Mama Louise Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Centennial

We were in town visiting family and my in-laws recommended this restaurant. We show up shortly after 4pm (when they open) and asked for a table for 10. Only 8 of us were there (the other two were running a little late). We were rudely told they can’t seat incomplete parties. My teenage son asked “why?” (because there were lots of empty tables) and the hostess seemed very annoyed and said that they get very busy and don’t seat parties until everyone is there because they don’t want to miss out on business. I told the hostess that we wouldn’t be waiting for the other 2 to order and that the 8 of us would order right away. She said she just has to follow the rules. I understand following policies, but the attitude from her and the other staff was very stand-offish. Like we were imposing on them. We would have just left, but my in-laws really like this place and wanted us to try the food. So we waited for the other 2 to arrive. Once they arrived, I told the hostess that we were all here and an older waiter came over and said I only count 9, I said, “no there are 10.” He sat us down and immediately said, “well how many checks? We don’t split checks. I said we would need 2, he then said, well you have to sit with the person you’re sharing the check with. (Which we had all of the kids sitting together because they don’t get to see each other but once per year.) He then proceeds to take our order when we barely had time to look at the menu, he came off as in a hurry and annoyed that we were there. After we all ordered and were eating, he was constantly coming to clear the table. I was eating pizza, but my plate was empty because I was talking and taking my time before grabbing another piece and he came and took my plate. He kept coming to take napkins and silverware that seemed “unused.” I was helping my mom-in-law cut up her food (she’s elderly) so I had a fork & knife set aside to help her when she needed and he came and took it. Then I used someone else’s knife for the next time and he kept hovering over us - I finally just held it in my hand so that he wouldn’t take it away. Overall, the food was ok, especially for the price and the service was not good at all. We were made to feel like we were a bother and like they wanted us to hurry up and eat & leave. (Also, the entire time we were there, several tables remained open- they didn’t get busy at all the way they stated that they do every Friday night). We won’t be back, but I’m sure my in-laws will continue...

I called at 6:00 pm on July 31 to place an order - the female on the phone told me she couldn't hear me so I spoke louder and she was obviously irritated and told me it's very loud in the restaurant - after repeating the order to her 3 times at a level I would deem unnecessary for a restaurant that is supposed to be able to receive take out orders over the phone, she asked "is that all" - sooooooo friendly (insert sarcasm here) I was told the pickup order would be ready in 45 minutes - we arrived at 6:43 pm, my husband went in, waited another 5 minutes to talk with the hostess with the bull ring in her nose - she dismissively informed him it would be at least another 10 minutes - so he waited inside - after 25 minutes he checked with the "hostess" again and in a condescending tone she informed him the order was "being put together" - bull ring nose told my husband other people probably called before him that's why they got their order - we understand how ordering food works (we're in our late 50's, we've done it a time or two) - we based our arrival time on what we were told when we placed the order - my husband came out to sit with me in our car, which was parked right by the front door so we could see the foot traffic and other people waiting for orders (yes, it was busy - yes, we understand a small restaurant had its "hands full") - after another 10 minutes my husband went back inside, waited for 10 more minutes and then came back out with the order. Our food was a huge disappointment - salad that should not have been served but rather thrown out, an undercooked spinach calzone, hard spaghetti noodles and cannolis that were thrown in a container - So my advice to anyone reading the reviews - if you have time, lots and lots and LOTS of time to wait for takeout, sure, give the bull ring nose a call - stand your ground, she's an unpleasant human and she probably shouldn't be "front of the house" - but honestly for the time we wasted, and the huge food bill for mediocre quality (and we're being generous with that review), we could have gone to a much better restaurant, had a wonderful meal and wine and never would have been treated like an...

Mama Louise is a true hidden gem in the Denver metro area. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with a warm, family-style atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. One of the best parts? Every meal comes with complimentary fresh bread, a crisp house salad, and a delicious soup—something you rarely find anymore. The bread is always warm and perfect for dipping in olive oil and balsamic, while the soups, like the Minestrone or Tomato Basil, are full of flavor and a great way to start the meal.

The food itself is outstanding. You can tell everything is made from scratch with high-quality ingredients. The lasagna is layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, making it an instant favorite. The chicken marsala is perfectly tender, with a deep, flavorful sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta. Their homemade pasta is what truly sets them apart—you can taste the difference in every bite. The Fettuccine Alfredo is creamy without being too heavy, while the Spaghetti Carbonara is the perfect balance of salty pancetta and creamy Parmesan goodness. If you’re a seafood lover, the Frutti di Mare is a must-try, packed with fresh mussels, shrimp, calamari, and clams in a rich tomato sauce.

Beyond the food, the service here is what makes the experience even better. The staff treats you like family—attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the food they serve. Whether you’re here for a date night, a family gathering, or just stopping in for a solo meal, the cozy atmosphere makes it easy to settle in and enjoy.

Mama Louise is the kind of place you don’t just visit once—you find yourself coming back again and again. Between the complimentary extras, the outstanding homemade dishes, and the welcoming service, this is one of the best Italian spots in the Denver area. If you’re looking for an authentic Italian meal that delivers on quality, flavor, and value, this is the...