Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Papi's Gelateria

    4.8 (52 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Papi's Gelateria Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Papi's Gelateria

    Recommended Reviews - Papi's Gelateria

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    match, leechy, black sesame, oolong
    Sejin C.

    First of all, I hesitated a little before writing a review for this place because they are still in their soft opening. My experience might be completely different once they are fully open, so part of me wonders... should I come back later and write another review? One thing everyone probably already knows is that the wait is no joke. I honestly don't know what the owner's business philosophy is, and since it's not my business, I don't want to tell them how they should run it. But from a customer's point of view, I have to admit that it can be a little frustrating. Of course, someone could say, "If you're frustrated, just don't eat there." And honestly, that's completely true. That's exactly why I hesitated to write this review in the first place. Let me explain what I mean. If they were fully open and I could say, "I want ice cream. Should we go to Papi?" and then just walk in without a long wait, I would probably give this place five stars. But right now, it can take around two hours just to get ice cream. And what's even more difficult is that the line isn't necessarily extremely long, but the wait becomes even longer because the owner seems to spend a lot of time giving each individual group their full attention. While waiting outside, I could see that some groups were spending almost 15 minutes inside. The owner is very kind, offers samples, lets you taste different flavors, and clearly wants each customer to have a great experience. All of that is definitely a good thing. But at the same time, some of the conversations and interactions beyond simply ordering and tasting ice cream seemed to be adding quite a bit of extra waiting time for everyone else in line. That part made me wonder a little. As for the ice cream itself, there is absolutely no question that it is delicious. It's high-quality, fresh, sophisticated, and perfectly sweet without being overly sweet. You can definitely tell that they care about the quality of their ice cream. I've tried it once now, so I think I've done my part. Once the line is gone, I'll definitely come back! If you really love ice cream and don't mind waiting, I would recommend giving this place a try. But if waiting two hours for ice cream isn't your thing, I'd probably suggest waiting until they are fully open and the line dies down. Then you can enjoy the ice cream without spending half your day standing in line. I'm curious to see how things change once the soft opening is over. Maybe I'll come back and update this review then!

    Matcha and Hokkaido
    Bubu N.

    Is it good? Yeah. Would I wait in that line again? No. The gelato itself is delicious, and I would definitely come back. My biggest issue is how unnecessarily long the line gets. They spend a lot of time talking you through the flavors, explaining everything, and letting you sample, which I understand is supposed to be part of the experience. Personally, though, I don't really care for all of that. I just want to get my gelato and be in and out lol. I think this place is missing a quicker option for people who already know what they want and don't need the full experience. Great gelato, but I wouldn't wait in a crazy line for it.

    Lines
    Jasmine Z.

    Came during the soft opening on a Thursday. Got in line around 8:45 PM and got our gelato around 10:15 PM. The wait is definitely long right now, but part of it is because they let you sample the flavors and there's a good variety to choose from. Many unique ones and love the nod to Desouro's oolong drinks. Flavors: Tried the matcha, Phoenix Oolong, and lychee. The matcha was really strong with the slight bitterness I like. Definitely could tell it was good quality. Ended up getting half Phoenix Oolong + half lychee scoops mainly because combination worked better together. Would like to try other flavors next time like the Hokkaido cream and Gyokuro. Final thoughts: Ken, the owner, was really spending time talking to all the customers to ensure a good experience. It was supposed to close at 10 PM, but he said he would serve everyone already in line and stayed open until everyone was taken care of. Really appreciated that and will definitely be back (hopefully when the line isn't as long)!

    Menu - September 25, 2026
    Catthy H.

    We visited around 7:20 pm on a Saturday, about a month into their soft opening, and the line stretched all the way toward the doors of Mitsuwa. For anyone wondering what that means in terms of time, we waited roughly TWO HOURS from this point. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that the owner is currently running the entire shop himself. He's giving out samples, scooping gelato, and working the register, and you're welcome to sample as many flavors as you'd like, so naturally, the line moves pretty slowly. He mentioned that he's still working on hiring and isn't sure when the grand opening will be, so I'd come prepared to wait while they're still in this soft-opening stage. The gelato itself is incredibly unique, and apparently he makes all of it himself. We sampled quite a few flavors. Pistacchio di Bronte was light and nutty, while Piemont Hazelnut had a much more rich with the hazelnut flavor. Lychee Gelato was bright and refreshing and ended up being one of the flavors I ordered. The tea flavors were interesting too. Gyokuro Green Tea had a nice tea flavor while still feeling light. Phoenix Oolong was VERY tea-forward and tasted great as a sample, but once I had an entire scoop, the richness became a little overwhelming for me. I think this one really comes down to preference because anyone who loves an richer gelato may appreciate it more. Hokkaido and Black Sesame were probably the most memorable combination. Hokkaido was SO smooth, creamy, and milky, while Black Sesame had a really strong, distinct black sesame flavor. They complemented each other really well. One thing I'll mention is that the cups looked much bigger to me in photos than they actually are. They're closer to what I'd consider a typical small ice cream cup, BUT he packs them extremely full, so you still get a surprising amount of gelato. I'd probably share one next time instead of getting my own. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to try Papi's Gelateria for the first time. With so many unique flavors, I think part of the fun is sampling everything and finding the combination that works best for you. I did feel a little rushed choosing with such a huge line behind me, and I probably wouldn't personally wait two hours every time, but I can absolutely see myself coming back once things settle down. If you're willing to wait during the soft opening, it's definitely a unique experience worth trying.

    Jen S.

    Came here the other night because it's been so cold. Glad that something here is finally open. They are having a soft opening so you can try a taste of all their flavors. Many people were sampling every single flavor which is what is causing the huge line out the door. But the staff are kind and patient and explain the different flavors. My only concern is the amount of spoons they have been throwing away per person for each sample. I ordered the green tea and Hokkaido gelato and it was creamy, smooth and had the perfect flavor. Can't wait to come back and try other flavors. The cup looks small but they allow you to get two different flavors and it's a lot more than you think. Will definitely come back.

    Hokkaido and Matcha
    Jennifer T.

    We wait about an an hour and a half to two hours on a Thursday night. We were able to sample all of the flavors and they were all so delicious! The vibes were great inside the shop as well. The gelato felt more like a creamy ice cream than gelato which made me enjoy it even more

    First week - waiting for 2 hours  I got Matcha + Sasame My BF got oolong + chocolate
    Cee N.

    Finding a new location for gelato, I would recommend this place. The texture of each flavor is unique. Currently, they are doing soft opening which open Thur-Sun from 6pm onward. The owner did evedything by himself which he did a really good job on keep on going and make it more minimal and fun. the shop look minimal and unique which aesthetic. The owner is friendly as he recommend come at least 15-20 min before the shop is open as no too clouded and long wait. You can try all the flavor too. I would say 10/10

    Lychee and Green Tea
    Calise C.

    They have soft opening hours and went on a Thursday evening. The flavors are INSANE!! They were super excited to share the details about all the flavors. We learned the matcha was over extracted to bring out the boldness since the dairy can mute the flavor. We sampled all of them and they were genuinely so excited to let us try! My favorite duo flavors would be the lychee + gyokuro green tea or strawberry+matcha. Ken from Desouro brought over the Phoenix Oolong...let me tell you that stuff slaps The ingredients were sourced intentionally to produce deep rich flavors, I honestly had a hard time deciding. I was blown away and the decor was simple and cozy. I'm glad we got to try this place before it pops off because the lines are going to be long esp in this heat!

    Black Sesame and Pistachio
    Esther L.

    Well, I really want to gatekeeper and NOT write this post so that I don't have to wait in a line--but this business needs to supported. The owner is so incredibly friendly, well mannered, high energy...this is what old Irvine used to be like: building community, relationships and good business practices. There's such a personal touch here, and what amazing chemistry to nail these Asian inspired flavors spot on. Gotta rave for a second on the black sesame; usually most places can't get the combo correctly, or it's just too mild but it's so aromatic, fresh and worth my dairy-free intolerant stomach to get a bit queasy for. They've just been open for a few days, but probably the best gelato I've had in my life. With inflation these days, and dairy intolerance...I'm really careful who I'm willing to raise my blood sugar for. So appreciate the owner's kindness to let us have samples--this is what builds the customer loyalty for life. I wish we all had the energy, charisma, and the high vibes he had.

    Lychee, chocolate, matcha, green tea
    Ryan R.

    Exceptional service and gelato. Genuinely some of the best I've had. Lychee gelato was absolutely amazing. Long line but so worth it

    Black Sesame, Papi's x Desouro Phoenix Oolong, Shizuoka Matcha

    The best gelato in Orange County! There's so much intention behind each flavor and how it's made to deliver the best quality, taste, texture and consistency. I coincidentally got to meet the owner Ken and you can tell he has so much passion for what he does. I experienced the best customer service where he's very patient in answering all my questions and encouraged sampling as many flavors as I was curious in trying! There's a flavor for everyone ranging from matcha, teas, fruits, black sesame, pistachio and more! All made with great quality to deliver the truest taste to each flavor.

    Loving the new  spot
    Sid A.

    What a great addition to Heritage plaza! Got to take a couple families there with kids, and it was a 5/5 all the way. Innovative flavors, and they let us test some that they are workshopping for future release. All excellent!

    Hokkaido and Piemonte Hazelnuts
    Belinda L.

    We ate dinner nearby so that we could have gelato for dessert. There was a line, but we didn't mind waiting and listened as Ken and Mimi introduced the gelatos to each customer and handed out samples. Mimi was telling the customers in front of us that a combination of fresh strawberries and dried strawberries are used as there can't be too much moisture for the gelato not to crystallize and stay creamy. The pistachio di Brontë is picked from the hills in Brontë Italy once a year. Ken thinks it's important for his customers to know where their food comes from and the care taken in getting quality ingredients. The Piemonte hazelnuts used are considered the Wagyu of hazelnuts. I had brought back the whole family. Younger daughter sampled the lychee and chose to combine it with the strawberry gelato for a fruity mix. The gelatos are lactose free and so may be enjoyed by those who are milk intolerant without the stomachs acting up. Older daughter sampled the Hokkaido and went with that and the Piemonte hazelnut. If anybody has a coconut allergy, there are no concerns here. Coconut is not an ingredient in any of the gelatos. I knew that I wanted the pistachio di Brontë with dark chocolate. Ken offered me a sample as he is still making changes to the recipe and working on the texture so it may have tasted different. I knew that the flavors would be great based on my last visit and passed the sampling. They start with 70% chocolate for the dark chocolate. I enjoyed learning more about the gelatos and the other customers were enjoying their samplings allowing the gelatos to slowly melt on the tongue so that the aroma and full flavor could be appreciated. Ken and Mimi give you their full attention and it is a memorable and meaningful encounter. The pistachio everyone in the family felt is one fancy nut. The pistachio flavor is intense and very uniquely sweet. The Hokkaido tasted like a caramel candy. The gelatos were all creamy and rich. We can't wait to come back again. The girls said that they would have to tell their coworkers to come and try out the Gelateria. The girls were still interested in trying the Shizuoka matcha and roasted black sesame.

    Dark chocolate and strawberry  & strawberry and green tea

    See all

    1 month ago

    Great ice cream, very friendly and informed staff. Overall good experience, not a lot of decor though.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cee N.
    30
    13
    18

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Calise C.
    331
    23
    11

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan R.
    1
    33
    16

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny N.
    347
    16
    208

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Sid A.
    68
    228
    39

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Belinda L.
    10
    360
    1746

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T C.
    0
    10
    8

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Justine F.
    274
    216
    81

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue R.
    13
    13
    0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Enric A.
    0
    109
    239

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 4

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Miss C.
    0
    199
    158

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ana C.
    39
    3
    1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amrit M.
    205
    17
    1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Papi's Gelateria

    Review Highlights - Papi's Gelateria

    “Hokkaido was SO smooth, creamy, and milky, while Black Sesame had a really strong, distinct black sesame flavor.”

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Bacio di Latte - Peanut Butter Cup and Hazelnut Gelato.

    Bacio di Latte

    4.6(711 reviews)
    8.2 mi
    •$$

    What a cute and adorable modern rendition of an ice cream store!…read more The lines are long because people love this place! I have to say the quality and creativity is second to none! On top of this the service is quick, friendly, always with a smile. Today we were served by Theo, Sarah and their friendly manager Juan. Love this place and unfortunately for my waistline because we will be coming back again and again.

    We genuinely love Bacio di Latte and have been coming to the Fashion Island location with our 5…read moreyear old son 5 to 6 times a week for years!!!! It's his absolute favorite, and we were so excited to hear they're opening a location closer to our home. Because we come so often, I intentionally order him the smallest serving to limit his sugar, but for years I've asked them to put that same small amount in the largest cup so it doesn't melt and spill everywhere. I'm not asking for one drop of extra gelato... just a bigger paper cup. Recently, a manager told me they could no longer do this because they're "losing too much money" on the larger cups. I was honestly flabbergasted. Meanwhile, customers standing in line are offered free gelato samples, often multiple samples, but apparently an empty larger cup for a five-year-old is where we draw the line on cost? The photos show exactly why I ask. This time we had brought friends and their children with us, and everyone walked outside with gelato overflowing and melting everywhere. At the volume they buy their cups even if the larger cup costs 50 cents more.. THEN charge me for it! I'd happily pay FOR THE COST OF A LARGER CUP. But after years of loyalty and hundreds of visits.. bringing EVERYONE for "Bacio break" being told this tiny accommodation is costing the company too much money was incredibly disappointing. The first time this manager said this, I let it slide.. this was the 4th recent visit and I HAD TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE. So although their gelato is tasty... they have a very disappointing approach to customer service from top down....hospitality is not anywhere near their priority list.

    Photos
    Bacio di Latte - Chocolate Pistacchio Crunch & Strawberry Cheesecake | $8.55 (Piccolo Cup, Up To 2 Flavors)

    Chocolate Pistacchio Crunch & Strawberry Cheesecake | $8.55 (Piccolo Cup, Up To 2 Flavors)

    Bacio di Latte - A modernly chique and inviting interior.

    A modernly chique and inviting interior.

    Bacio di Latte - Pesca, strawberry and cream

    See all

    Pesca, strawberry and cream

    Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream - Inside

    Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

    4.3(592 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    •$

    Back again in about 2 months. Last time I came here with my friend and this time I brought my…read moreparents here while we were in the area. So so good!!! This place is the absolute best!!! Service is spectacular, they are extremely friendly and very generous with letting us sample different flavors before buying. There's such a vast selection of flavors too, and they're all delicious!!! This place was such an extreme contrast with some other places I've been to with god-awful service. Ambiance: good nice plaza in Irvine, plenty of parking. Nice interior - I love the decor with the history of the store's family origins, flavor list, as well as the country of origin for each of their flavors. We got the Cucumber, Pink Rose, Orange Blossom, and Saffron & Pistachio. This ice cream is impeccable, the flavor, texture, everything. We all absolutely loved it and really enjoyed the experience here! Would highly recommend them and will definitely come back!!!

    This place has really cool flavors and absolutely amazing service. Our server was super nice, he…read morewalked me through a bunch of flavors and even told me that their banana flavor was fresh banana and not the artificial flavor which I appreciated so much. This dude was literally dancing when we were checking out, which shows how much he probably loves his job, and honestly, I appreciated his nice energy. I really enjoyed the saffron pistachio, I highly recommend getting it! If you're into something more tart and sweet, get the passion fruit. The fig and cranberry flavor was nice and creamy, rich, and perfectly sweet. I appreciate the atmosphere and seating outside, this little plaza is a wonderful hang out spot. The weather in Irvine is nice, there are so many seats in this plaza, and you'll always find people hanging out here. If you're looking for a good dessert spot to hang out at, this is it.

    Photos
    Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream - SMALL - Nutella $5

    SMALL - Nutella $5

    Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream - SMALL - Cookies & Cream & Strawberry $4

    SMALL - Cookies & Cream & Strawberry $4

    Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream - Faloodeh + saffron ice cream and pomegranate

    See all

    Faloodeh + saffron ice cream and pomegranate

    Vitaly Caffé - Vitaly Pinsa

    Vitaly Caffé

    4.2(1.3k reviews)
    6.2 mi
    •$$

    This place is full of life, energy, laughter... the kind of place where you immediately feel good,…read morerelaxed, and completely yourself. As an Italian, I can say this is the only place where you truly breathe real, authentic Italianità. It genuinely feels like being back in Italy on vacation, like a summer day in Rimini or in a lively Italian seaside town. The food is simply outstanding. The gelato and coffee are incredible, the filet mignon is the best I have ever tried, and the piadina and pinsa... absolutely exceptional. Every bite tastes like Italy, the real one. And then there are the people behind it, who make everything even more special with their warmth and passion. It's the kind of place you keep coming back to, not just for the food, but for how it makes you feel. Always my favorite

    Food was a bit underwhelming. We ordered a vegan soup (not pictured), gluten-free flatbread (not…read morepictured), gluten-free bolognese, and a gluten-free vegan pizza. The soup was flat and needed something to brighten it up, the bolognese was extremely greasy, and the pizza was nothing to write home about as it was somewhat bland. The staff were very personable and friendly but the service was inconsistent and slow (our server forgot about our flatbreads, so we had to chase down another server to get them for us). FYI parking in the plaza is a nightmare, so get there early if you have dinner plans!

    Photos
    Vitaly Caffé - Homemade Fettuccine with Prosciutto di Parma, Arugula and Lemon Zest

    Homemade Fettuccine with Prosciutto di Parma, Arugula and Lemon Zest

    Vitaly Caffé - Italian Tagliere

    Italian Tagliere

    Vitaly Caffé - Piadina

    See all

    Piadina

    Papi's Gelateria - gelato - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...