Mother Anna's Restaurant and Bar

Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing dining experience. The arancini brought to my table was burnt, and I sat there with my burnt arancini waiting for the server to come back so I could send it back. She was no where to be found. I finally got the attention of the hostess who took the plate away. They tried to make it right by taking it off the bill and bringing out another plate of arancini, but when they did, they were still burnt and they said the reasoning was because the outside gets burnt because they are thick and they need to cook through on the inside. Huh? So I have to deal with the burnt outside? I’ve never heard of such a thing. The stuffed mushrooms were bland and tasted like they were missing seasoning altogether. The biggest letdown was the chicken parm. It was absolutely smothered in tomato sauce—so much that it completely overwhelmed the dish. It felt like there was a gallon of sauce poured over it, making it soggy and masking any flavor from the chicken and cheese.

Overall, the food was poorly prepared and lacked attention to quality. Based on this experience, I would not return and cannot recommend Mother Anna’s. There are far better Italian restaurants that take more pride in the food they serve.

Update May in 2026 . . You can't beat their lunch specials 😋 and it's a great time to go. . . it is a little less busy than dinnertime 👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a party of 14 initially confirmed for 6 pm at EastBay Grille last night. At 3:30 pm I received a call from EastBay that they had no power and would have to cancel. This was a very special celebration and I immediately called around seeing if another restaurant could accommodate us. After several, “sorry we can’t help you”, I called Mother Anna’s and asked. At first they said they could not accommodate but after I explained my situation to her she asked I hold on for a couple minutes. She came back and said we are busy but I’m going to make this happen for you!!!!! Her name was Hannah and she saved the night!! The room was set up so that the tables were all together and perfect for conversation. We had the best experience and best food last night. All 14 of us!!! Our server was also fantastic! I can’t thank Hannah enough. An angel on earth! Bring the family here you won’t be disappointed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is delicious but the service is poor. My order has been forgotten a number of times and on the occasion I receive my order it isn't correct. This is beyond unacceptable for the price you charge. Never again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

Best North End Italian Food South Of Boston

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Date night. Who needs to go to the north end for authentic Italian cuisine v when you have Mother Ana‘s in Pembroke. Quaint well lit nicely decorated quiet family restaurant. Plenty of parking. Excellent service. Our waitress Katherine G was awesome. Friendly, attentive, courteous, polite and professional. Food iwas delicious tasty, perfectly prepared and huge portions. Abondanza! Ordered the eggplant rollotini for appetizer and for entree the seafood fra diavlo and the chicken Parmagiana. Nice Italian bread. Chocolate cake for dessert. A real gem of the South Shore. Will definitely return to try the other items on the menu. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Waitress messed up the order, refused to take ownership of her mistake. She just ignored our table of 7. She seemed to be overwhelmed with her tables at the expense of our table.

Atmosphere: 3

Service: 1

Lovely place to eat! Food was AMAZING, and the waitress even chased me out into the parking lot because I left my debit card on the table lol. But all around a great place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We figured we would give this place another chance as our food from last year was very salty and not fresh. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs as she ordered fish. The bartender got or drinks and I know as a fact that a prickly pear martini is not supposed to taste like a very acidic citrus orange drink and she got an espresso martini that was with a cheap vodka. The salad that comes with or meal had.... canned green beans!! I never heard of a garden salad with green beans and it was not good! The sauce on the spaghetti was very salty! Salt is made to add taste, not a seasoning. I couldn't finish it. We will not come back here.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Great food, service and ambience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Mother Anna's restaurant was wonderful! They get you seated quickly. The staff is very friendly and efficient. Most important, the food is amazing!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Old fashioned Italian red sauce restaurant which are becoming rare in New England. Lot's of locals on a Wednesday night. They clear out early. The veal and eggplant parm are my ex husband's favorite. I think it could use a bit more cheese. I had the veal with pasta and it was not to my liking. Just poor flavor. Margarita was fine, nothing special. Bread was good. Bread pudding could have used some more custard...a bit dry

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Another 100% honest review here. We almost didn’t go in. No parking on arrival, but 1 spot opened up. My beverage was mediocre, eggplant parm mediocre. I like a lot of sauce, but a good one cup of it I scraped off and returned with my plate. Hubby liked his chicken-broccoli ziti. I was not happy that the pasta was not from Italy as I try very hard to stay away from USA Wheat products. The pasta was however cooked perfectly Al dente and the sauce is very good. Waitress was pleasant.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Just stopped on my way home to have dinner at Mother Anna's in Pembroke. We used to drive
To Boston to have dinner at the original Mother.Anna's In the North end. (Mother Anna) was there ..Tonight's dinner was absolutely delicious and just like what we used to get when we would go to the one in the North End. I had the veal scallopini ,marsala and brought one home to my husband. The portion was so large , the veal was so tender and of course , mother and sauce can't be beat. Sat the bar and the.Bartenders were really friendly and very nice. I can't say enough about the food, the atmosphere and the service.I highly recommend this restaurant.P.S. take some sauce home !!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have gone here a few times with family for a great value on good Italian food.

We most recently went here with a large party of 9 on a Saturday that was well accommodated.

Large portion sizes at a good value. Warm and welcoming atmosphere. Great for classic dishes like chicken parmigiana. The exquisito is also popular with people I have gone to for a marsala style sauce on a breaded chicken cutlet.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4