@Papi’s Café

This place was pretty darn incredible. It is always nice having an authentic, delicious and well done empanada place in town! Everything was amazing, fresh and tasty. The service was fast and I was greeted right as I walked in the door. I will be back and love that I found this hidden gem! I would suggest the yuca fries and empanadas of course. I also have no idea what sauces I ordered but they were all good.

So so good! I have eaten a few times now and will continue to go back. The empanadas are the best I’ve ever had especially with their homemade sauces. Coffee drinks are delicious! Today I had the caramel apple macchiato and it was so perfect. Everything is just so tasty and it’s a perfect unique Place to eat in Dubuque! The Arepas are also a favorite! YUM. I love the quaint atmosphere. Everything is done with quality!

Food - The food was fantastic. We decided order a bunch of smaller items to try/share. Started out with Pandebono, which was a delicious warm cheesy bread and a hint of sweetness. Followed that up with Arepitas, which had a wonderful flavor and softness. Reminded us of an Irish potato cake. We then tried the Empanada with the lime cilantro sauce. The meat paired with the lime sauce was incredible. Last, we tried the 6 mini doughnuts. There are several flavors. We had 2 Guava, 1 Cinnamon Sugar, 2 Powdered Sugar and 1 Arequipe (caramel spread). The fresh doughnuts did not disappoint. Everything we had here was incredible and we're looking forward to trying more of the menu. Service - It is a walk up counter to order. The ladies we spoke to were very kind and helpful. Restaurant - Very small location, but the food makes up for the size. There is one booth and 4 chairs at a short bar. There is a wall with visitor signatures and a map to put pin locations from visitors. Well decorated, clean and fun. Overall - First time stopping in as this a newely opened restaurant. One look at the menu and I knew we were in an exciting new addition to Dubuque! The food is absolutely fantastic. My suggestion: just because of the size of the portions, get a mix of items to try - a little sweet and something savory. This is going to be a regular stop for us going forward. Let's spread the good news and get them more visits to help them out. 100% need to stop here in Dubuque!

Stopped by Papi’s Cafe after an event at the library and was completely blown away. The environment is so friendly and welcoming, and the food was incredible. I brought home empanaditas for my three very picky kids and they devoured them—always the ultimate test! Highly recommend and can’t wait to come back.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow, this place is easily the best I’ve found in the Dubuque area. I’ve been to Colombia many times, so it was such a great surprise to come across a spot with truly authentic Colombian food, amazing coffee, and delicious sweets. Everything tastes just right and at the right prices. The people here are incredibly kind and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even better. It’s the kind of place that just feels good to be in. Since discovering it last week, I’ve already been back four times 😅 It’s definitely a must-visit if you’re in Dubuque the orange juice, arepas and empanadas are a must! Also, super convenient that they sell colectivo coffee beans so no more trips to Madison needed 🥳

I haven’t had a chance to try the food yet, but if it’s anything like their drinks, I can’t wait. The golden latte is perfectly smooth and well balance. And the limeade is super refreshing and bright. I always make sure to stop here while I'm on a brain break/walk from work. The cafe itself is quaint and inviting, the kind of place that makes you want to stick around. The staff is genuinely kind, and you can tell they work well together, always stepping in to help one another and making the atmosphere feel warm and welcoming. Dubuque is really lucky to have this little gem. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

My husband and I stopped here on our way home from Galena and it was the best way to end our vacation! Even though there is not much seating options, the food and coffee make up for it. We loved the empanadas, guava donut and the yucca fries are always a must!

friendly staff and great food!! We got three empanadas each, and they came with garlic aoili and a cilantro lime sauce which was a delicious addition. The meat was perfect!! I don't usually do well with spice and got mine "spicy," but I could handle it just fine - the spice didn't overpower flavor (which the meal was full of)! We also got *freshly squeezed* orange juice, which was AMAZING, and an americano. I had never had coffee with a meal like this before, but I would recommend the pairing because the americano and empanadas together were delicious. I got to meet the owner, staff was very friendly, and you can tell they are eager to open next week!

Honestly perfect little spot for a quick little breakfast and coffee. Went there in the morning before heading out for the day and it really set the mood right

They were out of most everything, having been closed the previous week and through the holiday weekend... But a charming family and business, great staff and service, and what we could get was excellent... The empanadas were hot and crunchy, and the sauce was a tangy, cilantro yogurt-esque dipping sauce, and the mini donuts were very tasty... Others in the group had a variety of matcha drinks and other coffees and everyone enjoyed what they got

@Papi's Café is a delightful blend of authenticity, flavor, and hospitality. Whether you're a fan of Colombian cuisine or simply someone who appreciates coffee and pastries done right -- this café is a must-visit in Dubuque. You'll leave with your taste buds delighted and your spirit a little lighter.

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!!! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, the drinks and the food! Not only was everything tasty, but the presentation was beautiful. You can really see the care and time put into each menu item. Everything was perfectly crispy and soft in all the right places- the flavors were comforting and lively at the same time! Not to mention the total price was so reasonable I was shocked! This cafe is so comfy and cute & nestled right next to the library, theres great seating indoors and outdoors. The service was great- everyone had a smile on their face and was so helpful. I overheard our barista call for her mom to answer one of our questions, i'm so glad to see family buisness's coming back to our town! I'm also so happy to see more diversity in cuisine options in Dubuque. The columbian options were so unique, and nothing disappointed. They also have lots of familiar classic cafe options- so if your not looking for something new you'll still find a delicous time here. If your thinking about coming here, do it!!! Me and my family got a cafe latte, golden latte, matcha latte, empanadas, (regular & spicy), arepitas, and the pastel gloria. I would recommend any of those options!

I've not had Columbia street food before. It was so fun to go there, and everything on the menu was great. Can't get anything like it around. Staff is genuine and really add to the experience.