What Is Ma Raffa's Known For?
Since 1956, Ma Raffa's has been a place where great food, family traditions, and community come together.
Ask someone from New Bedford what Ma Raffa's is known for and you'll likely hear several different answers. Some will immediately mention the signature thin-crust pizza. Others will talk about the homemade spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, or Italian comfort food covered in Ma's signature tomato sauce that generations of local families have enjoyed. Many will point to the affordable prices, generous portions, and welcoming atmosphere that have made the restaurant a favorite gathering place for decades.
But if there is one thing that truly defines Ma Raffa's, it's this:
Ma Raffa's is known for making people feel like family.
Generations of South Coast families have gathered around the tables at Ma Raffa's over the years to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, team victories, family dinners, and everyday moments. The food has always been important, but what keeps people coming back is the feeling of belonging.
Today, Ma Raffa's remains one of New Bedford's most established family-owned Italian restaurants and one of the South Coast's most recognizable destinations for thin-crust pizza, homemade Italian food, and genuine hospitality.
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A Family-Friendly Restaurant Where Everyone Feels Welcome
Ma Raffa’s is known as a comfortable, affordable place where children, parents, grandparents, teams, and groups can enjoy a meal together. Familiar staff, approachable prices, a broad Italian menu, and decades of family traditions have helped generations of South Coast customers feel at home here.
Learn more about family-friendly dining at Ma Raffa’s.
Thin-Crust Pizza That Has Become a South Coast Favorite
Ma Raffa’s signature thin-crust pizza is one of the dishes most closely associated with the restaurant. Known for its crisp crust, balanced sauce, cheese, and toppings, it has remained a favorite for generations of New Bedford and South Coast customers.
Homemade Italian Food Made from Family Recipes
Long before pizza became one of the restaurant's signature items, the Raffa family built its reputation on homemade Italian cooking.
The roots of Ma Raffa's trace back to Sicilian family recipes and homemade spaghetti and meatballs prepared by Nunziatta "Ma" Raffa. Those recipes laid the foundation for a restaurant that has continued serving comforting Italian favorites for generations.
Popular dishes include:
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Spaghetti and meatballs
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Lasagna
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Chicken Parmesan
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Eggplant Parmesan
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Meatball grinders
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Homemade soups
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Fresh salads
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Family meals
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Homemade desserts
The focus has always been simple: serve quality food, maintain family traditions, and create meals worth gathering around.
Ma’s Signature Tomato Sauce
At the heart of many Ma Raffa’s Italian classics is Ma’s signature tomato sauce, made from the original family recipe passed down from Nunziatta “Ma” Raffa. It is the sauce behind our spaghetti, lasagna, parmigiana, meatballs, and other red-sauce favorites that generations of customers have returned for.
As our jingle says, “the sauce is just perfect.”
“Ma Raffa’s Is Waiting on You,” Our Classic Jingle
For generations, customers across New Bedford and the SouthCoast have recognized Ma Raffa’s by the familiar line, “Ma Raffa’s is waiting on you.”
Performed by local artist Mike Couto, the classic jingle celebrates Ma Raffa’s homemade Italian food, family tradition, and all the Ma Raffa memories made over the years. We know you know the words, and we dare you not to sing along!
Affordable Prices and Generous Portions
One of the reasons generations of families continue to choose Ma Raffa's is the value.
Dining out should be enjoyable and accessible, and Ma Raffa's has always believed in providing generous portions at reasonable prices. Customers know they can enjoy a satisfying meal, feed the family, and leave feeling they've received excellent value.
While many restaurants have reduced portion sizes or dramatically increased prices, Ma Raffa's continues to focus on serving hearty Italian meals that families can enjoy together.
Large portions, affordable prices, and consistent quality remain part of the restaurant's identity.
What Should I Order at Ma Raffa's?
First-time visitors often ask where to start.
Some of the most popular menu items include:
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Thin-crust pizza
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Homemade spaghetti and meatballs
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Lasagna
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Chicken and Shrimp Sautés
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Chicken Parmesan
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Meatball subs
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Daily specials
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Family meal packages
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Homemade desserts
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Beer, wine, sangria, and canned cocktails for dine-in guests
While every guest develops their own favorites, these dishes have helped define the Ma Raffa's experience for generations.
Browse our menu to explore all of our Italian favorites.
Why Generations Continue to Choose Ma Raffa’s
Ma Raffa’s has remained a New Bedford favorite because it brings together thin-crust pizza, homemade Italian food, generous portions, approachable prices, family ownership, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Customers may first visit for the food, but many return because of the familiarity, relationships, and traditions built over generations. That combination of food, value, history, and hospitality is what continues to make Ma Raffa’s different.