MAE • Slow Brunchers — Restaurant in Rome

Review of MAE Roma Prati – Disappointing Brunch Experience

I’ve been to MAE at least three times now, always hoping the experience would improve, but unfortunately, I’ve been consistently disappointed.

While the food is decent and visually appealing, it doesn’t justify the steep prices. One of the most frustrating aspects is their pricing policy: any small addition to a dish costs extra, which would be understandable if it were matched with flexibility. However, if you ask to remove an ingredient—whether due to personal taste or dietary restrictions—they still charge you the full price. This kind of policy feels not only unfair but also exploitative.

It’s clear that the focus is more on catering to unsuspecting tourists rather than building loyalty with locals. For a place that positions itself as a quality brunch spot, the service and pricing structure are both disappointing.

I do not recommend this place. You can surely find many better brunch options in Rome that offer more honest pricing, better customer care, and a more welcoming atmosphere.

Rating:...

Pick a different place! Take it from someone who loves specialty coffee and brunch culture and lives in the area, THERE ARE BETTER PLACES! Coffee is good, nothing to say, but service and everything around it is terrible! The list of rules: no take out coffee or food, no laptops, you can’t sit down if you’re still waiting for someone, you can only have your table after everyone from your party has arrived, and you can’t order coffee or drinks only, you have to order food as well (not my fault your pastries look so poor and unappealing and food is so overpriced and not worth it) Since we live nearby we’ve been going there many time since their opening, we’ve had brunches there, but it has never been s pleasant experience. food is just not good enough and so overpriced, (especially the pancakes are so bad, come on, the easiest thing to make, you can do better!) so now I go there just to have a quick coffee. But today was the last time because there’s a new rule that you can’t only have drinks. And another thing - don’t bring...

Such a disappointment. The coffee here may be great — but unfortunately, you can’t have it unless you order food. Not even for takeaway. Unbelievable.

We went there on a Sunday around midday, having made the trip to Prati specifically to enjoy a good coffee at their place.

At the entrance, a waitress stopped us to ask what we wanted (mind you, the place was 70% empty — only a 3 tables occupied inside and 3-4 outside). I explained we just wanted two coffees to-go, without taking a table.

The response? No. They only serve brunch, and you must order something to eat. I asked if we could simply stand at the bar. No. Could we just take two coffees away? No.

It’s honestly baffling: a place that prides itself on offering “specialty coffee” yet won’t serve you unless you sit down for brunch.

I used to recommend this place — but after the time and effort we spent to arrive there and just to be turned away for wanting a simple coffee, I realize I overestimated them.

Very disappointing and completely...