Paffuto

Once a roaming pop-up, Paffuto is now the Bella Vista cafe of our dreams. And by that, we mean a place where we devour bodega-esque mortadella breakfast sandwiches on griddled kaiser rolls, work on our laptops with a coffee, and sit back as our productivity loses the battle against puffy, cream-filled maritozzi. While Italian food is about as common in the area as shoppers lugging two-wheeled carts, Paffuto stands out for its panzerotti, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches that you’ll gladly wake up early to get. 

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

The daytime-only Italian shop specializes in crispy fried panzerotti—including a very good breakfast version with scrambled egg and melty cooper sharp—but there are also chicken cutlet sandwiches, agnolotti in a pork broth, and undeniably Philly foods like Italian hoagies for lunch. Almost everything Paffuto makes is great—including a rotating roast pork panzerotti special that we miss more than the flip board at 30th Street. Paffuto artfully understands that high quality meat, perfect dough, and thoughtful ingredients create something incredibly delicious.

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

There are a few tables inside the colorful, cozy shop, along with counter seating next to a window where you can proudly show off your pillowy bombolini to the street like it’s a baby photo. Vintage china and tongue-in-cheek artwork hangs on the wall, including a photo of an old guy getting X-rated with a plate of spaghetti. It’s the kind of low-key place where someone with a deadline can linger with a roast turkey sandwich, look up, and realize three hours have passed.  

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

Friends leave with a roast pork panzerotti in one hand and Eagles-green merch in the other. It’s no surprise—like water ice, fictional boxers, and old as* restaurants, it’s climbing the city's list of Italian classics. 

Food Rundown

Pastries

Daily, you’ll find brioche, jam, and whipped cream-filled maritozzi or strawberry bombolini behind the case on the counter. And while the toppings and fillings are great background singers, the soft texture of the dough is always the star of the show. Order a few topped with cloud-like cream to start your day.

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

Egg And Cheese Panzerotti

Paffuto keeps it simple with their panzerottis: scrambled eggs, cooper sharp, and mozzarella. The crust is light and airy, and there’s a dusting of salt on the crisp, dense shell. Biting into something so warm and gooey is pure perfection.

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

Crispy Morty

We get this stack of scrambled eggs, Cooper Sharp, and fried mortadella on the Kaiser roll, though long Italian rolls are also an option. The mortadella makes this classic breakfast combo a bit smoky and savory.

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

Pepperoni Panzerotti

Do we have to sell you on something exploding with gooey mozzarella, sweet red sauce, basil, and subtly spicy pepperoni? Cool. We didn’t think so either. If you can get one before they sell out, do it.

photo credit: GAB BONGHI

Chicken Vodka Sandwich

Chicken cutlet sandwiches are always on the menu (they also have a Milanese). A fried chicken cutlet is topped with vodka sauce, basil, and mozzarella cheese, all served on a soft Sarcone's roll. The crispy, tender cutlet perfectly balances the creamy sauce and melty cheese. Get one and thank us later.