Review La Mama Restaurant - Randburg

Homely restaurant with amazing food and excellent service. Traditional Italian menu with lots of favourites rarely found elsewhere. The Parma pizza and cannelloni are exceptional!

Really nice place. Great food. Friendly staff. It was their competition who was closed recommended this place. Thank you

Such a lovely restaurant. The waiters always look so smart and are so friendly and efficient. Lovely and delicious traditional italian dishes with the best asparagus and baby chicken in town. Little touches like the complimentary foccacia and the home made sangria make it truly memorable.

Nice Italian old fashion restaurant. My favourite is the schnitzel. The pizza is also fantastic. If you want you can also sit outside on a terrace. The service is good. The waiter's are friendly and helpful.

Excellent meal, once again. We have been going to La Mama for almost 20 years and the food is as better as ever. The waiters are so friendly and provide great service. Great local business and well worth supporting.

Classic hospitality that is completely lovely combined with phenomenal cuisine and a beautifully relaxed atmosphere. Thank you for being a gem for more than half of my lifetime. Hoping for many many more years of special occasions celebrated at La Mama.

Staff and management that sincerely care. While the restaurants will check on you because the manual say so. One can tell that they care from the bottom of thier heart. Food was of a standard that far surpassed any expectations I had. Easily the best authentic Italian kisses we ever enjoyed.

What a hidden gem! It is so quaint and lovely with the best service I've ever seen! The waiters are dressed handsomely and are pleasant and accommodating. The food is out of this world good. Definitely a must for a date night.

An old Joburg mainstay that's been around for decades. Despite my table of 10 being the rowdiest guests last night, we were still treated with the utmost courtesy and the food - as always - was fantastic; made with care and pride, hearty and delicious. I hope La Mama is around for many decades more.

Homely place with delicious food and secure parking. very friendly waiters and good table settings. may want took at their wine list a little and maybe a tap beer option.

Excellent food. Nice ambience. Wonderful attentive waiter, Joseph, remembered us from our first visit some 2 months ago and returned my wife's sunglasses which she left there during that visit!

Amazing food, lovely atmosphere, authentic no pretense. Consistently excellent service and outstanding food. This gem of a restaurant deserves all the support. It is just divine!

A brilliant little Italian restaurant that my family have been coming to for decades. The food is great and the service is always warm. We love supporting a local SA business

One will never make a mistake to dine at La Mama! I know them for many years and their meals have always been perfect. Long live La Mama and it's staff. Kind regards, Fritz

This place is a treasure. Seriously, you need to try it. Terribly authentic (though I notice the elderly couple who've run it since its beginnings in Hillbrow 50 years ago aren't around so much these days) with reliable waiters and menu straight out of their Italian hearts. Their zabaglione is from heaven but you have to enjoy a boozy pud because the alcohol component is not shy. I had the Kingklip La Mama last time and it was perfect.

From the friendliness of the staff and owners, the greetings from Richard and Michael, the response on the face book page to the absolutely delicious food and attentive waiters. Definitely a place you can't go wrong at. We had gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce, fettuccine with salmon and a pizza. A hidden gem. Popular so make sure to book. Will definitely return again. Thank you.

Feels like I have gone back in time . Lovely family style restaurant with heart and soul will recommend to everyone!!!

Amazing classic home style Italian food every time :) The best In JHB by far.

A fantastic restaurant We have never been disappointed with the food or the service. A great place to go to. ,

Still the same but slightly tweaked for the better menu been supporting them since the mid 70 's consistency is the key and they have successfully maintained this std even today, we no longer live in Jhb but they are still a firm favorite when we are in town

Good old fashioned italian food, with a consistent quality and a tried and tested menu. To the new owners - please dont try and change anything - keep the quality, dont skimp on the quantity or lose the good service ethic and waiters.

A lovely experience. The new owner's passion is a delight and the chef shares his experiments. I will be back and back and back

Amazing place! Beautiful people, best service and delicious food!

After seeing all the reviews and reading the La Mama story we went for dinner last night. A wonderful experience - we will spread the word and be back soon!

We had a wonderful evening. Love the new refurbished decor. The food and service was fantastic as always. Definately not going to wait so long to come again :)

Love the food. Very romantic atmosphere . Stunning staff

Had the best PIZZA in SA today...Wow will be trying something different from menu DAILY....This restaurant is amazing....xx

A hidden GEM.... go go go! The experience is amazing and the food... oh my word, the FOOD

My favourite haunt - Great atmosphere. Brilliant food. Excellent service. Matthew's cocktail adventures. Love it time and again. Cherry Kisses rock!

Definitely gone down in Quality. Was really much better

Amazing food. Simple but authentic vibe! Away from city stress! True flavour. My mama makes lamb like that���

La Mama is our local Italian restaurant. We have been going there for years. By the time we enter the front door, our favorite bottle of wine and glasses of water are ready to be served. The food is consistently good and the manu so varied from your average pizza, pasta chain.<br/>90 Oxford Street, Ferndale. Give it a try.

Gave La Mama a try after seeing it on the Try before you Die list. The place is definitely olde world charm but if you’re a stickler on how your crockery and cutlery look the place is not for you. The foccacia was one of the best I’ve had in the longest time. My husband thoroughly enjoyed the gnocchi and rated it in his top 2. I found the lamb to be a bit dry and salty but the accompanying potatoes and veg were delicious. All in all I’m glad we visited.

The place is somewhat rustic, however it was not worth a rating above 4 unfortunately. The presentation of the food was rather flat. There were hints of flavor. I ordered the roast lamb and potatoes, but when it arrived, it resembled something completely unexpected.Ambiance is acceptable, especially outside. The mature waiter that we had was lovely and super efficient. He made the evening out worth it.

La Mama really is a hidden gem. It's a quaint small restaurant with furniture fit for the middle ages. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and very accommodating. We had an amazing supper there. The pasta is truly delicious. We weren't so impressed with the Tiramisu, it was a bit dry. We'll definitely be back soon.

Chef been working the kitchen for 18 years ? I gotta check this out!<br/><br/>Its olde worlde charm is a delight. Waiters are dressed as waiters, the service is great and as an odd quirk the food often comes in a sectioned steel plate. Had dinner with mates and the tripa la Romana was amazing. Its not everyday that I'll eat tripe, but this was made with care.<br/><br/>The table bread was lovely and the pastas were excellent. If you are driving past, stop on in. This little jozi-meets-Rome taverna is a good bet for real deal Italian with an egoli twist.<br/>Recipes come outta nonnas cookbook and they were happy to see us (Which I always like).

This is a rustic family style restaurant with a cosy, intimate ambience. The Italian posters adorning the walls add to the charm of the room. Stepping into La Mama feels like going to grandma's house. And the service feels that way too, warm and friendly.<br/><br/>Sadly though, the food is terribly average. I had the cannelloni stuffed with beef. The beef was dry and didn't have much flavour. The dish relied heavily on the bechamel sauce and copious amounts of cheese. While these are not necessarily bad things, the dish was unbalanced and dull.<br/><br/>The charcuterie plate was good though, it was served with crisp flatbread and olive oil and balsamic.<br/><br/>Judging from the reviews of the other dishes at our table, this restaurant is more of a miss than a hit.

My grandparents ate here almost every Sunday. I joined them a few times.<br/><br/>Now Richard Baloyi who worked there for over 30 years is the owner. He managed to buy it after the original owner passed away.<br/><br/>It's exactly as I remember it. Hearty, authentic Italian. They bring you whole complimentary foccacia to start and every meal is served with an old school metal plate full of delicious cooked spinach, carrots and cabbage. And some amazing chips.<br/><br/>There really isn't another place like it these days. Authentic and steeped in tradition and history.<br/><br/>

Truly amazing pizza and they are one of only a handful of Italian restaurants that make a fantastic lasagna. The pizza crust is authentic and delicious. The tomato sauce is the right consistency and tartness and packs great flavour. The toppings and cheese are well balanced and of a high quality. I really love this place for authentic Italian flavours and quality.

The service was decent and friendly. It's not the best ravioli I've ever had but it was perfectly pleasant. Wine list is decent. Not an ideal location but the ambiance is quite nice.

I ordered for delivery and it was shocking how bad the food was. Zingara was RAW! Completely uncooked meat and mushroom. In the same bag was chicken, disgusting! I would highly recommend nobody to order for delivery as it seems you are better off going in to eat here.

Great venue for old style Italian dishes. Had a very nice veal my wife had. Calamari.Service was attentive and.food good. Parking is plentiful to.

This is a truly special and precious restaurant for #KevFabFood. This gem started off in Blairgowrie and I remember going there as a child and teen with my family. They have moved to Ferndale and although they celebrate their 50th year they still have the authentic Italian style going. Nothing has changed which makes their charm even more fab! Their menu and food has stayed the same as I remember it - service is attentive and spot on! Try this place and you won’t be disappointed...bravo to the team - bravo! I can recommend the fab house salad to start, the Osobucco (excuse spelling) for mains and leave room for the rich and yummy creme caramel

My husband and myself returned to eat at La Mama this evening, after not being there for quite some time. I'm happy to say that the food and value for money is just as excellent as it was when the two previous owners owned it. The decor is homely and cosy and the new owner is very welcoming. The staff are ( or at least one is) from the time when La Mama was still in Blairgowrie. Once seated we received a complimentary focaccia bread with olive oil and butter. I had the Veal Parmigiana which was very nice and my husband had the fettuccine with Prawns and pesto which was a substantial portion and very delicious. We shared a tiramisu which could have been creamier but still tasted very nice. <br/>Although not in the best street in Sandton, don't be put off. They have adequate parking and good security. <br/>We will most definitely return again soon.

I have no words but here goes anyway. Calm, down to earth atmosphere. Friendly staff, gorgeous food. The service? Stuff that great movies were made of. I absolutely loved my lunch!

I love this place. <br/><br/>I'm not saying this because I know the owner personally. <br/><br/>I had a sea food linguine. And my oh my was it amazing. It's moist but the sauce is not overpowering. Flavoured perfectly paired with a lovely Shiraz 😍 <br/><br/>In a nutshell, I AM INLOVE!

Visited La Mama last night with my fiancé for date night. What a lovely cosy Italian restaurant serving up delicious food. <br/><br/>We began our night with wine and La Mama's complimentary focaccia which was warm and absolutely delicious - I could eat it everyday. <br/><br/>We ordered the Calamari starter to share and thereafter decided to indulge in pasta dishes for our main. My fiancé had his favourite pasta dish Bolognese and I ordered the Ravioli Macchiatti. I love restaurants serving up delicious Italian cuisine and La Mama is definitely one of those. <br/><br/>Service is great, and the owner really makes an effort to ensure you are enjoying your dining experience. I highly recommend La Mama.

What a gem! Well trained staff and a superb menu. Had a thrilling true Italian meal! Slow homemade food with top class ingredients! So thrilled to have discovered it, can't wait to be back

Good food with good service. Place have a nice 'old school' feel to it. They still have the same menu as many years ago, which is a good thing.

A little gem 💎 hubby and I were on a date night and he found this place open on a Monday ! Yummy pasta and pizza. I Dong normally eat pizza but their pizza is a must try. If I'm ever in the suburb, will definitely return there ! <br/><br/>The also have a nice outside seating area. The service was good too !

The most authentic Italian restaurant in Joburg.<br/>The food is always excellent, the hosts relaxed, experienced and attentive and the mood and character, and history of the place make it the most enjoyable Italian eating experience around.

Awesome little Italian restaurant with proper Italian dishes. Amazing service and great food! The owner pays special attention to each table. The food was very quick to come out, and the menu is amazing.

La mama is such a great restaurant, not only is their food absolutely delicious but their service is always spot on! Definitely a firm favorite in our house ❤

Maybe we hit La Mama on a bad evening. Service was slow. As was the food. We were ready to eat our own fingers by the time it arrived. There weren't enough menus to go round. <br/><br/>Liver was excellent. Zabaglione was not. It contained so much spirit alcohol that it burned your mouth. <br/><br/>I had really high hopes but we all left disappointed.

I have been trying to get my boyfriend to come here for a while and so we decided to have a lazy, overindulged Sunday. We were greeted by the friendly waiter and manager and received great service throughout although it was expected as the restaurant was quiet. My boyfriend had dressed Zingara carpaccio which he found interesting but average. I had mushrooms with garlic and parsley which were light and near perfect. For mains we had a spinach and ricotta tortelloni al forno which was sizzling hot and flavorful as well as the La Mama Kinglip which is just out of this world. Both dishes are cooked in the oven and have a wonderful browness to break through to get to the good stuff. The crème caramel was the most different one we've ever tasted with caramelized bits in the top. My boyfriends cocktail came in a very small whisky glass but was good. The downside is that it is in an office block that was a bit rowdy sometimes and it is located on a busy street. We will definitely be back for more though

First time at La Mama. We found the hidden space quite exciting, and the outside area was full of plants and had a cozy feel, perfect for a dinner out.<br/><br/>Pro's: <br/>Staff are very polite & helpful. Including manager<br/>Starter was mussels that we shared. Generous portion with fresh flavours, we had this with our complimentary foccacia<br/>Pizza's are wood fired, with thin base. Absolutely divine and crunchy<br/>Al fesco, with plants and a generally cozy setting<br/>Secure, gate is controlled and made us feel safer<br/><br/>Con's:<br/>We had to move tables 3 times due to a mosquito problem which they were aware of, yet had no candles or repellant for.<br/>Waiter was pushy on main meal, even asking to order while we were still eating starters<br/>Staff watched on as we struggled with one menu, yet failed to bring another until asked.<br/>Fillet on linguine was advertised on the menu as "on a bed of linguine", yet is was mixed in, which essentially made it a fillet pasta which meant very little fillet. It was still very tasty, just not as expected.<br/>Mushrooms on regina pizza was a bit soggy, but very good pizza overal. Would rather try something else next time.<br/><br/>CONLUSION:<br/><br/>We will definitely visit again, armed with mosquito repellant, and asking for more info on the dishes before ordering. Overall a very pleasant evening!<br/><br/><br/><br/>

What a superb little gem hidden on a busy street in Ferndale... from the welcome to the farewells we were made to feel welcome and at home... the focaccia served instead of the standard restaurant dry bread was delicious, light, flavoursome, and very freshly prepared. For mains I had the Marco Polo which strangely enough reminded me of Phuket... prawns smothered in coconut cream and coriander with a hint of green chili, Devine... the serving was far to big tho. My man had the Ricardo special with fillet... another dish brimming with flavor, both dishes served with perfectly cooked linguini... embracing the atmosphere on the terrace, enjoying the romance of the full moon I could not resist making the evening last longer with desert... creme caramel, nothing too great, but nice... affrogat, also not brilliant, maybe next time we will just do the zabaglioni... wonderful evening creating memories on our quest for the ultimate restaurant pleasure

Focaccia was average. Starter was old cured meat with older tomatoes to join. Not too happy! The service was interesting when I complained about it to the waiter, he told me he didn't know anything and that I should speak to the manager. Pasta for mains was slightly watered down. The drink was the only great thing though.

Returning to la Mama's after many years I was looking forward to an excellent meal - it was a favourite of my late mother-in-law.  Apart from not taking my wife's drink order the welcome for our party of 4 was good. The starters were excellent.  We shared 2 and really enjoyed them. Our mains were a mixed bag. The liver was superb; even as a takeaway the rest was thoroughly enjoyed the day after. The lamb chops not trimmed but well cooked and delicious. The lasagne was stodgy - over done and the meat not cooked for long enough before baking. Red wine/tannins were obvious  The construction was sloppy and uneven. My order was messed up. Chicken was prepped in place of the beef. I would have been happy to have that... but was ignored and not informed.  The other 3 meals were presented and staff disappeared.  Apart from a lot of noise from the kitchen and a fleeting 'its comming' my meal arrived 10mins after the rest. It was not worth the wait. A plate of watery sauce and an overfilled plate of pasta. The signature dish was a bitter disappointment.  No apologies for the error nor offer of complementary coffee - as one would expect. This was an evening that would have been better spent elsewhere. 

The food and atmosphere is awesome, I highly recommend the peri-peri chicken and the zabaglione cooked at the table adds to the atmosphere and is a great end to the meal. The wait staff are great and very helpful.

Excellent food, excellent service - the downer: the exorbitant prices. Coming here is always associated with a heated debate of price vs quality. But it is a definite bucket-list-restaurant!

Amazing place. Great food, very fresh and exquisitely made. They serve home made pasta, and use old italian recipes. Good service too. Definitely recommend

Great food and reasonably price but we got charged R60 for a virgin steelworks! I think that is slightly over priced maybe even border lining on excessive!

We had dinner at La Mama last Saturday evening. The service<br/>was excellent and so was the food. The owners were very accommodating as we<br/>only made the reservation the same day. Die restaurant het ‘n wonderlike<br/>atmosfeer en dit voel of mens erens in Italië op ‘n klein piazza aandete eet.<br/>Die kelners is baie behulpsaam en ken hulle storie. We will most definitely add<br/>this restaurant to our list of favourites in Jozi they will see us again.

Just the perfect evening. We were looking for an Italian meal so I googled it and La Mama came up with a very good rating. It didn't not disappoint that's for sure. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. They also had some nice traditional desserts too. The prices I felt were also reasonable. Simply put La Mama is a gem.

A top-notch blue cheese gnocchi, and we've had them all. Intimate atmosphere and great house wine. Engaging staff, helpful and informative.

Great Service, Good Food, Definitely be back!<br/>@ 5 ⭐️. We will definitely be back, there is so much more on the menu to try ......... to be continued.

Service was a bit overbearing but very thoughtful. Lasagne and Bolognese were runny and underseasoned. The chicken livers were lovely. Decor is a bit outdated and tired.

Can't believe that a restaurant that has been in existence for so long has never crossed our radar!The restaurant is secure, warm and inviting. Our waiter, Sam, a stalwart of the restaurant was a delight. A typical Italian menu that includes all the favorites. The Kingklip special was absolutely sublime. Our party of 7 thoroughly enjoyed their meal. The Manager was engaging and a good host. La Mama will definitely become a regular haunt for us.

This is our local favourite! Serving the best mussels in joburg and tasty pizzas, pastas and varying specials like trout, lamb shank, baby chicken with delicious chips and veggies we've never had a disappointing meal at la mama! Service is always fantastic and you're made to feel like a special party of the family.

Wow this special place is amazing great food great waiters great host thank you for all the care and love u put in the food. Definitely a place to go and eat your heart out.

My husband has been coming to this restaurant since he was a child. Not a lot has changed decor wise over the years but the food is good traditional italian fare. The focaccia they provide on the tables is more-ish! Their homemade pastas and pizzas are lovely.

Lovely dinner at La Mama last night. The food was really delicious and the service was fantastic too! Great to see the restaurant so busy on a Tuesday night (literally full)- would suggest making a booking in advance. Ordered some take aways for the family and they loved the Spaghetti bolognese! If you want some really old school, tasty, Italian food La Mama is the place for you!

I very seldom go back to restaurants because of the fact that Joburg has loads to offer and so many areas to visit. From time to time however, when I don’t feel like hunting for a new spot to try, this is my go-to Italian restaurant. <br/><br/>The waiters are well-dressed and friendly with the manager always close by to offer assistance. The food is homely and decently priced. Consistency is really important to me and I have only ever had good experiences at La Mama!

I am so happy that I finally got to try La Mama. The atmosphere is very welcoming and you instantly feel at home. Service was excellent and the food was hearty and more important, authentic. I had the gnocchi with a creamy pasta sauce and the optional ham and mushroom. For dessert we opted for a traditional dish, a custard with sherry and sugar fingers, this was whisked up at our table over a gas stove. Everything was delicious, I think this is now one of my favourite Italian restaurants

Our favorite spot for a quiet and intimate dinner, La Mama is special. The most yummiest italian meals in Jhb, we love Chris and his magical little restaurant.

Being Italian myself I have certainly had my fair share of Italian food and my wife and I were looking to try out a different Italian spot for change. We were treated like royalty from the moment I called to book to the moment we left. La Mama really gives you a warm 'Italian home' feel and the owner even so kindly through in a grappa on the house without me even having to ask. The amatriciana dish was perfectly served and was equally great in taste - I do recommend it. Thank you for looking after us so well!

An unexpected delight!<br/>La Mamas is a cosy little spot with friendly and efficient staff ,a good wine menu & most importantly, great food. <br/><br/>For lunch I went for the fettuccine al salmone ( homemade pasta in a cream sauce with mushrooms, parsley and smoked salmon). It was faultless.<br/>I'm looking forward to my next visit already! <br/><br/>

I've been a fan of Italian food all my life and have eaten at MANY Italian restaurants in SA and Italy and this place can hold a candle to the best of them. Always get great service here - professional and efficient without being obtrusive. I've had the mussel special more than once. The mussels are big, plump, fresh and well-prepared. Try them with some delicious tagliatelle! We've also tried the trout, calamari and some of the other pastas - all delicious. La Mama is traditional and cosy. It doesn't try too hard to be trendy because it doesn't need to. The food and service speak for themselves.

Quaint restaurant in Ferndale! Great lunch and dinner spot! Service is great and food is fresh! <br/>Food: I ordered the seafood pasta and my date had the kingclip on a bed of spinach and cream! <br/>My meal was disappointing as it only had calamari and no other seafood I had to request a side order of the other seafood (awkward). My partners dish was good very filling

I like the old style friendly and efficient dining experience , stuck away in a unfashionable part of Ferndale but that adds to its appeal , had tasty and well prepared starters , highlighting the flavors of asparagus and mushrooms , mains a bit clumsy and tortelloni smothered in sticky cheese , I like cheese but not overdone . I want to visit again as this Italian venue has potential and more options on the menu.

In an unexpected hidden location but what a gem of you enjoy traditional Italian home made pasta and pizza. Had the best seafood pasta ever , sauce was so tasty and the tagliatelle fresh and home made. Well priced and service was exceptional. I will definitely be back.

Weil my oh my, what a pleasant lil place. A warm greeting upon arrival, very efficient and friendly service throughout and excellent dishes from beginning to end. A thoroughly enjoyable evening, set in a lovely warm and cosy feeling restaurant that has whet my appetite for another visit soon.

We had a bad experience at La Mama on 11 Feb. Service was slow and non-existent. It was ages before we got our drinks order taken, and ages again for our food order to be taken. The waiter didn't engage with us at all. We were ignored all evening. Food was poor for all 6 of us. The communal vegetables were badly prepared and not cooked properly. My veal schnitzel was dry and over cooked. The creme caramel was not good at all in terms of consistency and the taste of the caramel. They only offer Nestle water, which is horrid tasting. The bill, which we had to ask for 3 times, was hand written and totally illegible. Just a poor experience. Never go back there. Sorry guys.

I absolutely love this place. The food is also spectacular and the service is impeccable. I love the mussels and the steak in peppercorn sauce. Absolutely fantastic. Also the lemony meringue dessert made next to your table is heaven on plate. Worth all the calories.

This is a hidden gem. The place is not fancy, the decor is dated but I think that's what gives it its appeal. The owners are Italian so rest assured the food is authentic. We all had pasta dishes and they were amazing! The pasta is homemade and it is very light. Nice wine selection, also like that the wines are kept in a special cooler ( so no gross warm red) Also they give the table complimentary focaccia which is a nice touch. Would recommend the Italian custard made with dry sherry at your table in a copper pot. Will be back for sure to try the other food items.

La mama is low key and relaxing. Management makes an effort to say hi asks what you feel like and provides suggestions. Service is good! Food is just ok, we had muscles starter sauce was watery. Pizza main needed a heavier hand when it came to toppings. But all in all not bad. Will be back!

Came here for our Sunday lunch. The service is outstanding, the waiter & manager constantly check on the table and bring food and drinks quickly. A complimentary focaccia which is a nice touch. The food is pretty average & nothing to rave about. I had a chicken & mushroom pizza and it was sickly cheesy. The food is served in bland & old school plates. Very boarding school presented. The menu is limited & nothing really for people who are watching what they eat. Don't think I'll be back

We celebrated my friend's birthday at La mama. It is such a cute little place and it has a lovely atmosphere. The menu has a goid variety. It's a great restaurant for a casual dinner on a week night.

I always check hidden gem on my Zomato App! This time in Ferndale! <br/><br/>La Mama is the cutest Italian cuisine hidden in Randburg! <br/><br/>The menu has so much variety from their daily specials to dessert! The service was great too! <br/><br/>I tried their snails and arrabiatta pizza and it did not disappoint! <br/><br/>Defiantly bringing some friends here soon for some afternoon delight!<br/><br/>#TastyTuesday #LoveFood #HiddenGems <br/>#ZomatoJackAurelias #PickMe<br/>

La Mamas is a gem in a very strange location, but a gem all the same. We arrived on a loadshedding day and although we hadn't booked they made a plan. The owner is hands on, friendly and passionate. The food was delicious. I couldn't fault anything.

A group of my work colleagues went to La Mama for dinner. It is a really beautifully decorated little place! A real hidden gem. I ordered the veal in mushroom sauce, it came with chips, carrots and onion. It was okay, but my one friend had the kingklip special and it was amazing!<br/><br/>The manager had a great upbeat attitude but did get my order wrong. The waiter seemed a bit distracted and took the wrong dish away without even apologising or letting me know that they were correcting the mistake.<br/><br/>I ended the meal with a creme caramel.<br/><br/>Overall, a beautifully decorated place with good Italian food.

This is an absolute hidden gem. I am so fussy when it comes to Italian food but this restaurant never disappoints!!!<br/> The owners are super attentive and the service is always top notch. Love love love this place

Incredibile, fenomenale, meraviglioso!! A hidden Italian gem in the heart of Ferndale...food so delicious it can only be described as beautiful. A cosy, authentic Italian ambiance with genuine food the way Mama made it. An absolute must for any food-lover! The prices are a real whopper though, so we won't be back...

Hidden away in Ferndale is this fantastic restaurant. Chris and his staff provide excellent service with amazing Italian cuisine. Will definitely be going back!!

What a great little Italian restaurant. Wonderful hospitable service and lovely food. Very homely!!!! Sangria and Pizza to die for... What more could you want! We will definitely be back for more

What an absolute diamond in the rough! We have been back here over 10 times. They are open during load shedding and the whole menu is good to go.. The pizzas are fantastic, the specials are exquisite and the tiramisu is a must have every time! Great staff, very helpful and courteous.. The owner Chris completes the whole package. I definitely recommend you make your way to La Mama!

Been here a few times with my wife, great place with great food, service could improve slightly. That's the only little frustration I have is the waiters, they are not as attentive as I would like but hey I still rate it a 4.

I can't help it. I have to give this place a 5. Yes, it's a biased review - because we've been going to La Mama since I was a little kid, following its location all over town over the years, and it is truly authentic. The food is always delicious and reminds me of the restaurants I visited in Italy: cosy, intimate, and completely unpretentious. You'll get the best focaccia and table salad in town (served properly with anchovies and some fantastic home-made dressing) and the seafood pasta is great. In fact, I've tried almost everything on the menu and it's all great. You have to end your meal with zabaglione or the gelati misti, and linger a while over coffee. Very weird location (you'll feel like you're in an industrial centre) but once you're inside you forget all about it.

La Mama, true "Mama" style Italian food! Simply delicious! It is hidden in a small shopping centre, but do not let this discourage you, it is war, cosy, homely and the food is simply divine! I have been lucky to try various meals there, but I have to say one thing here that stood out was their gnocchi! It was outstanding! You have to go to this restraunt especially when craving Italian food.

We discovered this restaurant on Zomato's hidden gems and tried it out on Sun 21-Jun-15 (Father's day) for the first time, for lunch. The experience was really disappointing in almost every way: firstly, the decor felt very dated (not in a chic vintage way) - it looked like it hadn’t been updated since the 80's. There were no lights on inside or candles on the table and very limited space outside, so it was either eat in the gloomy interior or wait for outside space. When we were served our drinks, everyone's glasses smelled like they hadn't been washed properly and we had to ask for clean glasses. We ordered a table salad and focaccia instead of a starter but eventually had to ask them to bring the main course after waiting nearly 45 minutes, possibly due to misunderstanding it was an accompaniment. The nicoise salad was pretty rudimentary but did have a very nice vinaigrette. Three times when we asked a waiter for assistance, they either gave us the "talk to the hand" signal or simply walked away mid-sentence while we were talking to them. The last time we asked for un-used items on the table to be cleared the waiter actually said "No" and left. The food was very average with the exception of the spinach (amazing!) and some of the desserts. I sent my fillet back as it was tough, over-cooked and cold and the sole was very thin, a bit tough and oily. The manager / owner offered not to charge us for the fillet but as we had waited almost an hour for the main course, it was too late to order another meal. We called on the manager from time to time because we couldn’t get service from his staff but he did consistently give us the impression that we were an irritation. I really expected more from the restaurant and definitely will not be going back.

Not the Ritz, but imagine a little Italian town and a bistro, and well , this is it, consistent food quality and excellent waiters, friendly owners and , "it feels like  home"

Excellent food at this little hideaway. We ordered a fish special which was excellent. Decor is quaint but a little dated. Great find in an unlikely part of town.

Awesome service, vibe and epic food! Tomatoe and white wine mussels starter to die for paired with a wolftrapp red, greatest food for a chilly Thursday evening and can't forget the Free focaccia... #trueitalianrestaurant

Read the reviews and had to try it. Loved the ambience, it was not showy but homely. The manager went out his way to make us feel comfortable even though we did not reservations. Had their mussels starter which was yummy and the Carlos special pizza which was tops. Will definitely frequent the place...

Being going to La Mama for years. Went on Sunday and very very very disappointed. Wrong drink order wrong food order manager /owner arrives and leaves hid dogs in the car. Sorry La Mana will not be around for a long time

I have been eating at La Mama's for decades going back to the days it first opened in Bramley, serving the best pizzas in Johannesburg in those days, following it to Blairgowrie and then it disappeared! So, I could not believe my luck when one night I was driving down Oxford Street when I accidentally spotted a restaurant tucked away in an office park so decided to investigate and voilá, La Mama's, same old owner (with a new partner), waiters and menu.<br/>The food is still good and served old style with huge helpings of fresh vegetables (served in the old three division stainless steel dishes) and chips. My favourites are the roast lamb and the pizza oven baked kingckip - delicious. It is one of the few restaurants which still serves a complimentary focacia before your meal.<br/>Well priced with reasonable wine prices, this is one of my regular haunts.<br/>

This little Italian restaurant has a cosy atmosphere and great service. The pasta is made from scratch and the ingredients are fresh. I ordered the ravioli which was average in that is was somewhat bland in flavor. There was a cat that walked through the restaurant which was odd. All in all La Mama came across as an average Italian restaurant with very good service.

La Mama is a lovely little Italian restaurant that's perfect for a family outing. The owner is very welcoming and the general experience is good, however there is a bit of work to be done! Firstly, I love the general vibe and the outside seating area is great for lunch or if it's a warm evening. The menu is great, nice wine list and most of the food was good - honestly, its nothing mind blowing but it's definitely tasty and is great value for money. <br/><br/>I thought the decor was a bit outdated - very heavy wooden chairs, decor was a bit old and it could have done with a bit of improvement. I also didn't like that there was a cat running around inside and under our table during the meal. Secondly, the staff needs more training. It's quite understaffed so the service was a bit slow and it really bothered me that we had to ask for the waiter to clear the fished dishes. He also didn't have the general skills (forgetting who ordered what, very rushed, etc. which really takes away from the dining experience).<br/><br/>Overall, I enjoyed myself and would go again for a casual lunch or dinner but with a bit more effort this place could be much better. Booking is recommended.

Cute little restaurant in the middle rand burg, not an ideal location. Very pleasant service and family run. Pasta is all home made and has a unique feel to it. Ambience is cozy and nice for groups of 4 to 8. <br/>Hope you don't mind the occasional cat walking through the restaurant.

Great little Italian Restaurant. Really enjoyed the Rabbit that I had. Also tried some snails as well the Lasagne which were also very well done.

What a great restaurant. Generous portions of delicious food, personalised by Chris the owner. A wonderful Saturday lunch experience. Will definitely be back.

Awesome Italian restaurant. Had an unexpectedly good time there and was really pleased with the entire meal, from our starters, pasta mains and an incredible tiramisu. For a non-Italian, it was tasted authentic considering all the crappy alternatives you find lately. <br/><br/>Was also impressed with the host who was super attentive and really made our evening special. <br/><br/>To top it all, they stock Springfield Wholeberry (slightly chilled) which impressed us even  more. Definitely going back there again!

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants! Service is superb, the food is wonderful and easy of all they are open on Mondays which have allowed us to have any family dinners there on the actual birthday date!

What a pleasure to find an involved owner!  Makes all the difference.  Great winelist - veggies were fresh (WOW  spinach) - reasonable prices - even if I can't add up :-)   and the hubby just loved the roast lamb.  I was thrilled with the veal schnitzel....and took a melanzane takeaway for my mom who is raving about it.  I have a feeling this place will be consistently good.  YAY!

I absolutely love La Mamma. We are Friday night regulars. I love the simplicity of the place, and the above par quality of food. We have noticed it has become increasingly popular over the last couple months, so bookings are essential. The area is not ideal, but once you are inside you feel like you could be anywhere but in the industrial heart of Ferndale. I love the Foccacia bread which comes standard on the house. We have yet to have a bad meal here, and would highly recommend it for an authentic Italian experience without the bells and whistles.

Fantastic small restaurant in Ferndale, with authentic Italian food. The place is quite small, and the decor is very old fashioned, but that's part of the appeal.<br/><br/>I had the seafood pasta, which was really delicious with some parmesan cheese, but the best dish on the table was the melanzane which my wife had ordered.<br/><br/>Definitely going to go there again!

Impressed with this small hidden restaurant great service and equally great food. Had a pizza tonight which was great and need to come back for their home made pasta. Also saw a few patrons eating some very nice sea food dishes. Great place

La Mama is warm friendly and yummy...its like home away from home with wonderful service. The food isnt fancy but its tasty and satisfying.have to have to try the Tiramisu...divine...and they are open during load shedding- romantic candle lit feel

Chris, Sam and Joe always welcome us with open arms. They are 'our resturant' because of the excellent quality and consistency. I have yet to have a meal or dish that disappoints. Dont miss out on the traditional custard. And keep the copper pot ????

Visited La Mamma a couple weeks ago.<br/>Our aim was to taste their pizza. My Neapolitan friend and I are always searching for authentic pizza.<br/>Happily La Mamma met expectation and delivered a classic thin crusted pizza. With a decent amount of tomato base! Finally.<br/>The table salads need work, chunky iceberg with a bit of olive , cheese and other veg. Some imagination here required. The waiters were great . Had a great chat with one of them who has a relationship with La Mamma going back more than a decade.<br/>A nice comfortable hospitable lunch out.

this is a little restaurant in the middle of nowhere in Ferndale.  I decided to give it a try as most of their sauces and pastas are made from scratch.<br/><br/>The setting of the restaurant is very straight forward and it does not pretend to be anything it is not.  it is small.  Most importantly it felt clean.  I had the gnocci which was delicous but to my own fault I took the wrong sauce with it, why I took it with a cream sauce if I dont even like cream I dont know but the gnocci itself was nice.  next time I will have it with a better suited sauce.  The owner was nice enough to swap my bacon for pancetta without charging me extra.  This was nice.  I also had the most delicous dessert.  marinated oranges with ice-cream which for a non dessert lover is perfect.<br/><br/>I will definately go there again to try their pizza: PS they gave us a huge focacia complimentary before the starters came and one could really taste it was fresh.

This is our family hangout. The favorites are: spaghetti carbonara (BACON or rather PANCHETTA!!) , the baby chicken( done in the pizza oven and amazing!) The lamb cutlets, madagascan pepper steak, the tiramisu, the salad, the ASPARAGUS( when in season :/)

This place has a lovely cosy atmosphere and I recommend the liver and onions,ask for rustic mash with it.

La Mama is out of the way and hard to find, unless you know where to look, which is one of the things that I find makes it so special! Its ambience thanks to Chris and his team is truly homely: one of the most beautiful, relaxed, cozy, unassuming, Italian settings (and meals) that I have ever enjoyed in Johannesburg and the value is outstanding! <br/><br/>Everything on the menu really is so good that La Mama is always in the back of my mind when craving good Italian! My particular favourite is their 'Ravioli Macchiatti' - ravioli filled with beef and spinach served with creamy tomato sauce and the optional extra ham and mushrooms (which the waiter wisely recommended) - pics attached! <br/><br/>Over the past year, I have also sampled their 'Agnello Arrosto' - a gorgeous slow roasted portion of lamb with a light gravy and perfect roast potatoes, the trout and the Marco Polo seafood pasta. Something that I loved the look of and look forward to for the winter months this year, is their hearty and wholesome soups (these can be up-sized into a 'MAIN' sized portion for soup lovers like myself) so bring on the Minestrone, Ravioli In Brodo, Zuppa di Cipolle... <br/><br/>*Recommendation: If you have a sweet tooth, their Italian Kisses filled with peppermint ice cream are incredible.

Good authentic Italian food with nice warm hospitality. What is so nice is it is very old school. Highly recommend .

Nice old school Italian restaurant. They have a huge wood fire pizza oven in the restaurant which cooks everything from the fish to the lamb to the pizzas. Nice owner, nice food. Not wild about the area.

Nice quaint Italian eatery! Excellent food, friendly staff. Good value for money. Regular customer!

Love this place! Interior a little old-school but the service and food is ALWAYS top-notch. Hosts (esp. Chris) are great and pay attention to detail. They also offer gluten-free pasta and pizza bases - definitely a BIG PLUS in my books. Ferndale's hidden gem!

I've been coming to La Mama since I was a little tyke of about 6 months old, from their old premises in Blairgowrie to their current restaurant in Ferndale. Their food is consistently brilliant; authentic Italian cuisine in a warm and charming atmosphere; the service is top quality; and one can really feel at home here. Try the asparagus or caprese starter, followed by any one of their delicious pizza, pasta, or meat dishes. Don't forget to leave some space for their delicous zabaglione - I believe they may be the only restaurant in Johannesburg to serve it while it is still warm, and it's like the sugar plum fairy is dancing across your tongue!

Absolutely love this little Italian restaurant. My parents went to the old outlet on the restaurant moved to ferndale. This means I'm talking about them being in business over 20 years.<br/><br/>They offer a great selection of various home made dishes from pizza to pasta to meat. Service is the friendly non obtrusive service you want. With the specials being read out at each table. The setting is homely and intimate. Like a family Italian restaurant should be. This has been a favorite in our family for all special occasions over 20 years and I definitely won't stop visiting them.

Fantastic little Italian restaurant with consistently great food. The friendly host will run through the days specials for you before taking your order personally - all sorts available depending on the season - homemade osso buco or fresh asparagus grilled in the pizza oven and topped with Parmesan shavings. <br/><br/>Anything off the regular menu is bound to be good too, their ravioli and tortellini are made on the premises. Be sure that at least two of you keep a little space for the zabaglione - it will be whipped in an enormous copper bowl right at the table!<br/><br/>Go here for a delicious meal served with a smile! Be sure to book a table if you go for dinner over the weekend...

This little restaurant is an absolute gem and we go there often. The staff are fantastic and Chris is an excellent host - nothing is too much hassle. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. <br/><br/>The food is traditional Italian and covers a whole lot more than just your standard pizza and pasta type fair - there are real Italian favourites such as Tripe, so if you want an authentic experience, then this is the place to go. The starter calamari is a must as is their aubergine bake - the lasagna is the best you will find in Joburg. They also have a really good wine selection and menu. <br/><br/>Finish the meal off with a shooter of genuine limoncello!!