New European-Inspired Coffee House, Eatery Now Open In South Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — MaaMa Café, a new European-inspired coffee house and eatery, is now open in South Norwalk, offering high-quality coffee and beautiful pastries to customers at 132B Washington Street.

The café is owned and operated by restaurateurs Andrea Archvadze and Akaki Andguladze, the duo who owns the Georgian cuisine restaurant Cheese & Bread just down the road at 68 Washington Street, set to soon be renamed MaaMa Georgian Food.

According to Archvadze, he and Andguladze had been eyeing a second location on the block to bring their café concept to life.

"South Norwalk has such a unique energy," Archvadze said to Patch, "it's a diverse, creative, and vibrant community. We felt it was the perfect place to introduce a concept that brings people together over thoughtfully crafted coffee and food. The area's strong sense of community and appreciation for small businesses really aligns with our values."

Though Archvadze acknowledged Norwalk already has a great coffee culture, he and Andguladze believe their space offers something a little different, both in terms of menu and overall experience.

"We focus on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere where people can connect, slow down and enjoy quality offerings made with care," Archvadze said. "Our approach to both hospitality and product quality is what we hope sets us apart."

According to additional press materials provided by the coffee house, MaaMa Café is rooted in "real coffee" utilizing quality coffee beans provided by Essse Caffè, an Italian roasting company known for its rich espresso and cappuccino beverages.

Also on the menu are beautiful multilayer cakes, pastries, desserts and breakfast yogurt parfaits, while savory items such as paninis, sandwiches and fresh salads can also be enjoyed throughout the day.

Archvadze noted everything served at the café is prepared in house at Cheese & Bread, ensuring their offerings are always fresh and thoughtfully crafted.

"Because we make everything ourselves, our menu evolves regularly, allowing us to introduce new items and seasonal specials," Archvadze said. "This keeps the experience exciting for our customers, who often discover new favorites with each visit."

The store's design aesthetic is intended to play to the intimate size of the space, as well the owners' focus on creating a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere.

Mismatched, colorful furnishings and eclectic artwork fill the room, while the storefront window is adorned with a whimsical display of dangling teacups.

Archvadze said he and Andguladze would love for customers in SoNo to stop by and experience the space for themselves.

"We transformed a very intimate space into a neighborhood gathering place with an artistic vibe," Archvadze said. "It's the type of place that you can run in to grab a coffee on your way to work or the train, or take a seat and open up your laptop or just meet with friends to laugh and unwind. Our hope is that everyone feels welcome. We're here to serve good coffee, and hopefully become a small part of your day."

MaaMa Café is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., during which guests can enjoy daily comical notes and anecdotes artfully displayed on the store's sidewalk chalkboard outside.

"We're grateful to be part of the Norwalk community and excited to grow alongside it," Archvadze said. "This café is built on collaboration and care, from our team to our local partners, and we're looking forward to becoming a meaningful part of the neighborhood."