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    Mama Carolla's

    4.4 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Waitlist - Mama Carolla's

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    Mama Carolla's Reservations

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    MAMA CAROLLA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Mama Carolla's

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    Fried mozzarella
    Makail B.

    Mama Corolla's really never misses The food is SO good every single time! Like the kind of place where everybody at the table is silent for the first few bites because it's that good lol. The pasta is amazing, the bread and sauce are chef's kiss, and the vibes are cozy and cute without trying too hard. It honestly feels like a hidden gem even though everybody knows about it. Perfect for date nights, girls dinners, birthdays, literally anything. One of my favorite restaurants in Indy for sure. I love the fried ravioli! And that chicken lasagna is to DIE for! You just go!

    Decorations by the bathrooms
    Greg L.

    Another excellent Italian restaurant in the Broad Ripple area! This restaurant is nestled in the neighborhood and within easy walking distance. My Orlando neighbor, Janie D., who has a house in the area I was staying at, recommended I try this place. (Her past recommendation for Fernando's is now a regular stop for me when I'm in town and this will definitely be another "Go To" for me after my visit here!) The restaurant is quaint and it feels like you walked into an authentic Italian family business. The inside is nicely decorated, and the outside back patio has ample space, with a tent and tower patio heaters when the weather is cool, like it was this evening. Excellent service always makes a 5-star restaurant and from the hostess stand to the servers, Mama Carolla's has it all! Our server was the incredible Chas who was entertaining and attentive even at the late hour we chose to dine. My friends ordered from the Steak portion of the menu (the Uncle Dino's 12oz New York Strip and the Cousin Mary's 8oz Filet), and both said their steaks were cooked exactly to their liking and were impressed with the entire meal. I ordered from the "Mama's Specialties" menu and selected the Rosemary Chicken Lasagna. IT WAS SO GOOD! This was the first time I tried chicken in a lasagna and I was blown away! It was layered with wild mushrooms, spinach, ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella and flavored with spices. It was surrounded in a tomato butter sauce that was incredible. The portion was large and I had enough for lunch the next day. We ordered a nice Merlot that paired perfectly with the steaks and the lasagna. A 5-star delicious experience all the way around!

    Garlic Cheese Bread
    Cody K.

    Im ashamed that it took me this long to finally give this place a try. Always heard great things, and they absolutely lived up to the hype. Everything we had was excellent. The bread was all fresh-baked, the pasta was perfectly cooked, and the dessert was exactly what we needed to cap it all off. In addition to the top-notch quality, the portion sizes were also a pleasant surprise. Away from the food, the service was also terrific. Despite how busy they were, we were seated quickly, and the food came out to the table much faster than we expected. Keith was our waiter that night, and he was a total pro. Overall, I can't say enough good things about our experience. We'll definitely be back.

    Side Dinner Salad
    Dustin C.

    Went to celebrate a birthday, and the service, atmosphere and most importantly the food, was simply solid! Got on their waitlist as we approached and when we arrived, we got quickly seated. I've heard there's typically long lines, so maybe going mid week is the ideal time to go. We started off with fried ravioli and it was delicious, maybe a little more cheese would have been ideal, but it was still delicious. We got a ton of options and they all delivered. Angel hair with fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan was a delicious option and the Chicken Rigatoni was slightly spicy and spot on! Overall, a solid five stars! Will definitely come again.

    Chicken piccata
    Stephen o.

    The food was great and the service was better! They have a small menu that they nail perfectly!

    Ruth S.

    Ambiance was intimate, dim lighting perfect for a night out. Service was great and our server was very charismatic! The pomegranate martini was my favorite :p the artichoke fritters were also delicious!! The chicken piccata was good, but i would definitely try something new next time.

    Fried Ravioli
    Fatima G.

    I have been meaning to try Mama Carolla's for a while now and let me set the stage. First off you need need a reservation. Not that you can't do walk ins but given how busy the place is, it's a long wait and definitely not worth your time. Second, the ambience needs a shout out - Mama Carolla's has won awards for its ambience and it's beautiful. Next the food, every single thing we ordered was so so so delicious. The artichoke fritters were so delicious and I couldn't stop at one. The pasta too good was definitely too good! It was a lot for me alone and I definitely recommend sharing unless you can fill up on just pasta. The dessert was Okayish and I don't see that taking over the fritters and the pasta. Service was very quick despite being so busy and we had a great time. A very festive atmosphere and it was definitely worth it!

    Cannoli and Tiramisu
    Brad D.

    We arrive at around 4:50 on a Saturday evening and was quickly seated. The service during our visit was slower, but efficient. We had an appetizer, soup, entree, and dessert and was there approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The overall feel was a relaxed atmosphere, but somewhat crowded, I ended up elbowing the person behind me a few times. The food was excellent and well portioned. The desserts were excellent! The lasagna was heavy on the mushrooms but very flavorful. The antipasti plate was good, but I would try something different next time. The wedding soup was flavorful as well. Not pictured was the Alfredo. It was a smaller portion than the lasagna, but it was more flavorful than most Alfredo that I have tried. This is a place I would definitely return when I wanted a change in atmosphere and good Italian food. For to Diet Cokes, an appetizer, 2 entrees, and 2 desert without tip was around $90 which I though was reasonable.

    Rosemary Chicken Lasagna
    Karla S.

    I haven't been here in years and not sure why! I love the cozy, homey feel that Mama Carolla's offer. The seating is kind of tight but it makes you all nice and cozy. It was cutely decorated for the holiday season. Including our waitress dressed head to toe in Elf gear. My 4 year old niece loved that! There are no reservations accepted on Friday/Saturday. I joined the waitlist via Yelp and checked in when I arrived. We waited about 30ish minutes on a Friday night. Parking is available in the rear for $5 or you can park in whatever free spots you can find nearby. The food was delicious! We had fried ravioli for an app. I had the chicken lasagna and it was delicious. The portions are large. The service is great.

    French 75
    Imani M.

    Looking for Authentic Italian food, Mama Carolla's is a great place to go! It's a cute house made into a restaurant, makes you feel like you're truly eating a home cooked meal. Came with a group of 6, arrived right at 5:00, when they opened and the place was already filling up and on a wait. We waited maybe 10 minutes and got in, reservations highly recommended! Drinks were pretty good, my French 75 was a little on the sweet side but still tasty. All of our appetizers were amazing, just wish the cheese on the bruschetta was melted. My favorite appetizers were the Steamed Mussels, Portobello Mushroom and the Fried Calamari, all were filled with flavor. A few people got the special of the day which consisted of beef tips, mushrooms, Gorgonzola, and a red sauce. It was missing a little salt, but an easy fix and it was pretty good. I loved the Salmon Filet, which came with angel hair pasta and was covered in a creamy dill sauce. Only paid around $50 for a Drink, Appetizer, and entree, not bad at all! Overall a 4.5/5!

    Chicken Parmesan
    Jill M.

    Such a special Indy spot! The most charming Italian restaurant. I love to save it for warm weather because their garden is absolutely magical. Wouldn't guess it was right in the city, but the inside is also quaint and cozy so always a good time to go. Food is great! This is a wonderful date spot in Indianapolis. I had the chicken Parmesan and bruschetta to start and enjoyed both!

    What? An empty table, not for long.  Great place for Italian, nice outdoor seating too
    Mark W.

    We came in for the devour Indy menu and it was quite a deal. It was for 2 and included a shrimp cocktail, salad for her soup for me, and a dinner entree each for only $45. I had chicken piccata and she had the ravioli. I liked the sauce on the ravioli, it went perfectly with our primitivo Zinfandel. I just love the attention to details in here that the excellent serving staff provides. Our waitress was awesome and the food was incredible.

    Mussels
    Ross S.

    From the moment you walk into this Indy favorite it's always a great experience. A group of four in a Tuesday night and of course it was packed. We were able to get seated in under 15 minutes and the service was amazing all night. Our bus boys and waiters did a great job. we started with several appetizers including the cheesy garlic bread and the mussels, both were excellent. All of our entrees were very delicious and served and cooked to perfection. I had the bone in pork chop and the sides and the meat were wonderful.

    Misto Mare

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    24 days ago

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    29 days ago

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    27 days ago

    Food, service and ambiance is great. You feel like you you're in Italy! We were able to get a table right away.

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    9 hours ago

    Great food and service. We often celebrate special occasions here. The staff is great as is the atmosphere.

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    2 days ago

    Food was excellent.....the service was a little slow considering it was early and not so people in the restaurant.

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    Page 1 of 33

    Mama Carolla's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mama Carolla's

    Do they have a catering menu?

    Yes, they cater fundraisers, birthdays, retirement parties, baptisms, graduations, communions, confirmations and more!

    Is it possible to get a table for 8 in the outside garden area tonight?

    Yes. But they don't take reservations. At least they didn't last time we ate there

    Does the restaurant require everyone in a party to be present in order to be seated like Good Morning Mama's does?

    Yes. Every one in the party must be present in order to be seated, especially for a reservation. It is highly recommended you make a reservation for dinner at Mama Carolla's.

    What is the indoor seating like with COVID?

    Luckily there are different sections of the restaurant. So you may be in one room with another table, but that's it. You can wear your mask into the restaurant, but you can take it off while seated. More than likely you may be in a room with another… Read more

    We are set to sit on the patio tomorrow. Obviously being cold are the patio heaters sufficient to stay warm and enjoy our meal?

    Obviously there is a lot of personal preference in this answer, but I went in what we expect to be similar weather a couple weeks ago, and was comfortable! I even took off some of my outerwear (I believe I left my sweater on but removed my hat and… Read more

    Do they take reservations?

    Not on the weekends. Also, your entire party needs to be present in order for you to be seated, regardless of whether or not you have a reservation (something to keep in mind if you're meeting up with someone).

    Do they have gluten free menu options? It was not clear from the website.

    Yes. Gluten free pasta can be substituted for $3.00.

    I am looking for a place to host a rehearsal dinner for 35 people. Is this a good place for something like that?

    Oh yes! It's perfect

    Do they have Delivery or take out orders? Yet ambience is an added bonus of eating there.

    Yes, on Total takeout. They did a nice job!

    Does anyone know if they make their own canolis or if they get them from somewhere else?

    They make everything in house.

    Is this business kid and family friendly?

    Oh very much??

    View All 13 Questions

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    Iozzo's Garden of Italy - Gem Salad

    Iozzo's Garden of Italy

    4.3(766 reviews)
    6.8 miPogue's Run
    $$

    Generally a "decent" experience overalls with some negative issues intermixed with some positives…read more The calamari was rubbery to the point where we could not enjoy eating it but our server told us the manager took it off our bill. The entrees (the monkfish special and the carbonara) were good but not great. I did appreciate the crispy, smoky pancetta in the carbonara but the monkfish had a somewhat mushy texture rather than the he firmness we would normally expect. The biggest issue, though, was the check. The calamari never came off, the meatballs for the children's pasta were more expensive than what was on the menu, and we were charged for an extra calamari dipping sauce that we did not ask for. Most of these problems were fixed but the whole thing illustrated a lack of attention to detail and an appearance of up-charging the customer in any way possible. Overall: Food: fair 4/5 Service: decent 3.5/5 Pricing: suspicious 2/5

    We went back for a Valentine's Day date. Phil was our server again (awesome!)…read more We had the lasagna and shrimp pesto pasta special with a side of brussel sprouts and we both had their house salad + appetizer of cheesy garlic bread and marinara. While I don't think we should get an appetizer again because it was so much food, the marinara that can with the cheesy garlic bread was phenomenal. Both of our entrees were delicious! A ton of food. I wish we could have taken some home, but we're going to a show after. Brussel sprouts were to die for.... So good. Love the glaze they put on them. Again, I think we could have been fine with just our entrees and salads, but all the food we tried was so delicious - I am really glad we did. We may not make it back as often as I would like, but we love the ambiance, service, and food. This is a special place for us and we hope to share it with others.

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    Main dining area inside

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    Bocca

    Bocca

    4.6(252 reviews)
    3.8 miHerron Morton Place
    $$$

    Oh my gosh... I have no words for how good this place is. BEST PASTA IN INDY! Me and my friends…read moreshared the baked goat cheese appetizer which was divine (i don't even really like goat cheese and it was so good). The bread was also insanely soft! We asked for more bread and they gave it free of charge. I ordered the Della Casa and it was the best plate of pasta I've ever eaten. The flavors melted together in a creamy tomato sauce with the perfect amount of spice. It was genuinely the best sauce for a seafood pasta and the shrimp and noodles were both cooked properly and to perfection. Nothing was overcooked. Every bite was like heaven. I tried my friend's pastas as well and the Tortellacci was suprisingly so tasty. The amount of lemon they add in the sauce pairs so nicely with the cheeses they used. I say "surprisingly so tasty" because to the naked eye it doesn't look that special but when you take a bite your eyes get big because it's so good lol. The chicken was also insanely tender!!! I do wish the service was a little better. I feel like our waiter forgot about us and we barely got checked on during our time there, but the food made up for it. Seriously this is the best italian food I've ever eaten and I never rave about pasta. I think about the Della Casa often. I can't wait to go back!

    I was looking forward to a nice Italian meal especially with all the glowing reviews for this…read moreBocca. I'm glad that I made a reservation because this place gets busy. The service was friendly and was knowledgeable especially with their drinks. We came during happy hour and the options for a spritz were a lot for this newbie, but our waitress was kind and informative. We started with a half order of summer caprese, which was stock full of strawberries and watermelon. The nuts were old, and there wasn't much of a lemon vinaigrette and balsamic drizzle leaving the salad kind of tasteless. There were three kinds of oysters available and they were exactly as described. They tasted fresh and presented well. Unfortunately the mussels we ordered were the opposite of the oysters. It had an unpleasant odor, the mussels were rubbery, and there was not much flavor in the chili broth with butter and beer. It appears these were overcooked. As for the Bolognese, the fettuccine was cooked perfectly, however the sauce was lacking depth and attributes of a slow-cooked, simmered sauce made with wine, mirepoix, and some quality tomatoes. While the staff here are attentive and friendly, the food left a lot to be desired. The drinks were a highlight, and the bread a good start, but the entree's need more attention.

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    Sangiovese Ristorante - Pasta

    Sangiovese Ristorante

    4.3(304 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$$

    Pretty impressed with the pasta sauce; pasta texture did not have any chew which I like…read more Complimentary bread 6.5/10 was a little tough Olive oil smelled more fragrant than it tasted Fried ravioli 8/10 Basically elevated mozzarella sticks and pretty yummy The pasta dough is was crispy and chewy Penne alla emiliana 8.5/10 Flavor was so potent if you like meaty (sausage and prosciutto) and tomato sauce Linguini frutti di marre 9/10 -1 point mainly because the pasta doesn't taste handmade/Lacking the al dente chew. It was our server's fav pasta so I had to pick this one deciding between two options It was plated so pretty too The garlic white wine sauce had a good tang to it as well which I really enjoyed Blueberry bliss 8.5/10 Prosecco based cocktail, very easy to drink Pear strawberry cocktail 6.5/10 Surprisingly kinda strong and had medicine taste I would get a glass of wine next time Vibes were nice and cozy, a little bit too dark imo Service was very nice, I got extra plate and small fork to eat my mussels without needing to ask Cannoli for birthday was free too (mentioned bday in reservation) Cannoli 7.5/10 Best cannoli I had. (I don't think this my taste Ind deserts tho hence the average score) I enjoyed the extra toppings (chocolate chips and syrup) and the shell has like cinnamon or cocoa powder or something for more flavor

    Food: All of it was spectacular! First we were served fresh bread with infused oil. Bread was soft…read moreyet still crunchy and warm. Oil was superb! I loved both appetizers. The Heirloom salad dish with tomatoes, spring mix, burrata with balsamic was so fresh and tasty! The calamari had a variety of pieces and was so delicious. That aioli really set it apart. The pasta was amazing! I loved the veggies included and the protein was seasoned well. That tiramisu was one of the best in the city Service: Our server was attentive, communicative and very kind! Ambiance: It is a small, intimate vibe that really sets the stage. While I enjoy intimacy, the walk aisles were narrow. A few times servers walked with trays over my head to fit through. Also the day we walked in, the air conditioning was barely working. It was warm in there and it would've been nice if the staff initially addressed it and apologized vs us having to bring it up and ask. Would recommend this vibe for an intimate date or girls night out

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    Sangiovese Ristorante - Inside the restaurant--lovely ambiance!

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    Ambrosia

    Ambrosia

    4.2(356 reviews)
    0.9 miBroad Ripple, SoBro, Meridian Kessler
    $$

    It's been 8 years since I returned to this restaurant and it is still as good as it gets. This was…read moremy friends' favorite restaurant so I decided to treat them as well as revisit it myself. I ordered the Lavanda cocktail to start, a mixture of gin and prosecco. It looked as good as it tasted. My friends ordered white wine and a Cherry Coke Old Fashioned. The server (who was attentive and excellent) said the drink was not as sweet as it may sound so my friend gave it a try. He loved it! We shared the mussels and the sauce was the defining moment that made this appetizer. My friends ordered various pasta dishes and I went with the scallops. The scallops presentation alone made all of our eyes pop. The scallops were on individual beds of roasted red pepper cream risotto, sautéed spinach and a brandy cream sauce. It was perfection. All in all, another great meal and experience.

    We ordered many things on the menu & every bite was spectacular from the burrata, bruschetta,…read moremeatballs as apps... the limone spaghetti, bolognese, scallops, gnocchi for meals... and the beverages of Old Fashion, spritzes, and coffees. Every bite was something to remember! Service was excellent and personal. Parking lot in back, so no street parking needed. This place deserves to have a wait list and no open tables! Go enjoy a little taste of Italy and their family recipes! You will not be disappointed.

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    Mama Carolla's - italian - Updated May 2026

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