel like I’m asking for too much to simply receive literally ANY kind of additional acknowledgement, particularly if everyone else is having full blown conversations and smiles with her.

It wasn’t enough to ruin dinner - the waitress did warm up a bit at the end, and the food was still great. I remained as polite and as gracious as I normally would, made sure to order a drink and dessert, ate quickly, and tipped 25% anyway (perhaps it was a “solo diner, orders less, lower tips” issue? Still doesn’t make it right). I just want other potential solo diners to be aware of this. I don’t believe I did anything egregiously offensive… if I did I’m more than willing to accept that. But paying diners should be treated more or less the same - and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt very...

My experience at Cafe Paloma in Seattle was nothing short of delightful. From the moment I stepped in, I knew I was in for a treat. The food was absolutely delicious, with the falafel being a standout highlight. It was incredibly moist and bursting with flavor, making it a real delight for my taste buds. The chicken dish was equally impressive, as it practically melted in my mouth, showcasing the chef's skill in preparing the perfect protein.

Cafe Paloma not only left a great impression on my taste buds but also on my overall first night in Seattle. What made this dining experience truly exceptional, though, was the outstanding customer service. The staff went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and comfortable, even taking the time to help me figure out how to use the light rail system in the city. Their warmth and willingness to assist made my evening even more memorable.

In summary, Cafe Paloma is a must-visit when in Seattle. The delicious food, particularly the falafel and chicken, combined with the exceptional service, left me with a fantastic first impression of the city. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this charming cafe is sure to provide you with a memorable dining experience that's nothing short...

After taking the "Underground Tour" of old Seattle (highly recommended!), my hubby and I wanted a nice lunch. Mediterranean food is a favorite of ours so we chose Cafe Paloma and were not disappointed. The place is small and charming, the waitress was very friendly and attentive.

The menu is small with many vegetarian options. I had the Falafel salad (delicious!) and my husband had the lamb pita. I think we both pictured "gyro" but of course that's not what the menu said. The meal was actually a mixture of lamb, tomatoes and onions in sauce, with pita slices, taziki sauce and salad. Although not what we expected it was good (the lamb could have been a bit more tender and the portion size was rather small). For dessert we tried the baklava, which was light and flaky - the best I've ever had.

Only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is the small menu, the smallish portion sizes (good for a light lunch, not good if you are really hungry or have a meat lover in the group). And the water on the table had a bug or something stuck to the inside of the bottle. But the waitress brought us iced water...