Hi Emma – sincerest thanks for such a positive review; your feedback is hugely appreciated. We are very proud of our beans so we’re glad you enjoy them! Please make yourself known to us next time you’re in so we can put a face to the name. Best wishes, Papa Del’s.
Papa Del's
Highgate, London
Star distribution
19 reviews
- Address:
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347 Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 5AA
Tube:
- Highgate Station (<0.1 km)
- East Finchley Station (1.5 km)
- Contact us:
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020 8347 9797
| User's info |
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19 reviews of Papa Del's in English
Offensive content?
I really don't get it. How can anybody not like or even hate this place? I understand that it can get a bit crowded most of the time and the service won't be as quick, but it's understandable.
I visited this place for the first time with a friend of mine and we had a very nice dinner there. We have both heard of the place before, but neither one of us had ever been there, so we decided to go together. Our intention was just to order a pizza and something sweet for dessert, but when we found out that all pizzas cost only £4 after 9pm we decided to try out as much kinds as we can. We ended up ordering 4 pizzas, which all tasted delicious and I myself can't still decide which one is my favourite or maybe they all just are.
The service was great. All the staff are very polite and warm. We haven't even noticed when it got really crowded until our waiter told us that the dessert will be on the house as service was a little slow that particular evening according to him.
I visited this place for the first time with a friend of mine and we had a very nice dinner there. We have both heard of the place before, but neither one of us had ever been there, so we decided to go together. Our intention was just to order a pizza and something sweet for dessert, but when we found out that all pizzas cost only £4 after 9pm we decided to try out as much kinds as we can. We ended up ordering 4 pizzas, which all tasted delicious and I myself can't still decide which one is my favourite or maybe they all just are.
The service was great. All the staff are very polite and warm. We haven't even noticed when it got really crowded until our waiter told us that the dessert will be on the house as service was a little slow that particular evening according to him.
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I am very angry having come on here to read such negative reviews - this is a fabulous local with prices that you just can't beat. People that say Papa Del's pizzas are not good have clearly never been to Italy and only ever order from Dominos. The pizzas here are some of the best I've ever tasted - and I should know since I've eaten pizza from all around the world. I feel like the staff always do their best here and yes, sometimes they are a little stretched - but it's a privately owned local restaurant and we're in a recession so get a grip.
Another thing to add - the breakfasts here are insanely good, especially 'Papa's breakfast'. Gorgeous pork sausage and chilli home-made baked beans to die for. Probably the best breakfast in London.
I'm proud to have Papa Del's as my local and we go there nearly every week. I feel very sad for the narrow minded people that think otherwise.
Another thing to add - the breakfasts here are insanely good, especially 'Papa's breakfast'. Gorgeous pork sausage and chilli home-made baked beans to die for. Probably the best breakfast in London.
I'm proud to have Papa Del's as my local and we go there nearly every week. I feel very sad for the narrow minded people that think otherwise.
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Papa_dels, 6 February 2013:
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A huge disappointment on almost all fronts.
Service was awful from the moment I arrived. I was pushed past without acknowledgement by one staff member and had to approach the till area to ask whether they had space for two more diners.
My friend and I were directed to sit in front of some dirty plates which were not cleared for 10 minutes or so.
Had to ask for menus. Waited ages for coffees, even longer for food. Had to ask for spoons for the coffee and then cutlery for the food.
My friend was served an undercooked sausage. I was served a coffee containing a dead spider which I discovered in my mouth after my last sip of coffee.
The waitress was unfriendly and seemingly uninterested in the terrible service and food we had been subjected to.
An utter let down. Do not be fooled by the pleasant appearance if this establishment.
Comment 1 comment on this review
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Papa_dels, 26 November 2012:
Incredibly sorry to hear you had such a poor experience, particularly with regards to the service you feel you received. We assure you this is not the norm and we would like to offer you our sincerest apologies. Although the coffee was removed from your bill at the time, we would also like to invite you back for breakfast on us to go some way to making it up to you. We would love the opportunity to give you the positive experience you deserve and ensure we change your view of us. Please feel free to call us on 0208 347 9797 to take us up on our offer. Apologies once again and many thanks for bringing the matter to our attention, Papa Del’s.
Offensive content?
One of my favourite local pizza places... I took my mum who was visiting London recently and it didn't disappoint! The garlic rolls are a must-have, butter with lots of fresh garlic and parsley! The pizzas were fresh and the bases light and crispy, one had thickly hand-cut pieces of parma ham and rocket, the other the "Florentina" comes with a choice of bacon or mushroom, I've tried both and they're both good but this one does benefit from the addition of extra olives.
The pizzas are pretty good value in any case and when I have eaten the £4 deal pizza I have to report that these have been equally good... full sized pizzas with plenty of toppings, a great cheap solution for a "can't be bothered to cook" night.
The service here has generally been very good, the staff are friendly and helpful, and although there have been the odd Fawlty Towers-esque moment sometimes when new staff have started working there any problems have been quickly sorted out.
The large tables seem to work pretty well wether we have gone as a couple or as a larger group, although I recommend getting a slate to put your wine on as the surface can be a bit unpredictable!
The pizzas are pretty good value in any case and when I have eaten the £4 deal pizza I have to report that these have been equally good... full sized pizzas with plenty of toppings, a great cheap solution for a "can't be bothered to cook" night.
The service here has generally been very good, the staff are friendly and helpful, and although there have been the odd Fawlty Towers-esque moment sometimes when new staff have started working there any problems have been quickly sorted out.
The large tables seem to work pretty well wether we have gone as a couple or as a larger group, although I recommend getting a slate to put your wine on as the surface can be a bit unpredictable!
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Papa_dels, 19 November 2012:
Thankyou so much for such a positive review – it’s always nice to hear people have enjoyed their experience enough to share it. Since you liked them so much, your garlic rolls are on us next time you come to visit! Thanks again, Papa Del’s.
Offensive content?
Literally the best pizza I've ever had! Went in last Saturday night for the first time and it was such a good night. Great food, fantastic service, especially loved the big communal tables, gave the place such a nice atmosphere. Got chatting with a couple I was sat next to who said they go at least twice a week because the foods so good, and cheap too! Me and my girlfriend shared a bottle of wine, had starters and two pizzas and the bill came to just over £20! Good to see cool little independent places still exist in London, can't wait to go back!
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Just awful. Long wait for service, no-one took a drinks order, food took forever to arrive, and when it did, the first meal arrived ten minutes before the last. It's an Italian – I asked for black pepper expecting them to have a grinder and was pointed in the direction of some dusty stuff in a shaker. No attention from waiting staff whatsoever and the food was very average. The pasta dish, in particular, was horrible – overcooked, too big and bland too. When I complained about the awful service, the girl looked at me as if I was mad. I live locally and definitely won't be back. I was actually embarrassed to have taken my guests to this place. It looks nice; it isn't.
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Papa_dels, 25 September 2012:
At Papa Dels we pride our selves on giving great service, food and making sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. We are very unhappy to hear that this wasn’t the case for your visit. Unfortunately, due to staffing issues, the day you visited we were stretched particularly and as a result we were unable to provide you with the service you deserve. With this in mind, we would like to go some way to make this up to you by inviting you back for a meal on us. Please feel free to contact us on our number 0208-347-9797 to arrange an evening. Once again we apologise for your bad experience and look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards, Papa Dels.
Offensive content?
I'm a South London girl so I don't venture up to North London very often - if I do, when it comes to eating at restaurants, they better be good! Papa Dels was absolutely brilliant and totally worth the trip. I love the relaxed - almost magical - atmosphere and the food is fab and affordable, not to mention totally fresh. The cookies are a must-try - seriously, even if you have NO room left, take a cookie home. Hell, take a bag. They are THAT good - and always homemade on the day. If you haven't tried Papa Del's before - GO NOW. It's a totally different dining experience to any restaurant I have ever been to before. In my line of work I have reviewed a huge variety of restaurants for the Annual UK Food and Drink Guide, covering London, Somerset and Devon. Papa Del's is one of those rare hidden foodie gems - as soon as you discover it, you can't wait to tell everyone about it. Couldn't recommend it more.
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Our first time at this chain - the interior decor is attractive. The house wine was light and fruity as advertised. The garlic bread was too salty but edible. My partner's pizza was just about average. Too much cheese, and the tomato sauce on to had the generic canned uncooked taste. My pasta was the pits. Absolutely the pits. I could barely eat any of it. The fettucine was overcooked mush without any salt. The sauce was clearly from a can with some stale sausage thrown in. There was a sprinkling of pieces of the promised carrots and bell peppers but any flavor was smothered by the canned tomato sauce. No herbs of any sort came through. My first and last order from this restaurant.
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Papa_dels, 22 October 2012:
Hi there – we’re so sorry to hear you had such a poor first impression of our restaurant and would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make it up to you, should you feel you’d like to return. Please contact us on 0208 347 9797 to arrange a date and we will do everything within our power to ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. Many thanks, Papa Del’s.
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emmafoodie, 18 January 2013:Err… it’s not a chain!
Offensive content?
Really disappointing – have been going on and off for a couple of years as live nearby and I think it’s now under new management. They are so rude – the new waitress/owner(?) is condescending and abrupt. The pizza has never been amazing, a bit hit and miss, sometimes soggy, but me and my partner went during a £3 pizza deal (now £4 I think) which happens once a week. But it’s really not worth it anymore as the management are just so unfriendly – I’m not sure why they’re running a restaurant where they have to serve people.
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Think pizza, think pasta…
Think Papa Del’s in Highgate. As you walk through the door to this hidden, North London gem of a restaurant, you are struck instantly by two things; first, the almost spa-like sensation you’re left with after only a few minutes of basking in it’s warm, ambient glow and second, the overwhelmingly indulgent scent of their trademark cookies, pouring from the kitchen.
After being greeted by our charming and incredibly handsome waiter Carlos, (who we later learned was married, sorry girls…) we were encouraged to sit wherever we liked around one of the just two colossal wooden tables which dominated the restaurant floor. While this style might not be for everyone, we soon found ourselves embracing this typically Japanese approach and basking in the invitingly cosy atmosphere it subsequently produced.
Fairy lights twinkled and The Puppini Sisters played melodically in the background as we sipped house red and ordered our very reasonably-priced food (which gets even cheaper after 9pm). Garlic rolls arrived to start with – their own take on garlic bread – which we unashamedly inhaled, despite only having waited a few minutes for them to arrive. My carbonara was rich and creamy on just the right amount of fresh pasta and the pizza was crisp, tasty and according to my Italian friend, about as authentic as it comes. After polishing off our bottle of wine and soaking up about as much of the fragrant atmosphere as we could in the process, we were treated to homemade cookies and ice cream. Utter heaven. All this and the bill came to less than £30…
The following day, after a night of sheer, blissful indulgence, we just had to go back to sample their famous breakfast menu; eggs Benedict, rich Italian coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice later and I’m seriously considering moving to North London. Whatever time of day you visit this place, you’ll leave with a contented grin on your face and a satisfied feeling in your tummy. Just make sure you don’t leave without a cookie.
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I used to love this place, but it has gone sooooo downhill since I was last there. Word on the street is that the place is under new management, and doesn’t it show. The place still looks really nice and homely, but that’s about all it’s got going for it nowadays. The pizza was extremely light on toppings (I had four olives on my ‘olive and pineapple’ pizza), very little cheese and even hardly any tomato sauce (which surely can’t cost that much?!). There used to be nice background music, but when we were in there, it was loud pop music from the nineties – ‘Return of the Mac’ and ’She’s Got that Vibe’ – not really my idea of a good evening meal’s music. While we were there, another customer came round to us and said he was doing a customer survey on whether we were enjoying the music. We said no. He told us that he’d asked the staff if they could turn it down (or off), and they said it was for the ‘other customers’. Well, we were the only other ones in there! Anyway, don’t waste your money on this place. It has lost it’s local Italian charm and food, you’d be better to go to Pizza Express.
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Papa_dels, 22 October 2012:
Hi Eddie – we’re incredibly sorry to hear you were disappointed last time you came in, particularly since you used to enjoy eating here so much. We’d love for you to come back so we go some way to making things up to you so get in touch on 0208 347 9797 if you’d like to arrange a date. Many thanks for your feedback either way and we hopefully look forward to hearing from you soon. Papa Del’s.
Offensive content?
Just moved to the area and had dinner here, we had the the papa burger
spicy lentil soup with yoghurt and warm bread, and the florentine pizza.
Food was delicious and the waiter was friendly and on top of everthing. We even got free ice -cream because it was very busy and the waiter said we had to wait slightly longer than normal, we hadnt actually noticed, the time as we were enjoying our wine, it was a nice gesture though.
Thouroughly recommend papadels, we will be back for more.
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caseypaul...
2 reviews
2 reviews
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Dreadful!
I can’t provide you with my honest, objective account of my visit to this establishment as my reviews about Papa Del’s keep getting censored/removed by qype management.
Maybe that’s why there are so many positive reviews about this very mediocre eatery?
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sarahdrinkwater, 30 August 2011:Hi Paul, whilst we at Qype welcome positive and negative reviews, we have terms and conditions in place, and we remove reviews/comments/photos that violate these. It’s important to us that Qype carries honest opinion but we also want to prevent both users and the site from legal action as any review site has a duty to do. I’m sorry you feel you can’t be honest – hopefully this one star review will convey your opinion to other users.
LouDel83
1 review
1 review
Offensive content?
Can’t believe this place gets so many good reviews. I’ve just spent £14 on the worst pizza I’ve ever eaten and a bowl of pasta twirls with tomato sauce (tinned tomatoes) for my daughter. The staff were all friendly, but lacking in things to do, standing around behind the counter not really doing anythng in particular. There were only 6 other people in the restaurant however it took 25 minutes before the chef realised she couldn’t make the chicken pizza I ordered (she didn’t say why) so I ordered a margerita pizza instead which was really poor, I couldn’t cut through the base, the sauce just tasted like tomato puree, and there was too much cheese, which I would normally say that you can never have too much cheese but on this occasion it’s made me feel a bit sick. On the up side, my daughter’s meal came with a cookie, which has kept her entertained for the last 40 minutes due to the fact that it is so hard, she’s having to suck it! Papa Del’s has always intrigued me whenever I’ve driven past it. I can now consider my curiosity firmly satisfied, I won’t be returning.
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tracey79, 17 July 2011:What a complete load of cobblers. The pasta sauces and pizza base sauces are always made fresh as I have seen them made there on many occassion! The cookies have always tasted fantastic and yes, the staff are lovely. Why do people always feel the need to give negative feedback a place is clearly busy and serving great food? Perhaps you should stick to dominoes next time for the more generic taste!?
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topkellertop, 18 July 2011:I have been coming to Papa Dels for a while now, usually for breakfast fab eggs florentine, it has a good atmosphere, and I have watched the food been prepared fresh behind the counter. Not really interested if the staff have “things to do”, as long as they are friendly and fast, I can say they are both.
Now they have wifi I can have my brekkie and fire off my emails on my lap top. Very good value for money.
gemgem35
1 review
1 review
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Having lived in Highgate for a while I have been going to Papa Dels, on and off, for a long time. I remember a few years back, the place was always buzing, busy and the place to be on any given night.
This changed and I have to admit the service has not always been up to scratch BUT the food has always been incredibly tasty, well made and fantastic value.
I had not been for a while and a friend of mine suggested I go back as things seem to be changing. I was extremely pleased to see the place is getting the buzzing atmosphere it once had. I got chatting to one of the waitresses who told me there is now a new manager.
Gotta say, as a result, the staff are friendlier, more efficient and attentive. The food is still great and at a great value and they are even back doing deliveries. I highly reccomend it and will definitely be going back.
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Papa_dels, 22 October 2012:
Hi Gem – really pleased to hear you like the restaurant so much and thankyou for writing such a constructive review. Your custom is incredibly valuable to us and your support hugely appreciated. We hope to see you back again soon! Many thanks, Papa Del’s.
jadeypop
1 review
1 review
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The thing about Papa Del's is that the food is great - the pizza's are handmade with fresh dough and ingredients. It's not expensive even outside of the 9pm eat in promo. I love the wooden tables and communal atmosphere. It looks like they are getting better at customer service too, with new faces appearing front of house. If you want a great value, high quality pizza or pasta I thoroughly recommend it.
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Papa_dels, 22 October 2012:
Hi Jade, many thanks for the glowing review! You’re absolutely right in that all of our pizzas are made from scratch – fresh dough, homemade sauce, 100% buffalo mozzarella cheese and the finest quality toppings. Great to hear you feel we’re giving you value for money. Thanks again, Papa Del’s.
Offensive content?
Won't be eating here again! Came in after work because they had a "£3 Pizza / Pasta" sign on their window. Asked for a £3 pizza, was given a menu, and ordered. Was charged £7! Despite asking, quite loudly, about the offer when I came in, they declined to tell me the pizza I actually ordered wasn't available in the deal. The woman who had served me had been rude since I came in, and I saw her glowering at other customers and rushing their orders. Despite my best efforts to compromise, she simply said, "Give me £7 or I'll call the police on you." A real shame, because the other staff were smiley and friendly (and on my side to be honest!), and the food was fairly okay - just not worth £7. Lost me as a regular love!
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reviewer123456789, 8 May 2011:Wow, that's bad.
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Buzz54, 18 March 2012:Interesting.
I went into Pappa Del’s once to order a take-away and once I was inside it became apparent that take-aways were far more expensive than the “Only £3 in the evenings!” offer painted on the windows. When it finally turned up it was far smaller than the ones the people sitting in the restuarant had in front of them. (I mean really tiny, like a Pizza Hut pizza.)
So either their take-away pizzas cost the same as full price “eat-in” ones but are far smaller, or you get a better deal if you eat in for £3 rather than take your pizza away.
Sounds from your review like the people eating really nice looking pizzas around me while I sat there waiting were eating the full price ones.
I really should have walked out the moment they showed me the take-away prices. Not a happy experience.
Offensive content?
Some of my favourite pizza in London! Nice crispy crust, fresh cheese and really good sauce. I usually go up here after 9pm during the week when they discount their pizzas to £3, and that’s including a couple of toppings.
It’s a nice spot, too. I recommend it more on cold nights, because the open kitchen/brick oven means things get kind of hot in there.
They are good about accommodating groups, but they have trouble accommodating other people when they have a large group. I went in once right after a group of 12, who monopolised the restaurant. My food didn’t come for 45 minutes, but that staff was really nice about everything, very apologetic, and brought us free garlic knots. There are many reasons I keep going back!
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Papa_dels, 22 October 2012:
Hi Amanda – so pleased to hear you’re a fan of the restaurant! Though this review was written almost 4 years ago, our promotional pizzas are still only £4 after 9pm so hopefully we’re still offering you value for money. Many thanks again, Papa Del’s.
Offensive content?
This became one of our favourite restaurants when we lived in the vacinity. Located across the road from the Highgate Tube Station, and near the 134, 143 and 263 bus stops, this restaurant is convenient to get to and a great place for a group meal.
All the food is excellent, from the salads to the desserts. The pizza is impressive and all food is homemade and tasty. They serve Illy coffee and other fine beverages. Papa Del’s have take-away and delivery options too.
The decor is charming. The tables are rough-hewn wood with matching benches. The staff is friendly and service fairly quick (as quick as can be with everything being cooked to order).
A great place to eat!
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Hi Isobel! It’s always nice to hear people have had such a positive first experience with us – we hope this keeps you coming back in the future :-) Many thanks, Papa Del’s.