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We hope to be a model for young people who want to do things differently—who may not have much, but have ambition—as well as for veterans of the field who may have taken too many shortcuts and lost sight of real standards.
Everything we’ve done at PAPILA was done so we wouldn’t disappoint the best versions of ourselves.
Everything we’ve done at PAPILA was done so we wouldn’t disappoint the best versions of ourselves.
Seasonal food, central Bucharest.
Papila – A Small, Big-Hearted Restaurant in the Heart of Bucharest
“How hard can it be to make honest, good food?”
Why Papila Was Founded & the Story Behind It
PAPILA, founded by Mariei Burachu and Gabriel Herdean, is a living room of flavors where you gather at the table with family and friends.
“Our main motivation for starting this project was the desire to leave behind a work environment in which we no longer found ourselves. We both wanted to work together, based on shared values and our own rules, to build something that completely represents us.
Coming from a background where fulfilling a dream doesn’t come easily, we had only one opportunity—and we took it.
Another reason for our decision was that we often felt disappointed eating in restaurants in our city, and we wondered—how hard can it be to make honest, good food? Well, we found out it’s difficult—but it’s the only way we can see ourselves doing this work.
The idea was humble at the start, but by strongly sticking to our moral principles and refusing to compromise, we arrived at what PAPILA is today.”
“Our main motivation for starting this project was the desire to leave behind a work environment in which we no longer found ourselves. We both wanted to work together, based on shared values and our own rules, to build something that completely represents us.
Coming from a background where fulfilling a dream doesn’t come easily, we had only one opportunity—and we took it.
Another reason for our decision was that we often felt disappointed eating in restaurants in our city, and we wondered—how hard can it be to make honest, good food? Well, we found out it’s difficult—but it’s the only way we can see ourselves doing this work.
The idea was humble at the start, but by strongly sticking to our moral principles and refusing to compromise, we arrived at what PAPILA is today.”
What’s on the Menu at Papila? Seasonal Global Cuisine by Chef Vasile Nicolae
The menu, designed and implemented by Chef Vasile Nicolae, is inspired by different world cuisines and changes seasonally depending on the availability of fresh vegetables.
With a menu inspired by various world cuisines, Papila manages to serve a delicious breakfast, cook the most refined and well-balanced soups, and assemble local ingredients into gourmet grilled sandwiches or homemade purées.
A place focused on honest, delicious food, with an interior carefully crafted down to the smallest detail. Both the food and the space have been nominated and awarded by leading curators of design and gastronomy, locally and internationally. It was a collective effort, a labor of love and sacrifice, that continues to grow—and the results speak for themselves.
With a menu inspired by various world cuisines, Papila manages to serve a delicious breakfast, cook the most refined and well-balanced soups, and assemble local ingredients into gourmet grilled sandwiches or homemade purées.
A place focused on honest, delicious food, with an interior carefully crafted down to the smallest detail. Both the food and the space have been nominated and awarded by leading curators of design and gastronomy, locally and internationally. It was a collective effort, a labor of love and sacrifice, that continues to grow—and the results speak for themselves.
Why Papila’s Interior Feels Like Home?
The homey, warm living room atmosphere was created by Oblic Studio (team: Ștefan Prigorean and Iulia Cîrcei), with the color and materiality concept by Chroma Trends.
Conceptually, the design is woven around the nostalgic ritual of family meals. Decorative and functional objects subtly express this ritual through their material, form, and use. The design follows a minimalist line, supported by a clean layout, minimal decorations, and simple shapes. Rattan weaving, antiqued mirrors, wood grain, and wall textures enrich the ambiance with a delicate sense of time,” says Iulia Cîrcei.
The metal furniture was produced by Ioan Moldovan, the wooden furniture by Zwart (Ștefan Vasile), the porcelain tableware was crafted by Studio Mud (Roxana Bâra) in 2018 and by De Ceramică (Mădălina Teler) in 2020. Branding and visual identity were created by the team at Those Awesome Guys, Rareș Cinteza from Gummy Cat, and Ioana Șopov.
Conceptually, the design is woven around the nostalgic ritual of family meals. Decorative and functional objects subtly express this ritual through their material, form, and use. The design follows a minimalist line, supported by a clean layout, minimal decorations, and simple shapes. Rattan weaving, antiqued mirrors, wood grain, and wall textures enrich the ambiance with a delicate sense of time,” says Iulia Cîrcei.
The metal furniture was produced by Ioan Moldovan, the wooden furniture by Zwart (Ștefan Vasile), the porcelain tableware was crafted by Studio Mud (Roxana Bâra) in 2018 and by De Ceramică (Mădălina Teler) in 2020. Branding and visual identity were created by the team at Those Awesome Guys, Rareș Cinteza from Gummy Cat, and Ioana Șopov.
How Friends & Collaborators Helped Build Papila
From design to dishes, Papila came to life with the help of close friends who shared the dream — and got their hands dirty to make it real.
Contributors & Collaborators:
Metal Furniture: Ioan Moldovan
Wood Furniture: Zwart (Ștefan Vasile)
Porcelain Tableware: Studio Mud (Roxana Bâra, 2018) & De Ceramică (Mădălina Teler, 2020)
Branding & Visual Identity: Those Awesome Guys, Rareș Cinteza (Gummy Cat), Ioana Șopov
Rattan Furniture: Brut Concept
Textiles: Cristianacristina (Cristina Zlota)
Serving Boards: Art the Wood
Menu Textiles (naturally dyed): Atelier Tron
Window Graphics: Dragoș Boțcău
Coffee Cups: Logo Cups
Naming: Marius Eftimie (Leo Burnett)
Positioning & Brainstorming: Laura Iane (Pastel, Creatives Never Sleep)
Menu: Chef Vasile Nicolae
Mona Lisa Painting: Alex Vatavu
Design Elements Production: The Plot
Photography: Cătălin Georgescu
Superhero supporters without whom none of this would have been possible:
Nick – Those Awesome Guys, Andi Herdean, Ioan Moldovan, Diana Chitu, Chef Vasile Nicolae, Denisa Badea.
Contributors & Collaborators:
Metal Furniture: Ioan Moldovan
Wood Furniture: Zwart (Ștefan Vasile)
Porcelain Tableware: Studio Mud (Roxana Bâra, 2018) & De Ceramică (Mădălina Teler, 2020)
Branding & Visual Identity: Those Awesome Guys, Rareș Cinteza (Gummy Cat), Ioana Șopov
Rattan Furniture: Brut Concept
Textiles: Cristianacristina (Cristina Zlota)
Serving Boards: Art the Wood
Menu Textiles (naturally dyed): Atelier Tron
Window Graphics: Dragoș Boțcău
Coffee Cups: Logo Cups
Naming: Marius Eftimie (Leo Burnett)
Positioning & Brainstorming: Laura Iane (Pastel, Creatives Never Sleep)
Menu: Chef Vasile Nicolae
Mona Lisa Painting: Alex Vatavu
Design Elements Production: The Plot
Photography: Cătălin Georgescu
Superhero supporters without whom none of this would have been possible:
Nick – Those Awesome Guys, Andi Herdean, Ioan Moldovan, Diana Chitu, Chef Vasile Nicolae, Denisa Badea.
