I've been coming to Papi's since it was on Fleet St. back in 2020. The food is consistently on point and keeps me coming back! Of course I love the crab cake eggrolls DUH. They're huge, no fillers, creamy due to the cheese and warhead sauce, what more can you ask for? I love the honey jerk lamb chops as well! This place is actually the reason I started eating lamb chops. They're tender and spicy, and the chimichurri sauce is excellent. The honey glazed stuffed salmon was also great! Not overcooked at all and a good amount of glaze. I would've loved more stuffing though. For sides, we got the asparagus and brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were great! I love a good glaze and these had one on them. But my absolute favorite menu item is the colossal fried shrimp!! So good, so crispy. The warhead sauce is like bang bang sauce but it has a different taste than other places. I love Papi's if it wasn't obvious. This place is super popular and crowded (it's well deserved) so if you can make a reservation, please do. But once you make it in, the space is beautiful. The vibe is right. Not too noisy but you can still hear the hustle and bustle and feel the energy of this place. Make it a point to visit when you're in Baltimore and for those in DC, it's worth the tote.
You walk in to a nice atmosphere with chill music playing ( and it wasn't super loud). The service was prompt. The food and drinks were good.
Papi Cuisine: Afro-Latin Fusion at Its Finest Nestled in the heart of Baltimore, Papi Cuisine is a culinary gem that masterfully blends Afro-Latin flavors, creating a dining experience that is both elegant and soulful. My recent visit left me in awe of both the food and the ambiance, and I am more than happy to share my experience. I indulged in the Crab Egg Rolls, Honey Jerk Lamb Chops, paired with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Charred Broccolini, followed by a slice of Sweet Potato Pound Cake and two expertly crafted Manhattans with a local twist. Every bite of this meal was an unforgettable journey. The lamb chops, cooked to medium-well perfection, were tender and juicy, seasoned with layers of bold, flavorful spices. The honey jerk sauce complemented the meat beautifully, adding a sweet and spicy glaze that tied the dish together. Let's just say those bones found their way back to my hotel for some "private enjoyment" (yes, they were that good). The garlic mashed potatoes? A testament to authenticity. Freshly mashed from real potatoes, their creamy texture and garlicky flavor reminded me why homemade always beats the boxed version. The broccolini was charred to crispy-tender perfection, its bold natural flavors subtly enhanced by light seasoning, allowing the smokiness of the char to shine. And then came the Sweet Potato Pound Cake--a dessert that truly lives up to its name. Moist and dense in the center, yet light around the edges, this cake was a harmonious blend of cinnamon, vanilla, and buttery goodness. It transported me straight to the nostalgic joy of childhood. The Manhattan cocktails were the icing on the cake, or should I say, the cherry on top of the meal. Crafted by a master bartender, these drinks were bold, smooth, and full of flavor, with a mysterious local twist that added a unique flair. Beyond the food, the ambiance of Papi Cuisine is stunning--modern decor infused with an authentic cultural touch that reflects the passion behind the menu. At $200 for one person, the experience is undeniably indulgent but worth every penny. Owner and award-winning Chef Alex Perez has done a phenomenal job infusing his Dominican and African American heritage into every dish. His Afro-Latin fusion cuisine elevates traditional flavors into a bold and refined culinary art form, making Papi Cuisine a must-visit destination for food lovers. Baltimore, you've got a treasure in Papi Cuisine, and I'll be back for more!
Lunch at Papi Cuisine in Baltimore was amazing! The lamb chops I had were beyond delicious. They were so tender and filled with so much flavor. The broccolini it came with was also tasty. I had their ice cream and cake dessert as well and of course was not disappointed and presentation was a plus. They really put time and attention into meal and the service that day. My server was really attentive and I loved that the lunch hour didn't have a crowd so there was no wait time with seating. It was very spacious and they had bar seating but I was seated at a table where I had plenty of room to thoroughly enjoy my meal.
The 20% service fee automatically added to our bill even though we didn't get good service made me feel like I was cheated, quite honestly. With the price point of the food, they should hire more staff to ensure people are getting the 5-star experience they're paying for. With that being said, the food and atmosphere are great. We made reservations 2-3 days in advance, were seated quickly and food came out quickly. We ordered crab cake egg rolls, honey jerk lamb chops and crab stuffed lobster. EXCELLENT!
I've had Papi Cuisine bookmarked for at least a couple years now, so when we were in town for an event, she was determined I was going to knock this bookmark off of my list. We chose their sister restaurant Proper Cuisine for dinner and Papi's for brunch. We had 11am reservations and arrived 15min early. I noticed the door had them opening at noon on Sundays. We made our reservations through RESY and I've had a bad experience once before with RESY so maybe we were going to be stuck for an hour :(. We then checked their own website and Yelp and all had them opening at noon. We even saw and employee exit the restaurant and asked what time do they open and HE SAID NOON!!! We saw a couple go inside at approximately 11:05am and we followed them. The host said they open at 11. You have to be kidding me right? Moving on..LOL! My girl has been bragging about their crab egg rolls since we met..so let's start with a round of those..LOL. They were OUTSTANDING. The flavor pops off the plate! I ordered the fried lobster and for my sides I had the kale and fries and I added an order of bacon, because a brotha LOVES bacon. She went for the Creme Brulee French Toast with a side of bacon and eggs. Our server was great accept when the bacon came, it was turkey bacon. Ask any bacon lover, turkey bacon ain't bacon. Who knew Papi Cuisine is a "pork free" establishment. We sent one order of the turkey "bacon" back and we both were slightly disappointed. My fried lobster was small but amazing and the French Toast was BOMB!!! Honestly, she set the expectations SO HIGH that it would have been hard to reach even if we didn't have a couple dining hiccups..LOL. Papi Cuisine is a very nice dining experience, with a chill spacious vibe and I cannot wait to come back for dinner and get into that awesome dinner menu!!!