Mama Koko's

Stepping into Mama Koko's is like coming home. As a tenant in the building, I can say with confidence that this place is a true "vibe." It’s a remarkable convergence of coffee, culture, and cocktails, where every moment is a liquid history lesson. The experience goes beyond simple service; it's a testament to the warmth and hospitality that makes you feel like an "elevated family member." They have masterfully honored the global African diaspora through their food, art, and music, transforming a historic late 1800s building into a living, breathing community. It's a place where they've created "new traditions with each raised glass" and where "conversations bloom with each carefully crafted cup." Come for the exceptional drinks and food, but stay for the soul-nourishing sense of belonging. This isn't just a place to visit; it’s a space where community, culture, and connection thrive.

Great place with exceptional cocktails. The spot is a great addition to the Baltimore area, serving craft cocktails, and specialty coffees. Their menu of Caribbean and African fusion dishes are quite tasty. I love how this place also hosts different events monthly and attracts an older crowd. Food and beverages are of high quality.

Where do I begin? I learned about this lovely business while in Atlanta in October ‘24. My first visit was the following month and I’ve been patronizing ever since. From the vibes, to the atmosphere, friendly staff, craft cocktails, and delicious well seasoned food….I absolutely love it here! Every chance I get I bring friends and family so they can experience this gem! The music is good, the people look good…I can’t say enough about this amazing place! I’ve met some awesome people because the atmosphere simply brings people together. It’s a beautiful place for beautiful people with beautiful energy! Mama Koko, Angola, Jake, Carter,Ari, Marcelo, the entire staff is absolutely top notch!

I love Mama Koko’s! The bar team and servers are so welcoming and kind! The cocktails are the best in Baltimore. Come support this Black-owned cocktail bar!

Mama Koko’s on St. Paul Street is pure Baltimore soul. Co-owners Angola and Ayo have built a space that feels like a warm hug—historic mansion vibes, cozy lighting, and music that’s on point. By day it’s a sunny haven for great coffee and smoothies; by night it’s a chic lounge with standout cocktails... even Ethiopian and Haitian brews. The food sings—think cassava fries, Liberian meatballs, shrimp & grits, plus greens that taste like Sunday at grandma’s. The atmosphere blends culture, community, and comfort so smoothly you’ll plan your next visit before you leave. Come for the vibe, stay for the love (and the plantain chips with black bean sauce).

This place is a gem. Went for my first visit last night with several friends. The food, drinks, ambience, and service were all impeccable. We had several delicious cocktails including one on special with clarified scotch and squid ink! We also enjoyed various small bites (meatballs and rice and beans) that were top notch. Will definitely be back for more!

When I first walked in here in July of '24, I almost cried. I don't know how to fully explain it but the energy, the aesthetic, the vibes and the space just spoke to me on a deeper level than I can fully elaborate on. The menu is crafted where there is something for everyone. The smoothies, food and cocktails are made freshly in-house with real and unique ingredients . It's feels so right to be in this space. I even visited during the night time to get a feel of what it felt like and it felt so good! Music was on point, customer service was immaculate. Tassia served me and she was so warm and nice! Jake made me the bombbbbbest cocktail ever! I also had the pleasure of meeting Mama Koko in person which made my entire day. This place has my heart.

Great food and atmosphere! I had the afternoon protein and vegetables with brown sugar latte for brunch. Whether it’s to hang out with people or lounging to read a book, the vibes are just worth it. Most of the staff were great. I know the restaurant is still new, but I asked the guy at the cashier what the Havana latte was and he said “I don’t know. This is supposed to be an African cafe.” Not worth taking a star out for how good the food and vibes were, but it may deter certain customers from buying something.

On a whim, I met up with a couple of friends for an impromptu evening at Mama Koko's, and from the moment I arrived, I knew this wouldn't be my last visit. The restaurant is nestled inside a beautiful brownstone, and as I walked up the steps, it immediately reminded me of my aunt's place in New York--warm, inviting, and full of character. The entrance set the tone, with wooden sliding doors that added a rustic charm. From ceiling to floor, every detail of the décor impressed me. As I made my way to the back, I was met with a cozy and intimate setting--small tables adorned with candlelight, soothing music playing in the background, and the soft hum of great conversations filling the space. I chose a seat on a comfortable couch with a small table, opposite a single chair, making it the perfect spot to relax. The bartender was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, even crafting drinks outside of the listed menu to suit our tastes. The cocktails were a highlight--thoughtfully mixed, balanced, and absolutely delicious. When it was time to order, we opted for a few small plates, which fit the laid-back and social atmosphere of the evening. I had rice and beans with lemon pepper wings, and my friends also ordered wings. The flavors were on point--simple yet satisfying, with just the right amount of seasoning and heat. One of the best parts of the night was meeting the owners. They were welcoming and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great experience. Their hospitality sealed the deal for me--I told them right then and there, I'll be coming back. Mama Koko's is a true hidden gem, blending an intimate atmosphere with excellent food, handcrafted cocktails, and warm hospitality. This was just my first experience, and I can't wait to return for part two.

When I first walked in here in July of '24, I almost cried. I don't know how to fully explain it but the energy, the aesthetic, the vibes and the space just spoke to me on a deeper level than I can fully elaborate on. The menu is crafted where there is something for everyone. The smoothies, food and cocktails are made freshly in-house with real and unique ingredients . It's feels so right to be in this space. I even visited during the night time to get a feel of what it felt like and it felt so good! Music was on point, customer service was immaculate. Tassia served me and she was so warm and nice! Jake made me the bombbbbbest cocktail ever! I also had the pleasure of meeting Mama Koko in person which made my entire day. This place has my heart.

Ok so I walked into this big ole house filled to the brim with charm and draftiness. There was plenty of seating when we walked in which of course I appreciated. We ordered a round of drinks from an ever so charismatic bartender. I didn't love my drink but it was creative which I would give an A for effort. The lights are a bit too dim in my opinion. It's giving speak easy but I went on the light night tip. I'll have to revisit during the day to get access to the whole menu. Overall, at night, it's definitely a stop in and have a quick bite/drink type of spot. I'll add it to my list for sure. The food was pretty tasty. I didn't want to secretly lick the bowl when no one was looking but I wasn't mad if that makes sense. The greens were just enough flavor and not too salty. The meatballs were good with the tomato back drop but I'm more of a barbecue sauce meatball unwed baby shower type of chic. Lastly, the beans and rice were not quite New Orleans good but were not bad either. Overall, I would eat the food again, but it's not gonna be in my dreams. The apple turnover had a sweetness to the crust that was little too sweet for me, but the warm apples in the middle and the ice cream were perfection.

I met a friend for a business breakfast meeting at Mama Koko's. I was impressed by everything- the food, the art, the service. All were on point! I like that they have places for working or just eating. I LOVE that it's Black owned. I will be back!

I've had Mama Koko's on my radar for a while now. I used to drive past this building all the time and admire it and I'm so excited that something like Mama Koko's is finally in the space. They really kept a lot of the historic integrity of the building. The inside is absolutely stunning with original hardwood floors, banister, and light fixtures. They did a great job blending the old with the new. The menu is a good size with a few different options like yogurt and granola bowls, sandwiches, and other breakfast items. I asked about whether the granola was gluten free and the person at the counter gave me a bit of a flippant response saying, "I don't know anything about it other than it's granola". It was odd and made be feel sort of embarrassed for asking the question. They then offered to ask the chef but it seemed like I was inconveniencing them with this extra step. It turns out the granola is not gluten free so I went with the breakfast stack and the caramel macchiato with oat milk. The macchiato was delicious! If you like sweet specialty coffees, this is the cup for you. The breakfast stack was also pretty good and consisted of two hash browns, a fried egg, avocado and turkey bacon with a honey mustard type sauce drizzled on top. It was filling and tasty but nothing to write home about. The wifi was free and strong the entire time I worked from here. The place is surprisingly large with couches, cafe tables, and even a back bar. I also loved the playlist they had going. It was a vibe! I trust that as Mama Koko's becomes more seasoned, the staff will learn more about the menu including allergens - it would be nice to add dietary restriction notes to the menu as well. Nonetheless, I will definitely be back!

I came here on a Friday evening for an after work happy hour. We stayed for several hours, ordered so much food, and really had a great evening! I was the first to arrive and sat at the back bar. I forgot both bartenders' names, but they are masterful mixologists and appear to really love what they do. The bar menu is done really well and they have some great non-alcoholic options, The Year of the Dragon was my favorite so far! The restaurant accommodated our party of 9 as best as they could, but I get the sense that it is not really made for a large crowd, so keep that in mind. The building is beautiful, full of history and culture, and overall vibes (the music was on point, the energy of the guest, etc)... so it makes the perfect spot to just come take it all in and have some good food! The food I had off the bar bites menu was all very tasty (red beans and rice, greens, meatballs, chocolate chips cookies, apple turnover)! We had quite the feast! The wings are on the spicy side, which I wasnt expecting for lemon pepper wings, just fyi. I think they did something a little special with that one. Mama Koko herself was present and greeted guests, which added a personal element to the experience. Ask her about Ms. Jackson's Red Beans and Rice!! My only area to note is for them to create more clarity with the food menu. I was highly disappointed to arrive and not be able to order off the menu that is posted online. The online menu also notes that breakfast is "all day," which to me means from open to close, but that was not the case.

Calming. Tasteful. A blend of both rich history, modernity, and a nod to the African roots of the founder and the inspirational matriarch. Nestled in the Old Goucher neighborhood, Mama Koko's greets you with rich history and warmth from the moment you enter the lobby. We ventured to Mama Koko's solely for a post-dinner drink and enjoyed the hospitality of our server, and the quality of our beverages. I ordered La Reve for a coffee-based drink on a cold, rainy night - he got the Manhattan. Both were enjoyable but La Reve certainly hit the spot. I cannot wait to return to try the food, but I thoroughly enjoy the space, the intentionality, the quality, and how it allows for community gathering. Wonderful addition to the Baltimore food scene!

After anxiously waiting to visit Mama Kokos, I had the opportunity during a recent girls' night out to do so. And I'm thankful the owners have shared this beautiful space with us here in Baltimore. When you walk into Mama Kokos, you immediately feel all the creative energy that fills the building. A simple yet modern approach to the decor, with a comforting touch of spending time with your family at your grandparents' house. My party visited Mama Kokos during their evening service, which was nice. The staff was tentative and tended to all our needs. Their menu is more of a tapas style with various sharable plates that are more appetizer geared. We ordered just about everything, since the menu is small, but it was all delicious. The smoked collard greens were seasoned well and tasty. We ordered 2 of the plantain chips and bean dip cause that was an unexpected winner. And the red snapper balls were so good, a definite must try. They just need a sauce for dipping. The cocktails were also point. I'm happy that Baltimore has a space where the energy is positive, the atmosphere is a vibe, the patrons have beautiful spirits, and the food keeps you coming back.

When I tell you, you will feel like you are at home at Mama Koko's, there are not to many places that give you that warm fuzzy feeling as soon as you walk in. They have turned this historic home into a cozy cafe. The atmosphere has such a chill vibe, you can come and do some work, you can post up for happy hour and unwind with friends. Stopped in for breakfast yesterday and since it was a slight chill in the air, I was hankering for a nice hot latte and warm breakfast sandwich. The peanut butter latte with oat milk was heaven in a mug. And I tried their egg and cheese with turkey bacon on toasted sourdough bread. Best breakfast sandwich I had in a long time. The next time I want to try the Baltimore Cro'gel, I heard good things about that sandwich. Since I live two blocks away, I am definitely posting up for happy hour, they always have a nice crowd in there. Mama Koko's is a wonderful addition to the 23rd street corridor and I am so glad they are in the neighborhood. They have been a best kept secret, but I really do not see that being a secret for long. Food and service is top notch, the staff is really dope and genuine. Will definitely be back soon. SYOY

The drinks were fantastic. The music, the ambience, the air in there was amazing. The service was great and any questions that we had were answered. I wish they had more gluten-free options, however, I definitely will be going back and tasting more of the menu and more of the drinks.

It takes a special place to make you feel as though you've been welcomed into someone's home to sit down in their living room and take a deep breath for the first time in a while. Mama Koko's is one such place and I have nothing but admiration and congratulations for the Mama Koko's team in achieving something so rare and genuine! From the second you walk into the door of this historic home turned cozy cafe, you feel immediately at ease. The staff is warm, welcoming and attentive from top to bottom, start to finish. The atmosphere has a palpable energy but not in a loud and bustling way. Rather, you're sucked into a space just as ideal for a casual catch up with friends as it is for work, with just the right noise level so as not to fracture focus. The menu is breakfast-forward until 11:30am when it switches to lunch. You place your order at the counter and are given a number to place at your seat. Drinks and food are delivered to you table side by staff that seems as genuinely happy to work there as you feel being a customer. I ordered an oat milk latte which came in a "straight out of your home cabinet" kind of mug, adding to the intimate setting. The Berry Acai bowl was fantastic! Fresh, amply portioned and the perfect refreshing bite while caffeinating. Mama Koko's feels like the city's best kept secret at the moment, but I'm sure that it won't be for long! Can't wait to go back and thanks again to the team for a memorable first visit!

I will be starting this review off by saying I will definitely be back here. The staff was so sweet and so kind and it's a very relaxing establishment to sit and work from home at or have a meeting with a coworker and a nice setting. The food was phenomenal and they have such a cozy warm and friendly vibe on the inside and I cannot wait to come back and bring my significant other because he would love this place as well

I absolutely love this place!!! There's a piece of history and a story in every corner. The customer service was great and the food was AMAZING!!! And the atmosphere...simply stunning!!! A perfect place to meet up with friends or sneak off by yourself and get some work done. I will most definitely be returning!!!

This is a cocktail bar that serves a few food items. Very few menu items. The ambience is really nice and the staff is great. I was part of a party of three and we sat in the lounge chairs near the front window and it was very nice and cozy. I was surprised that it had two bars considering how small, the establishment is, but even as the evening progressed and it started to fill up, it didn't feel packed and tight. Highly recommend and I can't wait to go back.

If you are looking for a beautiful space with great cocktails and a laid back environment then look no further! I stepped into Mama Koko's and felt like i walked into a friends living room. The vibes were great and so were the drinks, at one point the bar manager came over and chatted with us and it was so great to learn about their bar program and the future plans for other spaces. They even advised us to walk around the building to see how pretty the space was and boy were they right! there is a beautiful oversized mirror upstairs that you have to see! As far as food so far ive only done light bites but they are perfect pairings to the drinks. Cant wait to go back!

Now that I have officially been to Mama Koko's twice I am happy to really give my review. I first came here in the afternoon for a quick lunch and was instantly imp by the decor. I felt right at home and it was super cozy. The staff is very friendly, professional, and helpful, I ordered the turkey burger, which I really enjoyed and had a glass of Prosecco which paired perfectly . The Star of the show for the afternoon/morning run the pastries. They are so delicious and sell out very quickly. I love my first experience so much I wanted to come back for their nightcap and again I was not disappointed. I did try a lot of the items on the menu and one of my favorites had to be the wings, the plantain , and the rice and beans I did the rice and beans had a little bit more spice to it but overall, I really enjoyed their take on it. The drinks were a 10 out of 10 and the atmosphere during the night time is perfect to get together with friends or a casual date. It's very intimate super moody and the perfect place to be this winter season or I can't wait to go back and explore all that this new establishment has to offer.

This seems like a fairly new establishment, so definitely a hidden gem! Staff are consistent, friendly and overall awesome. Food was so good! And the drinks are out of this world!! And so many...coffee, cocktails, natural juices, and smoothies! Aldo, the decor and vibes are classy and to notch!

Service and food were wonderful but I wish there was more seating. It was a great place to hang out and talk.

It's so hard not to give this place 5 stars! I left the restaurant an hour ago and am already planning to go back. A great place to drink with friends and have small plates with family. Warm, low lighting, jazzy music and some of the friendliest wait staff I've met in Baltimore. I was reading a book at a bar top and one of the waiters brought me a candle! I had the lemon pepper wings and collard greens. I'll have to refrain from getting them both the next time. So why 4 stars? ...because, as a Black-owned restaurant, why have cotton plant centerpieces? That ain't it.

LOVED my experience at Mama Koko's. Let me start with the space. MK is both a coffee shop and a bar. I came here at night so had a few cocktails but would definitely return for coffee. The space itself is so beautiful- the building seems really well restored to its original design and has that charm that we love about charm city. I did get to meet the owner who was incredibly accommodating to our slightly larger group. He explained that he wants this place to feel like you're in his mother's living room, and everyone's coming together and mingling, etc. So frequently I saw people pulling chairs from here and there to accommodate different groups. It felt so welcoming! On top of that I had zero complaints about the drinks, they were fantastic! I ordered the Chasing the Cloud which was great, a fruity pisco sour vibe, and the Pharoah Dance which is their take on an espresso martini. Will 100% be back!

First timer. This place is very quaint and charming. Baltimore charm at its finest. The staff is very friendly and service was great! Drinks were ah-mazing!! The decor...a museum effect all in itself. We will definitely return in the future. Much success to this newly opened cocktail (bar) house.

Love, love, love this space and the vibe! It has been beautifully restored and decorated and includes a nice outdoor back patio. So warm and calming. While they do espresso drinks, they do not do regular coffee. I wanted to love the coffee frosty but do not understand why it contains peanut butter - I hope they add a non-pb version soon. The grits and homemade hot pepper sauce are delicious. They now also serve cocktails on Fridays and Saturdays and I'm excited to try those. And the owner is super engaging. So glad this cafe has been added to the area.

Loved everything about Mama koko's, the food, service and vibe. I enjoyed it so much that I'm spending NYE there.

Mama Koko's is such a vibe! So happy they have joined the burgeoning Old Goucher scene. Coffee shop by day, bar by night. I prefer it at night - with moody lighting and candles lit everywhere, exciting, unique cocktails with equally as good zero proof options, it's a great spot to celebrate friends or for a date night. Service was great, as they checked in and answered our questions kindly. There are vegan options for bar snacks as well, though I haven't yet tried them. Excited to return!

What an amazing experience! Mama Koko's is warm and welcoming. We were greeted by multiple staff members upon arriving, and this friendly service continued throughout. The appetizers were delicious and felt like they were made from good ingredients. (The fried plantains were especially good) Drinks were tasty, creative, and reasonably priced. The atmosphere was cozy too. We will definitely be back!

This is the place. Literally this is the place you want to go on a solo date and vibe out to the music. Or the place you gather for a girls night or date night or grab lunch with your grandmother. Whatever it is this is the place! The ambiance is unmatched! The character of building is simply beautiful and the black art to fill the space is a sweet ode to black culture. I know what you're thinking...and yes the food and the service matched the ambiance! Let's start with the greens... GET TWO ORDERS OF THEM! Hell get ten orders! Those were the best greens I've ever had. I couldn't stop eating them to try my other dishes. The Rum Buttered Buffalo wings were delicious and had a nice "kick"! And, please save room for dessert because they were all delicious! I was with a group celebrating a friends birthday, and we all raved over the decadent sweets. I personally ordered the Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie, and it was so buttery I forgot it was chocolate chip. Literally the entire group enjoy EVERYTHING including the drinks! As for the customer service, they weren't just "nice", but personable! I believe our host was Matt (my apologies if the name is wrong), he was the nicest and made sure our group was taken care of. I also had the privilege to meet the owners of the establishment who were just as nice and welcoming. However, I must say the star of the show is Mama Koko. When you see her you KNOW that's HER. Her aura lights up a room. I cannot wait to go back! Love this place