Panini Kabob Grill Corona Del Mar

Had lunch there with my friends. We went to panini in Newport Beach on coast highway. Apparently this branch is the first one to open. The site and decoration is a little outdated and old looking. The service was ok. Food options looked good. I ordered kebab wrap and lentil soup. The soup had no flavor but the sandwich was ok. My friend's liked their food too.

First time dining here. It’s a very small, tight space with a few outside tables, however it’s right on Coast Hwy so quite busy with traffic. Food is fresh and plentiful. Forgot to snap photos! We got the hummus trio appetizer, the spicy one had the best and most flavor of the trio. The regular hummus was flat—dry, tasteless and the edamame was similar. The server really pushed the Koobidah and said it’s very popular. It was very plain without any real flavor. The Mediterranean Salad was very good and fresh. Tzatziki was also tasteless and odd with long pieces of some type of leaves? It’s a very popular place, at least in a late Saturday afternoon. Bathrooms are out the back, down some stairs, then up some stairs, inside a door with more stairs! Shared with other businesses within the complex. No way anyone who cannot do stairs will be able to get to the bathrooms!

This is NOT pita bread. Clearly. Yet when we got all the way home with the order we were called liars when we called back. Then when we went back to get pita bread. They still insisted we got pita bread. No remorse. No accountability.

I always have a great time at Panini Kabob Grill, and a big part of that is the excellent service. Martin consistently goes above and beyond—professional, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The service is always on point, the atmosphere is great, and it makes every visit enjoyable. Highly recommend stopping by if you want great food and even better service.

I always have a great time at Panini Kabob Grill, and the excellent service is a big reason why. Jerry is fantastic—friendly, professional, and always attentive. He makes every visit smooth and enjoyable. The atmosphere is great, the service is consistently top-notch, and it’s always a pleasure coming here. Highly recommend!

We came in over the weekend and were pleasently surprised to have our favorite server Gerardo. The whole team actually works together and gave us great service. Gerardo always takes care of us and knows exactly what we like. We have a Panini closer to our house but we travel to this one for better service. We will be back soon.

I always have a great time at Panini Kabob Grill, and the service is a big reason why. Jesus is outstanding—friendly, attentive, and always makes sure everything is taken care of. The service is consistently excellent, the vibe is great, and it’s always an enjoyable experience. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for great food and top-notch service.

I ordered catering from Panini Catering for my mother’s birthday celebration, and it was an absolute disaster. Every single red meat item—including all the beef skewers—arrived severely undercooked and completely raw inside. This wasn’t a minor oversight; it was a serious health hazard that could have made someone sick. Not only was the food unsafe, but it also ruined a special occasion. Guests were left hungry, and we had to scramble to cook the meat ourselves during the party. Imagine trying to salvage raw, catered food in the middle of a celebration—completely unacceptable. When I contacted the business, they offered a measly $50 refund for what was clearly a total failure on their part. No real apology, no accountability from management, and no attempt to take meaningful responsibility for what happened. This experience was deeply disappointing and upsetting. If you care about food safety, reliability, or simply not being embarrassed in front of your guests, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. I would never trust this company with a special event again.

Panini Kabob Grill in Corona Del Mar has officially won me back, and it is all thanks to Jesus. I was genuinely annoyed when they switched from romaine to mixed greens and had already decided I was "done" with the salad. Jesus gently convinced me to give it another try and I am so glad I listened. The salad is actually delicious now, super fresh, with crunchy cucumbers and juicy tomatoes, and the chicken on top is always perfectly cooked. I ask for it well done because I like a little extra smoky char and they nail it every time. My mom, who is easily the pickiest restaurant eater I know, inhaled the lamb like there was no tomorrow and would not stop talking about how good it was. The food here has been consistently fantastic over time, which keeps us coming back. The vibe is more of a casual lunch spot than a long, lingering dinner place, but that is part of the charm. It is easy, relaxed, and you know you are going to eat well. What really makes this location special is the service. Jesus treats this place like it is his own restaurant. He remembers faces, genuinely cares if you enjoy your meal, and is the reason I was willing to give that salad a second chance. The restaurant is always clean, they have a steady flow of customers, and you can tell that high volume keeps everything fresh. Between the quality of the food and the way Jesus takes care of his guests, this Panini Kabob Grill has become a true go-to for us.

We had Panini Kabob Grill (PKG) catering for lunch recently. PKG always delivers. Their food is always fresh, delicious, and plentiful. This time was no different. We had the chicken kabobs, salmon, steak, and falafel. Everything was very good. Hummus was excellent with pita bread. Plenty of salad. Happy with what we've got.

We live truly within walking distance of the Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar location, and over the years we've noticed a clear difference depending on who's working. When Nikki is there, the restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine -- service is attentive, orders are handled smoothly, and the team never disappears from the floor. On the occasions when she isn't there, we've noticed the staff sometimes struggles to maintain that same level of consistency. By contrast, the Irvine location further up Jamboree (about 20 minutes away) has never let us down. Every visit -- whether it's the quality of the food, the speed of service, or the overall attentiveness -- has been consistently excellent. Consistency is everything, and we truly want to highlight the difference it makes in our dining experience. We hope the Corona Del Mar location can match the high standard we've come to expect in Irvine, because when the service is on point, it makes Panini Kebab & Grill one of the best places to dine.

Super good and a ton of food. Waitress was super cool and food came out fast. Restaurant was nice and homey, not too crowded and very family friendly. I ordered the PKG combo and the hummus appetizer. I left super stuffed and satisfied. The koobideh kabob was amazing and the chicken was also super tender. I got the hot sauce to dip it with the tzatziki. Just perfect with the basmati rice and pita. Gotta go back again soon.

Panini kabob grill is always good. The #1 spot for both my current and last jobs to order food for everybody when we have celebrations. I got to go and sit down in person for the first time and try a panini and salad meal instead of the kabab plate that I usually get (which is always bussin btw). But the chicken parm panani was super good as well, loved that they have the marinera sauce to dip the sandwhich in as well. And I love the Mediterranean salad, both really hit the spot and made me feel nourished and content for my lunch meal. This is one of those places you could probably close your eyes and point to anything on the menu and you'll be happy eating whatever you get because everything is good!

April 14, 2025 had a great lunch with hummus trio, always fresh and delicious Fettuccine with artichoke hearts and pesto, delicious. Greek salad. And a chicken kabob plate. All were wonderful. This original location is small but has the most unique atmosphere and we love it so much. We had Lavazza coffee too.

This place is a tried and true for good Greek food. I've never actually eaten inside the restaurant but they do amazing takeout. Whether it's for a family of two or a party of 45! They have it dialed. The meat and vegetables are consistent, the salads fresh and the rice is cooked perfectly! Panini kabob is my go to for Greek food!

Food is great and service was fast. Price is reasonable and no waiting time for a table. Nice environment

We had a great lunch yesterday at this place. The food was fantastic , staff is very friendly! I suggest it to everybody.

I finally made it to the original Panini Kabob Grill in Corona Del Mar, and wow, what a treat! I had no idea this was where it all started, but I've been hooked on their fabulous Mediterranean-style food since the Beverly Hills location days. Over the years, I've eaten at PKG spots in DTLA, Glendale, Brea, Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Long Beach--and now, the OG! Hands down, they're as good as it gets for a restaurant franchise. In my opinion, PKG is the most consistent franchise I've ever encountered. I used to feel that way about Cheesecake Factory years ago, but now I'm at a PKG location at least four times a month--and it's easy to see why. Finding quality, authentic, fresh, delicious, and healthy food at their price point is a unicorn in today's world. I've racked my brain, but honestly, no one matches PKG's consistency across the board. Maybe it's their playbook--flawless food paired with incredible people. From my early days in Beverly Hills to this latest visit, every staff member I've met has been kind, attentive, and genuinely invested in making your meal perfect. The food always arrives hot, fresh, and ready to impress. It's like a well-oiled machine, but with way more soul. On this visit, we ordered three standout dishes: the Caprese, Flat Iron Steak, and Koobideh Beef Plate. Each one was a reminder of why I'm a PKG lifer. The Caprese was a vibrant ode to simplicity--juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes layered with creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil, finished with a balsamic glaze that tied it all together. Every bite was a burst of freshness, like summer on a plate. The Flat Iron Steak was a carnivore's dream. Tender, perfectly seasoned, and grilled to juicy perfection, it practically melted in my mouth. The char added a smoky depth that made each slice irresistible. And the Koobideh Beef Plate? Pure comfort. The beef was succulent and flavorful, with that signature PKG spice blend that's savory without overwhelming. Paired with fluffy basmati rice, grilled veggies, and Mediterranean Salad. it's a plate that hits all the right notes--hearty, comforting, and oh-so-satisfying. Over the years, I've also loved their Chicken Kabob (always tender and smoky), Fresh Atlantic Salmon Kabob (light, flaky, and perfectly grilled), Wild Caught Shrimp Kabob (plump and bursting with flavor), and their Lentil Soup--rich, earthy, and soul-warming. For dessert, the Tiramisu and Bread Pudding are sweet, indulgent endings that never disappoint. Honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Service at Corona Del Mar was, as always, top-notch. Martin and Ronolfo (or Ronald--hope I got that right!) took care of us like family. I asked Ronolfo how long the location has been around, and he said over 20 years--then dropped that he's been working there for 20 years himself! That kind of loyalty is incredible and speaks volumes about PKG's commitment to its team and its customers. It's not just a job for these folks; it's a passion, and it shows. I've always wondered why more restaurants don't follow PKG's lead. The food is stellar, the service is warm, and the value is unbeatable. It's tough to replicate that magic, but PKG has it mastered. They're already one of my all-time favorite restaurants, and I can see them growing even more in the years ahead--I'll be cheering them on every step of the way. If you haven't been, start with the original in Corona Del Mar. It's where the magic began, and it's still shining bright. Can't wait for my next visit!

The food here was so good and so filling they dont skimp on portions so you really need to be hungry. Me and my wife needed a to go box. The chicken kabobs are incredibly delicious and the service is great. It's not to noisy inside and it's very comfortable atmosphere.

I've been coming to this location for many many years. I would never give less than 4 stars based on my past experiences which have all been amazing. Last night, however was different. I came in with a friend who was in town for his mom's funeral. He was exhausted, hungry, and just needed some tasty healthy food so of course I recommended Panini Grill. I was extremely disappointed that his beef koobedih kebabs were less than lukewarm, and my shrimp was tough and tasted that it had been reheated. We did not make a fuss because it seemed all of the energy of staff was going to the enormous amount of to go orders they were fulfilling. I am always so happy to see them busy. However, last night, it was at the expense of our dining experience. The waiter was still very good, but the food was subpar at best. I was so sad. This was his first and only experience. Please do better.

I am a fan of PKG and their multiple locations. I enjoy their family meal to-go package as well as their pastas. The people who work here are patient and friendly. Parking is easy. Dining room is a little small but also cozy.

Very pleasant and calm restaurant environment with friendly staff ready to serve customers with excellent and delicious food with less waiting for it. I recommend you to visit panini in corona Del Mar's branch and experience the delicious food yourself. My husband and I with our friends enjoyed it very much and were satisfied with all the service. If you are more than 4 order family combo and it will be enough for 6 people, delicious kabob and salad with Persian style rice. I hope you enjoy it too.

Been here many times. The food is delicious, portion size is generous especially family meals, but price is now getting very expensive. Used to be 4 skews for $39, now its 3 skews for $55, substitute chicken for steak is $5 per skew. $$$$$. Parking is a bit difficult on busy weekend. Customer service is spotty depending who you get.

Panini Kabob Grill has become one of our family go-to spots--especially with the kids! The vibe is casual but warm, with quick service that somehow still feels personal, even during peak hours. You can tell this place is always busy for a reason: the food is consistently fresh, flavorful, and super satisfying. I always get the Avocado Salad with grilled chicken, and sometimes I add just a splash of lemon or milk to give it a creamy, tangy touch. It's packed with fresh greens, buttery avocado, and tender chicken--light but filling, and absolutely crave-worthy. My daughters are obsessed with the pesto linguine, and we always order it without artichokes and with fresh tomato instead. It comes on a beautiful bed of grilled chicken, and it's honestly such a generous portion that they usually split it. The pesto is bright, garlicky, and comforting, and it's always cooked just right. The kids' chicken plate is another winner--simple, clean, and perfect for little ones with big appetites. The chicken is grilled perfectly and comes with healthy sides that make it a total mom-approved meal. What I love most is the consistency. No matter which location or how busy it gets, the food always tastes just as good, and the ingredients are always fresh. A total win for families looking for healthy, feel-good meals that still taste amazing.

Excellent food, great service Yasmin was very nice she attended us I recommend it this place I wish I have this restaurant in Santa Clarita. Thank you

I always love coming to Panini in Corona Del Mar!! The food and atmosphere are always amazing but my favorite thing is the personable service provided by Nicki, she always greets me with a smile and makes sure everything always is flawless!! I value her professionalism and excellence!! Jeffrey

I feel like they've switched to lesser quality ingredients. The Koobideh is not as juicy nor flavorful. It's like extra lean ground beef with none of the fat content that would make it tasty. The steak kebab is advertised as flat iron and it shows in it's cheap quality. I asked to add on a chicken skewer to my steak, and they charged me the full price of a second entree! $17 for one chicken skewer added to my entree which itself already cost $21.

Delicious and the portions are huge. Like insanely huge. Which I think is good because it is a bang for your buck. The food is extraordinary, compared to other places around, I would say it is one of the best. The service was pretty quick but I am pretty sure everything is made-to-order hence it took a while. The ambience is lovely and super cozy!

AMAZING lentil soup!! The most delicious I've tasted. Comfortable atmosphere, tasteful music, and great service (thank you Gerado!). My friend and I enjoyed the lamb kabob, our entrees were fresh and flavorful. Overall, 2 thumbs up! We constantly felt like we were in good hands and we will be back for more!

My first experience with Panini Kabob Grill was at the Corona Del Mar location, and honestly, it was a letdown. A coworker had recommended the restaurant, so I took my wife there for dinner. I ordered the chicken, she got the beef, and both dishes were a bit undercooked, which made the meal less enjoyable than expected. Service was even more disappointing. While we were eating, the table next to us asked for takeout boxes. The waiter brought some and left an extra one on our table without saying anything, then never returned. When we later asked for a box, he just pointed at the one he had dropped off earlier. It felt lazy and dismissive. After finishing our meal, I tried to get his attention for the check--he clearly saw me, but pretended not to. The whole experience felt off and inattentive. Thankfully, I gave the brand another shot at the Irvine location, and I'm glad I did. Even though I only did takeout, the food was far better and the service was smooth and friendly. CDM was a total upset. If it were my only experience, I wouldn't have returned but Irvine redeemed it for me.

Great service and delicious healthy food. I get this place like once a week. So good and great for catering

Yum! Had a panini and side strawberry salad. Group also had the appetizer plate. Everything was really good especially the strawberry salad! Had tiramisu for dessert. Also very good. Can't wait to go back.

Service was amazing considering how busy their take-out was for a Saturday afternoon. These servers work hard! As always, the platters were fresh, plentiful and delicious. The ice tea never stopped flowing into my glass. Clean smaller than their other locations but still beautifully decorated. We will definitely be back when in town. Not far from the beach, so after a day, stop in! So worth it!!

This is one of my family and my favorite lunch spots, especially after a visit to Sherman Gardens. The service is attentive and friendly and the atmosphere is cozy like an Italian cafe. I always get the salmon and Brie panini and my teen loves the steak panini. Even my parents love this place, especially the kabobs. I definitely recommend starting with the mixed pita and bread basket to start.

The Food is great but the service is below standard. If the service and client care is below standards, the food does not matter. It's all about relationships/ customer service. Employees just don't care anymore in the service industry. And it shows. Attempted to bring something to their attention when ordering / catering for a company and they don't pack proper "serving" plastic ware. Result: everyone having to use their plastic spoons. Embarrassing. Standard dry response from the GM, whom clearly just doesn't give a you know what. Common sense no longer exists. Response: Hi Dana My apologies I made a mistake on the day. I did read your email and I do care. If i didn't I wouldn't have responded. I apologized that you're upset but we are employees at Panini Kabob Grill and that is the policy. Serving utensils aren't provided unless requested. You only requested utensils. Next time let us know we are more than happy to provide them. Thank you. Nicky

Good food, great people. Their salmon, chicken, and beef kebabs with basmati rice and a salad are the best. Also love their breakfasts and their hummus.

We've been coming to Panini Kabob Grill in Corona del Mar for over 20 years, and it has truly stood the test of time. In a town where restaurants come and go, Panini has remained a constant--our go-to spot for everything from casual dinners to big family and friends' get-togethers. The food is consistently fresh and flavorful, the portions are generous, and the staff is always warm and welcoming. It's incredibly family-friendly, and their family meals are a fantastic deal--perfect for feeding a group. The value you get here is unbeatable; for the quality and quantity, it's the best bang for your buck in Newport Beach. Panini feels like an extension of our home, and we're so grateful for the comfort and consistency it brings. Thank you to the amazing team for keeping this neighborhood favorite going strong all these years!

We have been coming here for so many years, that I can't believe I've never left a review. The food is always on point here. The salads are fresh, the kebabs are grilled perfectly and the portions are always huge. We never leave without doggie bags. Sometimes, we order the Kabob Family feast, substituting one chicken kabob for 2 koobideh kabobs (extra $2.99 charge, totally worth it!). It also comes with your choice of two salads. With that amount of food we eat for several days, all for a very reasonable price. The service is always prompt and friendly, it has to be, because they are always packed, especially on weekends. The ambiance is casual, a nice, chill, family friendly vibe, and you are likely sitting close to another table of people enjoying their meal.

Always SUCH good food. Every single item we have had here is amazing. The soup is my favorite chicken soup around. The portions are great too. Everything is always so fresh and delicious!

Everything on the menu is phenomenal! The chicken is melt in the mouth incredible and it was eaten so fast, I forgot to take a picture! The service was great and Gerardo was who helped us and he was wonderful! The ambiance is clean and comfortable. It's also big portions so you can have amazing leftovers for a day or two! Will return

Excellent ambiance, and fast, friendly and over-the-top service from Gerardo! Thanks!

Cute location. Great food, big portions, and a good price! Gerardo was an excellent server. He is very smiley and friendly. We forgot to tell him in the beginning we want two different bills, he was still nice and respectful about it. I'm also a server. You can tell a good server by how they handle inconvenience. He was still kind and jolly. Will come back for a date night.

Had a great experience at Panini Kabob! The food was fresh and the portions were good. Gerardo was our server and he was fantastic. Super friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. Will definitely be coming back!

Ordered from door dash, chicken kabob with extra vegetables, extra pta with humus. If you like onions this is great, extra vegetables means extra onions, chicken kabob has lots of rice and more onions, Not so much chicken, which is very good what there is of it. Pita bead was undercooked and soggy, all In all a no go back,

This place has kinda gone downhill a bit. It was my first time at this location and it wasn't as good as other panini kabobs I've been to. We did take out, ordered 3 combos and 2 med Greek salads with chicken. The chicken was overcooked and the koobedeh was slightly undercooked and lacking flavor. My chicken was cold. The Greek salad was ok though I would've preferred Romain lettuce instead of mixed greens and a nice Greek dressing rather than balsamic. The tzatziki was awful, it was warm and too liquidy, without solid chunks of cucumber. It seemed like they'd mixed oil and yogurt together to thin it out. Wish the salad came with pita instead of a slice of white bread So disappointing. Won't give this location another shot. They were so adamant about not coming before 45 min and yet when we picked up our food it was cold.

I picked up a chicken kabob family meal that fed all 8 of us- but we are small eaters. I ordered online and it was such an easy process. When I got there - a few minutes early, it was already for me. Our drive was 20 minutes away and the food was still hot! It was a generous amount of chicken kabobs and rice. I ordered a side of tzatzki ($8.99 for 16 oz) and it was yummy. Our salad was fresh and plentiful, too. We would definitely order here again in the future. Sorry no pictures, we gobbled it up.

Gerardo is very good server and is very respectful to us. Delivered our food to us in time. Food is great and this is my favorite location out of all the others. Been coming here for a couple years now when I'm in the Newport area. Highly recommend

Ordered online 30 minutes before pickup, had to wait 1 h after that to get my food! On top of that rude staff, no accurate timing! 0 customer service. AVOID THIS STORE! Should have ordered Luna grill

I ordered the lamb shishlik today and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. The kebob was extremely chewy, and the rice was undercooked--definitely not what you'd expect from a Persian restaurant. What made it worse was the service. Nobody checked in on us during the meal. Right before bringing the check, the waitress briefly asked how everything was. I told her the kebob was really chewy, and she just replied, "Oh..."--and walked away. No apology, no offer to fix it, nothing. I won't be coming back. With so many great Persian restaurants around, this place is not worth to experience.

I have been ordering food from panini since we moved to Newport about 14 years ago and have seen more store openings across OC and LA. I have also witnessed their prices increasing slowly every year while the quality and quantity of the food decreasing at the same time but nonetheless we have been patrons of this establishment in a regular basis mostly due to convenience. However, last night was likely the last time we have ordered from PKG as it has got to a point of ridiculousness. I reluctantly ordered two family combos for 4 for $152 only to come home and look at the koobideh container with pieces cut off and nothing hanging together. My wife actually questioned whether these were another party's leftovers that were put in our order. Prices have increased everywhere and I totally understand that but the quality degradation at PKG is just absolutely unacceptable. It's a pity.

One of my favorite locations to come and eat at. The food is always very delicious, and the staff and service are really nice. Manager Yenny is one of the most caring people here at the restaurant. You can tell she really takes care of her staff, and clients Server Gerardo 10/10! He will go out of his way to make sure you are taken care of .

Gerardo was amazing! Very attentive and good at reassuring us that we weren't bothering even though we came 20 minutes before closing!

Panini Kabob Grill has been our go-to restaurant for healthy reasonably priced meals for 7+ years. In fact we even stop in Bakersfield and San Diego Panini when passing though. Tonight realized I hadn't put in a review for this wonderful restaurant, so wanted to mention Gerardo who provided excellent service during our meal. Highly recommended for a casual meal or take out. So glad they are located in the CdM Village for our community to enjoy. Seaview Getaways

The restaurant's atmosphere is the perfect blend of lively and cozy, making it ideal for both new and familiar faces. The staff here is top-notch--quick, friendly, and always on point. Rigo and Geraldo really stood out during our visit. Rigo seemed to anticipate everything we needed before we even asked--whether it was refills, to-go boxes, the bill, or takeout bags. Geraldo, our server, added a personal touch with his humor, keeping us laughing throughout the evening. His friendly banter made it easy to ask for anything we needed and made the whole experience feel even more relaxed and fun. The ambiance was welcoming, and though the restaurant was full, we were impressed by how quickly we were seated without any wait. The portions were generous and the flavors were incredible, with fresh ingredients evident in every dish, from the entrées to the desserts. The prices were also very reasonable, and thanks to the excellent suggestions from Geraldo and Rigo, we're all eager to return. Huge thanks from all of us--Terry, Jules, Tom, Maria, Charlize, and Malia!

Salad was soggy, chicken was amazing, place clean. @ 10:30 I guess maybe left over salad was disappointing.

Good food, good service, wide open for a weekday lunch. Empty when I got there at 11:30 and when I left at 1 pm. They had lots of to-go orders ready to go though. Parking might be a hassle in the evening and weekends since I had to park a couple of blocks away.

Our family LOVES this place! The family combo meal is our go-to take out food when we get together with friends. It's enough for 2 families of 4 (including 4 kids), allows us to eat healthy, and is a deviation from the standard take out pizza.