Mãe Maria in Cardiff

Me and my partner (both Portuguese) were on the mood for some proper portuguese food yesterday afternoon. We looked online and found Mãe Maria. It was still a few miles away, but encouraged by hunger, laziness to cook and the idea of a warm Portuguese meal, decided it was worth a try! We got there late and went to the wrong place (useless GPS!)! We called the restaurant to know if it was still OK to go in, fearing it would be too late! The person answering put us at ease saying they'd wait for us! Its a really cosy place, the owner is a really nice guy who was happy to chat with us the whole time. We listened to some fado, had some super bock , I went for a francesinha and my partner had bacalhau à bras! Everything was delicious, even the starter (taste of Portugal, try it,). I was pleasantly surprised by the hand cut chips, its something so rare where we go! Of course we had some desserts and a nice expresso, before letting the staff have their meal and get some rest! Thank you for your patience and attention to us. We'll be back soon, my partner wants to try your francesinha!

Visited on the spur of the moment one evening and so happy we did. Everything was delicious for start to finish. Staff were friendly, polite and helpful. The Portuguese wine was lovely and the food exceeded our expectations. Really wonderful meal and as we were leaving we were already discussing what we will order next time. A great addition to the area. Make sure you have dessert!

Was at the resteraunt with a group of friends majority of them had the chicken skewers which they said was nice but me and one other had the steak which was awful will not be revisiting

Really nice staff, food very tasty and reasonably priced. I thought the venue lacked atmosphere (well it was a cold Tuesday evening outside) and a little too modern for my taste, but plenty of space between tables.

Very friendly. Lovely family feel.

Poor quality in food and service is not great. Do not recommend this place.

Authentic, reasonable and fantastic service. Portuguese hubby more than impressed. Highly recommend and will definitely be back.

The food is really tasty. We loved the homemade desserts.

Really amazing deboned fish!!! And the home-made mousse was so smooth 😋

Excellent meal and polite pleasant staff. Very convivial luncheon

We went to the restaurant for breakfast and ordered the breakfast set and vegetarian brekky. Coffee was really nice and good portion of food. You should try the vegetarian sausage 😉 I like the slightly dark ambience which was really relaxing. The man who served us was really polite and professional but maybe a little bit understaffed. It could be the reason that it was a Sunday morning. We can't wait to go back to try other hot and cold tapas and the salted cod dish. I imagine the parking could be a little bit of a nightmare during the week but it's not too far to walk from Victoria Park, maybe 10 minutes?

Lovely little bar, quite and social

Amazing food and large portions. Excellent service

I would expect more variety from a Portuguese restaurant but acceptable food

Not what we expected but the food and service was very good

Very nice food and staff, not like the other Portuguese restaurants around this one has got typical Portuguese dishes. Hubby loved his steak too. Definitely will come back :)

Great meal again, tried something new and most def with the return visit!

Loved it great service lovely atmosphere wonderful food definitely recommend

It's ok. Needs more staff not one man. No rush to return

Can only reasonably give 4 stars as I only had dessert here. But their homemade chocolate mouse was excellent. Very rich and thick, much more like a ganache, and absolutely perfect for a chocoholic like me. Apple and Lemon cake desserts that others in our group had were apparently equally as excellent. Looking forward to the excuse to go back for main course at some point from food I saw others eating.

I took some meat-based food for £10.90 (or so) and it was absolutely terrible. The quality of the meat and sausages was the cheapest one you find in a supermarket at best. Otherwise, the place is nice and the staff pleasant. The fries were good.

The place is lovely, the staff are lovely, the steak was nice but other than that the food is aweful! Don't go here if you want to eat Portuguese food! Steak yes, other food is a definitive no go! I had the piri half chicken, it was horrible and the chips are not good at all! !!!!

Muito bom, recomendo. Bom atendimento e boa francesinha.

Fantastic food and fantastic service 👌

Decent (if variable) food, but not good for groups. Ten sign language users were put either side of a long table, making conversation near impossible, especially with the dim lighting. Romantic for the hearing, I expect, but not for the Deaf.

Food was great all 5 of us agreed will go back soon.

Very good food and very nice people. It is a place to revisit every time I am in Cardiff! Recomended to all Portuguese cousine lovers.

A lovely place to sit down and relax over a coffee with friends.

Went to Mae Maria at lunchtime. Had a starter and main from the set menu which was very good then had a dessert which was delicious. Waiter was very pleasant. Overall very good would recommend.

Francesinha excepcional, bom ambiente. Um cantinho de Portugal em Cardiff.

Been having lunch and dinner here on many occasions over the last year or so. The service is great and all the food has a lovely home cooked feeling. Its family run and well worth a visit. The menu is always expanding and the prices are very reasonable. A+

Lovely place pity about the loos

Lovely food friendly staff..not happy that it is advertised on taste card for 50% off,when we actualy got to the restaurant they said they do not take taste card anymore...dissapointing!!!!

Nice people. Wine overpriced. Food is average for Portuguese

Servico espectacular!!! Pessoal super simpatico!!! Excelente!!!

Absouletely beautiful food all courses. Lovely staff. Very warm welcome. Will be back.

The establishment and the staff were amazing. Lovely little back room if you want to eat in a more intimate place. The front of house is like a cafe of sorts where you can sit and have a cake and coffee. The food we ate was quite dry. I don't know if that's because it's Portuguese food but I felt it lacked in that area.

Second visit this time on Mother's Day. 5 of us in all. Great food great service in a great family atmosphere. Reasonably priced too. Will definately go back. Portuguese cuisine is very much under advertised and promoted but is great, seafood, fish or meat it's all good

We were here for a private party. The food was good and the staff were friendly.

Very nice place .food stunning. staff amazing . Definetly will return x

Excellent service. Had a "francesinha" and it was great. Will definately return.

Waiters seemed confused asked us if we had a reservation when the place was totally empty. Ordered chicken piri piri. Chicken tasted off sent it back. We were offered something else but we had no confidence in ordering anything else. However they had good wine at a reasonable price.

Attractive setting and tasty freshly cooked breakfast. Nice atmosphere and popular with family groups judging by today.

Went there for s xmas meal with friends. No xmas atmosphere at all was empty except for us 4. Waiter was ok but lacked enthusiasm. Food was ok but nothing to write home about. All in all don't think this place will last much longer. Xx

Lacks atmosphere, food overall average. Service good. Will not return

Good food ! Very nice staff ! Great service !

Great coffee and cakes, and lunch is a bargain! Breakfast is great too.

It's ok but there are a lot better close by. No atmosphere and pricey.

Only popped in for a coffee. Fare prices good staff and clean. What more can you ask for

Good Grubb and fantastic service. Lovely, lovely, lovely staff. Very reasonably priced.

Lovely staff and great food at reasonable prices

Tasty authentic Portuguese food. Great wine selection. Friendly service.

Really good food and service. Quite expensive but nice as a treat. Very quiet.

The location (just around the corner from where I live, the staff are very friendly and the food was very good.)

Great food, great service and not badly priced.

Great staff and food is very reasonably priced

A couple of us visited here for breakfast, not only was it delicious, but really good value for money! Staff really friendly and welcoming, will be visiting again!

Quality service and the food is excellent

Good food, nice atmosphere, friendly service

Fantastic! Service, atmosphere, food! 100% recommend!

Visited this restaurant on three separate occasions first occasion tea and cake for 2pounds. Second occasion for English breakfast 5 pounds, third occasion for 2 course lunch with drink 5 pounds. Not only great value for money, standard of food very high and excellent service. Highly recommend. Dated December 2016.