Papolina
Coffee · Pensamientos
About Papolina
Papolina is a warm and inviting café in Pensamientos, offering a taste of Latino culture and cuisine. This women-owned and Latino-owned establishment is known for its friendly atmosphere and exceptional service, where guests often feel like part of the family. Patrons rave about the flavorful dishes...
Papolina is a warm and inviting café in Pensamientos, offering a taste of Latino culture and cuisine. This women-owned and Latino-owned establishment is known for its friendly atmosphere and exceptional service, where guests often feel like part of the family. Patrons rave about the flavorful dishes, including the popular chimi burritos, loaded loco fries, and shrimp mofongo. Don't miss the Tres Golpes for breakfast, the perfectly prepared pernil, or the phenomenal flan. Papolina provides a variety of service options including dine-in with rooftop seating, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, and even a drive-through. Great coffee and a diverse menu ensure a delightful experience for breakfast, dinner, or solo dining.
What Customers Say About Papolina
Papolina is a highly-rated cafe known for its authentic Puerto Rican and Dominican food, friendly owners who make you feel like family, and generous portions. Popular dishes include the mofongo, pernil, and flan. A great spot for a welcoming and delicious experience.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Don't miss the authentic Puerto Rican and Dominican food. The owners are very welcoming and can explain the menu.
Features
What to see nearby
Data from Wikidata
Explore the area around Papolina
Papolina is located in Pensamientos, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Historical Heritage
- Shaw Mansion (A 685m) — building in Connecticut, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
- Ohev Sholem Synagogue (A 819m) — historic former synagogue in New London, Connecticut, US Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
Parks & Gardens
- Garibaldi Square (A 374m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Columbus Park (A 438m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Caulkins Park (A 597m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Mercer Field (A 618m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Perkins Green (A 679m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Tyler Square (A 927m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
- Green Harbor Park (A 990m) — park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
Other Points of Interest
- Green Harbor Beach (A 990m) — beach in New London County, Connecticut, United States
Data from Wikidata
Frequently asked questions about Papolina
Papolina Pensamientos Reviews
The food is great!!! They saved our family and friends gathering catered for 12 within less than 3 hours of notice! I will be back!!!☺️
The food was amazing at this great little shop. I highly recommend checking them out!
Great place to eat, food is awesome and the service is unique 👌 😋 😀 👍
Food is amazing and very friendly staff
Amazing beans!!! Pork is always on point! Flan is phenomenal! Service is fantastic! My fiance get us this place often and it never disappoints!
The food was amazing and you can feel the love, Great people, great place definitely going back.
Flan is phenomenal! Pernil is perfect, to stones delicious 😋, and the beans are out of this world!!! The owner is always gracious and sweet to me, very personable. They throw in a piece of skin in with the pulled pork. One of my my monthly stops❤️ potatoe balls are also great!
Food taste amazing. I got the Loco fries and the shrimp Mofongo. The locos were loaded with meat. The Mofongo was very flavorful. They are so friendly and welcoming. They clearly have a love for providing good food and good service. Will be going back often.
Best beans I have ever had!! The pernil is phenomenal!!! Plantains were perfectly sweet! Pork chop was tender. One of my new tops spots for pernil. The lady that runs it called to double check my order and she was amazing!! Will be getting again and again!
El Punto in New London, Connecticut, is one of those rare gems that immediately makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, but what truly stood out was the staff. The employees were absolutely amazing—genuinely friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and clearly passionate about what they do. It felt like they weren’t just there to serve food; they were there to make sure you had a great experience, and they did exactly that. The food? Incredible. Every dish was packed with flavor, and you could tell it was made with care and authenticity. The chuletas were tender and seasoned perfectly, the empanadas were crisp on the outside and rich with flavor inside, and even the simple sides like rice and beans were comforting and delicious. Everything tasted fresh and homemade in the best possible way. It’s the kind of food that hits the spot—hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. What surprised me most, though, was how affordable everything was. In a time when eating out often feels like a splurge, El Punto delivers quality and quantity without putting a dent in your wallet. The prices are more than reasonable for what you get, which makes the whole experience feel like an even bigger win. If you’re in the New London area, El Punto isn’t just worth a visit—it’s a must. Between the amazing staff, the incredible food, and the shockingly good prices, this place sets a high bar. You’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.
Today my family and I visited El Punto Exacto for the first time and let me tell you from the moment you walk in you are treated like family. The staff is very friendly and prioritize excellent customer service. I wish I can give them more than 5 stars. I had the biggest chimi of my life which I loved. They hooked me up. We will definitely return again. 🇵🇷🇩🇴💪
Food is always made fresh, and taste so delicious! The owners are so nice and make you feel so welcomed! My favorite place to get authentic Puerto Rican/Dominican food! 100% recommend
Absolutely the best food, best mofongo & definitely top notch service. If you are in the area do not miss this place. I felt so welcomed from the moment we walked in! Real & Fresh Puerto Rican & Dominican food! 10/10
This restaurant is definitely a 5 star. I came down from Rhode Island and found this place on google & wanted to give it a try. Before going I called to make sure they were open. As soon as the owner picked up the phone & greeted me was a GREEN FLAG ! I went & she was such a sweet lady , from greeting me as soon as I walked in & didn’t rush me when looking at the menu. I got 2 hotdogs , one tripleta and a cubano. The hot dogs were so good , my fiancé had to go inside before we left to let her know how good they were ! And both sandwiches were 10/10 ! They were filled with everything that comes on it & I’ve never seen a neater sandwich ever lol! They definitely make the food with love ! I wish I lived closer because I would be there all the time! YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED! PLEASE GO CHECK HER OUT & SUPPORT HER BUSINESS!
One of the best restaurant in New London. The family that owns the restaurant makes you feel like you’re part of their family. Food is fresh, top quality, flavorful and the prices are beyond fair with really big portions. If you don’t visit them you’re missing out.
Food was amazing. I had the chicken stew and my son had the empanda. The empanada was packed with chicken. Owners are extremely friendly
Easily some of the best food in New London. No question. Loved the Pastelillos.
The sweetest lady you’ll ever meet!! She explained the menu to us and all the ingredients that goes into it. Delicious food, highly recommend!
The owner is an absolute doll! I asked her about her experiences while in Puerto Rico, the meals are most enjoyed, and the culture behind food. My fiancè got the chimi burrito and I got the Super Hot Dog. Both were so yummy!! His burrito was FILLED with beef and my hot dog was covered in delish meaty chili!! We also tried a fried goodie in the display; I wish we could give this place a 10/10. Wanna support authentic Puerto Rican foods at local business?? This is the PLACE! Thank you so much for all the yummy food. We will be back.
I had been driving past for classes at the hospital, and noticed the DR and PR flags and stopped in last week and again today, and am so happy I did. Both times I have had the Tres Golpe, the mangu is amazing. I will definitely be coming back. The owners are very welcoming.
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About Papolina
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121 Montauk Ave, New London, CT 06320
Pensamientos, CT 06320
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park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
building in Connecticut, United States
historic former synagogue in New London, Connecticut, US
park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America
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