The Italian cucina has a new home on King Street
If you’ve ever experienced Osteria Papazzo at Good Brother, Talulah, or at any of owner Alessandra Papazzo’s pop-up events, you’ll know it feels less like visiting a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home, or her second home, as Alessandra prefers to say.
Originating from the vibrant streets of Napoli, Alessandra has been living, and travelling the globe before settling here in February 2023 with her husband, Christian and son, Marley.
Alessandra’s creative Italian flair has been a welcome and infectious addition to Newcastle, and her natural ability to connect with people has earned her a loyal following of Italian-loving fans. So, when Alessandra opened a new chapter for her beloved Osteria Papazzo on Thursday, November 6, unveiling its new King Street location, we couldn’t wait to stop by.
Osteria Papazzo Cafe, Cucina e Vino has been the dream of Alessandra’s for 25 years, and together with Christian and son Marley, the trio can now proudly say they have brought their dream to life, with this old-world concept setting up in the heart of King Street.
Speaking with Alessandra just prior to opening, she explained
“Historically, an osteria was a simple stopover for travellers, it was a place to rest, share a home-cooked meal, and restore themselves before continuing their journey.”
Christian, Marley and Alessandra
While the modern osteria no longer provides a bed for the night, Osteria Papazzo continues to embrace those traditions wholeheartedly, holding tight to the essence of food made with care, and a space to slow down in.
Named after Alessandra’s family, the restaurant pays tribute to the four generations that came before her of pizza makers, bakers, chefs, cooks, and ceramicists, Osteria Papazzo is all about continuing to honour those craft, as Alessandra explains,
“Everything here is created on a small scale, by hand, using fresh, organic, seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local producers.”
The menu shifts weekly depending on what’s growing. Daily baked sourdough pizza and focaccia, fresh pasta, and a rotation of thoughtful surprises form the backbone of this evolving menu.
Regulars will be happy to hear that Thursday Pizza Nights are still very much on the menu. It’s Alessandra’s way of paying homage to her culinary heritage, serving genuine Neapolitan bases - the airy and fluffy texture combined with a crisp edge courtesy of the traditional deep frying process must be tasted to understand. Then on Fridays, you can wrap up the week with Aperitivo Evenings.
More than a dining room, Osteria Papazzo is an extension of Alessandra’s home, a place designed for conversation. That's right, time to put down the phones. Instead, enjoy the space and connect with those you’re with over good food and wine.
Open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday, book in for dinner or pop by before or after a movie at Tower Cinemas. Tuesday and Wednesdays are no reservations, however you will need to book if you want to plan dinner on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Whichever dining time suits, we’d recommend booking ahead if possible, the intimate style setting fills quickly, so secure your spot to avoid disappointment.
They say good things come to those who wait, and Alessandra has needed the patience of a saint, the result however is perfection. Osteria Papazzo is a deeply personal project, a second home built on heritage, and the belief that food should be prepared slowly, and with heart.
