20230506 E-mailed Cafe Mamajuana on Facebook inquired about their hours, and they responded "I open sporadically and mainly cater! Thanks for asking. Just keep following and we post when we open for the day a few days ahead of time hopefully you get lucky"
Noah
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
Marguerite Suozzo-Gole
This place was amazing. I was visiting my cousins for the weekend and we split a bunch of tapas between us for take out one night. We got the papas rellenas, tostones, arancini dominicana, guava BBQ and jerk chicken, and 3 empanadas. Everything came with its own different dipping sauce, all of which were great. We also got the Mama Juana cocktail — a traditional Dominican brew — which came in a tiny plastic bottle, but was strong enough that divided up between the three of us it was enough.My favorite was the guava BBQ and jerk chicken. Spicy jerk seasoning on the drumsticks, guava BBQ sauce that I could eat on its own (and ended up slathering on the rest of my order), a pineapple salsa, and something pickled, maybe jicama?Overall, our order was lacking green, so if you’re on a veggie kick this might not be your vibe.
MAL
Arroz con frijoles was mushy rice with flavorless canned beans. The platanos were cut too thick, and the pernil had absolutely no flavor. I took three bites hoping it would magically get better, but nope that was it for me. I don't like giving low stars, but the ancestors are not having this. Maybe it was a REALLY bad day.I may try again on my next visit to Burlington with the hope of a better experience.
Pandora Box
I was exited to try this place because I love empanadas the cheese empanadas are out of this world they where great but when we tried the chicken ones they where so cold like they gave us old empanadas from the day before and didn’t even care to heat them up. I don’t know if the staff was having a bad day but I felt like it was an inconvenience for them to have us there. I will definitely give it another try the yuca is incredible too but they need more quality control with the empanadas it’s not so appetizing to bite into cold pink chicken.
Will
This review is going to come across as gushing but, I am just blown away after eating here. There's nothing else like this in Burlington. I've eaten at places with similar vibes in larger cities but not in Burlington. Every dish we tried was fantastic. The atmosphere was great. The service was attentive and quick. Even the seemingly random location makes you feel like you're discovering something special. I mean this is special. We lack diversity in our restaurant offerings here so, to find a really good Dominican restaurant hidden away among the houses in the Old North End, it's so refreshing. Not only do I absolutely want to come back here, I can't wait to come back and try more dishes.
Yuliya Rudick
Wow this place is just amazing! The food is delicious! We tried them for the first time (take out) and loved it! We had a red snapper and stuffed plantain plus some empanadas and apps and everything was outstanding!
Anagha Uppal
Don't be fooled by the overrated pictures and ratings. This place is not great. Even simple beans and rice are improperly done. Anything more difficult like the salad, the whole fish, and the ice cream are all let downs. None of the food tastes Dominican or even Dominican fusion. The cocktails are pretty weak too. Nice staff, but uninterested in feedback.
Sadie S.
Hands down my favorite place in the Burlington area. I've eaten in and carried out multiple times and everything is always on point. Do not miss out on the cocktails ! Amazing. The staff is always friendly, the service is quick, prices are reasonable and the food is mouth watering.
Noah Gootkind
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
stephanie busch
The food was great, ordering for pick up was quick, and the pick up was also fast. Make sure to check you order before you leave the site.I am excited to go back.
Danilo Jose
I got surprised that I found a Dominican restaurant in Vermont, beautiful decoration, the food was delicious and fresh, prices are just a little high but when the food arrive you forget everything. I know very well the Dominican food and I would recommend to anyone in Burlington that try at least the empanadas and you won’t regret.
Clarissa Drill
Delicious food and drinks, friendly and caring staff, super cute cafe...do NOT skip this place!! In a town with some great restaurants, this one takes the cake. Got the breakfast paella which was fresh, full of flavor and SO filling. Cant wait to try more next time I'm in town!
daisy roianov
AMAZING EVERYTHING !!!! We loved all the food you ordered. You can not go wrong with your order anything you get will be fantastic. The owner was extremely friendly; made us feel very welcome. Overall just fantastic. Will definitely come again.
20230506 E-mailed Cafe Mamajuana on Facebook inquired about their hours, and they responded "I open sporadically and mainly cater! Thanks for asking. Just keep following and we post when we open for the day a few days ahead of time hopefully you get lucky"
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
This place was amazing. I was visiting my cousins for the weekend and we split a bunch of tapas between us for take out one night. We got the papas rellenas, tostones, arancini dominicana, guava BBQ and jerk chicken, and 3 empanadas. Everything came with its own different dipping sauce, all of which were great. We also got the Mama Juana cocktail — a traditional Dominican brew — which came in a tiny plastic bottle, but was strong enough that divided up between the three of us it was enough.My favorite was the guava BBQ and jerk chicken. Spicy jerk seasoning on the drumsticks, guava BBQ sauce that I could eat on its own (and ended up slathering on the rest of my order), a pineapple salsa, and something pickled, maybe jicama?Overall, our order was lacking green, so if you’re on a veggie kick this might not be your vibe.
Arroz con frijoles was mushy rice with flavorless canned beans. The platanos were cut too thick, and the pernil had absolutely no flavor. I took three bites hoping it would magically get better, but nope that was it for me. I don't like giving low stars, but the ancestors are not having this. Maybe it was a REALLY bad day.I may try again on my next visit to Burlington with the hope of a better experience.
I was exited to try this place because I love empanadas the cheese empanadas are out of this world they where great but when we tried the chicken ones they where so cold like they gave us old empanadas from the day before and didn’t even care to heat them up. I don’t know if the staff was having a bad day but I felt like it was an inconvenience for them to have us there. I will definitely give it another try the yuca is incredible too but they need more quality control with the empanadas it’s not so appetizing to bite into cold pink chicken.
This review is going to come across as gushing but, I am just blown away after eating here. There's nothing else like this in Burlington. I've eaten at places with similar vibes in larger cities but not in Burlington. Every dish we tried was fantastic. The atmosphere was great. The service was attentive and quick. Even the seemingly random location makes you feel like you're discovering something special. I mean this is special. We lack diversity in our restaurant offerings here so, to find a really good Dominican restaurant hidden away among the houses in the Old North End, it's so refreshing. Not only do I absolutely want to come back here, I can't wait to come back and try more dishes.
Wow this place is just amazing! The food is delicious! We tried them for the first time (take out) and loved it! We had a red snapper and stuffed plantain plus some empanadas and apps and everything was outstanding!
Don't be fooled by the overrated pictures and ratings. This place is not great. Even simple beans and rice are improperly done. Anything more difficult like the salad, the whole fish, and the ice cream are all let downs. None of the food tastes Dominican or even Dominican fusion. The cocktails are pretty weak too. Nice staff, but uninterested in feedback.
Hands down my favorite place in the Burlington area. I've eaten in and carried out multiple times and everything is always on point. Do not miss out on the cocktails ! Amazing. The staff is always friendly, the service is quick, prices are reasonable and the food is mouth watering.
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
Restaurantji Recommends
Cafe Mamajuana is a hidden restaurant in the north end that teleports you out of vermont. The menu is unique and well thought out- its no wonder they were nominated for a james beard award! I got the Pescado Frito (fried red snapper) after seeing that they finally had it back in stock and was thoroughly impressed. The fish was perfectly cooked, and tasted incredible. The staff were so friendly and happily chatted despite being busy, all in all i had a great experience. Cant wait to return and try some of their creative specials!
The food was great, ordering for pick up was quick, and the pick up was also fast. Make sure to check you order before you leave the site.I am excited to go back.
I got surprised that I found a Dominican restaurant in Vermont, beautiful decoration, the food was delicious and fresh, prices are just a little high but when the food arrive you forget everything. I know very well the Dominican food and I would recommend to anyone in Burlington that try at least the empanadas and you won’t regret.
Delicious food and drinks, friendly and caring staff, super cute cafe...do NOT skip this place!! In a town with some great restaurants, this one takes the cake. Got the breakfast paella which was fresh, full of flavor and SO filling. Cant wait to try more next time I'm in town!
AMAZING EVERYTHING !!!! We loved all the food you ordered. You can not go wrong with your order anything you get will be fantastic. The owner was extremely friendly; made us feel very welcome. Overall just fantastic. Will definitely come again.