I've been going here for a few years and while I recommend the restaurant to everyone I just realized I haven't written a review. Save yourself the time of reading ahead and just follow this advice: Go to Pappadella's! The restaurant is on the smaller side so as some other reviewers have mentioned reservations are a good idea for the weekends. Chef Andre is just fantastic and he is a wizard in the kitchen. There are a number of rotating specials, but the fresh made stuffed pasta's are always a huge winner. Bacon wrapped prawns are also fantastic. If you're lucky enough to be there on a night with stuffed filet of sole you are in for a perfect dinner. The flavors are always exceptional and the service is top notch. You may find larger restaurants, but you will not find a better one. read more

Absolutely the best Italian food in Western Danbury. Just moved here from NJ (home to some of the best Italian restaurants in the country)... And we were absolutely stunned by how good the food was here. My wife's parents were both straight off the boat and owned a restaurant. She grew up eating the finest homemade Italian food. Even she was extremely impressed by the food here. Don't let the exterior of the building fool you. It doesn't look like much. But it is absolutely a diamond in the rough. Even more impressive was the fact that the owner/chef Came out of the kitchen to introduce himself. The service was great. The food was spectacular. An absolute win! read more

Absolutely outstanding food quality, atmosphere, and contrary to some yelp reviews, very attentive service even though it is less important than the former. This place is top notch I can't wait to get back here and try some non-staple recommendations. It is just fantastic period. It is just absurd that some customers focus on anything that doesn't pertain to the main event: the food. Trust me those customers come in with a bad attitude and expect a substitute for their personal dilemmas that is not what a restaurant is for. read more

Some of the best Italian food I've had! The owner and servers are so friendly and accommodating and the prices really can't be beat. The fried Mozz appetizer and short rib ravioli are amazing. Purse shaped pasta with vodka sauce is to die for! Chicken Sorrentino. Sole fish and all the veal dishes rock! We highly recommend this place. read more

Pappadella's Restaurant - The Parrilla family has been going to Andres' restaurants for 30 years. - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

Food was delicious. Service was excellent. Further they were very willing to make any adjustments were needed if you wanted something different in your meal. read more

This place is such a hidden gem. It's tucked in a little shopping strip, and from the outside you might not think much of it. Bit this place has incredible food! Had the BEST stuffed artichoke with sausage and delicious zuppq di pesce with fresh seafood. It was full of scallops, monkfish, shrimp, clams, and tender calimari. A terrific meal! read more

Pappadella's Restaurant - Sausage stuffed artichoke appetizer special. Delicious! - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

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Food price / quality ratio 8.5. Atmosphere is simple, but tasteful. Typical Italian menu with a few Chef's twists. Minestrone soup is excellent. Charming Italian speaking waiters, friendly, attentive service. No bar. read more

Based on reading the other reviews. I can say that the mexicans that are cooking this fine italaina food went to the right school. everyone is kind and the service is on top. The food is fresh and delicious. They accommodated my family and seated us right away. That's very important to me. When my children were done eating they brought out more without hesitation. The wine is superb and deserts are awesome. I have no idea what these other numb nuts are talking about, but then again I'm sure they enjoy burger king as well. Haters! read more

Visited this restaurant for the first time last night and can't wait to go back and bring my family. When you come from an Italian family, you are always concerned when there are no Italians in the kitchen. BUT....I was astonished by the food and the service. I started with the bruschetta. It was not made the traditional way, but warm with cheese on toasted bread. It was excellent. My guest had carpaccio. Again, excellent. I had manicotti that was made with homemade crepes. Who does that anymore. They only person I remember doing this was my Nana. It was excellent. The only thing that bothered me was why mashed potatoes was served with this dish. The vegetables were bright green and cooked perfectly. The veal Contadina that my guest had was fantastic. Looked like he licked the plate clean. We both shared an egg custard dessert with fresh strawberries. It was a perfect ending to a great night. Staff made us feel like we have been coming to this establishment every night for years. The chef even came out to see how we were doing. I cannot wait to go back again. read more

This is my favorite Italian place in Danbury. The food is extremely consistent and you ALWAYS get your money's worth! The new interior renovations look great and the service is some the most attentive and friendly I've ever experienced. Been coming here for a few years now I would give this place 100 stars if I could. read more

Great authentic Italian cuisine. Great service Perfect homemade pasta Fresh seafood Great gravy read more

Don't judge a book by its cover! Though it appears a little scrappy from the outside, the inside is fine and most importantly, THE FOOD IS OUTSTANDING!! Great service too. Didn't expect this place to be as good as it was, but was pleasantly surprised. read more

Ate here for the first time even though I've lived in Danbury for 15+ years and drive by this restaurant nearly every day on way home from work. Pappadella's war recommended by Carlos from Extreme Auto body (great shop btw) and we thought we'd give it a try. Probably one of the best Italian dinners I ever had. You MUST try the Fried Calamari with the balsamic reduction. May sound weird if you're used to the marinara but it was amazingly good. I had one of the specials and I sorry but I do not remember the name. I think it was called Chicken Volcan-something. Delicious. I also got a side of pasta with Vodka sauce (it was so good I almost put aside my main dish just to eat the pasta). Highly recommend you try this place. I gave 4 out of 5 because the atmosphere it a bit lacking. But its a small place and not too loud so you can have a conversation without yelling. Lastly, the chef came out to say hello and I love that in restaurants. The staff was also super nice. Walt read more

Absolutely The Best Gourmet Italian Dining hidden in Danbury. We've never been disappointed in any of the Menu or Specials. Call and make reservations because this place packs them in. Very comfortable dining with Excellent Staff. #1 go to place for us hands down read more

I have ordered catering from Pappadella's for my company three times now. The food is homemade, authentic and delicious, and very reasonable. I would highly recommend for catering. Now I have to just go with my family! The chicken marsala is fantastic and they have the best penne ala vodka I've ever had. read more

We ate here for the first time tonight based on a recommendation. The food is delicious, the portions are very adequate and the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommend! read more

Last night was the fourth time I dined at Pappadella's and everything was just as good(if not better) than the first. My girlfriend and I walked into a packed house and were quoted a ten minute wait(and seated comfortably in the meanwhile). In 9 minutes we were seated with menus and drinks. My only past complaint was the lack of a cocktail program, but this was fixed last night as each table had a detailed and interesting cocktail menu. In step with my belief that anyone(including bartenders) must walk before they can run, I ordered an "Old Fashioned", which was mixed to perfect proportions. The Scallop Limoncello appetizer was delicious and perfectly cooked. This is a place where you may want to mention if you do not enjoy scallops cooked the right way(seared on the outside, rare in the middle). Entrees were well cooked and perfectly seasoned. At first glance, my plate of broiled fish, pomme puree, and steamed vegetables did not seem to be anything special. However, the delicate textures and subtle surprises of salt, spice, and acid that my tongue encountered made the plate very special. Similarly, my girlfriend's chicken marsala brought the stereotypical dish to another level. She also noted that the (often overcooked elsewhere) capellini pasta was a perfect "al dente". If our stomachs contained any more room, we would have had dessert. Keep doing what you are doing guys and I know that this restaurant will be a mainstay in the King Street/Southwesternnew fairfield area for many, many years to come. The little things: -seemingly no staff turnover(same waiters and bussers/bartenders as the first time I dined over a year ago) -owners still cooking and checking on the dining room -hot plates to keep the food warm read more

Go to spot for dinner if I have no idea what to eat. Servers are incredible and so is the chef. I've been here over a dozen times and I cant think of one bad experience. The food is always as delicious as the first time I've had it. read more

When they say "don't judge a book by its cover", this restaurant is the perfect example. I have driven by Pappadella's hundreds of times but have never thought of eating there. Last night, on the recommendation of a friend, we brought the family to a Pappadella's. Really simply put, this is one of the best restaurants in the area. First, the service is exceptional. When the waiter was explaining the specials, which all sounded delicious, he detailed what is in every dish and how it was made. All the food was exceptional, the portion side was good and the prices were reasonable. At the end of dinner, every plate was clean and for the first time, there were no leftovers. We will definitely be going back. read more

The pizza I ordered midday I was not allowed to eat in house. Funny, as there were many empty tables. The pizza I waited for arrived and was nothing but a thick wad of cheese with scan meatball sliced razor thin and no tomato sauce to speak of. Is this a Mexican Pizza? In a town with good pizza, this was the worst I have come across. I will say the waiter was very polite. The owner should know that a bad pizza keeps droves of people away. Shameful. The decor is shabby cheap. Diner with dark blood red curtains and crap chairs. I will not return to a potentially great neighborhood place. read more

My first dining experience here was excellent. It was for a date night and I was impressed by the waitstaff and the knowledge they carried of the daily special as well as the service they provided. Our carpaccio and escargot appetizers were delicate and amazing. I ordered the Special which was a stuffed filet of Sole - tender and immaculately presented. My date had an unlisted sacchetti (she knows the chef) which was beyond beautiful on the taste buds. There was no part of this encounter that wasn't pleasing. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious, classy/classic Italian encounter. read more

Such arrogance. Having dined all over Italy, I got used to humble foods and local warmth. This place is cold and unappealing to say the least. We were treated like we were privileged to be there... decor is too tacky for words, and the food was middle of the road for the outrageous price. I went recently with a food critic and we laughed the whole ride home. read more

Amazing. Everytime the food is fresh and delicious. The staff are so friendly and makes the ambiance that much better.

The service was excellent. The food was excellent as well. I really have nothing negative to say about this place.

absolutely great food.......order from constantly and always on point.........staff and owner extremely friendly.....

Excellent food, excellent and attentive service. The best chicken parmigiana I've had. Will definitely be back!

You know the reviews here confuse me. I found nothing to rave about with the place. The food was standard and ordinary. Clean and neat. read more

I have been here about 3 times with extended family. First 2 times were great, 3rd time we had a young woman waitress who was so rude, discourteous, first because we asked to be seated in the main dining room? Food was great all 3 times, waiter who seems to wait all the table always pleasant, but this woman was so off putting we will probably go back to Taormina's where food is good and so is service read more

Our little neighborhood restaurant. Love this place! The sauces are wonderful, the gnocchi; the best I have ever had. Manicotti is not the usual greasy, cheesy mess you get elsewhere but a delicate mix of flavors that melts on the tongue. The chefs may not be Italian but why does that matter? Close your eyes and you would think you were eating in your Italian grandmother's kitchen. the staff is friendly and professional and the chef is always ready to please. Do yourself a favor and have a meal here if you haven't yet, you won't be disappointed. read more

Been here twice now and will definitely be back. Friendly service. Food was excellent. Reasonably priced. Only complaint is bread could be better, read more

Our very favorite restaurant. Hands down. The food is consistently spectacular. The waitstaff is welcoming and warm.

First of all, for all of you idiots Pappadella's is probably one of the best restaurants in this town. The chef's are NOT mexican. Take your discriminating selves else where. This restaurant is highly recommended, you can not go wrong with it! read more

Best steak I ever had in my life! This place is amazing! Definitely coming back here more often. Deserves more then 5 stars!

excellent chefs. great soups and tasty dinners. they really make good sauces. prices are reasonable, especially for the quality you get. looks like a little joint from outside, but inside is very nice, even on the classy side. lunch is never busy as its location is a bit from from offices, etc. we liked the chicken piccata and marsala today at lunch. much better than the typical red sauce Italian restaurant. update feb 7, 2014. this continues to be a fine restaurant. we have been here 3 times in the past 2 months, for dinner as well as lunch with friends and each time were impressed with the quality of the food. gnocchi are wonderful, as is the veal. had stuffed snapper today, excellently prepared by chef owner Andre. we highly recommend this restaurant read more

Great find on our road trip. Fresh ingredients and wonderful staff. The kids loved the ravioli. The veal and the sausage pasta dishes were great too. Worth a stop. read more

Truly excellent food. For me this is the standard by which all Italian restaurants in this area are judged

We attended the wine tasting dinner last evening!!! Although the dinner was a fixed menu, it was delicious!!! Love going to Pappadella's, the food is fabulous and very reasonable!! The staff is always welcoming and helpful!!!! read more

This is my favorite restaurant. From the quiet, romantic atmosphere, to the yummy appetizers. This place is amazing. Not only is it affordable but the staff is respectful. The rigatoni pastoralla is delish! I call the owner when I'm sick because he makes the best chicken soup. BTW I keep reading people's racist reviews about the owner not being Italian...well I know a few Mexican restaurants owned by Italians ;-). Btw he's from the Dominican Republic, not all people who speak Spanish are Mexican. read more

I have been to Pappadella's several times and on most occasions the food is excellent however the service is usually a bit slow since there is usually one waiter, the owner and a bus woman. The owner is either pleasant or rude depending on his mood. I made a reservation on 2/11 for 6:30 only to find upon arrival that they wanted to squeeze us in at a table between the front door and the maitre d stand. The owner who was extremely rude told me to take it or leave it and that there was someone important he planned on seating at the other vacant table for two. With that I left and discovered Cafe on the Green at Richter Park Golf Course - which I highly recommend, food and service were impeccable. I will not be returning to Pappadella's!! read more

Although the owner was extremely gracious, this is in no way can be considered a good Italian restaurant. It is extremely loud, they are short staffed, and the food was no better than a pizzeria- in some cases worse. My husband ordered chicken Parmesan which was terrible the chicken was chewy. I got an appetizer special of Burrata and tomatoes and I could not believe what was put in front of me...a ball of burrata cheese with four quarter pieces of the kind of tomatoes you get on a McDonalds hamburger with no olive oil just some balsamic splashed over the cheese. This was a huge rip off for $10 especially surprising to have such substandard presentation and quality at a supposedly classier than average restaurant. If you don't mind being seated 3 inches from the person next to you, getting a headache from the noise and waiting forever for your average overpriced food to get to you because there is one waitress for the entire restaurant, then this place is for you. read more