As part of my indulgent series of visits to patisseries around Sydney (i.e. the conspiracy to move me up a jeans size) I decided to visit Pasticceria Papa with the lovely Angela from Creating a Stir who is visiting Sydney from Japan. Angela is a blogger I immediately bonded with as she is a lovely soul who lives in Japan with her husband and three children and who faces many of the challenges I did living there yet still maintains her sense of humour and style. She’s also the wonderful gal who sent me an amazing package of Japanese goodies-full of Japanese Pocky and Kit Kats of which I am totally addicted! So when I heard she was coming to Sydney I knew we had to meet up and I knew that it would have to be somewhere brilliant to impress her and preferably with food she may not be able to get in Japan. So Pasticceria Papa, with the legendary Ricotta Cake it was!
Megumi
Angela has brought along her gorgeous 2 year old daughter Megumi who turns out to be just the kind of daughter I’d want for myself. We take a seat outside in the sunny courtyard as it’s a warm Winter’s day and go inside to order at the counter. When I’d first sent Angela the link to the website with the list of goodies they stock, it was so huge we both wondered whether it was a sample of what they had but judging from the enormous displays with a myriad of goodies, it seems to be what is available all of the time.
Megumi with her chocolate bear lollipops
We choose a couple of necessary savouries but of course the sweets have won our hearts and the aroma of butter wafts past our nose as we walk in from the courtyard outside. We ask the girl behind the counter what is good and she makes a few recommendations and of course we ask for the ricotta cake. We take our number and they tell us they’ll bring us our goodies. The cakes arrive first and there’s a bit of a wait for our savouries which we want to eat first. I go back in and there is some confusion as to where we were sitting and a mix up with the order itself with the counter girl putting the wrong item into the system so after several questions back and forth they assure me that we’ll get our correct order. I bought some organic chocolate bear lollipops from our Canberra trip for Megumi and she managed to eat all three whilst sampling teeny bites of our food – what a good girl and a future food blogger no?
Mushroom Arancini ball (price, no idea as we were incorrectly charged)
Our fat, crunchy arancini ball arrives warm and with an oozing centre of creamy mushroom which we sink our forks into. It has a crunchy crumb outer and soft, stringy cheesey interior and I love the textures. Angela is impressed as this is her first time trying one.
Bruschetta with tomato, olive and onion $5
We chose the bruschetta as it looked lovely and fresh and when we receive it we see that they have toasted it for us. It was fairly good although some of the harder, crunchier bits on the edge where there weren’t any tomato or olive are left behind. And little Megumi took a liking to the black olives on it! What a kid!
Ricotta Cake Slice $4.50
When we try the famous ricotta cake we see why it’s so famous. It’s called a cheesecake but it’s unlike most cheesecakes that you may have tried. One of the best things about dining with fellow foodies is the way we love to analyse the food we eat. Angela and I dissect it – there’s a blanket of icing sugar and cinnamon and the crust on top and bottom is like a cross between pastry and a biscuit. The ricotta filling is as smooth as silk and very, very moreish.
Romani biscuit $2.50
The biscuit is curious as the counter girl described it as a bit bland. To us it’s very sugary and nutty but the top note is definitely that of sweetness. Although it’s nice, we can’t imagine finishing a whole one ourselves-perhaps an espresso would help in that regard. Angela points out quite correctly that it has the taste of white sugar first and nuts second.
Small Cannoli (left) $1.60. Bomba Jam donut (right) $2.50
I rarely order cannolis as they’re usually premade and become resultantly soggy and I expect this to be similar so when I stab this with a fork I’m surprised to feel resistance and then the pastry shatters revealing the creamy ricotta centre. It’s delicious and the way cannoli should be and not in the slightest bit soggy.
Inside the Bomba Jam with Nutella $2.50
I do like donuts and this one is soft and fresh but like Italian donuts, the sweetness remains on the outside via the dusted sugar and the inside via the nuttela and doesn’t really carry throughout the donut dough whilst I prefer a sweetness throughout. And by this stage we’re experiencing some sugar fatigue.
Didn’t I mention Megumi was the ideal daughter? Here she is dipping her finger into the ricotta cannoli and feeding her mum. Oh yes I sense she is a Foodus Bloggerus in the making!
So tell me, what is your favourite cheesecake flavour?
Pasticceria Papa
145 Ramsay Street, Haberfield, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9798 6894
Monday to Friday – 8am to 6pm
Saturday – 7:30am to 5pm
Sunday – 7:30am to 1pm
Cash Only
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75 Comments | Add your own
oh good lord I want ricotta cheesecake and I’ve not even had breakfast!!
Megumi is super-cute!
Wow, all that food. Looks so delicious. The building is just adorable, too. Have to say, not a fan of cheesecake at all (find them too sweet), but that ricotta one looked lovely and light!
Ohhhh! Torta della Nonna – looks very similar to the Ricotta Cake you’ve got here. It’s one of my favorite desserts. Lemony ricotta filling, confectioners sugar top with toasted pine nuts … at least that’s how it is in NW Italy
Absolutely delicious. Sounds like you girls had a lovely time!
What cute kittle girls!
That food looks extremely scrumptious! I wish there was a place like that in Geneva….
Cheers,
Rosa
That ricotta cake looks so yum. I do love ricotta much more than cream cheese. Maybe its time to make my own version – I have seen a recipe on taste.com.au
Awww Megumi looks so adorable! And I gotta get me some of that ricotta cheesecake – if not for the smooth, satiny ricotta, then the biscuit/pastry top and base!
A cannoli whose crust shattered on impact with the fork?!? I am sold on that one!
Now I have a serious craving for Nutella-filled doughnuts, too.
As for cheesecake…chocolate-swirl’s my non-negotiable.
Megumi-what a cutie! Oh yes, I remember Suze raving about their ricotta cheesecake. It looks divine, I’m dying to try it! Too bad Haberfield is so far from me, I guess I will just have to make one myself
Delish – but the ricotta cake is a clear winner for me.
What a gorgeous little girl! I loved that the cannoli there were so crunchy and fresh. (I also love the pistachio profiteroles there – so swoon-er-ific!)
Pineapple cheesecake with pineapple chunks and pineapple on top….. mmm
Megumi is just so cute! but mixed children always are
so jealous!!! The ricotta cake, cannoli look absolutely fantastic! I really want some
i love that cake! next time you can visit the Pasticceria a few meters before Papa; i can’r remember the name but they have very good cannoli and bigne’! And almond pastries mmmm
The ricotta cheesecake from Papa’s is awesome. I would travel for hours for a slice. Next time you go, try a napoli biscuit (like the romani but with a date and hazelnut filling). It’s a lot better than the romani. And if you are going to Haberfield, duck into the IGA for dome deli goodness – it’s the best range of cured meats in Sydney.
Italian friends of mine swear by this ricotta cake as being one of the best in Sydney. I too have had the pleasure of eating it and have to say it’s so addictive. It’s a great blend of smooth ricotta and he cinnamon on top gives it a great lift. I actually love their cannoli too! Great write up Lorraine!
My favorite cheesecake is chocholate with rasberries inside; served on a raspberry coulis.
The recipe is from http://www.foodtv.ca
Fresh Raspberry Coulis
2 pt raspberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar (or to taste depending on sweetness of fruit)
2 tbsp (25 mL) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 mL) grated lemon rind
Directions:
Fresh Raspberry Coulis
In the bowl of a food processor, place raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest. Blend until pureed. Place a fine-meshed strainer over a bowl. Pour the berry mixture through the strainer to remove the seeds, pressing down with a spoon to force the fruit and juices through. Transfer to a covered non-reactive container and refrigerate until ready to serve. The puree will keep well for several days.
oh their ricotta cheesecakes are to die for!!
What a great meeting and I so want some cheesecake now
hee the ricotta cake is my cake of choice every time mmm i managed to eat half the cake on my bday =P
I love the ricotta cake at pasticceria papa and prefer my cannoli at A & P Sulfaro a few doors down.Very crispy but not so the next day
Have you tried them? Apparently the best cannoli in sydney.
Megumi is so adorably cute! I can’t believe she liked the olives hahaha what a great kid!
Oh and the food looked pretty nice too
Megumi is adorable. I love Canoli..
I spend half my life in Haberfield food-shopping, so I probably could have waved to you!
P Papa’s ricotta cheesecake looks v good. I’ve been in there a couple of times and it’s been a bit frantic (and the staff seemed stressed as though they weren’t happy which always puts me off).
Looks like it was a beautiful day for sitting at an outside table.
Pasticceria Papa is the best in sydney. we travel all the time for the ricotta cake for birthdays and other celebrations- in fact today is my husbands birthday and his mum is getting a ricotta cake from there!!! Lucky you didnt go on a weekend- the lines out the door are infamous!!!
Love the shot of the oozy arancini; PP sounds like an ideal place for lunch. But even the ricotta cake can’t outshine little Megumi – what a cutie!
That nutella-stuffed donut is ridiculous. I want one of those right now! One more to add to the Sydney list.
Megumi is such a little darling. I’ve never had an arancini, but OMG does it look amazing, as does that fabulous ricotta cake. What a lovely feast!
i must try that place haha
i would recommend canolis at gelatomassi (sp?) in newtown, i loveeeeee them
I’m not a big cheesecake fan, but I made a jaffa cheesecake a month or two ago and loved it, so I guess I have to say jaffa (even if I made it myself!).
In fact, I’m sick with a throat infection right now, and eating soft foods, so perhaps I should make a cheesecake for lunch
Caramelized apple cheesecake with butterscotch sauce. I’ve been making it once or twice a year for the last couple of years.
Wonderful post, yet again.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/caramelized-apple-cheesecake-with-spiced-creme-anglaise-and-butterscotch-sauce-recipe/index.html
The ricotta cake at Papa’s is my absolute favourite. I just tried this the other day at a friend’s birthday party and fell in love at first bite!
Hmmm I do need to make a visit this weekend and get me another slice!
Any. There is no such thing as bad cheesecake.
This is the best cheesecake I have ever tasted.(And I’ve tasted alot!) I have been known to buy a whole one to bring home with me (five hours south of Haberfield)where it is hungrily devoured by my husband and myself. You can try to making it but it will never be as good. I worked with a german lady who made a cheesecake with a top and bottom crust but it didn’t have the ricotta and cinnamon.
What a fun day out! The food looks amazing! I love a white chocolate chocolate chip cheesecake.
That cheesecake really is worth getting a big bum for. Divine.
OMG how gorgeous is Megumi?! I always go gaga over cute Eurasian babies, but I married my wonderful Chinese hubby so no chance to have my own Eurasian baby! Haha!
That cheesecake looks divine! I love any kind of cheesecake, but baked one are my favourite!
Ive been dieing to try this famous cheesecake. Almost went there last week but then the Ferragosto Festival was on and i couldnt pass an opportunity for fresh cannolis.
=(
Holy smokes that donut looks amaziNG!!!!!
Oh my goodness Lorraine ~ you are inviting me to add to my jeans size too! This place is on my list to visit ~ I am such a sweet tooth and those delightful samples from this place looks delicious… I have feel a bit sugar fatigued just by looking at the pictures!
Bless! x
Little Megumi is a darling..sooo cute! When will you be adding one to your family?
Ok I don’t really get gaga over little girls as much as baby boys but Megumi is just precious! She’s beautiful (she’s gonna break a lot of hearts when she grows up hehe).
But even better…the desserts! Romani biscuit. I. Want. Now.
Megumi is adorable! That ricotta cake looks very good
I love their cannoli, but the ricotta cake from Pasticceria Tamborrino is better I think.
Everything there looks delicious! I’ve always wanted to go to Pasticceria Papa but the fact that I can’t drive/too lazy to take a bus complicates matters…*drooling* even though i finished dinner a few minutes ago!
Megumi is an adorable name =) very fitting.
Awww..isn’t Megumi adorable?!?!?
I haven’t been to Pasticceria Papa…looks like I’d be in heaven there though!! LOL Being a quarter Italian, ‘dolci’ (sweet things) are my weakness!
Will have to persuade someone to go for a drive with me sometime soon! LOL
Thanks, Lorraine!
Yummy! Definitely one place I’ll have to visit.
Plus the prices are SO reasonable with generous servings! Or was that your beautiful photography?
Liking olives at such a young age is amazing! I like the look of the arancini and the cannoli.
everything looks so yum. i want the bomba jam donut!! mmm mmm. x
The ricotta cannoli at Patisseria Papa are to die for aren’t they? It’s incredibly popular and there’s always a line waiting for their treats. So popular there’s usually a Ferrari with the number plate “papa1″ in the carpark. Very popular!
Aww, Megumi is such a precious daughter! I would love to have one just like her!
The food does look great, but a bit unforunate that the order was mixed up.
And sadly, while I love the look of cheesecake, I can’t it
Haven’t tried the Pasticceria Papa cheesecake yet but my absolute favourite is an Italian ricotta cheesecake, the ricotta is never overly sweet and I love the combo of peel and lemon and dark choc chips that can go into it as well…want…one…now!
what a CUTIE! it takes a really adorable child to divert my attention from things such as donuts and cannoli, but she does.
Help, I live in Melbourne and my mouth is watering for the ricotta cake and biscotti.
Please Lorraine , can they part with the recipes or have any readers the recipes for those morsels . This has been the best
So many delicious things! The ricotta cake looks incredible. Sounds like a great day.
what an interesting post, i remember when i was in australia, in melbourne, i was taken to a street packed with patisseries, my dream came true, you guys know to live well!
i love your blog, and i will be coming back, please visit mine if you hae the time,
cheers from london,
pity
http://www.pityinthekitchen.blogspot.com
Megumi is so adorable and so caring, feeding her mom! Please give a kiss for her.
I have a total baby crush on Megumi – adorable!
Oh, Romani biscuits – I haven’t had one for ages, I love them!
When I’m in Haberfield, I prefer to go to Sulfaro which is just down the road opposite the CBA. It’s only a small shop but their sweets are divine, the owner is Sicilian and Sicilians are very proficient at pastries, eg Ricotta cannoli.My fav. cheesecake is an Italian baked ricotta recipe called Cancellata that hails from my hometown but found in many parts of Italy with everyone adding their own twist or special ingredients.
Megumi is a doll!! at first glance she looks a little like Suri Cruise, what do you think?
Ricotta cheesecake sounds lovely! I like cheesecakes with fruit but then I like just about anything better when there’s fruit involved! Or tea…hmmm…chai cheesecake perhaps?
Megumi is ridiculously adorable and that is coming from someone who just doesn’t “get” kids in general. She has an awesome little smile though.
oh, that ricotta cheesecake is to die for. i’ve had it numerous times, and each time is just as delicious as the first time. i love that it is soft and creamy, but doesn’t have that ‘if-i-eat-too-much-i’ll-feel-sick’ feeling to it!
i hope to revisit to try. i think i’ve had it once before but can’t remember it.
Oh, we had such a lovely time, NQN! Indeed, the sugar rush saw me through the rest of the day… and even now I can still taste the velvety smooth ricotta, mmmm… I can’t think of a better way to spend and afternoon! xxx
Wow what an outing! Megumi is truly gorgeous and the food! As I scrolled down to reveal each dessert I said “I want that one”, “no, I want that” or “that?”. Scrumptious! That ricotta cheesecake looks perfect! I am not a cheesecake fan but this one looks wonderful! And the cannoli!
Megumi chan soo kawaii!
I love this place, and definitely another place that makes me feel lucky living in inner-west area!
You’ve got to let me know your new address cuz I’ll send you a ‘food blogger care pack’ from Japan next time i go back
I went there today and got a slice of the ricotta cheesecake and it was sooo good! Definitely worth the trip to Haberfield
Have to agree the ricotta cake at Papa is aaaamazing but the most consistent thing at this cafe is the horrible service – each and every time I have been there the service has been miserable but what a business as I would never return anywhere else but their baked goods are just too good!! Shame though makes the experience all the less enjoyable…
I agree 100% with Stefania. Bad service and negligiable product knowledge by the young lass behind the counter ( this was several years ago), prompted me to wander down the street to Sulfaro.
Hi Liss-Hehe sorry to do that to you!
She is indeed!
Hi Julia-It’s a very nice loking building and the cheesecake was lovely!
Hi Rose-Oh sounds great and very much like it! Thanks for the name, now I know what to look for! We had a great time
Hi Rosa- She is a darling! I thought there might be!
Hi Esz-Yes I’m crazy about ricotta too. Oh definitely, and please let me know if it works out!
Hi Trisha-She was so cute
Yes a great combination and not what I was expecting (for a cheesecake!).
Hi Midge -I know, how good is that?
Mmm chocolate swirl-yum!
Hi Steph-Yes please do! It’s great and I know a lot of people have tried doing their own version as they love it so much.
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe cool!
Hi shez-She is a little darling. yes you just can’t have soggy cannoli!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Interesting! I don’t think I’ve ever tried that! Hehe they are!
Hi Anita-They were great I have to say
Hi Julia-Fantastic! I will look out for it, I think there’s one a few doors down which may be the one that you mean
Hi Sian-Ahh I think I saw that one right next to it! Oh yes Angela was saying that the IGA was fantastic!
Hi Peter-I would believe it
Thankyou so much!
Hi Marianna-That sounds delicious!
Thankyou!
Hi isLa-It is isn’t it!
Hi Anh-It was a lovely afternoon on all fronts
Hi chocolatesuze-Hehe only half?
I’m sure you could do more!
Hi Irene-Ah yes we drove past there. It looked rather good and no doubt I must visit!
Hi Brenda-I know, what a kid! Just like the kind of child I’d want for myself
Hi Katherine-I echo your sentiments!
Hi arista-Haha you should have! Next time you see a big camera it might be me
Yes the service isn’t brilliant I have to say. There was a lot of confusion about our order! yes thankfully it was gorgeous outside.
Hi sandra-Oooh how fantastic! I bet he has a great birthday then
I can imagine! 
Hi Belle-I just had to capture it
I know, she was so cute!
Hi Akila-haha cool!
Hi Faith-They’re great, you can make them at home with leftover risotto
it was fantastic and great company too!
Hi Hilda-oh cool, thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Conor-Sounds like the jaffa was the exception to the rule for you!
Hi Julianna-I do something similar! And it’s great I have to say
Hi Einna-hehe yes love at first bite! Good idea
Hi Carol-Hehe that’s quite true indeed
Hi Jetlagmama-Oh you are such a devotee! yes I’ve heard that it’s impossible to make something as good
Hi Barbara-Thanks, it was! Mmm that sounds wonderful!
Hi LexyB-LOL I love that!
Hi Rilsta-She is so cute
Haha that’s cool! 
Hi Leona-Ahh yes a fresh cannoli is definitely worth pursuing!
Hi Eve-I know, it’s some sort of conspiracy isn’t it which I seem happy to partake in
I don’t know about that! 
Hi Karen-Oh really! Yes I thik she will most definitely! The romani biscuits are huge!
Hi Alexandra-I agree on both counts!
Hi Belinda-Interesting, that’s what a friend of mine says! Maybe I should try that place too
Hi jess-Yes Haberfield is a bus only suburb I think! Hehe eating with the eyes is a good thing!
Hi Liv-She is a darling! Ahhh yes sounds like you should definitely go there-I think you’d love it if you like sweets as most of the shop is made up of sweets!
Hi Min Ai-Actually the prices were much more reasonable than I thought they’d be! Hehe it’s their food I think but thankyou!
Hi Arwen-It’s quite amazing isn’t it!
Hi diva-Hehe it was pretty good but it had us beat. I think we bought too many
Hi Forager-They are! Haha we didn’t see that but that would have been funny to spot! Italians and their Ferraris
Hi Artemis-She is absolutely gorgeous! Yes they were rather confused! Oh really? How come?
Hi Moya-Yes I love ricotta cheesecakes too I have to admit. They’re a bit lighter and not as sweet which is really nice
Hi grace-I know! She is a total scene stealer
Hi miranda -I’d love to give you the recipe but I think it’s kept under a very tight lid!
Hi lisa-it was a wonderful day with great food and lovely company
Hi pity-Ahh yes I think that’s Ackland Street? Thanks Pity!
Hi Jackie-I know, what a little sweetie!
Hi Christie-I know, she is a superlative little girl! Ahh well when you come back!
Hi Matilda-Yes sadly I only saw that as we were driving oast. Ahh interesting! I shall go back and try theirs then
Oh yes she totally has that Suri Cruise vibe doesn’t she! 
Hi anna-MMm chai cheesecake! What a lovely idea!
She does and I’m not a total kid person (except for friend’s children of course).
Hi tomatosalsa -It is isn’t it! Yes somehow they’ve got the right balance there
Hi Simon-Ah well you must then!
Hi Angela-It was so lovely meeting up with you! I agree, it was a perfect day for it! xxx
Hi Jamie-I know! Hehe it’s a bit like that isn’t it
It was so hard to choose!
Hi Yas-Soo Kawaii desu ne?! yes lucky you! You’re so close to so much good food
Oooh yes please! I would never say not to that hehe 
Hi Jacq-Oh fantastic! Yes food at the end of a journey is always a good thing
Hi Stefania-Ah true, the sevrice is lacking. They were so confused-thank god they have good food! Although I don’t know why they can’t have both
Hi Matilda-Hmm I must really get to Sulfaro me thinks!
I’ve heard so many good things about this cafe, I’m going to go there when I’m in Sydney in December.
What a lovely & pretty little girl she is,…aaaaah!
All of the food looks delicious, especially the ricotta slice,…Yummie yum!!!
Having lived in Haberfield for twenty years, we loved the cheesecake at Papa’s. The service was always a bit of a joke but I think that is part of the appeal. We used to go to Sulfaro’s alot but they have changed hands now, so not sure about the quality etc.
Favourite cheese cake is the Nigella Lawson recipe for London Cheesecake. it has become a family favourite.
As promised, went to Papa’s over the weekend and got me a Ricotta cake. The line was a mile long snaking out the door!!! Thankfully they had plenty of cakes and it was divine. Our friends loved it too!
I have to go back and try their other stuff although I see myself going back to the Ricotta cake.
I had this cheesecake yesterday- YUM.
The potato pizza was also pretty damn good!
I first learnt about Papa’s famous ricotta cheesecake at my Italian class 5 years ago and have been going back for cheesecake and other yummy Italian treats ever since. Your photos are making me hungry. Buon appetito!
God, how I miss the ricotta cheesecake and the canoli. Since we have moved from Sydney to near Byron I have not found any place that can compare – not even in Brisbane or last year when I went to Melbourne!! My son will be bringing up 2 cheesecakes when he comes up for Christmas – we can’t wait!!!!
Loved your Italian ricotta cake with the cinnmon, would appreciate if you could send me the recipe or a link where I could find it, as it is so Great !
Thanks
Dlo
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[...] fantastic Italian Food Safari show. The cake was said to be very close to the famous Pasticceria Papa ricotta cheesecake. While I was baking it I was tasting it and it seemed quite accurate. And if you do attempt it do [...]
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