Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I, having lately attended a most curious mule festival in the town of Columbia, found ourselves in want of refreshment of a more refined nature. It was thus that we discovered a charming Italian establishment, modest in appearance yet abundant in excellence. The dishes were prepared with remarkable skill, each portion most judiciously served sufficient to satisfy, yet never to excess. Indeed, I cannot speak too highly of the fare, which afforded us both the greatest pleasure. So agreeable was the experience that I find myself quite resolved that we shall return again without hesitation. As an additional delight, the establishment boasts an adjoining ice cream shop, a circumstance which, I must confess, further elevates its appeal. I would most heartily recommend it to any who possess a taste for fine dining and pleasing company. Yours most sincerely, Fitzwilliam Darcy read more

Third visit to Mama Mila's, and this time for dinner, and it absolutely did not disappoint. I ordered the spaghetti with meat sauce along with a meatball, which came with fresh focaccia, and it was all incredible. My sons went for the bacon cheese penne, lasagna, carrot cake, and the Limoncello "Fat Girl's Delight" (yes, it's as amazing as it sounds). Our visiting friends tried the lasagna and penne in the crack sauce; every single dish at the table was a hit. And Mila herself? An absolute gem. She stopped by to chat with us for a bit, and her warmth and passion shine through in everything she does. You can really feel the love in both her food and her restaurant. We just adore her and this place. Can't wait to come back again! read more

Mama Mila’s - Spaghetti with meat sauce - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

Simply wow! This is some of the best Italian food I've had outside of Italy. Absolutely fantastic. We ordered the Fat Tony's lasagne, stuffed rigatoni, and the Shari, which is a penne pasta. What makes this restaurant original is the fact that you stand in line, or at the counter, then sit down. They will bring your food to you at that point. You cannot sit at a table until after you place an order. During peak times, the lines can get very long. It IS worth the wait...and weight! Bottom line - absolutely magnificent authentic Italian food. A definite must try. Buon appétito, y'all. read more

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Came across Mama Mila's reels a few weeks ago and she totally caught my attention. Took a drive out to Columbia with high expectations after watching her cook up some of these dishes. I knew to arrive early and there was a small line when the doors opened at 4:00pm. Order at the register and wait for your name to be called and food delivered to your table.  I pretty much knew what I was having when I walked in and ordered Cheesy Focaccia and the Shari. When Mila said the sauce was addicting...that was an understatement. The Augi "Crack" Sauce has to be experienced...it's that darn good. The Shari is perfect...Al dente rigatoni pasta, plenty of "crack" sauce, and two HEAVY meatballs. The sauce has a slight sweetness to it and really sticks to the pasta and the meatballs. I normally have leftovers to take home, but in this case the pasta and meatballs vanished! I do have some of the bread though, the cheese bread is wonderful dipped in the sauce.  The food here is incredible, service fast, and if your still hungry after the pasta, they have a bakery case that will blow you away. read more

Mama Mila’s - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

During a haircut one day, I asked my barber for a good recommendation for a solid Columbia dinner spot for a special occasion. The conversation to the best of my recollection went something like this. "Have you ever heard of Mama Mila's?" I responded, "no I haven't. What is it?" He excitedly responds, "Oh it's fantastic. It's an awesome Italian spot in the Arts District. It can get a tad pricey, but totally worth it. The food is outstanding especially if you order anything on the menu with extra' crack sauce'. "Crack sauce? I laughed. "I'm intrigued." "Oh yeah, it's so good." He continued. "It's also BYOB so you can bring your own special wine to pair with the meal. You self-order up front and then go find a spot to go hang out. It's a vibe for sure. It's definitely worth checking out. " Thanks for the recommend! I will definitely have to check them out." I responded. He added a word of caution, "I will warn you that when they run out of something they're done for the night, so make sure you get there before they sell out of their specialties." "Good to know." I said. "Thank you!" And so, my barber's recommendation did not let me or the others in our party down when we visited. My wife's birthday was a success. The food was 10 out of 10 Italian. Our friends enjoyed it and we have taken other friends here on our personal recommendation since. Mama Milas represents Italian food well. But, I will say it also represents some of the best of Columbia. read more

Mama Mila’s - Get in line to experience "crack sauce" - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Absolutely worth the 2-hour drive and, it exceeded every expectation. From the moment we walked in, you could feel the warmth and passion behind the restaurant. It didn't feel like just another place to eat; it felt like a place built with heart, and that showed in every part of the experience. The food was absolutely outstanding. The stuffed rigatoni with sausage was rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, served in their homemade "crack sauce" which an absolute flavor BOMB. The bolognese tasted authentic and homemade, with incredible depth of flavor that you can only get from food made with patience and care. The Alfredo pasta was easily one of the best we've had in a while, it was creamy, balanced, and not overly heavy like so many places tend to make it. And the tiramisu completely topped the night off. Fresh, light, and packed with flavor, it was the perfect ending to an already amazing meal. Every single dish tasted intentional, homemade, and crafted with pride. What truly made the experience stand out, though, was the atmosphere and service. The staff was incredibly welcoming, attentive, and genuine from beginning to end. You could tell everyone cared about creating a great experience, not just turning tables. But the highlight was seeing the owner personally walking around from table to table, checking on guests, asking how everything was, laughing with customers, and making people feel valued. That kind of involvement is rare these days, and it says everything about the heart behind the restaurant. You can clearly see how much she loves what she's built, and that passion carries over into the food, the environment, and the overall experience. There's something special about a restaurant where you leave feeling like people truly care not only about the food they serve, but about the people sitting in front of them. That's exactly what Mama Mila's feels like. It's the kind of place that reminds you why locally owned restaurants matter so much. Without question, we'll absolutely be making the drive again. Easily one of the best dining experiences we've had in a while. read more

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Food was excellent! I forgot to take photos ;) Friday evening, there was, of course, a bit of a wait. Guests stand in line to order at the counter prior to selecting there seats. It actually moves quite efficiently. The staff is all very friendly, and the restaurant has cool, industrial vibes. The portions were large and very filling. We all had leftovers to take home! read more

Mama Mila’s - lasagna - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

If you're looking for some authentic Italian in middle Tennessee without the frills, look no further. While the entree menu is entirely pasta-centric (no chicken parm here), it does offer some variety of different options. My only feedback was that our food wasn't served hot. It was warm at best, but the flavors were fantastic and the staff was very nice. We got the stuffed rigatoni, the red sauce lasagna, the spaghetti bolognese and the Shari. Oh-- and the amazing chocolate cake. Insanely good. Last note, we got there right when doors opened at 4 and there was already a line out the door (this means it's very good, not a complaint here). Definitely come here at least 20-30 minutes ahead of when you're actually hoping to eat. read more

Mama Mila’s - Shari - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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This is easily in my top three favorite Italian restaurants in the greater Nashville area. Mama Mila's is such a cool spot with an amazing vibe, the friendliest staff, and hands-down some of the best Italian food I've had. You can truly feel that it's family-owned and operated, everyone is so welcoming and kind. I always order the Augi, and the crack sauce is absolutely to die for. Like... Everything is fresh, flavorful, and made with so much care. If you're looking for authentic Italian food with heart, this place is a must. Do not try calling them, they don't answer. read more

we were visiting from Bay area in california which is known for Italian food . We ate dinner here with our family and it did not disappoint. They know Italian food ! Desserts were great too. I had the lasagna which is a top menu item and it was delicious. It gets busy but worth the wait. read more

Mama Mila's lived up to the hype! Delicious Italian food, a fun vibe, and food made from scratch without seed oils! I've been following them on Instagram and was so excited to try them. I knew that they get very busy. I planned to arrive at opening for lunch on a Saturday. We arrived around 11:15 and there was already a line and the restaurant was almost full. Fortunately, we were able to snag a table inside! The restaurant interior is very unique. It looked like a former auto shop. They made it warm and cozy considering the space's former life. They have an outdoor patio with seating plus a large indoor dining room. I liked the open concept kitchen where we could see all of the food being prepared. The Shari and Nunzio were both delicious. Both came with a generous portion of pasta and a large piece of delicious house made focaccia. Both pastas had their crack sauce which is a blend of marinara and Alfredo. The meatballs in the Shari were meaty and tasty. We really enjoyed both of these dishes. We took home a piece of Peanut Butter Pie. This was very good. It was not overly rich which I liked. The pasta pricing was reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. I love that a delicious bread comes with each dish. All of the pasta dishes can come in a kid portion instead of limiting kids to marinara or butter pasta. Since we were there early the grab and go case wasn't filled yet. I would love to return and catch it full for goodies to bring home! Overall, Mama Mila's is a truly mom and pop shop with delicious food. This is a favorite of mine in that area. read more

Mama Mila’s - Nunzio - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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What's perfection on a plate? Mama Mila's Italian is just that. We've been eating here since 2022 and it never gets old. The service...impeccable. Mama...delightful (and now mostly famous). The food....fantastical. Always fresh, always delicious. Yes, our little corner restaurant now requires a bit longer of a wait, but that's okay, there's no place else like it. Not here, not there, not anywhere. Now, with the gelato and the amazing girls running that shop, it's impossible not to love the entire experience. Don't complain about the lines, don't be upset when they run out of what you wanted (try something new every time), don't expect fancy, just expect the best Italian food in the Nashville area. read more

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The chef's kiss of Columbia, Tennessee! The food not only tastes like authentic Italian but also like it's made with love! ‍ The vibe of the restaurant is friendly and happy and the family that owns it is gracious and kind! What a blessing this restaurant is to all who enter and enjoy breaking bread here w family and friends! The line is usually out the door but hot tip they do have a separate to go line if you are in a hurry but just need your Mama Mila fix! They also have a grab and go coolers with pizzas! Let's talk food: The Fat Tony is a must and you have to get there early before they run out bc they do sell out! It's got the crack sauce on it and it's delicious! There is only so much lasagna made a day so hurry! I love anything with their fresh handmade meatballs and heck I'll just order the meatballs and a salad sometimes bc it's so good if I'm watching carbs! If you don't get the cheesy focaccia bread then you are just missing out my friends! It's 2 huge squares and it's so good dunked in the crack sauce it comes with! Plus you get a smaller regular focaccia slice on each entree plate! The desserts are just icing on the cake and I can't wait for the Gems Gelatos opening this week! You will leave fat and happy knowing you had a homemade meal made the highest quality ingredients and a sprinkle of love on top! Columbia is super blessed to have this amazing establishment! Dining here with be life changing I promise! read more

Mama Mila’s - Cheesy bread + crack sauce - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

Mama Mila's was fantastic! I had the Nunzio and it was wonderful! Unctuous, savory and full of flavor!

Awesome food. Great staff. The owners seem like kind, compassionate, down to earth people and deserve nothing but success.

Delicious start to finish. The hype is so true, it's literally the best Italian food. Pasta is amazing, staff is fantastic, desserts are delicious. Well Worth every penny. Will rave to everyone and be back as soon as possible. Home cooked, family friendly atmosphere. read more

I SO wanted to love this restaurant, I really did, after it being recommended by so many people, but it fell flat. The bolognese is not traditional bolognese, it's just red sauce with ground beef. It lacked depth and was pretty watery. The cream sauce also needed a bit more flavor, the scallops in the special were really good though! Focaccia was a huge slice which is super nice, but it was so dry and dense. And if you want parmesan you have to track it down from someone else's table because they won't bring you any if you ask and only place out a few communal shakers of it...which of course no one remembers to return to the cart. I will say I'm sure quite a bit of it has to do with how many people have been going, which makes the experience a little less pleasant; from waiting in a long line, limited tables, not being able to just order more things if you want to try, lack of tables, etc. And perhaps the inconsistency in food is due to being unable to keep up with this insane rush. If it wasn't such a hectic environment due to so many people wanting to try, I'm sure it wouldn't be as bad and I'd give it another try. Until the lines die down I probably wouldn't return. read more

Where do I even begin putting this beautiful experience into words!? 1000/10 It absolutely lived up to what my hopes were for visiting the first time. Mama Mila's embodies community, passion, and grace. The whole team puts in love and effort. This is not a place to rush to and get in and out (unless you take advantage of their beautifully marketed grab and go meals and you better get there early bc they fly off the shelf.) Put your order in, go pick a table and get cozy (not too cozy bc it is a smaller venue and many people clearly adore this establishment as they should! So there is a line typically) We went for my Birthday sans kids. It is a very family friendly restaurant though. I ordered the chicken parm that comes with the noddles sautéed in crack sauce. There is reason it's called crack sauce, they aren't lying! My mans ordered the Shari meatballs with penne also with crack sauce. We both also ordered the side salad with garlic ranch. Oh! Mmm! Gee! It was all so delicious, no doubt it's all made with love. The homemade focaccia bread is so fluffy with the perfect balance of chewiness. Absolutely perfect to mop up all the crack sauce. I can guarantee you can order anything and it's going to be bomb.com! read more

Mama Mila’s - Shari - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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The authentic Italian food is outstanding. Can't wait to get back and visit their new gelato bar. Prices are reasonable. Plenty of parking. One of Columbia's best restaurants. read more

The hype is real! Had a line out the door but Mila made a point to come and chat with everyone personally in line. Food is increadible. Sure it's pricey, but it's hand made - every bit. You can feel the heart and soul they pour into this place when you walk in the building! Carrot cake, also awesome! Gelato! Awesome! Her daughter is a sweetheart! The pizzelle? Just like my nona makes! Love love love. We will be regulars! Thank you Mila! read more

What a charming find! This place was packed when I visited, so I had to stand a while before my food came out. Counter service was efficient, and the food delicious. I took the chocolate cake and carrot cake home. They were pricey slices at over $12 a piece, but very delicious. Decor is cute and the energy is great. Stop on in. read more

Mama Mila’s - Out front - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Wow! This is the best, and I mean BEST, Italian food I have ever had!!! I got the Shari pasta. The sauce, amazing! Meatballs, delicious! The bread, so good! I will be back again! But be prepared, we had to wait for quite a while. But it's worth it!!!! read more

First off, Mila is a gem and has the best attitude and demeanor ever! The food is beyond excellent, and literally tastes heavenly. Highly recommend any food, but my absolute favorite is anything that has the crack sauce on it. The vibe inside is like a 50s diner mixed with a mom & pop Italian restaurant. read more

Mama Milas was everything you could want in to experience at the North End in Boston or Little Italy in New York, but you are actually just in a quaint perfect town of Columbia Tennessee. Mama Mila was so nice and accommodating! The day we went they also launched their Gelato! All the food was so delicious! The focaccia I still dream about, as it was like the softest edible pillow! I can't wait to go back this fall when we are in town! Make sure you get there early as it's not a secret how good this place truly is! read more

Mama Mila’s - Homemade Desserts for Dayzzz - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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This is the best Italian food I've ever had. When we have friend in town we always take them there. Get the fat tony. It is enough to share! Just make sure you grab an extra slice of focaccia. It is extremely busy at all times so just make sure to be aware read more

Mama Mila’s - This is their fat girls delight! It's on the pricey side for dessert but my husband and I shared this and had leftovers for the next day! - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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The Nona and Augi were excellent and the side salad was fresh and tasty with the pesto dressing. Service was friendly and quick. The ambiance was repurposed industrial (looked like it had been an auto service garage in a former life. If all their dishes are as on point as the above, then you can't go wrong. read more

Mama Mila’s - The Nona and side salad with sweet tea - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Really enjoyed everything! Came for the second time bringing friends who had never been. We drove 45 min to come back we enjoyed it so much our first visit. Food is hot, fresh, and super flavorful. Salad was great with unique and flavorful garlic ranch, pesto ranch dressings. So good. Love that we can bring our own wine and they provide the glasses with no corking fee. Pastas were all amazing and staff was friendly and helpful. read more

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Outstanding Italian unexpected in Tennessee. Thank you I need a taste of home. I now know where to eat lunch on way to and from Alabama. read more

Mama Mila’s - Nunzio with an added meatball. Yummy - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

This was my first time here. It gets busy pretty early. They were just about out the door. This place is different. You wait in line, go up to the cashier to order your food before sitting down. They expect you to tip BEFORE you are even served. I ordered the Fat Tony. Lasagna with some extra sauce. It comes with 1 piece of bread. If you want anymore, they charge $2.50 per piece. I ordered a side salad that included lettuce, some bread crumbs and salad dressing. That's all that was in it. I ordered water to drink and they charged me $0.25 for the cub.... ARE YOU SERIOUS?????? And they want a tip???? Once you order & find a seat, and your food is ready, they holler out your name when it's ready. They will come to you and drop off your food. I hope you don't need anything else. Because they are not coming back to check on you. If you need something else to drink, you have to go get it. I do have to admit, the food had good flavor. But I won't be back. Not my cup of tea. read more

Mama Mila’s - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

Best Italian restaurant around. The food is authentic and delicious. The service is excellent. The owner is there and she talks to everyone. The restaurant is always clean and welcoming. read more

Our friends live in Columbia and have recommended Mama Mila's multiple times, and we finally got to try it - we loved it! It is a casual restaurant, but the food is amazing. You order at the counter and then find a table. They have a cute outdoor seating area, too. The pricing is really fair, and their menu has just enough options to choose from. I got the Augi and the "crack" sauce was amazing. The focaccia is so good, too. My husband got the Fat Tony, which was lasagna drenched in the crack sauce. Also delicious! We can't wait to come back! read more

Mama Mila’s - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Overpriced for what you get, two very small pizzas, almost like personal pizzas, and two deserts for 62.00??? Not every going there again.

Amazing! Best pasta ever! The crack sauce is ridiculously good. Get any dish with that on it. And the focaccia bread...drooling just thinking of it. Go now, worth the drive for sure! read more

The BEST pasta I've had in a long time. Customer service was personable and kind. There was a bit of a line, but worth the wait. Highly recommend the chocolate cake, too!! YUM. Only negative comment would be the side salad was very underwhelming--not worth getting. read more

Mama Mila’s - Chocolate cake - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Food is fresh and delicious service is great and ambiance is chill. The restaurant is roomy made to bring the whole family. It's pricey. Be aware they charge for everything. Cup for water $1.50 Dinner salad $3.50 if you want meat will be charged extra. And they will charge you 3% for using your card. So bring cash , if you want . read more

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This place is fantastic. Food was incredible and the staff are top notch. If you love pasta, this is the place to go. If you're looking for Italian items beyond pasta, this may not be your place. But regardless, you have to give it a try. You can easily tell that a lot of love goes into these dishes and they truly care about the quality of their food. The restaurant vibe was really cool as well. There's not a huge sign outside so easy to miss. Parking is easy as well. If you love supporting small, local businesses, this is a great place to start. read more

Wait was long but the food was worth it. Reminded of Italian I've had in cities like Chicago and Detroit. Place was busy the the staff had time to stop and see if we needed anything. read more

Mama Mila’s - Italian Near Me - Columbia, Tennessee

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Mama Mila's, you had me at the first bite. The food? Absolutely divine, rich, authentic, and bursting with the kind of flavor that makes you close your eyes and pretend you're in Tuscany. Unfortunately, the magic mostly stops at the plate. First, prepare for a culinary pilgrimage: wait outside, then inside, then at the counter where you're asked to pay upfront and tip before you've even seen a breadstick. They don't have breadsticks, that was just for the theater. From there, you'll seat yourself, fetch your own drink, silverware, and napkins... so it's essentially fine dining meets self-service cafeteria. If you're getting takeout, you'll be directed to the dimly lit corner with the other weary souls who also discovered the floor plan was clearly designed by someone with a vendetta against personal space. A restaurant of this size would make sense in New York or rather San Francisco. Small, customers are on top of each other. We're in Columbia Tennessee y'all, there's no lack of space here. You're one of the most popular restaurants in the city, you can afford to get out of a 60 year old mechanic shop. I understand it's ascetically pleasing but so is having enough room for the people spending over $20 for a slice of lasagna. Gelato? Looks fantastic. If I'd had the stamina for another wait, I might have tried it. read more

After trying their food it became crystal clear why there was a line outside! Amazing!

This place really lives up to its hype!! Food is so creamy and melts in your mouth! Service is so good and it really feels like you're in an Italian kitchen! The happiness from everyone is so contagious, maybe bc their food is so good! lol read more