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Papa K's Mediterranean Kitchen Logo - A Distinctive Brand Emblem for Exquisite Mediterranean Cuisine

Top 10 Mediterranean Dishes You Must Try in Irvine

  • Writer: The Papa K's Journal
    The Papa K's Journal
  • Nov 25
  • 4 min read
mediterranean food irvine

You might be wondering when enjoy tasting real mediterranean food in Irvine — and where to start. Here’s a clear, proof-first guide to the classics, how they’re made, and exactly why they matter when you’re choosing a Mediterranean restaurant in Irvine.


WARM HOSPITALITY & AUTHENTIC CUISINE


Our secret ingredient is passion. Everyone on our team is passionate about making your time with us as great as it can be – from start to finish

We’re also offering healthy options like keto, vegan, and vegetarian.”


Why this list matters


When you Google mediterranean food irvine, you don’t just want pretty photos. You want origins, techniques, and what to order first. Below you’ll find ten dishes—each with a short origin note, what makes it special, and how we prepare it in-house so you can choose with confidence.


For the full spread and weekly highlights, see our menu highlights, or order online from Papa K’s for pickup or delivery. Papa K's Kitchen+1


1) Hummus & Mezze


Origin: Levant (Eastern Mediterranean). Traditionally made from soaked chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic.


Why it matters: Great hummus is a calibration tool—the texture, tahini quality, and balance tell you everything about a kitchen.


How we do it here: Chickpeas are soaked and simmered (never powdered), tahini is balanced with lemon, and it’s finished with Za’atar Oil using za’atar and sumac sourced from Lebanon.


(Hummus also appears as a sauce option with several plates.) order.papaks.com


  • Learn more: background on hummus traditions (Britannica) and healthy fats in tahini/olive oil (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).



Origin: Most likely Egypt; now beloved across the Middle East.


Why it matters: Texture—crisp shell, tender interior, bright green from herbs.


How we do it here: Fresh parsley, cilantro, and soaked chickpeas ground with spices; fried to order for a shattering crust and airy center. (Falafel bowls/salads appear in our site highlights.)


  • Learn more: historical notes on falafel’s roots (Britannica).


3) Chicken Shawarma


Origin: Ottoman vertical-spit technique adapted across the Levant.


Why it matters: Proper stacking and slow roasting create the crisp edges and juicy slices that define authentic Mediterranean food.


How we do it here: Boneless thighs for ideal juiciness, marinated with house-roasted spices, slow-roasted, thin-shaved, and flashed on the plancha for a final sear. (Listed on the online ordering menu.) order.papaks.com


  • Learn more: spit technique & carving (Serious Eats) and USDA safe temps for poultry (USDA FoodSafety).


4) Beef Shawarma


Why it matters: A beef shawarma with enough marbling stays tender on the spit.

How we do it here: Marinated beef stacked tightly, roasted low and slow, then shaved thin for that crisp-edge, soft-center bite. (Available on our online menu.) order.papaks.com


5) Chicken Kabob


Why it matters: The marinade and grill control determine juiciness.

How we do it here: Hand-cut chicken cubes, marinated with citrus and warm spices, char-grilled and served with rice, salad, pita, and your choice of tzatziki, tahini, hummus, or garlic sauce. (Listed on the online menu.) order.papaks.com


6) Kofta Kabob


Why it matters: Balance of beef/lamb, spice warmth, and gentle handling keeps kofta tender.

How we do it here: Ground beef and lamb with parsley, onion, and spices; skewered and grilled. Served with the same classic sides and sauces. (Appears on the ordering menu.) order.papaks.com


7) Lamb Kabob


Why it matters: Lamb benefits from quick, hot grilling to keep it succulent.

How we do it here: Central California lamb, marinated and grilled for a savory, tender kabob. (On the online menu.) order.papaks.com


8) Filet Mignon Kabob


Why it matters: Lean cuts need careful grilling so they stay tender.

How we do it here: Cubes of filet mignon seasoned simply and grilled for a clean, rich flavor. (On the online menu and in catering packs.) order.papaks.com


9) Mixed Grill


Why it matters: A shareable snapshot of the grill program—great for first-timers.

How we do it here: A selection of kabobs and sometimes shawarma, with house salad, rice, pita, and your choice of sauces. (Featured on the Menu Highlights page.) Papa K's Kitchen


10) Lamb Shank


Why it matters: Low-and-slow cooking turns collagen silky—an Eastern Mediterranean comfort classic.


How we do it here: Lamb shanks braised with warm spices, onion, and tomato until spoon-tender, plated with rice, salad, and pita. (Shown on the Menu Highlights page.) Papa K's Kitchen


Faq's


What’s the best dish to try if it’s my first time?


Start with our Lamb Shawarma Plate — slow-roasted for 12 hours, carved fresh, wrapped in warm pita, with garlic sauce and pickled turnips. It’s what our regulars order every week.


Do you have vegan or vegetarian options?


Yes. Our roasted eggplant mezze, stuffed grape leaves, and lentil stew are made without meat or dairy. We even have a vegan hummus bowl with pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts — our most ordered vegan dish.


Is it loud?


I want to bring my partner for a quiet dinner.No. Our dining room is soft-lit, with low ceilings and thick curtains to muffle noise. We don’t play music — just the sound of clinking plates and quiet conversation. We’ll seat you in the back corner if you want total privacy.


Do you cater for events?


Yes. We cater weddings, birthdays, and corporate events with platters of grilled meats, fresh salads, and warm flatbreads — delivered with real Lebanese hospitality. No plastic trays. No cold food.Explore: Catering and behind-the-scenes reads: The art of catering and Bringing Mediterranean flavors to your event. Papa K's Kitchen


How long does dinner take?


About 90 minutes. We don’t rush. If you need to leave early, just tell us — we’ll adjust.


What makes you different from other Mediterranean restaurants?


We’re the only restaurant in Irvine that offers:→ Spice blends roasted fresh every morning in the back→ Dishes made to taste like your childhood — not like a menu→ A guarantee: if you don’t feel like you’ve stepped into a Lebanese home, we’ll invite you back — on us.


When you’re ready to taste


Searching for mediterranean food irvine tonight?



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