Mariama’s African & Jamaican Cuisine

Reviews

• Anthony R.

  star star star star star_border 26 July 2026

  This is an african restaurant. It also makes Jamaican inspired food like curry chicken, beef patties and jerk chicken, which I ordered during this visit. All tasted good but not quite authentic/Jamaican in the seasoning/flavor, yet still some good flavor and portions are huge and low cost. Overall it is a good place to go for afro/Caribbean flavor. Would recommend!

• Soraya B.

  star star star star star 24 July 2026

  Mariama's is one of the hidden gems of Harrisburg. I am from Miami and have had a difficult time finding authentic food that reminds me of back home, but this place does the trick. Their food is on the cheaper price, however they give you enough to take home and eat again which is a huge plus. Do not be deceived by its hole-in-the-wall appearance. This place is absolutely worth it!!!

• Rachael K.

  star star star star star 21 July 2026

  Hands down the best Jamaican food we have ever had! I have to have it at least once a month, which ends up being 2-3 meals. I can not get enough of the "hot sauce"  The food is so delicious that
  before I'm finished eating...I'm already craving it again!!!

• Danial A.

  star star star star star 20 July 2026

  First time in my life that's I've had Jamaican food and it was so worth it. Sooooo much food for 10-12 bucks, my plate alone was definitely for two. I got the crispy beef with rice/beans and plantains. Comes with veggies on top too. Fresh and just damn good food. This spot is authentic in every way. Everyone who works their is Jamaican, all were super kind. My friends got the jerk chicken and stew, both said their dishes were amazing.

• Jen P.

  star star star star_border star_border 17 July 2026

  I have driven by Mariama's probably a dozen times on trips back and forth between Rochester, NY and Washington, DC over the last few years. Usually it was too late for a meal, or bad weather, or I was in a hurry to get to DC or get home to Rochester, but I always thought "I'll stop in there next trip and see what the food is like".  
  
  Having lived in West Africa for 3 years, and knowing lots of women named "Mariama", I was curious to know if the cuisine was West African, and specifically, if the proprietor might be from Sierra Leone, which was the country where I lived.
  
  I finally had the chance to stop during a trip home from DC In Nov 2017 (this is a late review...). My husband was with me, we were both hungry, and decided we should check it out. Parking was a little tricky, as there is a dark lot sort of across the street and down a little, and no street parking in the area, but we figured it out and went inside to dine. We were immediately impressed by the big menu, friendly people, and constant flow of people coming in to get take out food.
  
  We ordered a couple different kinds of stew....one with okra and one with a reddish palm-oil-ish sauce. Both with big chunks of meat. Sorry I can't be more specific but it was months ago, and all I can remember (beside what you see in the photos) is that the food was served with rice and was delicious. And plentiful. One bowl was easily enough for two people, and we struggled to make dents in each of our dishes. Our only complaint was that our memories of West African food are that it is typically very spicy (like habanero/scotch-bonnet-pepper spicey), and this food was very mild. We asked for pepper on the side and they obliged, but it was not whole ball peppers or the kind of pepper sauce we envisioned.
  
  Nonetheless, a good experience and very tasty food; we will go back again and sample more of the menu. Til then, check it out and expand your horizons! Oh, and on the night we were there, the folks working inside were from Jamaica, so we never did get the story on Mariama or which part of Africa they were representing. We'll have to discover that next time.