Mama Maria's

Mama Maria's is a phenomenal place. A true gem in Berlin! 6/5 stars. You can taste the quality of the ingredients, and the owners are very attentive and charismatic! (sometimes, you might even see Mama Maria, a true Italian mama, preparing everything). The focaccia is their specialty, but the coffee and croissants are fabulous too (best croissants I've had outside of France, hands down). I engaged in conversation with the owner (mama Maria's son) and he explained me the care they have in choosing their suppliers and ingredients. If they cannot find something that meet their standards, they won't settle for lower quality produce. Can't wait to go back!

This is my happy place and the reason I’m looking forward to my lunch break. Whatever you pick, you just can’t go wrong cause it’s not some mediocre restaurant food but a fresh homemade delight. My favorites are spicy salami focaccia and truffle pasta: the portion is huge and the creamy sause is just delicious. All the workers and especially Francesco are always friendly and helpful which instantly puts a smile on your face right as you enter, I went there more than 10 times already and there was never an exception, even when it’s crowded and things get stressful.

Every time I hear Berliners complain that there's "no good food" in this city, or that the food is bland, or "cooked without love", I always feel like I'm somehow visiting or living in a different city than them. If you're willing to look, and try small spots you'd otherwise maybe walk past, you'll stumble across some of the most stunning and wholesome dining experiences you'll have in any major city. The perfect embodiment of this exact phenomenon is Mama Maria's. How can you claim a mother's cooking, so beloved by her son that he quit his otherwise lucrative officr job and shifted to running a small Cafe with her, isn't an operation bursting at the seams with passion and love?!! The food itself couldn't be more delicious. It's clearly a passionate endeavor, done by a skillful cook. The service is so genuine and kind you might even mistake it as something of a show - when in reality, this is an operation fueled by the immense pride and passion, which can't help but be expressed joyfully. Genuinely, this place exceeds all expectations.

Wow, I've only been once but I'm glad I finally got to try this place out. You just can't beat a proper Italian run place for quality and traditional Italian comfort food. Popped in recently to try what they had on offer and went for the Mortadella Foccacia and it was gorgeous! The Mortadella melted in the mouth in the most beautiful way. It was so light and tasty. The Foccacia bread itself was golden, soft yet crunchy. Coated in a buttered garlic pesto. Has really set the bar in Berlin and definitely the best Foccacia I've ever had. Also went for a espresso and some biscotti and both were lovely. Price was fantastic, service was fast and friendly even with my hesitant way of ordering. I cannot wait to come back and try one of the daily pasta dishes or sandwiches that they offer.