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Mamie
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Mamie
7.8
Mamie is a daytime Italian cafe offering Tuscan-style panini, salads, and espresso in a bright counter-service environment. It caters to neighborhood lunch crowds with fresh breads and simple, well-prepared combinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prosciutto mozzarella panini, Turkey pesto panini, Tiramisu cup
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Tuscan-inspired sandwiches made with fresh breads and fillings.
Who should go: Lunch diners wanting quality panini.
When to visit: Midday for freshest panini batches.
What to order: Prosciutto panini, turkey pesto, tiramisu.
Insider tip: Ordering ahead saves significant wait time during lunch rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Santa Monica Blvd and nearby residential streets; generally manageable during daytime hours.
Dress code: Casual; ideal for daytime meals, errands, or quick meet-ups with comfortable everyday attire.
Noise level: Low to moderate; the cafe stays bright and conversational with occasional lunchtime bustle.
Weekend wait: N/A; Mamie is a daytime-focused cafe and does not operate dinner service.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak lunch hours; ordering ahead minimizes wait time significantly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several panini, salads, and sides can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — plant-based diners may need to rely on modified salads or simpler combinations.
Gluten-free options: Limited — no gluten-free bread, but salads and select sides offer workable options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual coffee or lunch meet-up than a full first date; the setting is informal and daytime-oriented.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — no reservations are required, and tables turn quickly during lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick daytime meals; simple menu items and counter service work well for families with younger children.
Best For
Better for: Quick, fresh panini and salads at fair prices with an easy, daytime neighborhood vibe.
Skip if: You want dinner service, extensive dietary accommodations, or a more atmospheric Italian meal.
Mamie
8.1
Mamie Italian Kitchen is a daytime neighborhood café where schiacciata panini, salads, and espresso anchor a short but focused Italian menu. Locals slip in for thoughtfully built sandwiches and Italian sodas at lunch, then linger over coffee at the counter or a sidewalk table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Viale Panini, Riccione Panini, Caprese Salad
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: A daytime Italian café built around house-baked schiacciata panini and espresso.
Who should go: Sandwich and espresso lovers wanting a low-key lunch stop.
When to visit: Weekday lunch hours before the small space fills up.
What to order: Viale panini, Riccione panini, and a Neapolitan coffee.
Insider tip: Ask about daily panini specials and grab an outdoor seat for people-watching.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Santa Monica Boulevard and side streets; generally manageable midday but can tighten during peak cafe hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; daytime café attire is perfectly appropriate.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy for conversation indoors or at the sidewalk tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the café operates primarily during daytime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait, though the counter can get briefly busy around 12–1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several panini and salad options can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items can be customized, but the menu leans heavily on cheese and traditional Italian ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Partial — salads are naturally gluten-free, but schiacciata panini are not; no dedicated gluten-free bread is consistently available.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for a casual daytime meet-up than a formal date; the cozy space and sidewalk seating make it feel relaxed and easygoing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating. Arriving slightly early for lunch improves chances of snagging an outdoor table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for younger kids during off-peak hours; the simple menu works for families, though the space is small and not ideal for large strollers.
Best For
Better for: Thoughtfully crafted Italian sandwiches, a mellow neighborhood vibe, and quick solo lunches compared to larger trattorias in the area.
Skip if: You want a full-service dinner, extensive pasta options, or a lively nightlife atmosphere — this is a daytime café with a focused menu.
Mamie
8.2
Mamie is a daylight-only Italian café and market where Tuscan panini, Italian sodas, and Neapolitan coffee make lunch with kids feel a bit like a quick trip to Europe. The bright, counter-service setup keeps things easy for families while still serving carefully sourced, in-house ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prosciutto, Burrata & Pesto Tuscan Panini, House Italian Sodas, Neapolitan Coffee
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 6.4
What makes it special: A sunlit Italian café built around Tuscan panini and espresso drinks.
Who should go: Families looking for a casual, daytime Italian lunch.
When to visit: Midday before or after the peak noon rush.
What to order: Prosciutto-burrata panini, an Italian soda, Neapolitan coffee.
Insider tip: Use the market-style setup to grab sandwiches for nearby park or studio runs.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Sunset and nearby residential blocks; spots turn over quickly during lunch but can be tight around school pickup hours.
Dress code: Casual and daytime-friendly; athleisure, jeans, and relaxed weekend wear are all appropriate.
Noise level: Low to moderate — it’s a bright café with light chatter but still easy for conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — Mamie operates daytime only.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; slight lines around noon but they move quickly due to counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid coverage — several panini, salads, and sides can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — customization helps, but core items skew toward cheese and cured meats.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — some salads and sides work, but panini options are limited without a gluten-free bread alternative.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a relaxed, daytime, get-to-know-you coffee or lunch; it’s casual and bright rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating, so tables are first-come, first-served and typically easy to find outside the noon rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — stroller access is easy, staff are patient, and the quick-service format works well for toddlers through pre-teens.
Best For
Better for: Faster, higher-quality daytime Italian sandwiches and snacks than most sit-down trattorias in the area; ideal for families needing a quick but elevated meal.
Skip if: You want a full-service Italian meal, long dinner, or extensive pasta menu — Mamie is strictly daytime and light-fare focused.
Mamie
8.8
Mamie is a daytime Italian sandwich counter where thick-cut focaccia and ciabatta are baked to order and stacked with imported meats, cheeses, and punchy spreads. Lines move quickly, but most people are here specifically for big, knife-and-fork sandwiches that feel more like a full Italian meal than a grab-and-go bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Viale di Parma focaccia sandwich, Di Parma with prosciutto and burrata, Colucci roasted vegetable focaccia
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 7.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Focaccia-based Italian sandwiches built on bread baked to order.
Who should go: Sandwich obsessives chasing peak bread and toppings.
When to visit: Late morning or early afternoon before the heaviest lines.
What to order: Viale di Parma, Di Parma, Colucci focaccia sandwich.
Insider tip: Split one sandwich for two; portions are huge and rich.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Santa Monica Boulevard and nearby side streets; generally manageable midday but tight during peak lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; most guests come in daytime streetwear.
Noise level: Low to moderate; it’s a counter-service environment with steady foot traffic but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; Mamie is a daytime operation and closes before dinner.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak hours, especially for baked-to-order focaccia; shorter waits mid-morning.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection; a few sandwiches can be made vegetarian or customized with veggie-forward fillings and spreads.
Vegan options: Limited; most breads and fillings are not vegan-friendly, but you can request simple vegetable builds if available.
Gluten-free options: Minimal; breads are wheat-based and the kitchen does not offer gluten-free loaves.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great for low-key daytime dates where you want high-quality food without formality. Portions are hefty and somewhat messy, so skip it if you want something more refined.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served. Expect to wait for a counter spot at peak lunch, but turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle large, knife-and-fork sandwiches. Space is tight, so strollers or very young children may find it less comfortable.
Best For
Better for: Bread-first Italian sandwiches with bakery-level focaccia and ciabatta, plus generous, premium fillings that feel more like full meals.
Skip if: You want lighter sandwiches, vegan choices, gluten-free options, or a more relaxed, sit-down environment with lengthy seating.