Best Don Katsu (pork cutlet) place I've ever been in Boston! So warm and crispy, with delicious sauce, hearty portion, and quick serving. Price is budget-friendly (considering that it's Boston) relative to the huge pork cutlet, salad, miso soup, and rice that all comes in one. Great for hungry students who need heartwarming meal. :) The server lady was nice and friendly, and the restaurant is small, but they also have tables outside. Uber eats delivery and lunch specials are available as well, so would definitely recommend to others as well as try it again myself next time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tertain
It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I still daydream about this place… their curry is so delicious and filling, same with their other menu items. And for a college student like me trying to pinch a few pennies, it felt really nice to only have to spend maybe $10 for such a luxurious meal. I still want to come back, take my family and friends here to show them how delicious this place is.Plus, for a while, I ordered rice with a fried egg for only $2. It’s not on their menu, it was something I asked for specifically, but they were kind enough to make it for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Cutlet Curry, Yaki Don
Scott McIntosh
Still great after 18 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deniz Satik
This place's quality slightly went down over the years, especially from a price perspective--less meat and, if you ordered vegetable curry after the pandemic you mainly got cabbage. But still a solid place for homemade Japanese food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Tasuku Soma
When I lived in Boston, whenever I wanted to eat Japanese food, I would always come here. It's authentic Japanese food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly
I’ve been going to Cafe Mami for years, and it is still consistently good and one of my favorite food spots in Boston. I always get the yaki beef tofu, which comes out piping hot, so be careful. Not sure if they still do unlimited free rice refills, but that was always nice. The portion size is already great for the price even without the refills, though. This set comes with a salad and miso soup as well.The wait can be long sometimes now that word has gotten out about all of the restaurants in this corner and since this place is quite small, but you won’t regret eating here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yaki Beef and Tofu Set
Sam Lee
It's been 16 years since I departed Cambridge. Cafe Mami was a favorite comfort food during my time here. After all these years, I wasn't sure whether the food would live up my memories. Happy to report, Cafe Mami still hits the spot. Freaking delicious! The chicken cutlet curry set with an egg over easy will return to my dreams.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jaroune
Arguably the best curry I've had in my life, and I've had a lot of curry. Cafe Mami held true to their name and made me feel like a boy again as I cleaned up every last drop of curry on that plate. Extremely good value with large portions. I will call my mom and tell her I love her now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katalina P.
I got the original curry set with chicken cutlet. I was going to get the pork but it was sold out. (I went towards the end of the night.) The chicken was still delicious! It was surprisingly very tender. The meal was filling and affordable. The quick service makes everything better :)
Nothing like a reliable restaurant and Cafe Mami is at the top of the list. Tucked away in the Lesley building you'll find a nice little food court of Japanese restaurants. The Chicken Cutlet Curry at Cafe Mami is the best I've had around the area. They serve it hot and fresh, the chicken is always juicy and has a nice crisp exterior. The curry is not too spicy and has bits of meat and aromatics in it. The service is also great, the staff are friendly and food is served fairly quick. There aren't too many tables so you may have to wait if you go at a busy time. There are shared restrooms for the vendors in the area. For the price, quality, and amount of food you get, Cafe Mami is a must visit spot for anyone in the mood for a cozy curry. Not the best spot for vegetarians, the curry base has meat in it and most other dishes are meat based.
Juliana Barrios
Great value for your money, delicious, and filling. Our go to is the Gyu don. Wish it was closer to where we live, but we always stop by when we are in porter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yaki Don, Miso Soup, Gyu Don
Helena Q.
The pork katsu curry (13$+tax+tip) was very nice! A generous and filling portion of pork, rice, and curry, along with a small side of miso and salad. A good lunch spot in you're in the area!
Sandra S.
Solid choice for Japanese Curry Cutlet. Dinner wait was about 15 mins on a Wednesday evening 7:00pm. Note that they only have small tables so I would only come if there are 4 or less in your party. It gives cafeteria vibes as it is in Lesley University.They start you off with a small bowl of miso soup and a small salad. The chicken cutlet was crispy and tender on the inside - I prefer it over the pork. I highly suggest adding the cheese and egg - The cheese is hidden under the meat. A little pricey at $22 but it is Boston/Cambridge pricing.
alex cooper
I’ve been coming here for at least 18 years. It’s always amazing and the chefs know my order the second I walk in. I moved to california and made sure cafe mami was my last meal before I moved and my first meal when I came back to visit. Definition of my comfort food. I get the Yaki Don and kaiso and call me weird but I recommend you put the kaiso on top of the yaki don! 100000/10 would recommend pro tip: add a little spicy Mayo and sriracha ?
The best Japanese curry I’ve had in Boston and so reasonably priced too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Breaded Chicken Cutlet Curry Dinner
Best Don Katsu (pork cutlet) place I've ever been in Boston! So warm and crispy, with delicious sauce, hearty portion, and quick serving. Price is budget-friendly (considering that it's Boston) relative to the huge pork cutlet, salad, miso soup, and rice that all comes in one. Great for hungry students who need heartwarming meal. :) The server lady was nice and friendly, and the restaurant is small, but they also have tables outside. Uber eats delivery and lunch specials are available as well, so would definitely recommend to others as well as try it again myself next time.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I still daydream about this place… their curry is so delicious and filling, same with their other menu items. And for a college student like me trying to pinch a few pennies, it felt really nice to only have to spend maybe $10 for such a luxurious meal. I still want to come back, take my family and friends here to show them how delicious this place is.Plus, for a while, I ordered rice with a fried egg for only $2. It’s not on their menu, it was something I asked for specifically, but they were kind enough to make it for me.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Cutlet Curry, Yaki Don
Still great after 18 years.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place's quality slightly went down over the years, especially from a price perspective--less meat and, if you ordered vegetable curry after the pandemic you mainly got cabbage. But still a solid place for homemade Japanese food.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
When I lived in Boston, whenever I wanted to eat Japanese food, I would always come here. It's authentic Japanese food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been going to Cafe Mami for years, and it is still consistently good and one of my favorite food spots in Boston. I always get the yaki beef tofu, which comes out piping hot, so be careful. Not sure if they still do unlimited free rice refills, but that was always nice. The portion size is already great for the price even without the refills, though. This set comes with a salad and miso soup as well.The wait can be long sometimes now that word has gotten out about all of the restaurants in this corner and since this place is quite small, but you won’t regret eating here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yaki Beef and Tofu Set
It's been 16 years since I departed Cambridge. Cafe Mami was a favorite comfort food during my time here. After all these years, I wasn't sure whether the food would live up my memories. Happy to report, Cafe Mami still hits the spot. Freaking delicious! The chicken cutlet curry set with an egg over easy will return to my dreams.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arguably the best curry I've had in my life, and I've had a lot of curry. Cafe Mami held true to their name and made me feel like a boy again as I cleaned up every last drop of curry on that plate. Extremely good value with large portions. I will call my mom and tell her I love her now.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I got the original curry set with chicken cutlet. I was going to get the pork but it was sold out. (I went towards the end of the night.) The chicken was still delicious! It was surprisingly very tender. The meal was filling and affordable. The quick service makes everything better :)
Restaurantji Recommends
Nothing like a reliable restaurant and Cafe Mami is at the top of the list. Tucked away in the Lesley building you'll find a nice little food court of Japanese restaurants. The Chicken Cutlet Curry at Cafe Mami is the best I've had around the area. They serve it hot and fresh, the chicken is always juicy and has a nice crisp exterior. The curry is not too spicy and has bits of meat and aromatics in it. The service is also great, the staff are friendly and food is served fairly quick. There aren't too many tables so you may have to wait if you go at a busy time. There are shared restrooms for the vendors in the area. For the price, quality, and amount of food you get, Cafe Mami is a must visit spot for anyone in the mood for a cozy curry. Not the best spot for vegetarians, the curry base has meat in it and most other dishes are meat based.
Great value for your money, delicious, and filling. Our go to is the Gyu don. Wish it was closer to where we live, but we always stop by when we are in porter.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yaki Don, Miso Soup, Gyu Don
The pork katsu curry (13$+tax+tip) was very nice! A generous and filling portion of pork, rice, and curry, along with a small side of miso and salad. A good lunch spot in you're in the area!
Solid choice for Japanese Curry Cutlet. Dinner wait was about 15 mins on a Wednesday evening 7:00pm. Note that they only have small tables so I would only come if there are 4 or less in your party. It gives cafeteria vibes as it is in Lesley University.They start you off with a small bowl of miso soup and a small salad. The chicken cutlet was crispy and tender on the inside - I prefer it over the pork. I highly suggest adding the cheese and egg - The cheese is hidden under the meat. A little pricey at $22 but it is Boston/Cambridge pricing.
I’ve been coming here for at least 18 years. It’s always amazing and the chefs know my order the second I walk in. I moved to california and made sure cafe mami was my last meal before I moved and my first meal when I came back to visit. Definition of my comfort food. I get the Yaki Don and kaiso and call me weird but I recommend you put the kaiso on top of the yaki don! 100000/10 would recommend pro tip: add a little spicy Mayo and sriracha ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5