The best 10 restaurants and places to eat in Indianapolis, April 2024

Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant

90/100 (3719 ratings)

Restaurants

Gluten Free Options

Italian

Vegan Options

Vegetarian Friendly

Italian

Tuscan

Central-Italian

Gluten Free Options

Vegan Options

Vegetarian Friendly

Dinner

Creme Brulee

Calamares

Chicken Alfredo

Salmon

Bruschette

Pesto

Chicken dishes

Shrimp

Alfredo

Tiramisu

Meatballs

Eggplant

Crème Brulée

Bolognese

Pasta

Lasagne

Salad

Cannoli

Clams

Carbonara

Calamari

Chicken Parmesan

Risotto

Prosciutto

Mussels

Sit down

Central-Italian

Tuscan

Italian

Serves Alcohol

Parking Available

Highchairs Available

Full Bar

Accepts Credit Cards

Outdoor Seating

Takeout

Reservations

Private Dining

Seating

Table Service

Wheelchair Accessible

Dinner

Mid-range

"this place is amazing. Must be a little patient when crowded but the mussels, calamari, and bread is to die for (rip to the wise keep the mussel..."

Kailee Callaghan

"Great place they serve really good Italian food, I have gone there with my husband and we both really liked the food really delicious Italian food..."

Bella North

"My mother-in-law makes lasagna once a year. It's a big deal. Everyone comes, and she makes a lot of it. After visiting Mama Carolla's on a work trip,..."

Wesley Bush

"Could not of had better service at the bar. The two gentleman bartenders were on point and made a delicious Hendricks martini along with perfect..."

Mic Love

"You can tell a lot of care and time goes into their dishes. Great quality dishes in a cozy, unique, atmosphere. If you like Italian food, this should..."

Cvec

"Affordable, good service, great food. Best Italian in Indianapolis. The homey, modest setting is perfect for dates. Outdoor seating is nice..."

Kevin Harris

"This is seriously one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever been to. Amazing. Everything. The artichoke fritters. Well, they are to die for...."

Noodlenut

"Hands down my favorite restaurant in the city. I've dined here many times since it opened and love everything about this place. Old school,..."

Angela Noble

"Our favorite Italian in Indy. Do I dare tell you our secret for an intimate evening dining experience? Okay, I will. Ask for the "side porch" when..."

Joe Seibert

"An Orgasm In My Mouth (Not That Kind). This place is sooo good, it is the best Italian food I've ever had. The prices can be intimidating if you are..."

Steven Crawley

"I'd never been to Mama C's despite hearing good things abt them for years. We had dinner there on a recent Friday and everything I'd heard was true...."

Eat At Mo's

"Pasta!. Very good service, and a lot of food! It was really too filling for me, but it is really..."

Faye

"Great food!. Mama Carolla's is our standby for carryout on Friday nights. The food is always good and we love the Tiramisu dessert -- it is so good...."

Causher1

"Family Treat. This place is always a go to when I want a homey, warm, inviting meal with my family. The dishes are full and complex. The atmosphere..."

Melaniechull1

"Always Amazing. This is my favorite Italian restaurant! Miguel's "Pasta Too Good" is my absolute favorite. I also enjoy ordering an old fashion or..."

Tiffnay Kay McIntire

"Loved everything about it!. The food here is fantastic! The ambiance is also great. If you go when its warm out, they have a beautiful outdoor..."

Kari

"Great experience. My wife and I had dinner here. We both loved this place! I had the gorgonzola stuffed filet and my wife had the chicken alfredo...."

Hugh

"Always a special night out. A friend and I plan our visit to Mama's a few months ahead of time, like little school girls we look forward to it & get..."

Snax

"Best Italian In Indy. We've been here 10 times in the last year & are never disappointed. The food is great from the olive oil to the dessert. Wine..."

Tori

"Can't make it any better. It's a perfect place. Just enjoy it. Very special..."

BCD

"I like Mama Carollas and have been there many times to dine in and for carry out. I like the atmosphere and food but sometimes I'mNot thrilled..."

Sarah G

"I love mamas! If you are trying to impress someone this is the place to go! You'll most likely have a wait if it's the wknd but trust me it's worth..."

Bre

"Absolutely Delicious. I ordered the Fried Calamari & Chicken Rigatoni, one of Mama's specialties. The flavor & seasonings were perfect. I had to take..."

April_keaton

"Great Italian Food. This is a very unique and wonderful setting with excellent food. It's always very busy, so I would be prepared to wait. They..."

Lori H

"Great meal out!. I had the Rosemary 1/2 chicken and it was delicious. Everything was cooked and prepped really well. Beautiful setting, great food,..."

AlexJones

"Yes!. Mama Carolla's hits the bulls eye when it comes to authentic Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is pleasant with excellent service. I highly..."

Erick Cavalcanti

"Delicious and authentic Italian cusine in a comfortable and romantic..."

Breelee

"Outstanding. We visit often and enjoy our experience each time. Rizzo and Ben hold down the bar and make the entire experience absolutely peerlless...."

DnP

"Best Italian in Indy!. Absolute favorite Italian restaurant especially for taking that special someone. Staff is always..."

Garrett Doan

"Great place for romance and food. Went to Mama Carolla's for my birthday last year and it was outstanding. My date and I were seated in a little nook..."

John Dorton

"Good date night place. I read some reviews that the noodles were too watery, and mine were a little more than the al dente that I prefer, but it was..."

Local Foodie

"Love It!. I am from Ohio. Several years ago, a group of guys from Indy told me that I had to try this place. I have to say that I was impressed! This..."

SAndi

"Wonderful...except the waitress. I visited this restaurant at 5pm on Thursday evening. Here's my thoughts: 1) beautiful setting, charming, authentic..."

Jensmailbox

"Rosemary Chicken. I was really impressed with this dish. The chicken was tender and delicious. The grilled veggies were well seasoned, fresh, and..."

Marie F.

"Best restaurant in Indy!. After leaving the Portland, Oregon area 14 years ago, I've been searching for a restaurant in Indiana that has all the..."

Jeff

"AMAZING FROM START TO FINISH!. Used to live a block away from the place for 5 years, a few years ago. Was almost a weekly thing to walk over and eat..."

Vincent

"Divine. I could go on and on about the great atmosphere, service, bar, and FOOD, but let me be concise and just say that Mama Carolla's is the best..."

Gdubya

"Very good. Bin there four times in 5 years- always good. Super..."

Mari

"Romance and Best Linguine and Clams. If you want romance think surrounded by twinkling lights and candles in a garden. Enough said! Everyone raves..."

Michelle

"Mamas. Always delicious.....you need time on your hands to wait for a table though as they don't accept..."

DL

"Delicious.. The food here is fantastic. Would definitely recommend the steak and chicken rigatoni (my personal favorite). Because they don't take..."

Ness

"Simply amazing! It has the best, most romantic atmosphere, probably in all of Indy. The food is excellent, and surprisingly affordable! Highly..."

Storytime

"The Italian American standard in Indy. Fritters, lasagna, & cannoli... oh my! This really is *the* dining destination in Indianapolis, and has been..."

Amuse Bouche

"My favorite!. This is my favorite restaurant because the food is wonderful, the atmosphere is unique and quaint, and it feels like we are doing more..."

Carollynncollins

"Best overall restaurant in Indy but wait can be long and service can be weak. Love the stuffed shrimp and chicken rigatoni. Located in cool old house..."

WCP

"Goodtimes (probably won't return though). We finally decided to try mama carolla's...it's difficult to want to go to a restaurant that doesn't take..."

Lunchlady

"Great atmosphere and food!. This place is so romantic and cute! We sat outside on a warm fall evening and had dinner by candlelight. The food tasted..."

Erin_elliott

"WOWZA Mama. I had been to Mama Carolla several years ago and remembered it was good but needed to be reminded why...First it was the ambiance...."

Chinanow

"Great experience. I'm a big fan of authentic italian and i feel they got it right. i don't find my way to bripple often but when i'm back in the..."

Smirkin_dirkin

"People Amaze Me. I love reading the stuff that people put up about great restaurants. It's always apparent to me when people have eaten too much..."

Justin

"Great Italian!. Mama Carolla's is cute and authentic! I loved the chicken and parmesan, speghetti and meatballs, and for dessert the TIRAMISU is a..."

Gessica A

"Mama Carolla should be proud of the establishments food and..."

Spencer James

"Mama Carolla's. I'm so glad I finally tried this place. The decor is very pretty and romantic, and it's definitely a great date spot. We started with..."

Mariposa

"One of my favorite Italian places. The portions were fantastic, the flavor was very good, and the food was well-made. I kind of like their concept-..."

Rory

"Good Food but Overpriced. There food is tasty, and there is a nice atmosphere in the restaurant and on the patio. however, it is a little pricey...."

Bettie13

"Good Food. This place is about moving people. The setting is fantastic. Long waits possible as it is very popular with the locals but they move you..."

Food For Thought

"Good Italian Dinner. My wife and I tried Mama Carolla's for the first time last night and had a good experience. We started off with the "Justin's..."

Sherrel Harris

"Indiananapolis' best Italian getaway! Old school and cozy is this hidden gem with a charming outdoor garden area. Great food...always packed so come..."

Genius

"Unforgettable. Wish I could bring this with me back home...Always have "Chef Mike's dish"...Sooooo good. Love this..."

Jeff

"Very charming environment. Love the atmosphere and the..."

Susan A

"Great food, sweet staff. I had a killer headache, and the hostess wanted to seat us in the middle of a million tables. When I told her I had a..."

DeAnna

"Absolutely delicious Italian food located in a really cool spot right along the Monon Trail. The restaurant is located in a really eclectic building..."

Sam Sachs

"We had our anniversary dinner here, and everything was perfect! The scenery, the service, the food. Our server (Eric) was super helpful with..."

Roci C

"A Must-Try Italian Gem in Indianapolis: Mama Carolla’s Delivers Deliciousness! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This place has such a cozy vibe, giving off those..."

Julysa Sosa (Huly)

"Visiting from Jacksonville. This place was highly recommended by a family member and boy did it make an impression. The ambiance, staff and food..."

Prakash Patel

"This is a super cute Italian place! I got the Chicken Alfredo, and it was awesome! We also got calamari and it was really good. It's a beautiful..."

Callie Main

"Tucked away in an old Mediterranean-style villa near the neighborhood of Broad Ripple, Mama Carolla's offers some of the best tasting Italian dishes..."

Tony Hosea

"This place has an amazing atmosphere /vibe and even better food. We had the fried motzerella to start with which was melted cheese over bruschetta...."

Tiffany Castilleja

"The atmosphere made this experience something worth talking about! The service was good, but not the best I've had. I waited with an empty glass of..."

Jamey Armstrong

"I love this place. As someone who has to eat gluten free this is really a treat. The carbonara with GF pasta is what dreams are made..."

Lauren Klinedinst

"I liked the atmosphere, the service was excellent Ashley took great care of us, she is a very cheerful and professional girl. the food was good..."

MARIA JESUS GARCIA A

"The food was good. Some dishes at the table were great while others were very average. The waitress, Olivia was extraordinary and you should hope..."

James Hall

"The food is amazing every time I go. There can be a wait to be seated if you go on the weekend but this is my favorite date night dinner place to go!..."

Lena Nguyen

"We went to Mama Carolla's during the Christmas season. The restaurant was decorated beautifully. I shared the manicotti with my 7-year-old and that..."

Leslie Dubs

"This was a wonderful restaurant. The restaurant sat in an older house making you feel welcome as soon as you walk through the doors. We sat at a..."

M

"An Italian gem in Indianapolis. Anytime we are going through Indianapolis and are able to stop at Mama Carolla’s we make an effort to go. The food..."

Grant Beach

"Absolutely love this place. Never disappointed with any selection I have ever made. You will like it here. Definitely..."

Kelleen Robertson

"Mama Carolla’s, one of the more high end Italian restaurants in the Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis. I came last night to celebrate a family..."

The Elevator and Airplane Finder

"Above and beyond customer service. One of the best service experiences we have had in a while. A few minor issues with the food that Keith eliminated..."

Barret Barlow

"Another fantastic example of a place exceeding expectations on your views from years prior, despite then being incredibly lofty. Great service and..."

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