Mama Carolla's

1031 E 54th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220, United States
+1 317-259-9412
$$$ Italian restaurant
(2468 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

If you find yourself wandering through the charming streets of Indianapolis, a culinary treasure awaits at Mama Carolla's—a beloved Italian restaurant that immerses diners in a delightful blend of authentic flavors, warmth, and vibrant ambiance.

Located conveniently at 1031 E 54th St, this culinary hotspot is celebrated for its classic Italian cuisine that feels like a heartfelt hug from nonna. The inviting atmosphere effortlessly marries rustic charm with a touch of elegance, making it the perfect backdrop for date nights, family gatherings, or special celebrations.

As you peruse the menu, you’ll quickly discover that Mama Carolla's does not compromise on bold flavors. Start your meal with tantalizing appetizers like the prosciutto and melon, a delightful dance of sweet and salty that captivates your senses, or the rich Artichoke Fritters that promise to set the stage for a memorable feast. For the main course, indulge in standout dishes such as the Misto Mare Linguine, featuring a medley of seafood sautéed in a fragrant blend of garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. For pasta aficionados, the selection of red sauce options is hard to resist—opt for the beloved spaghetti with meatballs or savor the richness of the Bolognese meat sauce—each dish crafted for both comfort and satisfaction.

Vegetarians and spice lovers alike will want to dive into the Eggplant Puttanesca, where sautéed eggplant mingles with capers and olives, creating a delightful balance of flavors that pack a punch. Meanwhile, the Rosemary Chicken Lasagna promises layers of tender chicken and wild mushrooms encased in creamy perfection. End your meal on a sweet note with the renowned spumoni gelato or tiramisu to elevate your dining experience to the sublime.

But it's not just the food that captivates; the service at Mama Carolla's shines just as brightly. Guests have consistently praised the attentive and knowledgeable staff, who are eager to guide you through menu choices, making each dining experience feel personalized and special. With reviews highlighting notable servers like Eric and Ashley, it's clear that the team is dedicated to ensuring every guest leaves with a smile and a full belly.

It's worth noting that the atmosphere can grow lively, especially on bustling weekends when the charming patio offers an al fresco dining experience. However, even during peak hours, the warmth and authenticity exuded by the restaurant make any wait worthwhile. As one satisfied customer noted, the ambiance alone makes it a hit—perfect for cozy evenings with your loved ones or memorable gatherings with friends.

In summary, Mama Carolla's is not just a meal; it's an experience that embodies the heart of Italian dining. Each dish tells a story, and each visit feels like coming home. Perfect for anyone in search of delicious food accompanied by outstanding service, this restaurant is undoubtedly a must-visit for all culinary adventurers in Indianapolis.

Don’t miss out—pick up the phone and call +1 317-259-9412 to make your reservation today!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Wednesday

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Thursday

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Friday

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Saturday

05:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

2468 Reviews
Amanda Reichling

12 Sep 2025

Second time here & it was as wonderful as I remembered. The prosciutto and melon appetizer was a delight to the senses - mixing sweet & salty. Our server recommended the Mediterranean salad & it was also delicious. The service was timely & professional. A great date night spot! The Mediterranean pasta was extremely delicious and the spumoni gelato was like no other! Highly recommend if you’re looking for the best Italian dishes around, but expect a wait unless you have a large party with reservations.

Rachel Bryan

10 Sep 2025

truly the BEST dining experience. my husband and I were traveling from out of town and had this restaurant recommended by several people. both the food and service blew us away. Eric was our server and he was PHENOMENAL. the best service we have had in our entire lives. he gave amazing recommendations and was so attentive all evening. highly recommend the goat cheese shrimp and chicken involtine. they were our favorite dishes of the night. HUGE shoutout to Eric for being so amazing, the food was great but his service absolutely sold us on this restaurant. I will forever recommend this spot to anyone traveling to the area!

ADAM COPPER

11 Aug 2025

1st time ever trying this one. Had come to us by being facebook recommended by several friends. Our experience was close to being perfect if it wasn't for the obnoxiously loud family that was nearby with small kids. That really ruined the special dinner outing for my wife's birthday, when you can't talk to each other. There was NO special birthday dessert....which was sorta a bummer when so many (even st elmo's) comp your dessert when you show your ID with week range of your birthday. On the bright side of things the food is amazingly perfect: BREAD (the best ever) the Lasagna (perfect) Sangria was one of the best tasting ever! I like everything about the quality and service.....just didn't enjoy the parking situation and the noise but we will give it another try just because this place seemed to have the quality aspect nailed down. Also I would not recommend it to my friends as a place to celebrate their birthday. Stick with the places who actually say "happy birthday"

N Surabhi

08 Aug 2025

Date night with husband The place is pretty packed, even with a reservation we had to wait for 30 min to get a table but the moment you’re shown to your table the service is exceptional. We opted for verandah seating, it was a hit with the weather being cooler than the other days. Our server Sherry knows what she’s doing and great at recommending house specials and the various items at the menu. She even made sure about the dietary restrictions before hand. We ordered their Sicilian Asparagus patties, rosemary chicken lasagna and Chicken involtine. Everything tasted delicious and I cannot wait to go back and try the others. Also, you cannot miss their house made tiramisu. It was delishhhhh.

Mac Yellek

24 Jul 2025

Visited Mama Carolla’s on a whim after hearing about it so many times. Without a reservation on a Saturday night for two, we arrived around 5:50pm and were seated within 15min on the covered patio. After looking over the menu, we mapped out our meal: Artichoke Fritters, Goat Cheese Stuffed Shrimp, Chicken Piccata, and Tiramisu. Our server, Eric, suggested we add the Mussels to start, and from there we were off to the races. The service was excellent, the food bold, shareable, flavorful, and the space lively yet comfortable. We instantly felt at ease. For an old world Italian spot, Mama Carolla’s truly delivers on both hospitality and food.

Ben Kitzmiller

18 Jul 2025

I loved sitting outside, great atmosphere. The food was delicious and I recommend the steamed mussels as a starter. The flavor was strong but not overwhelming, and it was perfect to dip bread into. Very tasty. The veal medallion was also very good. If you're lucky, you'll get Ashley as your waitress. She did an amazing job accommodating us and I would come back just for her service. You can tell that she has a lot of experience in hospitality.

Eva Halder

18 Jul 2025

Stepping into Mama Carolla’s feels like stepping into a charming Italian villa. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and full of character - perfect for a date night, special celebration, or just a cozy evening out. Also, it’s right off the Monon trail which makes for a fun location. The food absolutely lives up to the ambiance. Every dish we tried was flavorful, hearty, and clearly made with care. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, fried ravioli, beef lasagna, and uncle dinos - all delicious but you honestly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Service was consistently attentive and kind, even when the place is busy (which it often is - reservations are a good idea for 6 or more!). The staff is knowledgeable and always happy to offer recommendations or wine pairings. It’s one of those rare places where the atmosphere, service, and food all come together to create a truly memorable experience. If you’re craving authentic Italian in Indianapolis, Mama Carolla’s is a must-visit.

Simon GUO

30 May 2025

It was a great summer day with perfect cooler temperatures that we can sit outside when dining at Mama Carolla's. We had the soup of the day, Italian wedding soup, Sicilian Patties as the appetizer and the Veal Medallion as the main dish. Overall the food tasted good, the wedding soup somehow more soupy than we expected, other dishes are great. Their soul dough bread is fantastic, crispy outside and soft inside, great companion with the leftover source of thr dishes.

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