TLDR: Great date night spot or place to bring the fam! Highlights: the set menu made ordering easy. My mom doesn't usually eat a ton but she ate almost everything and enjoyed it all! My favorite was the gnocchi - it was the perfect texture. It was a little salty but I didn't mind. Service/ambiance: 10/10. Staff was very nice and accommodating. Notes: The focaccia was harder than I expected. The seasoning was great but it's not your typical soft focaccia so heads up! Parking was easy and so was snagging a reservation. We originally booked for outside but were able to switch to indoors since it was chilly out. read more

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I've been eager to try MAMA in Oakland, and I'm thrilled I finally had the chance. Although I didn't have a reservation, the staff graciously seated me at a cozy outdoor table next to a heat lamp, which was a nice touch! Their three-course prix fixe menu offers some tempting add-ons, and I couldn't help but notice how appetizing the focaccia and fried chicken looked. Starting off, I chose the white bean soup. Its almost smoky flavor gave it a delightful depth and complexity, making each spoonful both comforting and rich. The prosciutto and sun-dried tomato ragù gave a lovely contrast. For my main course, I went with the ricotta lasagna. A perfect balance of acidity that really brightened the flavors. The layers of cheese, tomato-braised beef, and pork melded together beautifully, easily one of the best lasagnas I've ever tasted. To wrap up my meal, I indulged in the tiramisu. This dessert was an absolute dream! Light and fluffy, it practically melted in my mouth, with perfectly balanced layers of espresso-soaked sponge cake and mascarpone cream. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. This meal was a perfect blend of flavors and comfort, and I highly recommend MAMA to anyone in the area! read more

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We went to MAMA for a birthday dinner with a group of six and had such a great experience. They offer a set menu along with a couple of à la carte options, and we decided to order the set menu plus both additional items so we could try a little of everything. The staff was incredibly sweet and attentive throughout the night, and the food was amazing across the board. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared and perfect for sharing with a group. The wine selection was also excellent and paired really well with the meal. We definitely plan to come back again. read more

Food quality: excellent! Love their seasonal menu set. Service: great Atmosphere: intimate and classy. Overall experience: awesome! Notes: I felt very squished and it was loud and hard to focus or hear your own table since we were sat so close to our neighbors read more

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Make reservations as weekends are busy! My fiancé and I came here on Saturday, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The staff are super friendly and attentive! It's a 3 course menu style, and very reasonably priced (~$42/person). We got one of each to try everything and it was delicious! The bean soup with tortellini was so smooth, comforting, and a great appetizer. I loved the citrus and beets salad--the greens were seasoned perfectly and paired amazing. The snap pea carbonara was flavorful, crunchy, and so creamy without feeling overly greasy or heavy. I loved the crunch for that extra texture. The beef and tomato pasta was also so flavorful and the pasta was perfectly al dente. Desserts were a dark chocolate tart and lemon olive oil cake. I do wish the tart had rice crisps or some element of crunch for a variety of texture. The olive oil cake was delicious and perfectly sweet. We also tried the lambrusca and blood orange spritz. Both were so refreshing and paired perfectly with our meal. The focaccia was very flavorful but a bit too crunchy where it poked the roof of my mouth multiple times. Nonetheless, everything else was so good. Thank you for such an amazing first experience. We will definitely be back!! read more

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I really wanted to like this very popular (and Chronicle-adored) Italian spot on the edge of Lake Merritt. But while some dishes were great (the meatballs were wonderful) others felt a little lacking, particularly the over-crisped focaccia. And while the meal was filling, the add-ons drive the price up, and if we'd stuck to the menu without add-ons, we'd have felt a little ripped off. Service is lovely though. read more

MAMA Oakland - Spring garlic and potato soup - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

MAMA will always have a special place in our hearts. While shopping for engagement rings in Oakland, we pulled up Yelp and decided to give this spot a try. We're so glad we did. We enjoyed our experience so much we decided to come here after the engagement to commemorate the occasion! MAMA's service was top notch both times, but they made our experience even more special to celebrate the engagement. The food here is priced at an incredible value for the quality you receive and we both love the rotating menu. It felt fresh visiting even just a month apart. Would highly recommend the house focaccia bread (and the jam / butter they serve with it). The volume isn't too loud and it was a perfect intimate setting with just the right amount of lighting to keep the vibe immaculate. We'll be checking MAMA out again in 2026 and can't wait! read more

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Had been wanting to try MAMA for a long time and it did not disappoint. The food was fantastic. We had the gnudi with ragu and the house-made meatball -- both were outstanding. The focaccia was probably the best I have had in recent years, especially with the fava bean dip. Salad was okay but certainly did not distract from the rest of the menu. Our server did not really have the best attitude, but the food more than made up for it. read more

MAMA Oakland - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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I recently went to Mama in Oakland and it was superb. What's wild is that I live down the street from this place and it has been on my to do list to come here for quite some time. I had booked a reservation at the chefs counter because I wanted to be next to all the action and excitement in the kitchen. I can say that everyone was kind attentive and made us feel taken care of without hovering. The food was amazing. The soup was comforting and full of flavor and the focaccia bread was unreal. Easy 10 out of 10. I finished it and immediately wished I had ordered another one. The whole place just feels good. Nothing felt forced or overdone just really solid food and great service. It is one of those spots you leave happy and already thinking about your next visit. I cannot wait to go back and try their next menu! read more

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Came for Oakland Restaurant Week. Nice smallish restaurant with a fantastic staff. They are entirely pre-fixe with really good offerings and looks like the menu rotates often. The absolute must haves are the house baked focaccia and the gnudi sugo. Those were the best things I have eaten in a LONG time. I am telling you, you will want to roll in that sugo. Now I'm annoyed that I just tried them. It is not too expensive and would be fine for a celebratory dinner too. Checked all my boxes! read more

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Upscale Italian, however wish the food was less salty Focaccia bread - great olive oil, good texture, and generous herbs. The marscapone and jam were a nice touch Citrus buratta salad - so good! Great balance of clean olive oil, creamy buratta, crunchy fresh salad and fresh citrus fruits. Well balanced and tasty Cauliflower soup - smelled amazing with fresh cream and truffle oil however was extremely salty Meatballs - good tomato sauce, decent juiciness and seasonings, however not much different than other restaurants Carbonara - beautifully presented, however the cheese sauce was extremely salty Pesto gnocchi- also a beautiful , however the ground meat sauce was super salty and the gnocchi was slightly gritty and not as smooth as I'm used to, though I appreciate the home made feel Panna cotta - also slightly grainey, feels quickly made. I liked the grapefruit notes Devils food cake - my favorite, moist, super yummy cream and I love the strong espresso presence and richness of the cocoa Service was friendly, there was a nice sommelier serving us at the bar and in general the staff worked as a team and nobody brushed us off or passed us on, everyone was helpful Unfortunately the food just had so much excess sodium that me and my husband left with a burning sensation on our tongues and the roof of our mouths. And that's really saying something, especially as I can eat spicy and acidic. I'm not sure I'd return but I'm glad I tried it read more

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The food here is phenomenal--every dish hits. The pricing is surprisingly reasonable for the quality you're getting, which makes it even better. Service really stands out. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely knowledgeable, especially when it comes to the wine list. It's extensive, thoughtfully curated, and they actually know how to guide you through it. The interior keeps things simple in the best way--warm, inviting, and comfortable without trying too hard. It's refreshing to find a place this good that doesn't feel pretentious. Definitely a spot worth coming back to. Can't for get the House Baked Focaccia Bread phenomenal read more

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I've been to MAMA's a couple of times now and it always wows me. I love a pre fixe and a rotating menu and this spot delivers on both with a reasonable price and delicious options. The first time we stopped by, they had to seat our reservation late and gave us a glass of wine each to sip on while we waited, it was unexpected but appreciated. Our waiters have all been fantastic, they really know how to read whether folks are down to chat or prefer to be left alone. It gives the experience a very friendly upscale feeling. Of course the good has always been fantastic, the soups are some of my favorite dishes, they're so creative and rich but not too filling, I'm also always surprised by the size of the desserts because I usually so full by the time I get to them! I want to take all of my friends here when they come to visit and I don't think that feeling will be going away any time soon! read more

Went last night and haven't been able to stop thinking about the sugo pasta. There was something in it that I can't place that just elevated the sauce to the next level. Truly an amazing dish. They know what they're doing here! Also loved the orange wine on the wine list read more

MAMA Oakland - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

We loved it, great food and exceptional service. Our waiter even spoke some German and we had good laughs with him! Great spot, great ambience, we will definitely come back!!! read more

This is such a charming little spot in Oakland. They serve a three course menu with add-ons for a very reasonable price (42.95). I came to celebrate my anniversary and had a great experience both food-wise and service-wise. We ended up adding on foccacia bread (amazing) and meatballs (great addition to the pasta) I really enjoyed the roasted chicken soup. I went in expecting it to taste like a typical chicken noodle soup, but was blown away by how the roasted chicken flavor came through. It tasted so...natural (not sure that's the best way to describe it). Anyways, highly recommend this place if you're ever in the area! read more

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Mama's lives on that wild stretch of Grand Ave by Lake Merritt--wedged between the cathedral that looks like an alien spaceship and the kind of Oakland street-theatre that features joggers weaving past turbo-revving Hondas, couples strolling with $9 lattes, and a dude shouting at traffic while balancing a Slim Jim. That's the Oakland Grand Ave vibe: a permanent tug-of-war between grace and grime, joggers and jaywalkers, gelato and graffiti. Mama's planted itself here in 2020 and somehow rode out the pandemic years like a war-scarred Italian galleon that refused to sink. Inside? Dim, buzzy, slick-modern, borderline sexy, and humming with that "we're too cool to whisper" energy. It's not a zen dining temple; it's a classy ruckus--think Upper West Side on espresso shots. The staff? Confident with Brooklyn-ish swagger, a little hurried but genuine--like they might roll their eyes at your question but still make sure your wine glass isn't lonely. We went full pre-fixe gladiator style: * Starters: * Fennel-chard-pecan-apple-granola salad--bright citrusy dressing, crunchy, sweet, perfectly tuned. 5/5. * Roast-chicken-butternut-gnocchi-dill soup--comforting, creamy, just a shade too salty, like a Nonna with attitude. 4/5. * Second wave: * Foraged-mushroom risotto with truffle butter & parmesan--earthy, silky, lights-out good. 5/5. * Pesto-glazed Paccheri & Mama's sugo--beefy, rich, tomato braised, hearty enough to restore faith in Oakland Italian. 5/5. * Main event: * Mediterranean grilled octopus with beluga lentils--shockingly tender, zero rubber, zero regrets. 5/5. * Dessert skirmish: * Toasted-almond cake with saffron-pear & orange-ricotta gelato--summer-dream level. 5/5. * Espresso budino with salted caramel & brownie--bold but salty enough to make a sailor cough. 3.5/5. Flavors hit bull's-eyes about 90% of the time--if you're salt-sensitive, bring a life-jacket. Expect roughly $100 per person all-in; worth it for the ride. This isn't your slow-lunch-in-Tuscany place. It's a kinetic Oakland night out: eat, laugh over the din, dodge motorcycles on the way back to your car. (True story: we stepped over a sidewalk drifter, three motorcycles wheelied by like a stunt show, and in the five-minute drive home I dodged five red-light-runners--classic Oakland obstacle course.) Mama's is young, brash, optimistic, and occasionally over-salty--basically Oakland in a bowl of risotto. Come ready for noise, energy, and a little street-level theater outside. I'll be back--next time with lower sodium expectations and higher-octane reflexes for the crosswalk. read more

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MAMA is such a gem in Oakland! I love that their 3-course menu changes weekly -- it keeps things fresh and exciting every time. The setup is simple and straightforward: choose an appetizer (soup or salad), a main (usually pasta or another seasonal dish), and then finish with one of their two amazing desserts. Everything we had was delicious and beautifully presented. The portions felt just right, and the price point for a full 3-course meal is such a steal for the quality. We also tried a couple of the add-ons, and they were absolutely worth it! The space itself is cozy and full of good energy -- definitely "the vibes." Perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. Pro tip: make your reservation through Resy and don't forget to use your Amex Platinum for that extra perks :) Can't wait to come back! read more

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My ev being broke into didn't help, I was Paranoid b4 going@dusk-we don't drive Bart nor fly over under around OAK period. The service menu and food was Mama's Italia for sure. A little expensive for Italian, e usually don't pay o ver 19.99 for home cooking that we grew up with....however, The palate cleanser was worth along with mama's meatballs add on had to be right up there w my Donna's AND Tony Giammanis Beach and Walnut Creek and only 7 w carry out, here not so much h $. But this place should move elsewhere, yes they rebt is gonna be more than Oakland. But the tagatalinwas fresh tasting and the Lambrusco kept coming. The owners were there that night and had it flowing, for a Th this place was packed so timing was okay. Missed the T I ramusu was sold out(?) And we liked the menus choices overall. Won't be back in darkness, maybe lunch if someone else drives. Inside giddy not luxe. read more

TL;DR: Great anniversary spot with warm service, a rotating 3-course menu at a fair price, and standout dishes like the focaccia with tomato spread, pumpkin risotto, and apple brown butter cake. Sit indoors for the best atmosphere. --------------- I came here to celebrate an anniversary with my partner, and the restaurant surprised us with complimentary sparkling drinks. They offered champagne for me and a nonalcoholic option for my partner, which was such a thoughtful gesture. The 3-course menu for $42.95 per person felt like a great deal. The options change every couple of weeks, which keeps things exciting and makes you want to come back. Since each course has two options, it worked perfectly for two people to try everything. We also added the focaccia bread, which was worth it. The service was excellent from start to finish. The host was friendly and welcoming, and the servers were attentive, checking in often and refilling our water without being intrusive. The focaccia bread was one of my favorites. It had a nice crisp texture, and the tomato-cream spread that came with it was incredibly flavorful. I could have easily eaten that spread on its own. For the first course, I preferred the sweet onion soup over the brussel sprout salad. The soup was rich and savory, while the salad had a bright, tangy flavor. It really comes down to taste, but I usually prefer something warm and substantial. For the main course, the Pesto Gnocchi and MAMA's Sugo had great flavor with the mix of tomato and pesto, and the crunch added a nice contrast to the soft gnocchi. The portion was on the smaller side though. The pumpkin risotto had a bigger serving and a more balanced flavor, so I would choose that one next time. For dessert, both the dark chocolate tart and the apple brown butter cake were great, but the cake stood out more. It had a cozy, fall-inspired flavor that was warm, sweet, and comforting. Overall, this was a wonderful dining experience. I would recommend making a reservation and sitting indoors since the interior feels much cozier and more romantic. The rotating menu keeps things fresh, and I'm looking forward to coming back to see what they offer next. read more

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Following five dinners at MAMA I can say this is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that feels fun and festive and is also a good value. We've celebrated my husband's birthday and our anniversary here. I've been twice with friends. We've also taken our young daughter to Mama for dinner. I wasn't sure how their three course format would work with a kid but they're totally prepared for littles and my seven-year-old was a fan. We came to Mama last night to sample their corn menu and it was super summery. I especially enjoyed the corn and porcini carbonara. Service is always excellent at Mama and we're especially fond of SJ. She recognizes us on sight and is always so warm and welcoming to our little family. We'll be back in the months ahead to sample the seasonal stone fruit and tomato menus! read more

MAMA Oakland - Corn soup - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

Oh Mama! We love the $42.95 prix fixe dinner. The theme tonight was tomato! Starter: Tomato and Basil Crostata & House-Baked Herbed Focaccia Main: Tomato Campanelle & Pappardelle & Mama's Sugo Dessert: Ricotta Cheesecake & Chocolate Budino. All fresh and summery flavors! MAMA goes above & beyond for celebrations. They brought us some celebratory champagne & gelato. Our server Justin was great! read more

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We went for restaurant week and boy, it was a treat!!! It was one of the hottest days in the bay all month and I was iffy about having soup but it was DELICIOUS!!! There was a pistachio pesto and some crème fresh and the soup comes in a teapot that they pour tableside. My fiancé had the salmon starter but also gladly had had of my coup because it was just that good! The risotto was well cooked and the Gnudi were light and pillowy with a rich mushroom sauce! I wish I could have eaten all of it but I was too full. My fiancé was like "I'll have a little bit" and it was so good that he ate all the rest. The chocolate torta was a very rich decadent dessert with such good chocolate flavor! The limoncello panna cotta was the opposite with a light and fresh lemon flavor. The service was attentive and precise. We sat outside and it had the feel of a nice summer outing in spring with a steady crowd. You could tell everyone was enjoying themselves. I am so curious to try their full menu! read more

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Managed to get a table outside without a reservation on Sunday evening. This restaurant serves only a fixed price menu (three course dinner where you can choose one of two options of each course). That night we opted for each item from each course. 1. First course Tomato soup (so creamy and velvety, did not taste like a boring regular tomato soup). Paired well with the baked foccacio bread. Little gem Caesar Salad. So refreshing with a nice balance of dressing 2. Second course Fusilli and Mama's sugo. Red sauce pasta. Corn and Porchini Carbonara. We both agreed that the carbonara tasted a little bit better than the red sauce pasta. This pasta dish was our favorite dish of the night. The first bite really blew our minds away. 3. Third course Cheese cake and chocolate cake. Both were super delicious and really tasted like homemade desserts. Every bite was heavenly. We also added the meatballs and foccacio bread that came with some delicious spread. The service was impeccable and super friendly. The price was actually $42.95 which I believe still pretty reasonable for the quality of food. The 20% service charge was added automatically to the bill. All in all, our dining experience at Mama's was truly memorable and enjoyable throughout. This will be a repeat visit soon. I highly recommend. read more

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MAMA Oakland is such a charming concept--built as an homage to the founder's Italian-American grandmother, Maria Germano Stacionis, who embodied warmth, hospitality, and the joy of feeding people. The restaurant carries that same spirit, with a rotating daily menu built around seasonal produce and a cozy, welcoming vibe. I came here with my sister on a Saturday night when the featured seasonal ingredient was summer corn. The $43-per-person prix fixe included three courses with a few choices for each. For my starter, I had a light salad with radish, arugula, and prosciutto over a corn sformato (an Italian savory custard). Interesting mix of textures--probably not my favorite, but I appreciate the creativity. 3.5/5. My sister's corn cream soup, on the other hand, was incredibly rich with layers of flavor. 4.5/5. My main was corn gnudi (similar to gnocchi) in a rich, meaty ragù. The sauce was deep and flavorful, and I enjoyed the gnudi's texture, though the corn flavor didn't stand out much. 4/5. Dessert was a creative cornbread topped with nutty jam, popcorn, and ice cream--a fun mix of flavors and textures that worked really well. 4/5. I love the creativity here and how they highlight in-season ingredients in different ways. It's the kind of place you can keep coming back to for a totally new experience each time. I'll definitely be back to see what's on the menu next. read more

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I usually have a great time at Mama, and the food is always amazing. However, I noticed that there don't seem to be any women servers anymore, which felt unusual to me. I'm not sure what that's about, but it did make me wonder whether this is still a welcoming and safe space for women to work. Service was a bit off during this visit. Someone tried to clear the table while my mom was still finishing her main course, and no one offered tea or coffee with our dessert. It may have just been an off or stressful day for the team, but the experience felt different from what I'm used to here. read more

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I went to MAMA's for our anniversary, and we had an okay experience. We had a reservation and had to wait a few minutes before our table was ready. The place is small and cozy, with lots of fine dining furniture. MAMA has a set menu, so we split our order to try each item. The food was fine. It was smaller and honestly, not to our liking. We felt all the dishes fell flat in some way. Whether it be in texture or lacking of umami, we realized that maybe fine dining just wasn't for us! But the servers were still all so great and attentive, so we appreciate our experience regardless. read more

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I walk by this place almost every day and I waited to try it! Recently came on a Saturday night and it was easy to make reservations prior. Remember it is a prefixed menu, so check it out before you dine in! The restaurant itself is so cute and cozy. Inside you can either have a nice dinner with a large group, intimate date night, or a small dinner with friends, or simply eat by yourself. There is a lot of space inside to accommodate a group or one person. The staff is also extremely nice and attentive. They have several recommendations but it's hard if you have a few dietary restrictions. The starters were okay, the corn soup was good and had a nice smooth taste to it. I wasn't amazed by the arugula salad. It lacked flavor and seasoning. The main dish I ordered was the tomato campanelle and it was okay. It tasted like fancy spaghetti and wasn't anything that i wanted to try again at a restaurant. The beef and pork meatballs and the chocolate tart saved the meal for me. I would definitely like to come back and try something different when the menu is changed. But would recommend this place again! read more

MAMA Oakland - Beef and pork meatballs, Tomato Campanelle - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Communication Crisis: Literally Impossible to Contact I've been a fan of Mama Oakland and have given them rave reviews on Resy in the past. Unfortunately, I need to document a serious issue with their complete inability to be contacted. THE SITUATION: My partner and I had a reservation for January 3rd at 8:15 PM, booked through Resy with a credit card on file. That evening, we were involved in a major car accident on I-580 - a hit-and-run collision that totaled our Tesla and sent us both to seek medical treatment for injuries. ATTEMPTED CONTACT - A TIMELINE: 4:43 PM - Called the restaurant number listed on their website to see if there were any cancellations to get in earlier. Voicemail: "Hey, this is Chris, leave a message!" (No mention of the restaurant, hours, or callback policy) 4:44 PM - Texted the same number (their website says texting is available) to ask - ZERO response 8:06 PM & 8:07 PM - Called twice after the accident to explain the emergency - same unprofessional voicemail, no callback 11:44 PM - Replied to Resy's cancellation email (they suggested to do so) which sent to "Cassie+1@mama-oakland.com" - EMAIL BOUNCED. "Address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail." THE PROBLEM: The restaurant canceled my reservation through Resy themselves, but provided absolutely no functioning method of communication. For a restaurant that: Requires credit card holds Threatens cancellation charges Has Michelin recognition Operates in a major metro area ...to have ZERO professional communication infrastructure is genuinely shocking. WHY THIS MATTERS: This isn't just about my specific situation. What if: A guest has a severe food allergy and needs to call ahead? Someone has a family emergency mid-reservation? A party needs to modify their booking? There's a billing dispute? The food quality and atmosphere at Mama's are truly excellent, that's why I've recommended them before. But a restaurant at this level needs to have basic professional systems in place. An unprofessional voicemail, bouncing email addresses, and unresponsive text lines are unacceptable for any business, let alone one with Michelin credentials. I hope management addresses this seriously. Until they establish reliable contact methods, I cannot recommend making reservations here if there's any possibility you'll need to communicate with them. UPDATE IF THEY RESPOND: I'm happy to update this review if Mama's reaches out and corrects these communication failures. read more

MAMA Oakland - Accident we had. - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

TLDR; highly recommend for unfussy but excellent italian meals which happen to be delivered at bargain prices. FOOD (of 5) Sweet Corn Soup - 4.5 Tomato Campanelle (w/shrimp) - 4.5 Sicilian Octopus (add-on) - 3.5 Olive Oil Cake - 3.5 SERVICE (table) On point, except for communication regarding the add-on octopus which came so much later than expected we had already decided we didn't want (as we were full with the mains) AMBIANCE Osteria style, comfortable and well appointed but not overly fancy. This is my 3rd visit here and its a favorite of mine. Although I no longer need to seek value, I really appreciate what they're doing here, delivering a very high quality italian meal at a very reasonable price point. They seem to achieve by doing a narrow prix fixe with 2 choices per (app, entree, dessert). If you can afford more, they provide extras, but they are wholly unnecessary to having an absolute excellent meal. read more

MAMA Oakland - Tomato Campanelle - Italian Near Me - Oakland, California

We loved this restaurant so much that we went back. Prix fix dinners are still $40 for 3 courses. The servings are not huge so if you have a healthy appetite, order a few of the additional items like meatballs, pork Milanese, foccacia, etc. There were 4 of us again and the only reservations they had were outside. Not our preference but it's on us for not booking eat in advance - we booked it just 2 weeks before. The table outside turned out to be okay. It's in a parklet with a few other tables. They have heating lamps although it was a warm night and we didn't need them. Lots of fun and noisy people watching. There was a big group of motorcycle cruisers that passed by several times. We would have missed that if we were eating inside! Dang was our server and he was terrific! Made sure we had everything we needed, brought us plenty of water. We had a good mix of everything - some ordered the Italian Wedding soup, some had the asparagus Caesar salad. Both were delish! Both entrees were great too. Same for both desserts. We ordered the foccacia and that was good - served warm with herbs and whipped butter/ricotta cheese with aromatics. It was very good. The meatballs were just okay this time. A little dry and not seasoned well. It was very good the last time we were here so I don't know what happened this time around. The pork Milanese wasn't that great either. It was dry too, just didn't hit the mark. But we finished most of our food. Had some leftover pasta so we packed that to bring home. Service is great here. Food was top notch the last time we went so we'll come back here. read more

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What a great night out with friends. Let's start by getting stuck in traffic & having to call ahead to let them know we were running behind - and to be greeted with 'come on in, water all around', we brought wine with us, all was ready to go. Service was stellar, from the host to the servers, great hospitality, on point, just gracious! This is a set menu place, the menu changes, not sure how often. You get 2 choices, choose your favorite: we were 4 so we got 2 of each as to salads, soup, the mains & desserts. The little gem & herb salads disappeared, I didn't get a taste as I was busy enjoying my roasted chicken soup, scrumptious. We had also ordered a side of the house bread, oh my goodness, melted in my mouth. Onto the mains, the gnocchi & mama's suga, tomato braised beef & pork was exquisite, a bite of heaven. The 'frutti di mara calamarate' looked lovely. All the plates were completely cleaned. Plus we had an order of the meatballs, which alone would have been a meal. Every item was cooked to perfection, presentation was sexy, flavor was the bomb! Onto the desserts: choices were - amalfi citrus cake or dark chocolate bonet; 3 citrus cakes, 1 chocolate bonet - screaming goodness as to the citrus cake, as for the chocolate bonet, not my thing, but overall this was near perfect We shall return, the tomato braised pork & beef is definitely a must try & return to try again. read more

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MAMA is a must. Fantastic food, cocktails, wine and service. Hand-made pasta and sauces from family recipes. The sugo is toe-curling delicious. read more

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Their deconstructed salad was amazing. The asparagus went very very well with the rest of the veges. Soup was good, the meatball in there was well seasoned, salty, flavorful. Has a good bite. I preferred the salad! Mama's meat balls - crispy really tender (medium) inside, slightly smoky feeling. cheese forward. sweeter tomato sauce. I thought they were solid! Tried both their seasonal pastas: 1. rigatoni like. Great flavors 2. unique different. earthy, textural melody. crispy from the form, umami/savory from fish egg, freshness from basil, creamy Service was great. They would even fold up our napkin cloths when we were in the restroom. Explained the dishes well. read more

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The 3-course menu for $40 seemed like a great deal, which is why I booked a reservation for a dinner here. I was able to get a 5:30 reservation the day before, and we were seated promptly at 5:30 (when they opened for dinner). The service here is excellent, and the ambiance is pleasant. Overall I enjoyed but did not love the food, but I'm glad I tried it. The menu changes regularly. When we went, I got the carrot soup (4/5), Mama's Sugo (4/5), and the Panna Cotta (4/5). We also added the focaccia bread (3.5/5, very greasy & crunchy) and Mama's Meatballs (3.5/5). The highlights for me were the soup and dessert, everything else was forgettable. Overall it's still a decent deal and experience, worth giving a shot for the price point if you're in the area or a short drive away. read more

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This review is meant to be constructive criticism for the business. This was my first visit to MAMA and was disappointed with the food experience. The prefix menu has some appealing names for plates but unfortunately the flavor for the first and main courses were underwhelming, namely the salad and soup option. The mama Sugo pasta dish was a bit better but unfortunately came out lukewarm at best. The first course Italian wedding soup option was also not hot, served with less than a teaspoon of grains, and meatballs were overcooked. I can understand smaller portion sizes, especially at an upscale restaurant, but would have appreciated at least a tablespoon portion size of grains in the soup. I ordered the pork Milanese as an add on. Positives here were the crispy skin but again, really lacking flavor of the pork and the sauce that accompanied it felt more like a dressing to balance the breading instead of enhancing the flavors of the dish. This dish came out mildly warm, certainly not hot. The chocolate boudin was the lone bright spot of the food options we tried this evening and had the best presentation and flavor combination. The sponge cake was not as presentable or as tasty as its counterpart, a lack of creativity with this dish Our server Trevor was very helpful in helping decide menu options and was very attentive. There is definitely a good amount of time (10-15 minutes) between courses and I don't know if this plays a part in why the food was not warmer once we received it. Full transparency we were sitting outside and this may be contributed to some temperature difference compared to inside however I think the time between meal preparation and consumption plays a bigger role. For the automatic 20% tip MAMA is charging your bill even for a party of 2, plus the additional fees for worker healthcare I think this should have been a better experience. I don't believe you should be charging 20% automatic tip, period, especially not without some of the following improvements: Heated plates to maintain food temperature, revisiting the food delivery times, and playing around with the flavors would be expected to improve the menu. While sponge cake is an Italian dessert I would've appreciated a classic cannoli or tiramisu option instead. read more

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We were in the area visiting our daughter, and she recommended MAMA Oakland for the four of us...we're glad she did! Since so many other people have described the Fixed Price menu and how it works, I won't repeat that here. But, here are some other things to think about: - The focaccia that is an option with the first course is definitely worth it, as are the meatballs offered with the pasta course. - We didn't order the optional entrées since neither of them caught our eye much, but at the end of the meal we were glad we didn't order them since the three course menu was plenty of food. - The food, overall, was solidly good (not necessarily out of this world spectacular) with some dishes being assessed as better or worse than others, but nothing was bad. - The wine list was very nice, with a broad range of options and quotes/brief descriptions which were fun to read and helpful in ordering. - The vibe is super comfy, and the service was really good, I.e., attentive and not over bearing. And, importantly, the server didn't overfill our wine glasses...a pet peeve of mine at so many other places where they fill the glasses too much with wine seemingly trying to get you to drink more so you'll order another bottle. - My daughter had let them know it was my birthday when she made the reservation...the server noticed and mentioned it when we were seated...and, they brought my dessert with a lit candle so we could celebrate. Well done! - Be aware that they automatically add on a 20% tip plus a 4% "Healthy Living Mandates" charge, in addition to the standard sales tax. Bottom line: MAMA Oakland was a great place to visit for a fun and tasty meal when in the area. We liked the fixed price menu as it took a lot of the guess work out of the dining experience. read more

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It was cold and raining so I had a hankering for soup. I saw that Mama had it on the menu so I paid them a visit. Trent the host I believe said he would try to accommodate me if I came in since I did not have a reservation and he did a very short wait. Trent another separate guy who was my waiter was on point, professional, and set an expectation for another level standards if that makes sense. The soup was good, but the menu is prefix only. Which turned out to be great as everything else I had was great. I had the soup, vegetarian option cannelloni, strawberry crostata and finished it off with camomile tea. Unfortunately Mama has passed I was told, but she can assured the restaurant is still making her proud. Check out my pics read more

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[REVIEW WRITTEN: 17 Nov 2025] Affordable, excellent food. Been there a couple of times and can't get enough of this place! Michelin rated as Bib Gourmand! The Deets: +/- Indoor and outdoor seating available. + Menu is pre-fixe rotating menu for $42.95 (https://mama-oakland.com/menu) + Corkage fee is $25 + Takes reservations through Resy (https://mama-oakland.com/location) + BEWARE: Tips are included in total bill. If you would like to add more, feel free to. - Street Parking only. + Vegetarian/Vegan options are available. read more

Really nice price fix Italian meal. Wait staff were all attentive and friendly. The food was delicious. We loved our meal! read more

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