Pappalecco Reviews

First time in the city and I stumbled upon this joint, as soon as I walked in I was greeted by the wonderful Ms Carol who took my order. She was patient with me as I made my choice, and also had a few recommendations for me which helped. The rest of the staff is full of life and they make the whole experience an amazing one. I tried the Salmone Salad and it was the perfect choice, very refreshing, bursting with flavor and a good quantity as well. Definitely coming back to this place when I visit the city again

Excellent pastries, coffee and vegan options! Highly recommend the gelato! Vegan apple pie is delicious! Thank you!

Croissant sandwiches, creative salads and a sidewalk patio. I've had lunch here many times, always a joy to find organic food wit a french twist. Very warm employees, good service and excellent food.

If you happen to be in San Diego, you definitely should visit Little Italy. And Pappalecco is the place to have your coffee and breakfast. Very nice place!

Wow - so glad we found this neighborhood gem thanks to other Trip Advisor reviewers. I had the pollo panini with their tomato basil soup - both were so fresh and flavorful. The panini was even served with a fresh rosemary sprig (sorry I didn’t take a picture). Wrapped up the meal with two scoops of their gelato - a true culinary treat! Definitely check them out if you are in San Diego!

They have amazing gelato. They will let you try them all. Their coffee, including Expresso is really good. Can get really busy on the weekends.

I had the chicken panini, which was great. Inside and outside seating, with a full selection of gelato for dessert. Staff was friendly and quick with our food.

Cute little place, had bottle of wine before lunch along with pizza. Great pizza I like this place. Parking is a little challenge but cool place.

Francesco and his brother brought us back the taste of Italian coffee after a few weeks around the States! Sympathy and courtesy make Francesco an excellent host, the coffee and croissants make the place highly recommended for those who want a truly Italian breakfast! They also have another place that makes authentic Italian pizza.

Great service and outstanding food. Great recommendation by trip advisor.we had the prosciutto panini and a frittata that was delicious.

Our go-to coffee shop in Little Italy! The coffee, food, and gelato are always delicious, making it a staple whenever we’re in the area. Highly recommend the breakfast croissants—they’re perfectly flaky and satisfying. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, their signature Pappalecco gelato flavor is a must-try! The best part? The warm and welcoming atmosphere. The owner, Francesco, is an absolute gem, always there to greet you with a cheerful “ciao” and a smile. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like family. Definitely a spot worth visiting!

pleasant cafe. Many options for breakfast croissant sandwiches which looked heavenly. I opted for eggs with salmon. Delish and fresh. Italo is the perfect host, I'll be back.

Arrived at 1am, to order to go, we had the Impression of bothering the waiter. 3 stars for the 2 paninis which were rather good and well stocked. Big black mark on the Award, $47 for 2 paninis and 2 small bottles of water makes lunch on the go a bit expensive. I really don’t want to go back and try the ice cream because I can’t imagine the Award.

Just loved the times I had breakfast there. The prosciutto croissants were amazing and the staff was so nice! Prices ok. Ciao Patrizia!!

Not sure how many times we went here lost count LOL. Loved everything about this small little corner shop. Staff all great cheerful and friendly.

The cookies are the best, although we went for the snow, it was highly recommended to us, we had high expectations. Ice cream specialists.

We had the gelato and enjoyed it very much. This is authentic Italian. This is a couple blocks off India street which it the heart of little Italy.

The Pappalecco panino is more than a handful of tasty food. It pairs well with a 2018 San Pellegrino Limonata or Aranciata. The apricot crostata could stand to be a bit more crunchy but it is satisfying and pairs well with an espresso. If you sit outside, the street traffic is not at all intrusive.

This place is a gem! The gelato is fantastic and just sitting outside enjoying it is a treat as well. The first night we went we loved it so much we had to go back again for another night os gelato. It is addicting and wonderful. I wish they had a place in New York, it is truly great—go there you will love it!!!

Stopped for dessert in Little Italy. Superb gelato in about a dozen flavors. Line was growing at 7pm.

Went here for breakfast, since the moment you come in you are greeted with an amazing smile and happiness. Had the salmon croissant which was great, really good coffee. Will definitely go back!

The cappuccino is fantastic. Really Authentic and flavorful. The pollo croissant was mediocre. The chicken needs more/ better seasoning- would not recommend it.

We came towards the end of the day to try their gelato. Outdoor seating was packed, and there was a line, but we did not wait long at all. We all tried different flavors of gelato, and everyone was very happy with their choices. Restaurant is located not far from the Little Italy metro stop so very easy to get to if you don't want to deal with the parking.

Best place to get a coffee, sandwich AND gelato! The staff is super friendly and the coffee, gelato and paninis are delicious!

Stopped in after a walk along the water. The staff is friendly. We tried several flavors prior to ordering. The gelato is creamery and delicious. The coffee was strong. Stop here!

We had the best panini, salad, and calzone. Good price for the area. Don’t park across the street cause it is too expensive. There is a dog park one block away and plenty of parking there

Great spot in the little Italy to have a coffee and enjoy their bakery. Friendly and attentive staff. I really recommend their Salmon salad and the bakery section.

Best cannoli ever get it topped with a little Nutella amazing! Their Espresso is also fantastic my family and I were very happy with the great service and delicious deserts.

The place offers Gelato made in house,large variety and all delicious, offers sandwiches and pastries, coffees and teas. Service is friendly and efficient.

Absolutely nice ice cream. We drove quite a bit to find it but it was all worth it. Not an extreme number of choices buy that's how I like it. Way too much chocolate choices. I guess applied to local supply and demand logic. Took 3 scoops chocolate and strawberry. Vanilla was out.

This was my first time here and I could kick myself for it coming in sooner. Located near little Italy, this is a Great local spot. Excellent coffees, Italian treats, and gelato. The staff couldn't be friendlier. Very welcoming. There is seating inside and along the sidewalk. Sat farmers market is out front so sat. Are really busy. I highly recommend this place for meeting friends, light business, or just to take in the scene.

If you're wandering around the streets of little Italy in San Diego, in n out of shops, and you happen to work up a craving for a delicious snack, then you have to stop in at Pappalecco for some amazing gelato. Their gelato is just as good an anything we've had in Italy folks......they get it right! We went through a few flavors over just as many days - Pistachio - just so tasty, with little bits of fresh pistachio mixed into every bite. Coconut - such a smooth, clean and refreshing flavor. It was also a palate cleanser as well, but with tasty little bits of toasted coconut in every bite. Hazelnut - this was delicious, similar to Nutella but not quite as rich, and with bits of fresh hazelnut. Almond Brown Butter - amazing and so silky smooth. And the bonus is the drizzle of caramel that is mixed in with it as well.

I don’t understand why you can’t order just one scoop of gelato. Instead you are forced to order 2 scoops (just under $5), except the scoops aren’t scoops but more smears of two flavors in the tiniest cup I have ever seen which has a deep indent in the bottom to even further reduce the amount of gelato actually received. The taste was nice but felt cheated for what we paid vs what we received.

You feel like a regular quickly at Pappalecco. Don't be fooled by the apparent emphasis on coffee and gelato: the baked goods are excellent as well. We keep returning for more happiness.

Family needed a quick bite to eat. We found this place just by walking and saw a line formed to order food. This must be a good place to get a quick bite if people are willing to stand in line to order. If you enjoy salmon, try the salmon - croissant sandwich, truly the best. The ice cream was also great. The cafe latte was the best. We spent more time then expected because we kept going back to order other various items from their menu.

We came for a light lunch and split a pollo panini. It was good but not as toasty and flattened as a panini should be- there was a dab of sauce on either side of the plate for dipping. One was pesto and the other was a balsamic reduction but there wasn’t really enough to on the plate. We tried a small scoop of pistachio gelato which was did not compare to the gelato I’ve eaten in Italy. We were hoping for a more authentic experience in Little Italy.

This corner place two short blocks from Doubletree Hotel is terrific for breakfast and lunch (and gelato) but go early because there's always a line out of the door. Run by a bunch of young Italians.

Looks like my review is the odd one here but. The coffee was bad- we’ve tried two different ones. Pastry was bad - all 3 sweet slices and 1 savoury that we’ve tried. Panini was good and gelato good as well. I’d say $ price range is a stretch - it is pricey for the food and drinks they provide. I really want to believe it is not the best coffee/ tea place in San Diego… otherwise this city has a problem🙈

Great choice of coffee drinks, nice pastry counter. Gelato to choose from and the best part is outdoor seating!

This was down the street from our hotel, and every time I passed it I wanted to go in. Like in Italy - such good gelato (is there such a thing as bad gelato?) Also very tempting sandwiches and desserts. I got a nonna tart and vanilla gelato. And even better after a long day of "touristing" - a big jug of ice water. With picnic tables outside, what better place for an afternoon (or anytime) snack.

We brought a large group in for gelato and stayed to visit friends we haven't seen in years. No one tried to rush us out and by the way the gelato was great. Love this place

Everything is delicious. Recommend the salads, croissants, Cocco Gelato, and the Shakerato. My morning stop. But the best part is the friendly staff.

The first time I drove by Pappalecco, I was struck by the crowds standing around the venue, so I tried it and kept going back! Firstly, the staff of Pappalecco welcome you like you are coming home to your Italian Grandmother's home (Ciao Bella!) and once you tell them your name they never forget it and greet you the same every time you come back. The drip coffee is the best (they roast their own beans in San Diego); it is rich, strong, and smooth. But not acidic or bitter. The pastries, panini's, and gelato DO NOT DISAPPOINT! Made with 5-key ingredients they are as good as anything you would find in Italy. Any time of day is good. Important to note: there is limited seating inside most of the action is outside anyway. It is a small venue, so follow the masses, walk in, stand in line, place your order and then either go outside or stand back and await for your name to be yelled (yes, they will yell your name like true Italianas). Any time of day is cool, but on Saturday mornings I recommend you go to the Farmers Market on Ceder (happening right in front of Pappalecco), pick up some granola, fresh veggies, hummus and then stop by for breakfast. It makes for a perfect Saturday morning. Ciao Bella!

I was in San Diego for two nights, three days! After dinner both nights, my friends would take me for coffee and 'something' sweet to this delicious place. I can't allude to anything else other than great espresso macchiato and delicious any flavor ice cream! Lovely place, great-friendly customer service and the best ice cream.

Delicious pizza and some of the best sandwiches! They have lots of options with gelato as well. I’ve been coming for years and it never gets old. They even have deals on pizza and sandwiches during the week!

If I lived nearby, I’d eat breakfast here 5 days a week! The croissant was amazing. The warm blueberry muffin was the best I’ve ever had. The two double espressos were SO perfect. Still the service and staff makes this place world class. I absolutely love it!

Limited menu items. Breakfast selections rather typical of Italy. Standup or sit, inside or out; both crowded. A good place to go after Mass on Sunday morning at Our Lady of the Rosary, a block away.

Go here and enjoy the coffee and pastry, apparently a rebrand is forthcoming but hopefully it will be mostly the same.

This was a really wonderful mid-day snack on this really warm day. The flavors were all truly appetizing.

I’ve come in only twice. The first time I went, the staff were really friendly. The second time I went was two days later and not only did they remember me, but they gave me great recommendations. I had a panini both times (ocean and caprese) with some of the desserts and enjoyed it all (the panini is big btw)!

The man and woman behind the counter were so friendly and efficient and the gelato is amazing! This was an adorable little hidden gem in a cute neighborhood.

Stopped in to try the gelato and wasn’t disappointed. Great flavours and nice selection. Only complaint is its a bit pricey for the portion size. Still worth it though in my opinion. Check it out!

Gelato can be a holy grail, finding the real deal can require a lengthy quest. But thanks to the helpful staff at our hotel, we found Pappalecco in Little Italy. This was the real deal fellow gelato fans, and once you pay for your gelato, you can try different samples. A great place for an early evening treat for sure.

We read amazing reviews on Pappalecco and noted their online menu. Since we would be touring the Little Italy area and wanted a light and unique pizza experience, we chose Pappalecco. When we arrived, we were first told they no longer make pizzas. Since they had gelato and coffees, we decided to at least try their offerings. I ordered the Grande Chai Latte and my wife got Hazelnut Gelato with a double shot of espresso poured over it. While my wife enjoyed her mixture and the gelato was creamy and delightful, the Chai Latte was a disaster. In the Grande Cup, over 1/2 of it was pure foam, slightly scorched. When I finally got to liquid, it was just milk. While their was a slight brown tinge, it was from the milk being scorched - I got ZERO Chai and paid $4 for about 4 ounces of scorched milk and a cup of foam. Update your website to accurately reflect your offerings and make sure your baristas can actually make your beverages.

A must visit. The coffee is great, and you can take some of their beans. There is a lot of pastries to enjoy, the caramel cheesecake was wonderful, the hazelnut muffin delightful. They have wonderful gelato with unique flavors. sit down and enjoy your treats.

Just a Block away from the well known little Italy's restaurant street India Street, sits this little jem. High quality tasty panini's and rolls. Fresh pressed Orange jus and service with a genuine smile. How is that for Goodmorning! Small sidestreet seatings were you will feel like you are in Italy!

We went with friends for a coffee break and tried their acai bowl. It's a thick smoothie topped with granola, berries and banana and honey and coconut if you choose. Great coffee, by the way.

Great gelato and several sorbet selections. But our 3 gelato came to over $15.00. We had two scoops each which sounds reasonable but the scoops were tiny. After eating gelato in several cities in Italy I realize that the price varies, but I'd say that what we paid for our gelato at Pappaleccos was on average 2 to 3 times what the same serving would've cost in Rome.

Only here for dessert, a double dip of Gelato. Had the dark chocolate with the Lemon....a great combo for sweet and tart! Loved it and will return.

Yes fellow traveler, you can find an outstanding dining value in the Little Italy area. Property is great for both breakfast and lunch. Nice variety of pre-made breakfast and sandwich items, along with pastry and other baked goods. All very reasonably priced and taste wonderful. Order at the counter, take your number and one of the friendly staff brings your food to your table.There are a few tables/chairs inside, but outside seating is the way to go. At the end of your day, come back for the gelato. Very reminiscent of Italy in the summertime. Signage states all menu items are made on site and the freshness of all of meals attests to it. Highly recommended.

Good selection of coffee and styles, gelato and also the bakery case is very dangerous. I like their cannoli the most. Outdoor seating and they speak Italian if you are inclined.

I sometimes come here, after lunch or dinner at another nearby restaurant, because I really enjoy their excellent European-style coffee. The first thing you'll see when you walk in the door, is a display case full of beautiful desserts - I've tried several different ones and they were all delicious. I also like the casual, yet arty atmosphere...feels more like a European cafe than a bland corporate outlet.

I have a good friend who lives in the neighborhood and goes nearly every day for latte. The staff is terrific, the lattes are phenomenal. It is small and can get quite busy, but it does move pretty quickly. Pet friendly. What a neighborhood cafe/gelateria should be.

Close to my hotel, Pappalecco saw my face three times during my visit: twice for lunch and twice for gelato. Really friendly folks, serving real food and real gelato - and they don't mind if you want to try EVERY flavor before you choose . . . Plus, outdoor seating. Loved it!

Solid experience in one corner of Little Italy. When greeted with a very bright "Ciao" and responding back with a "Buon giorno" the staffers will work the rest of the ordering and interaction in Italian - buonissimo! This was my nightly after dinner for about four days in a row. Always good service, the gelato served at a great temp, and the espresso (caffe) was good. All of the gelato flavors were very good and the pistachio was about as close to authentic as you could get.

4.5 stars. Perfect weather with gelato and a perfectly frothed cappuccino... ahhhh San Diego, doesn't get much better.

I almost don't want to write this review because I want to be selfish. The staff here are genuinely friendly and welcoming. I have been several times and quite honestly it is one of the best of San Diego in my opinion. Everything here is excellent. Their pastries and gelato totally rock! This is the best blueberry muffin I have ever tasted. Highly recommended!

Our hotel no longer served breakfast due to the pandemic, and we got takeout each morning from here. Food was pretty good though it was a little difficult to understand the menu on the wall. Coffee was good. Lots of options.

This place was recommended by someone in the Saturday market as really good coffee. He was right, I loved this place so much that I went here all 3 mornings that I was in SanDiego. The friendly service is almost as good as the coffee. Pappalecco also serves delicious, if a bit pricey, pastries, sandwiches, and gelato. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

This cafe serves really good cappuccinos, has a nice variety of pastries and other breakfast/lunch items. The service here has always been fast and very friendly.

I have been coming to this place for about two years: it never disappoints. The wait can be a little long but the coffee, cannolis, and sandwiches are spectacular!

This is the most cozy and welcoming place we've been to in San Diego. The food was fresh and tasty, the home made cakes are to die for. Do not miss!

I was working a few blocks away and looked on my TripAdvisor ap for a great, quick option to get lunch. I can't believe I had never herd of this local corner spot. They have amazing pastries, gelato to die for and I ordered the absolute best panini I've veer had! I found it to be perfect for lunch alone, for a couple or to grab something to go. My panini was so good that I tried three favors of gelato then ordered some quiche to take, a veggie and two ham and mushroom, nothing I had m, had any room for improvement, including the service!

While visiting San Diego on business, I stopped by for lunch on the recommendation of a client. The panini was excellent. The atmosphere was casual. The staff was helpful. My only regret was that I didn't get a chance to eat there again before I left.

We loved stopping here for coffee and dessert after our dinners in little Italy. They had some seating outside. Very nice place.

We came here for breakfast first time and a cup of coffee. They serve the best croissants that I enjoyed with salmon and my friend had with apricot jam. We shared at the end! And not to mention their cappuccino would be a crime - it was authentic! We had to come the next day for the gelato treat!

We were staying at the Wyndam Bayside in San Diego and wanted an alternative to an overpriced, mediocre breakfast. After checking out the reviews, we went to Pappalecco. The line out the door said it all. I had the ham, cheese and egg croissant and my husband had the bacon, egg and cheese croissant. Both were delicious -- the croissant was buttery and flakey; the egg was a tiny bit runny. Perfection. My cafe au lait hit the spot. The price was right too. The staff was incredibly friendly.

Great place for coffee and a croissant.Tables outside are shaded in the hot afternoon sun. Very friendly staff.

Delicious and authentic food! Not a ton of space inside but picnic tables outside. One of the best brunches we had in San Diego

Cute place. Food is ok, but limited options. Nice ambiance and curteous servers. Good dor a quick bite and coffee......

I honestly felt scammed that their gelato was so expensive and yet so little is giving. To make matters worse there’s nothing special about it.

Conveniently located. Small unique shop. Went there on wed morning, had canaries and a coffee. Great coffee and was sitting outside next to the shop. Very chill if you go there on sat, it's in center of farmers market little itali and it's crazy!!!

My wife and I were told about Pappalecco by a friend and it lived up to its reputation. Very small but very authentic. We had a couple of their panninis for a light dinner and they were superb. Eventhough there were only 6 tables available for indoor eating, by the time our order was ready a place opened up. Friendly Italian staff and food..... try it.

Tried the gelato which was good. Wasn’t completely sure about this place mostly because it is trying to do so many different things. I will definitely go back to check out one of their different options.

Friendly staff, great food and in the neighborhood!! I truly enjoy being greeted by the super friendly staff. It's a great place to sit and visit with friends. Food is very good. I've been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Always have had good luck with great food. Will continue to come back.. Thanks for being part of the neighborhood!!

Delicious coffee and cappuccinos. The chocolate they use for the drinks is so good. It's smooth, velvety and has a hazelnut flavor. Awesome service! Awesome drinks! What more could you ask for!

Had an early lunch, stopped in & got a Panini which was incredibly fresh & very tasty. It's small place, 4 tables in the restaurant with 4-5 picnic tables outside. Their claim is that they use five main natural ingredients to make their pastries & gelato. I would stop by anytime if I lived in San Diego !!

Most of the staff is italian students. The sandwhiches are grilled rolls with prosciutto (ham), tomato and Mozzarella. Many other variations, with non-pernouncable italian names. Nice patio area to eat as well. Expect a line out the door on weekends and at noon.

Great place for coffee and Gelato. Friendly staff and really delicious selection of gelato. Love it!

So we actually only had the gelato based on reviews. First off the staff were just incredibly friendly from the moment we walked in. A little confused, we went to the gelato case first & actually you just pay for the amount you want first & then go pick your flavors. I chose the Nutella & coconut... dear lord!!! I want more! My husband had the vanilla & said it was delicious as well. There are many flavors to choose from so give it a try. Allow time for parking it's not a great situation for that.

Loved the namesakes panini and gelato and the Italian style coffee was fantastic! Highly recommend stopping here for a bite if you are visiting "Little Italy".

I loved Pappalecco! It was a couple blocks from my hotel so I visited it twice. Our first visit, we got lunch (panini, calzone, and focaccia) and chocolate mousse cake for dessert. All of the pastries looked amazing. I wish I had been able to try more! We got the order to-go. It’s a small space with a few tables inside (which was very crowded due to people ordering gelato or waiting for take out orders). They also have picnic tables outside. Lunch was delicious (although my son found the pepperoni on the focaccia to be a bit spicy for him). We returned the next day for gelato. The servings were generous and the flavors were delicious. The gelato was also reasonably priced. I highly recommend Pappalecco for a delicious, inexpensive meal in Little Italy.

As most of our readers know, we’ve spent a pretty good amount of time in Italy. So we find ourselves in San Diego California at a place called Little Italy, we were there checking out the Mercato and came across this little coffee shop/bakery. It was almost love at first sight! As you walk in the door, you see all of the pastries, sandwiches, and other delights like gelato. The ambience is very homey but there’s very little seating inside. Having said that, there’s plenty of seating outside. It definitely reminded us of our time in Italy. Francesco, the gentleman at the counter, was about as Italian is it gets! He gave us a standard Italian welcome in Italian! Buongiorno ragazzi! And from that point on we were hooked! He was very helpful and pointed us in the right direction on what we should get. There are also several people behind the counter that were just as attentive and Italian. I know this is going to sound strange but I ordered the ham and cheese quiche (Yes, a quiche at an Italian café) and a ham and cheese croissant. Both were nothing short of amazing and did I mention the coffee? It was absolutely delicious! We both had cappuccinos, one with whole milk and the other with Almond milk, both were done just right. Next time we come back to San Diego we will definitely be returning to this little café! So, in other words, we absolutely recommend you try it!

This little restaurant/cafe was close to our hotel. We had walked by it several times and the line was out the door. We stoped in for breakfast on our way out of town. The cafe is Italian and has a true Italian feel. The quiche was delicious. The gelato looked good. The service was good. I would return.

We walked around Little Italy after dinner and stumbled upon this little bakery cafe that had a line wrapped around the corner. I was excited to learned that it is also a gelato place. After staying in line for about 20 minutes, we finally got to order. The staff were kind enough to offer samples on the gelato. They shout out Italian to each other which made it feel like we were in Italy. We ordered the pistachio gelato, pear gelato, and a cannoli. You can tasted the pistachios were roasted giving the gelato a strong flavor. The pear gelato was also very tasty like biting into a juicy fresh pear at every bite. I was a bit disappointed in the cannoli though. The crust wasn't as crunchy as I'd liked. Overall the gelato were well worth the wait and we will go back for more next time we are in San Diego.

Got a latte here today, excellent service, excellent staff, beautiful sandwiches and pastries. Indoor/outdoor LOVELY!!!

Wonderful Italian hole-in-the-wall with the best coffee I've had in years, and delicious choice of breakfast and lunch dishes. Friendly and welcoming staff with lots of outdoor seating in an intimate neighbourhood.

fantastic little coffee shop open all day long for drinks and snacks. Very Italian with lots of local Italian regulars. Coffee is good and strong. Very nice quiches, croissants, sandwiches and other snacks. Conveniently located on a corner in Little Italy with benches outside and a great spot to people watch. Highly recommended! I don't understand some of the negative comments some people wrote.

If you want the authentic Italian gelato experience this place is a must go downtown san diego, ca..the staff speak italian in a really friendly manner and their food and ice cream is delicious...expect some dificulty in finding a parking lot around this neighborhood since the area is a top tourists and San Diego-ans attractions...Loved it.

Love their coffee!! Excellent sandwich ham and cheese on a croissant Great home made Gelato's Very cozy intimate restaurant Very very friendly staff We will be back!!

Menu listed is completely outdated. They only serve prepared breakfast croissants, no other items but pastries for breakfast.

We stopped here for some afternoon gelato. The staff was super friendly and welcoming and the gelato did not disappoint!

Good quality beverages with awesome services. The pastries we ordered had the amount of sugar we were looking for (a lot) They do have healthy choices too If you go you'll find what you need for a good breakfast to go or sit in their terrace

Loved this little cafe! The staff was friendly and helpful and the food was great. I tried the caprese sandwich with a side salad. The balsamic drizzle used for both was perfect. We also tried a prosciutto panini, a veggie panini, chocolate mousse, and lemon torte. Everything was fantastic. Perfect lunch spot.

needed a lil something sweet after lunch & this place hit the spot. Small, but clean & comfortable with eating options in & outdoors. only had room for gelato, but baked goods looked incredible.

We ordered a panini and was asked “Soup or Salad?”. My wife ordered the 1/2 panini and had the same choice, “Soup or salad?” She only ordered it because the menu said Gluten Free is available, When ordering gelato, I was asked “whipped cream or not?” And I said sure. After I was rung up and sat down, I wondered how this could cost me nearly $50!!! I was deliberately not given the receipt and did ultimately get it only to learn... the little measly salad next to my sandwich was $3 extra. The $10 panini my wife order 1/2 of was $6.25 plus $2 for gluten free for literally 3 bites. The whipped cream was $.75 and they didn’t give it to me. The menu makes NO mention of soup or side salad as an included option or even something you could purchase. No mention of a gluten upcharge. The food was fine but the girl was trained to ask for those things as a very deliberate attempt to screw people. By the time I realized what happened, I didn’t want to deal with the shame of having to go up to her and ask her to reprice the whole meal or to remove the tip I was also shamed into giving her when I paid the bill. She’s watching me sign the iPad app receipt... and it asks for a tip... kinda tough when she’s staring. The taste of the food was ruined, I felt violated and it was a terrible experience. If you go, just be wary.

Tiny place. Plan to get your stuff to go unless your lucky and a table is open. Gelato (dark chocolate) was excellent! We also got a calzone...it was good. Sauce was sweet and it had a dash of balsamic vinaigrette with it.

Perfect place, located in little Italy, to enjoy italian breakfast. Super friendly staff and free wifi. Recommendation: panino proscutino 🤓

Imagine eating a pillowy cloud of the best, most fresh and flavorful gelato you can find outside of Italy and that’s the experience at this small and charming shop. A nice stroll after a good pasta dinner in Little Italy...highly recommend and particularly enjoyed the seasonal summer flavor, Pear Walnut Chocolate.

Great crossiants!! We had the Bacon and egg ham and cheese. The food was tasty and well priced. Unfortunately the coffee machine was broken so I can't say about the coffee 😩

I was in Little Italy on a trolly tour and was eating lunch in a sidewalk cafe. My lunch was delicious and when I was considering dessert our server suggested Pappalecco around the corner for Gelato. It must be good if they are sending me to a competitor. I had a lemon gelato and it was delicious. There is seating outside so you can bask in the sun and people watch. A nice treat!

Very nice gelato place. Enjoyed the house specialty with chocolate and amaretto. Also the espresso gelato. Good service. Located two streets off of India Street, the central thoroughfare of Little Italy.

I walked in the doors and suddenly it felt like I was back in Italy. I was greeted by a handsome italian man who said "Ciao bella!" Don't worry, it didn't sway my review. I have been back a few times since and have always had the same magical, transportive experience. I've only ordered the gelato, though, so I unfortunately can't speak for the delicious looking sandwiches in the counter (someday when I'm back in San Diego I'll order one of those!). The gelato is also magical. It tastes just like it did in Italy. I can never get enough. If I'm ever in Little Italy, I always save room for gelato from Pappalecco (which is a huge deal because you can get some delicious pasta in Little Italy. Just make sure you save some stomach space for dessert here!) The stracciatella and fragola are my favorites. I honestly have no concept of how much my gelato has costed each time I visit because I am so enchanted by this adorable restaurant. I looked it up for the purpose of this review though- Piccolo 4.39 / Medio 4.99 / Grande 5.99 Enjoy!

Staff happy happy happy! Our fist day in little Italy and we will go back before we leave. Recommend you don't miss it.

Awesome Gelato and sweets. Great spot to cap off an evening in Little Italy with a nice coffee or cappuccino and some Gelato.

This tiny unassuming Tuscan bakery cafe in Little Italy is a hidden gem. A little away from the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of Little Italy, this place is a must visit. Simple and limited menu but their croissants (ham and cheese, bacon, etc.), range of handcrafted gelatos and pastries, and coffees which we had for breakfast were all outstanding. They also serve pizzas, salads and wine. Nicest staff you will ever find, a few tables inside, and outside seating on the sidewalk.

We stopped by here to grab a quick breakfast and coffee and carry on with our day. The food is amazing, the atmosphere divine, and the service top knotch. Will stop by again the next time we are in town!

gosh it was delicious! I had a small cup with mixed berry and coffee gelato and I was blown away. Not gritty, and they were both outstanding.

As you can read in the title, real Italian coffee. After spending three weeks in the United States drinking dirty water, sipping a real coffee was truly sublime. A heartfelt thank you to the owner Francesco who hosted us in his restaurant as if we were at home. I highly recommend it. Renzo and Sabrina

After eating dinner at another local hot spot (see other review) we found this place and it was perfect!! With a open patio on the sidewalk we were able to get Gelato and a cappuccino and relax outside to enjoy the perfect time Night. The full coffee bar had endless options and the Gelato was spot on!!! Even for a Saturday night there was a short line and it went fast! The smallest size of gelato gives you two scoops which is the perfect amount! If you're in Little Italy this is DEFINITELY the dessert spot you should try!!

This small food shop was located near our hotel, so we just stumbled upon it to have breakfast the first day we were in San Diego. The croissant breakfast sandwiches were very good, as was the quiche (warmed in an oven, not a microwave!), and the coffee. But, once we had the amazing gelato, we went back every day for a week just to get more. They also have lunch and dinner sandwich selections, and pastries. My husband went there for coffee every day because he liked it so much better than the hotel coffee. I rated the price as mid-range for a coffee shop, but it is probably in line with other places like it in a city. The gelato was $9 and change for two of their small cups, but they were generous with the gelato for the size of the cup. I was satisfied with the two scoops that constituted a small cup; I thought it was more generous than I would have received at a gelato place in Europe for the same money.

This is a tiny little corner shop, but the coffees and lattes were good. They seemed pet friendly also. It was a nice place to take a little break.

Good coffee and cakes, it's a great place for breakfast or take an afternoon break. Good attention of waitress and great atmosphere

What a wonderful way to greet customers! The friendly staff made the long line worth the wait. The gelato, coffee (Little Italy) and pizza (at the Kensington location) were all delicious. I will be for sure going back there on my next visit.

This was such a great spot to stop by and get a delicious and quick breakfast. There wasn’t much of a wait on Friday morning. I was greeted excitedly in Italian by this exuberant guy that is happy to be doing what he is doing. He didn’t rush you and made you feel like a friend. They have an amazing array of pastries, breakfast croissants, panini’s, salads, gelato and organic coffees/espressos. I will definitely be favoriting this spot for the future visits. I got the Salmone Croissant (egg, cheese, arugula, smoked salmon and balsamic glaze).

The organic coffee is really good, and surprisingly inexpensive. Service was super quick, and very friendly. Also had the hand and cheese croissant which was presented beautifully and was delicious

On the edge of San Diego's Little Italy, this is the perfect spot on a nice day. You are greeted by ebullient staff with Italian and a smile. Great Italian coffee, beautiful pastries, gelato, sandwiches, and breakfast served all day. Tables outside offer a nice sidewalk setting under the trees. Friendly, upbeat, and great quality! On the corner of Cedar and State.

Just a little place that we stumbled upon and had to go back two nights in a row. I had the lemon and coconut the first night and lemon and vanilla the next. In a waffle cone but I am sure a cup is just as good. On the main street there is a homemade ice cream place with a line a mile long. I asked one person with a cone if it was worth the wait and she said no. They are missing the hidden gem on the the corner of Cedar and State Street.

Near our hotel, always busy serving great Italian coffee, pastries, and of course Gelato. Anna made my morning with her kind Italian flare and great attitude during the rush!

A trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Pappaleccos for authentic Italian gelato and delicious lattes!

Craving icecream but wanted something special. Found this place. Staff was super friendly. Pricing was expected for the area. Super yummy. No complaints.

Really good croissant and panini, the plates are really well served. The employees very very nice, kindly and friendly.

My husband and I stopped here twice on our trip to San Diego. Perfect for a quick breakfast, they have outdoor seating and a few spots inside. Excellent coffee and lattes. Best part are the croissants, perfect flaky consistency! Can’t go wrong with any of their breakfast croissants. Personally I loved the prosciutto and my husband enjoyed the ham egg and cheese. They have great Italian inspired pastries too.

Best breakfast in San Diego or maybe the world. Home made gelato, homemade pastries, Panninis. Small place with about six tables inside and six outside. Always people there. The staff is super friendly and helpfull.

We were so pleased to stumble upon Pappaleco Kensington just steps from our VRBO rental! The gelato has become a daily treat and this morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast as well. The service is gentile and gracious, the gelato is authentic and homemade, the food is delicious. Absolutely worth the stop!

This great Italian eatery offers a concentrated selection of salads, paninis, pastries, and famous pizzas with 50% deal on pizzas o Tuesdays. The pastries include an almond tartino, a huge Nutella® muffin, and a tempting gluten free chocolate cake. The wine selection includes various Italian wines and Prosecco ® . We opted for a huge basic salad with sunflower seeds, cranberry bits, cherry tomatoes over spring greens with a sassy lime vinaigrette dressing that was definitely house made with a grilled whole wheat bread. The fresh panini contained fresh cooked had-to-be-organic chicken breast and avocado. The gluten free chocolate cake is smaller in size than the other desserts because it is so rich. You cannot miss teh huge gelato selection as you walk in. Order and pay at the counter, food devilered to your table. The venue offers indoor and outdoor seating in accessible tables. with large windows offering natural light. The 3 candy vending machines are set by a local 5th grader, so it is easy to support these efforts. Accessible venue. Accessible free street parking

The food and drinks are great. But even if they were only average I would go way out of my way to get here because of the way they honor veterans. Thank you for doing that.

Pappalecco's gelato is the perfect ending to a meal, I highly reccomend the pistachio. It is fabulous!

I’ve been here many times but this was the first after they re-opened. The competition is tough but with their great coffee and outdoor seating along with Italian speaking staff they will continue to do well.

Love this little slice of Italy in the Kensington neighborhood. Staff is always friendly, and the food is always fresh. The gelato is authentic. You cannot go wrong at this very casual eatery with sidewalk and indoor seating.

Excellent croissant sandwiches and coffee. They serve it up quick and with a smile. It is small and busy but the line moves quickly.

One of the best places for Gelato one of the worst for Pizza. We ordered 3 pizzas to take out about 2 weeks ago and were greatly disappointed because they were pricy for the size (12-14 inches)and definitely had very little sauce or cheese. All 5 in my group said they would not even give them another try as there are so many other places in Kensington that serve traditional pizzas or Flat Bread. I realize the Corona virus is putting economic pressure on restaurants but quality and quantity need to be maintained. Get the gelato and perhaps their other offerings I would be pleased to see your reviews as I live 3 blocks away

Great place for Gelato in the Little Italy section of San Diego. I felt like it was just far enough out of the way of the Gaslight District that it doesn't get quite as much of the insane tourist traffic, it definitely seemed to maintain a more "hidden local gem" feel. As for the gelato, I got a combination of vanilla and limeade, and they were fantastic! Great place to come if you want a fantastic dessert in a bit of a more out-of-the-way venue without leaving the downtown area. On top of all that, the price is also really good for the quality (I spent $5 for my two scoops)!

Great for coffee, gelato, sandwich, quiche or lite snack. Order and pay at the counter and ready made is given to you, made to order delivered to table. Nice small cafe with outdoor dining space in Little Italy. Friendly, efficient service.

Parking is tough, $15 across the street. Quaint place with nice offering of soups and sandwiches. Outdoor seating really, inside is crowded. Bathroom is clean but not comfortable. Had to pick up my drink at the counter and then go retrieve my meal because it was slow too come out. If you’re not in a hurry, try this place once, but walk there or get an Uber

Really cute breakfast and lunch cafe. They serve some strong coffee, delicious gelatos and paninis. My friend and I ordered the prosciutto and caprese paninis with a side salad and tomato soup. Everything was delicious and we devoured everything. Service was really quick and the staff was friendly. They have limited seating indoors, but theres also outdoor seating as well. Highly recommend this place if you'd like some snacks and try their gelato flavors. I'll definitely be back to try their famous Nutella pie.

Nice, toasted focaccia bread with a tasty filling ($6.50). Coffee is traditionally Italian, not my favourite but not bad either. Service was really good, the guy was very friendly and welcoming. Would visit again if I’m the area for sure.

Bruna the barista was very knowledgeable and had good advice for coffee-desert pairing. The location is perfect and their food is mind blowing

My review is limited to gelato and coffee. We went twice during our trip and tried a few flavors. They were very good, though the selection at Solunto was a bit better. Also later at night they began running out of several flavors so the selection was limited. The shop is very small so there's almost always a line. The staff really tries to keep it moving, but you can't fault them for people who stand in line for 10 minutes and then still have no idea what they want when they get to the cash register. The staff was very friendly and handled the crowds well. They addressed everyone by name, which was a nice touch. The pastries in the case looked good, but we didn't have a chance to try any. My husband is a coffee snob and gave the coffee and espresso a thumbs up. It was really nice to sit outside at the tables on the street. Great little neighborhood business.

Late for breakfast at the hotel, so checked out Pappalecco - sunny morning after a rain, so sitting outside was a must. Delicious breakfast and awesome latte. So good, we took food and dessert for the plane ride back to Maryland.

First off: my husband loved the food. Including mine because I did not like it. I ordered the braised rib pasta. Some “P” name dish. Never have I seen it on a menu so thought I’d try it. The meat was like a stew meat. Was good. But the tomatoes and pasta just didn’t go well with it. My husband got lasagna. He loved it and like I said my dish too. He even loved the caprese salad. Which was underripe tomatoes, slice of mozzarella and basil pesto on top. Didn’t like any of it except for the balsamic on top. That was great! Being that I was still starving, I asked if they had bread for the table. Nope. What kind of Italian place doesn’t have bread for the sauce!? Had to pay $10 for focaccia bread that arrived when we were leaving. So took it home to the birds. $124 meal. And I left starving. Finally: what may have irritated me the most was when you sit down, they bring you flat water in a refillable glass carafe. Okay. Then you order wine/whatever. When the check came, that water costs you $13!!!! MORE than our wine!

I know this place is famous for pizza. But, please dont leave this place without trying the salads!! They are great too!!

We stopped here for coffee Sunday morning and were very disappointed - we are very particular with coffee and are associated with a specialty roaster in Sydney. The coffee we were served here was well below standard - awful tasting with many “issues”. The service wasn’t good either. The tables outside were filthy. Lots of room for improvement to become a good coffee place.

Stopped in after dinner for a tasty treat and was very pleased. Tried 4 flavors of gelato and the cookies and all was very delicious.

The employees of this very busy place were great to deal with. We came across it by accident walking back to our hotel and we are so glad we stopped there. There gelato (many flavors to choose from) was fantastic, and we got it on two occasions. We also picked up on another day tasty cookie and pastry treats. Just loved this place!

Just stopped in for a tea and muffin. Staff was wonderful, friendly and thoughtful. Muffin was delicious. Definitely recommend if you are in the area. Plus I adore the plant vibes!

The coffee is incredible and the breakfast croissants were delicious! However, the incredibly friendly staff is the cherry on the cake!

This place is awesome! I visited there a couple of times while staying in Little Italy on a business trip. The staff was very friendly, and the menu items I tried (coffee, latte, and lemon tart) were really, really good.

You get a few nibbles with your discounted wine at happy hour and they have the best panini’s in San Diego. My boyfriend and I went the other night and had a wonderful time.

Just off India street you will come to this authentic Italian pastries & coffee house. I enjoyed a cup of coffee & a couple of biscottini cookies on a Sunday morning. Molto Bene !

My daughter lives just a block away from this wonderful little place. Whenever I visit her from the midwest, we walk down for something to eat. After a dinner at home, we walked here to get some gelato. I chose the vanilla, and it was heavenly. Other family members chose other flavors, and their reactions were similar. I wrote an earlier very positive review about a lunch I had here Don't miss this place if you're anywhere close to Kensington for breakfast lunch, a light dinner, or dessert.

My wife and I stopped by one night for gelato. The flavor and texture were great! The location is also excellent if you're in the neighborhood. Recommend

This is the best Gelato I've ever had! Great flavor options and a super-friendly staff! Also, it's well located and easy to walk to from lots of locations. We love this place!

5 stars for this amazing gem! My hubby and dad came here few times for their coffee which they truly loved. Once they brought us tiramisu to go and it was just like the one we had in Italy - creamy and delicious, hence on our last day in San Diego we all came here for breakfast. They serve it all day so don't rush :) Croissant lover? Welcome to my world and indulge in their ham, cheese and egg croissant or their smoked salmon one. My God! Delicious and yet so light. Not your typical heavy buttery stuff. Fresh juices? Got me served! We also shared few of their sweet croissants which were all amazing. Ahhh, miss my papaleco so much!!! Staff is super duper friendly and helpful and loved their outdoor seating. Need to come back for more croissants, gelato and try their pizzas!!! A Presto Amore :)

The gelato was extremely good, loved the croissant with ham and cheese and the muffin with Nutella was tasty. Coffee could be better but all together a very nice cafe.