Baltimore's Black-owned Mama Koko's dishes out community and culture

  • Mama Koko's is a Black-owned coffee shop and cocktail lounge located inside the historic James E. Hooper House in Baltimore.
  • Co-owner Angola M. Selassie named the café after his mother, Dr. Kokahvah Zauditu-Selassie, affectionately known as Mama Koko.
  • The café draws inspiration from Selassie's childhood experiences in his mother's kitchen, emphasizing hospitality.
  • Mama Koko is known for engaging with customers, sharing stories, and fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
  • The establishment features two bars: a draft cocktail bar at the front and a specialty cocktail bar in the back, offering both alcoholic drinks and a well-developed mocktail program.
  • The menu caters to various dietary preferences, including pescatarian, vegetarian, and meat options, with items like Smash Burgers, Tuna Melts, and Liberian Meatballs.
  • The café aims to serve as a community gathering place, prioritizing hospitality and community over profit.

Coffee, culture and cocktails are what you will find at Mama Koko's inside the historic James E. Hooper House. The Black-owned business is a coffee shop by day and cocktail lounge by night.


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