Mama's Introduce
Tucked away in the vibrant neighborhood of East Harlem, Mama's is a true gem for anyone seeking authentic and flavorful Jamaican cuisine. This casual, no-frills restaurant has built a loyal following for its home-style cooking and hearty portions that transport diners straight to the Caribbean. While it may not have a fancy, upscale atmosphere, what it lacks in decor it more than makes up for in taste and soul. Mama's has become a go-to spot for locals and tourists alike who are looking for a satisfying, comforting meal. Its reputation is built on the delicious food it serves, making it a popular choice for lunch, dinner, and solo dining.
The menu at Mama's is a celebration of classic Jamaican dishes, from savory stews to spicy jerk specialties. Each dish is prepared with care, focusing on traditional recipes and bold flavors. The restaurant is well-regarded for its commitment to providing a quick bite without sacrificing quality, making it a perfect spot for those on a tight schedule or for a relaxed, casual meal. The focus on comfort food ensures that every visit feels like a warm, welcoming experience. Whether you’re craving a rich and tender curry or a spicy chicken dish, Mama’s delivers on both taste and satisfaction.
Mama's also understands the needs of its diverse clientele, offering a variety of service options to fit any lifestyle. Whether you prefer to dine in and enjoy the casual, cozy ambiance or opt for the convenience of takeout or delivery, the restaurant makes it easy to get your fix of authentic Caribbean flavors. While the dining experience is generally praised for its delicious food, the restaurant's commitment to customer satisfaction is highlighted by its staff's willingness to address concerns. The overall positive reception from customers, with many returning for years, is a testament to the consistent quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant's simple, straightforward approach is part of its charm. It doesn't rely on gimmicks or elaborate presentations; the food speaks for itself. It's the kind of place you can rely on for a consistently good meal, which is a rare find in a city with so many options. The focus is always on the food, and that dedication shines through in every plate. For anyone in New York looking for a genuine taste of Jamaica, Mama's in East Harlem is a destination that delivers on its promise of delicious, soul-satisfying cuisine.
Mama's is located at 2347 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA, placing it in the bustling heart of East Harlem. The restaurant’s position on 2nd Avenue makes it easily accessible for people traveling from various parts of New York City. The neighborhood is well-served by public transportation, including buses and subways, so getting there is straightforward for both locals and tourists.
The restaurant’s location is surrounded by a vibrant community, offering a chance to explore the local culture before or after your meal. While street parking may be available, it can be challenging to find, so public transit or ride-sharing services are often the most convenient options. The welcoming storefront invites passersby to step in and experience a taste of the Caribbean. The casual atmosphere makes it a great spot for a relaxed meal.
- Dine-in: Enjoy a meal in the casual and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant. The simple, no-frills setting allows you to focus on the delicious food.
- Takeout: For those who prefer to eat at home or on the go, Mama's offers convenient takeout services. Place your order and pick it up at your convenience.
- Delivery: Mama's provides delivery service, bringing their authentic Jamaican dishes straight to your door. The service is known for being prompt, ensuring your food arrives warm and ready to eat.
- Kids' Menu: The restaurant is good for kids, with a menu that includes options suitable for younger diners.
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: Mama's serves a full day of meals, from a traditional Jamaican breakfast to a hearty lunch and dinner.
- Small Plates and Quick Bites: The menu includes a variety of smaller options, perfect for a quick snack or for sharing.
- Authentic Jamaican Food: Mama's is renowned for its authentic and flavorful Jamaican cuisine. The menu features classic dishes like Curry Goat, Oxtail, and Jerk Chicken.
- Delicious Oxtail: Customers consistently praise the oxtail, describing it as tender and flavorful. It's often highlighted as a must-try item on the menu.
- Jerk and Curry Chicken: The Jerk Chicken and Curry Chicken are also highly rated, known for their rich spices and perfectly cooked meat.
- Casual Atmosphere: The restaurant has a laid-back, casual vibe, making it a comfortable spot for any occasion, from a solo meal to a family dinner.
- Comfort Food: The menu is centered on comforting, hearty dishes that are sure to satisfy.
- Variety of Drinks: The drink menu includes a selection of popular Caribbean sodas like Ting and Sorrel, adding to the authentic experience.
- Good for Tourists: The restaurant is a popular spot for tourists looking to experience authentic New York City food, particularly in East Harlem.
- Good for Kids: With a kid-friendly atmosphere and menu options, Mama's is a great choice for families.
- Multiple Payment Options: The restaurant accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, providing convenience for all customers.
Address: 2347 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA
Phone: (212) 410-4210
When you’re in New York and looking for a truly authentic taste of Jamaica, Mama's in East Harlem is a place that delivers. The restaurant’s greatest strength is its food, which is consistently praised for its quality and flavor. The **Jerk Chicken, Curry Chicken, and Oxtail** are standout dishes that have garnered a loyal following, with some customers returning for years. The food arrives warm and is known for its delicious taste, making it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal. The menu is a perfect representation of authentic Caribbean comfort food, offering dishes that are both hearty and flavorful.
Beyond the food, the convenience of Mama's is a major plus. Whether you're in the mood to **dine in, get takeout, or have food delivered**, the restaurant has a service option that fits your needs. The delivery is notably fast, ensuring you don’t have to wait long to enjoy your meal. This is particularly appealing for those who want a quick, delicious bite without the hassle. The restaurant’s casual and relaxed atmosphere makes it a great spot for a simple, no-fuss meal. It's the kind of place where you can feel at ease and just enjoy the great food.
For tourists visiting New York or locals who want a taste of home, Mama's offers an experience that is both authentic and approachable. The menu is diverse enough to cater to different tastes, from spicy to savory. The availability of **classic Caribbean drinks** like Ting and Sorrel further enhances the authenticity of the experience. While occasional issues with specific orders may occur, the overall consistency and quality of the food, as well as the positive long-term feedback from customers, highlight why Mama’s remains a beloved staple in the East Harlem community. It's a place that focuses on what truly matters: delicious food that keeps people coming back for more.
Mama's Vibe
Breakfast
- Ackee & Cod Fish $17.95
Fresh ackee sautéed with cod fish cooked up with green peppers, red peppers, onions and flavored with traditional Jamaican herbs and spices.
- Calaloo & Cod Fish $15.95
Fresh callaloo served up with codfish green pepper, red peppers, onions, and seasoned with traditional Jamaican herbs and spices.
- Butterbean Saltfish $15.95
Sweet delicious butter beans served up with codfish green pepper, red peppers, onions, and seasoned with traditional Jamaican herbs and spices.
- Callaloo $15.95
- Stew Chicken Back $12.95
These bite size pieces of chicken are filled with lots of flavor.
- Cornmeal Porridge $6.00
A classic blend of cornmeal and cinnamon sweeten just right.. Available Mondays & Saturdays.
- Peanut Porridge $6.00
Perfect blend of oats, peanuts, and green bananas. Available Tuesday & Friday.
- Bulgar Wheat Porridge $6.00
Available Thursdays
- 3 Fried Dumplings $3.50
Lunch and Dinner
- Curry Goat $17.00
Tender goat cubes, slow cooked in original Jamaican curry sauce prepared with traditional herbs and spices.
- Stewed Chicken $14.50
Lightly fried chopped chicken pieces infused with our homemade brown stewed sauce.
- Curry Chicken $14.50
Chopped chicken pieces, slow cooked in original Jamaican curry sauce seasoned with traditional herbs and spices.
- Fried Chicken $13.00
- Jerk Chicken $15.00
Seafood
- Sweet Chili Salmon $20.00
Grilled 8oz. Salmon smothered in our homemade SWEET chili sauce.
Sides
- Steam Cabbage $3.99
Steam cabbage with mixed vegetables topped with parsley flakes.
- Plantains $4.99
Fried sweet plantains
- Candied Yam $5.99
Sweet yams prepared with brown sugar, cinnamon , and vanilla.
- Rice & Peas $5.99
Traditional Jamaican rice and peas flavored with coconut.
- Baked Macaroni $5.99
Delicious and cheesy oven baked macaroni.
- Beef Pattie $4.25
Drinks
- Ting $3.50
- Sorrel $3.50
- Pineapple Ginger $3.00
- D&G Sodas $3.00
- Can Soda $1.50
Soups
- Chicken Soup $6.00
Delicious flavor soup , with dumplings ,carrots, and potatoes
Mama's Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Mama's Photos










Mama's Location
Mama's Reviews
oxtailmac and cheeserice and peasdeliverypricecabbagemoneysalmonphonespicy
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Let me say this first I’ve ordered from mama many times and have never had a problem with the taste or quality of their food.First I asked the guy who answered the phone what kind of sodas the had if they had cola champagne or pineapple he said both.I said I’ll take a pineapple soda he sent me the cola champagne.ok np I can live with that then I ordered a large oxtail with cabbage and plantains.which costed me with the soda.$29.50 I had to make an errand so I didn’t get to eat my food for a few hours later. When I opened it the food looked like the usual food I order until I started to eat it.the oxtail’s was meaty but had so much fat on them it was overwhelming which turned me off. As if whoever prepared them didn’t even bother to take the time to try to trim some of the fat off😱 then the gave me cabbage with no flavor or seasoning and the Plantains were so old and black that I couldn’t tell if they were just burnt or old from days ago.(looked like they were old) I was so heartbroken and disappointed.buy the time I had eaten of of it they were closed so I called them up the next day about 1pm to put in a complaint because it bothered me so much. I called to speak to a manager and a nice young lady listened to what I had to say and told me the manager had just left. And took my complaint and said she’ll relay the message to management and someone will get back to me. That has now been 4days and I haven’t heard a word back.so I needed to write this review because spending nearly $30 on food occasionally isn’t cheap. Now that I sad to say this I will not purchase another item from here again because the consistency and the quality of the food has clearly change.
July 12 · Veronica GFood is great! The Jerk Chicken, Curry Chicken and Oxtail is to die for!! Do not have to wait too long for the delivery, food arrives warm. One of the best Jamaican Restaurants hands down!Update: 2 years later and I STILL LOVE IT!
September 07 · Rasheeda PottsA bit spicy for me….but when you want authentic…the spice comes with it so I’m not mad at all
May 26 · Kristal GrahamI always go there for food to go. It tastes great. In amd out quick.
May 07 · NaturalTriniIf you're looking for great Jamaican food that Caribbean Flavor that you had when you took that trip to Montego Bay, then this is the spot for you.This location does have a little counter area for you to sit and enjoy a quick meal but this is more of a takeout to go place but the food is definitely worth itWe came on a Friday afternoon about 1pm the counter staff was so polite and helpful, didn't rush you to order, even went the extra mile to wrap my to go order when I needed it.All the way from Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, we were in the city for a day trip taking care of some travel documents when we came across Mama's. This spot was definitely worth it, my wife myself and my son ordered stew chicken rice and peas oxtails rice and peas mac and cheese sat down ate and enjoyed. The food was so good we ordered to go had to catch a flight in 2 hours we ordered curry goat meal, jerk chicken meal, two beef patties two Coco bread and we were good to go. The young lady at the counter made sure to wrap my orders real good in order for me not to have any issues with TSA. Normally we don't like carrying food across the airport on a plane to any distance but mama's are so good we had to take some back to Texas. Mama's was definitely a good hidden spot in my old hometown. Even though we now live in Dallas-Fort Worth New York City is still in the heart and food like this always makes it worth the trip to come back home.And I'm still a New York Giants fan my man Eli still has another Superbowl left in him.Food made it to Fort Worth safely can't wait to dig in.
May 11 · Collins O
More Best Restaurants Near Me

WIMPYS RESTAURANT, 2334 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2191 3rd Ave 3rd floor, New York, NY 10035, USA

2294 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2339 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2337 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2333 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2253 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2331 1st Ave #1, New York, NY 10035, USA

2253 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2409 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2321 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA

2413 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10035, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Bites & Banter Posts





