Italian restaurants should serve Italian food that most of their owners grew upon, Papa Joe's nail's it everytime. They stay in the boubaries of exquisite homemade, Nonna made Italian dish people carve. They have maintained for over 50 years legendary classic Italian dishes that never get old. Fresh, quality and flavor is served on every plate, it's Family Driven Dedication, SAPPORITO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Reilly
My favorite place to eat in Connecticut. A little gem known mostly by locals.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julia Perri
Papa Joe’s in Darien, CT is an absolute treasure. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the passion and care that goes into every aspect of this restaurant. The food is, quite simply, extraordinary, some of the highest quality Italian cuisine you’ll find anywhere. Every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and remarkable attention to detail. Whether you’re enjoying their homemade pastas, perfectly cooked seafood, or any of their signature entrées, the flavors are consistently off the charts.
The service is impeccable. The staff is warm, attentive, and incredibly professional, always making you feel like a valued guest. Their knowledge of the menu and their genuine enthusiasm only add to the experience.
A huge part of what makes Papa Joe’s exceptional is the owner Joe. He’s hands-on, present, and truly invested in ensuring guests have the best possible dining experience. That personal touch is felt in the food, the atmosphere, and the overall hospitality.
Because the restaurant is so outstanding, it’s extremely popular, and for good reason. Reservations are highly recommended; without one, it’s nearly impossible to get a table.
If you’re craving top-tier Italian cuisine, Papa Joe’s is a must. A true 10 out of 10 and an instant favorite you’ll want to return to again and again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tommy O'Connell
Best Italian restaurant in CT not even close
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Cakes
Papa joes is one of those authentic Italian restaurants that has been around for ever. Their chicken parm is the best around. Everything they have is made in house, including the bread. Their bar is crazy packed thursday friday and Saturdays! Be sure to get your reservation in early for dinner in the restaurant area because they fill up fast. Great for date night, family gatherings, or just feel like going out for a good dinner. Staff is pretty amazing too!! And Papa Joe even comes out and chats with the customers and really takes the time to build a relationship with his clientele.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Will Peter
And go to staple in the area for traditional Italian dining. Owners hands on checking on the staff and customers and the head chef as well. Wide selection I find a specials are usually the best all the pastas are homemade as well. It can get busy on a Friday Saturday night so be patient with the staff they work hard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
David Wasserman
Food is excellent. Nice Italian place to try if your in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Emily “M” Calarco
Delicious!! I recommend the branzino and lamb. Great place to bring a big family
Lazaros S
The Arthur Avenue sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I ever had. The fresh pasta and pizza is also amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Justin Perry
Super bummed. This was our first time getting food here and we were very excited based on the reviews. My wife got the Pasta Alfredo (see photo) which was basically slightly undercooked noodles lightly buttered, no sight or taste of Alfredo (cream and/or Parmesan). I got the Carbonara, which was at least well-sauced though very, very salty. It was also missing ingredients but still edible, unlike my wife's food. Maybe it was just an off night because of how busy it was, but for how expensive it is, that's sort of an unacceptable excuse.
always consistent, no bad surprises here. Lots of regulars, both as diners or take out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
George Yerrall
This is a right down the middle, high-end purveyor of Italian classics. In a half a dozen tries they haven't missed yet. Large parties or small. I can hear the other people at my table, so I like the atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wenyu Xiong
We live in the neighborhood and were huge supporters especially for the pizza, ordering it from the restaurant 1-2x per week. However after we dined in last night both kids and an adult got suspected food poisoning, throwing up 6x through out the day and caused us to cancel our long weekend trip, causing a large loss. When called the owner said no one else called so as a result he is not taking responsibility or sounding apologetic. While there might be other reasons for this I would have appreciated more sympathy and a better attitude.
Daniel Kromidas
One of the best Italian spots in lower Fairfield County. Their lasagna is exceptional. Intimate atmosphere.
Italian restaurants should serve Italian food that most of their owners grew upon, Papa Joe's nail's it everytime. They stay in the boubaries of exquisite homemade, Nonna made Italian dish people carve. They have maintained for over 50 years legendary classic Italian dishes that never get old. Fresh, quality and flavor is served on every plate, it's Family Driven Dedication, SAPPORITO!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite place to eat in Connecticut. A little gem known mostly by locals.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Papa Joe’s in Darien, CT is an absolute treasure. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the passion and care that goes into every aspect of this restaurant. The food is, quite simply, extraordinary, some of the highest quality Italian cuisine you’ll find anywhere. Every dish is crafted with fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, and remarkable attention to detail. Whether you’re enjoying their homemade pastas, perfectly cooked seafood, or any of their signature entrées, the flavors are consistently off the charts.
The service is impeccable. The staff is warm, attentive, and incredibly professional, always making you feel like a valued guest. Their knowledge of the menu and their genuine enthusiasm only add to the experience.
A huge part of what makes Papa Joe’s exceptional is the owner Joe. He’s hands-on, present, and truly invested in ensuring guests have the best possible dining experience. That personal touch is felt in the food, the atmosphere, and the overall hospitality.
Because the restaurant is so outstanding, it’s extremely popular, and for good reason. Reservations are highly recommended; without one, it’s nearly impossible to get a table.
If you’re craving top-tier Italian cuisine, Papa Joe’s is a must. A true 10 out of 10 and an instant favorite you’ll want to return to again and again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Italian restaurant in CT not even close
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Papa joes is one of those authentic Italian restaurants that has been around for ever. Their chicken parm is the best around. Everything they have is made in house, including the bread. Their bar is crazy packed thursday friday and Saturdays! Be sure to get your reservation in early for dinner in the restaurant area because they fill up fast. Great for date night, family gatherings, or just feel like going out for a good dinner. Staff is pretty amazing too!! And Papa Joe even comes out and chats with the customers and really takes the time to build a relationship with his clientele.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
And go to staple in the area for traditional Italian dining. Owners hands on checking on the staff and customers and the head chef as well. Wide selection I find a specials are usually the best all the pastas are homemade as well. It can get busy on a Friday Saturday night so be patient with the staff they work hard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Food is excellent. Nice Italian place to try if your in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Delicious!! I recommend the branzino and lamb. Great place to bring a big family
The Arthur Avenue sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I ever had. The fresh pasta and pizza is also amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super bummed. This was our first time getting food here and we were very excited based on the reviews. My wife got the Pasta Alfredo (see photo) which was basically slightly undercooked noodles lightly buttered, no sight or taste of Alfredo (cream and/or Parmesan). I got the Carbonara, which was at least well-sauced though very, very salty. It was also missing ingredients but still edible, unlike my wife's food. Maybe it was just an off night because of how busy it was, but for how expensive it is, that's sort of an unacceptable excuse.
Food: 1
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Papa Joe is the best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
always consistent, no bad surprises here. Lots of regulars, both as diners or take out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This is a right down the middle, high-end purveyor of Italian classics. In a half a dozen tries they haven't missed yet. Large parties or small. I can hear the other people at my table, so I like the atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We live in the neighborhood and were huge supporters especially for the pizza, ordering it from the restaurant 1-2x per week. However after we dined in last night both kids and an adult got suspected food poisoning, throwing up 6x through out the day and caused us to cancel our long weekend trip, causing a large loss. When called the owner said no one else called so as a result he is not taking responsibility or sounding apologetic. While there might be other reasons for this I would have appreciated more sympathy and a better attitude.
One of the best Italian spots in lower Fairfield County. Their lasagna is exceptional. Intimate atmosphere.
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