Mario's Ristorante Italiano in Madeira Beach - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

If you are searching for the BEST small family restaurant in Madeira Beach, this is it!! The food is amazing. Atmosphere is small and quaint. Perfect date night! ❤️

Very cozy atmosphere. Great food. We couldn't order dessert because we were so full from dinner. Will be back.

Absolutely outstanding family restaurant! The way Italian should be! What a gem of a find on Madeira beach!!!!

Food was AMAZING! I am a restaurant snob, local and I cannot believe I have not tried this place sooner. The only downside is its small capacity. They cook in front of you if you sit at the bar (4 chairs). The staff makes a great team. Go early! It's 150% worth every penny!

I am on vacation in Florida and I've ate here 3 times now in a week. Best italian restaurant I've ever tried. Everyone is also very friendly. I can't wait to come back to Florida to eat here again.

The food and service was quite good. The atmosphere was good but just a little too dark for my taste.

This place feels like home. Food is always made to order and insanely delicious, service is like family. It’s a cozy and intimate dining room. This is always our go-to spot when we want something GOOD and authentic, like a home cooked meal. Love love love Mario’s!

Food was delicious, service excellent. I give four stars because it was too hot inside the restaurant and I was just trying to finish my meal quickly because of the hot.

sooo authentic and beautiful. music is great food is even better.

First time eating at this restaurant. Paid 52.00 for two dinners. To high to begin with but of course old menu online. Chicken parmigiana was fair. The eggplant was completely raw so did not eat. The noodles were not cooked and sauce had no flavor. When I called they suggested I put the eggplant in the oven. It was early so should have offered a new meal. Will not be back or recommend

Didn’t expect for the food to be good because the touristy area. I ordered the Alfredo with Shrimp and Clams the pasta was so good. The waitress was very quick with refilling drinks. I don’t have no complaints

Food was delicious! This was our first time to Mario's but won't be our last. We've driven by it for 22 years and kept saying, we really need to try it! Not disappointed! Great food and service!

Great food, service and atmosphere. Speaking from two Italians (me and my wife).

We were visiting from Indiana and this was the best restaurant we ate at our entire trip. I will be DREAMING of this meal until we return. I had a chicken dish that was on special and my husband had the chicken parmesean. Both were fabulous. The calamari appetizer was also perfect. My family and I are Italian and can be tough critics of Italian food and it was 100% authentic and amazing. Can’t wait to come back! Thank you, Mario’s!

Mario’s Italian restaurant was beyond the best food I have ever had! My friend and I came to Madeira beach for my 20th birthday. We were looking for a casual spot to eat. Mario’s was right across the street so we checked it out. Hands down the best thing ever. I never leave reviews at restaurants but someone has to know this place is FIRE!! Real Italian👌. We live in Indiana so not much Italian. New favorite restaurant of all time 😍wish the owner was here! Big portion of food. Worth the price. Comes with a salad and bread

Seriously the best Italian I’ve had. From out of town but found on google and everything was amazing. Service and Food was on point. Prices were great as well. Best food we have had in Madeira Beach. Highly recommend the spaghetti and carbonara.

Let me start by saying I have frequently visited Mario's going back at least 10 years. This was a favorite of my late husband and mine when we spent time at out condo here. I had not been here for a year, because either they were closed unexpectedly or on vacation as a note was posted on the door last year at this time. I was highly anticipating to bringing my teenage grandaughters to introduce them to my family's heritage Italian restaurant I always spoke highly of while visiting on Florida this week. Last evening fell short of everything. First, we arrived at about 6:45 ,pm on a Saturday. We were greeted by a man who I had never seen before. We immediately realized something was wrong with their air-conditioning, as it felt very warm and stuffy with one ceiling fan going which did not help at all. We sat down, and the waitress brought us waters and a menu. Then more guests started arriving as she attended to the others. The waitress returned promptly asked if we were ready to order. I was not ready Just yet, and asked if I could order a glass of wine first. She proceeded to promptly bring the wine. In the meantime more guests arrived and it became clear she was the only one waiting on tables. Usually there was another waitress or waiter especially on the weekends. We ended of waiting longer than usual now that more tables had arrived, and she was taking other orders at the same time. In the meantime it was clear to me the person who seated us was still sitting at the bar hosting/ and busing tables as guests left. I was starting to think something has happened to this establishment, ie: sold to a new owner or under new management perhaps?? I overheard the people sitting at the table behind us asking the waitress where her sister was. Was she off?? In the past there used to be a very nice waitress that was always there when we visited. She was connrctef to the owner/family. I can't remember her name. So we finally placed our order. Our salads were brought promptly and more people had come in making the small restaurant even more warm and uncomfortable at best. Our food arrived before I was finished with my salad. We ordered Eggplant parmasan, vegetable linguine and a garlic scampi. May I say both the vegetable linguine and garlic scampi were delicious as my grandaughters said. I was disappointed in my Eggplant not prepared the way I had had it in the past. It used to be 3 separate layers of 3 pieces of sliced Eggplant with melted mozzarella on top. It was in single layers, and I had ordered extra sauce( that was in the dish and not on the side] the eggplant were swimming in sauce, making it eggplant mush after the mozzarella melted. After the waitress served us, she never returned to ask us if the food was okay, and if we needed anything else. I would have liked to have ordered another glass of wine and our waters could have been refilled. It was when we were finished she came and took our plates away and asked if we wanted anything else. At this point I was so happy and asked for the check. I felt rushed at minimum, without adequate service for a meal that cost $90 with the food and one glass of wine. $24 for the measly portion of Eggplant was not acceptable especially without any meat added, and about 3/4 cup angelhair pasta on the plate. We used to get a choice of side of linguine or penne. I don't know what happened, but one waitress to wait on 6+ tables of 4 to 6 tables of people on a weekend, and a "person" owner??sitting at the bar not helping other than seating and bussing tables isn't good business management. What happened Marios?? The only reason I gave it 2 stars was because of most of the food we ordered was excellent in flavor and proportion. Otherwise the whole new experience for my grandaughters was exceedingly disappointing. Not sure if I would return especially on a weekend.

This place is the real deal. We had some of the greatest Italian food of our lives here. The staff was outstanding and the food was even better! Something to note, we got the Alfredo and it was truly wonderful - but t’s not the white, soupy Midwest American style Alfredo we get at home. This pasta was exceptionally flavorful and, I assume, authentic because everything else was. ALSO, I got the soup instead of the salad and it was AMAZING. I cannot recommend this place enough. Mario knows what he’s doing!

This is a hidden Gem! It is small, only 9 tables. But the food and service is amazing. We enjoyed our dinner so much! Will definitely come back

We found this place on a whim after craving some Italian, and we are sure glad we did! The restaurant is small, but the staff know how to take care of things and turn tables quickly. Despite the restaurant being completely full when we walked up, we only had to wait 5-10 minutes to be seated. The food was amazing: my husband had the linguine with clams and I had the chicken parm. We both cleaned our plates. The pasta had so much more flavor compared to most Italian places I’ve eaten at previously. The meal came with salad and bread as well. It was a bit pricey but well worth the money, in my opinion.

Fabulous menu, food & service. Will be returning to this lovely family owned restaurant location.

This place is the real deal, pasta cooked to perfection. Authentic Italian recipes, great service.

Let me start by saying that the food is delish. Their hours are SUPPOSED to be 5-9, but the last 5x I've been there in the past year, we've had to wait outside until 5:15/5:20 & that is unacceptable. I'm done with Mario's, bad business practices, plus the main woman there (owner/part owner?) is miserable - never once has she smiled.

They choose to suck by limiting the bar to drinks only and not being open. Sad. So no local bucks spent here. Wow, tried to go again. They hours are close at 9. But the really close at 8, that’s when kitchen is getting last call. So forget this place. I’m a local. Good luck in the off season. No one is coming. Bye.

Excellent Italian food. So glad we stopped b6 and gave this place a try, seems like a hole in the wall but this place was so busy on a Tue evening! Highly recommend any of the pasta dishes, including veal masala and linguini with white clam sauce. The mussels are delicious too - super garlicky, hint of spice and briny with the addition of capers.

Love that it's a yen table restaurant and is packed all the time. Start time is 5pm and they're steady the while time. Loved their Linguini pasta with clams. Veal marsala also... *amazing Wish they had a couple more chardonnays on their list. Staff is very on top of their game.

Good Italian, refreshing atmosphere

I shouldn’t review the food because I didn’t have any the night in question. I have been here for three months and when I go in, I sit at a bar stool so as not to take up precious seating in such a small place. I was told by a woman in charge that she needed the counter for take outs and that I couldn’t sit there. I did leave without an issue. I think there are a lot of people out there that can explain to her how difficult it is for a single woman to go into a restaurant alone for dinner. I only pray she doesn’t have to experience it. She could learn a lesson on common courtesy from the younger people who work there.

Veal Parmesan the best ever!! Did not use my knife!! Wife's Chicken Parm the same!! Ask for the Homemade Mozzarella on your salad! Arrive at 5😁

Mario’s Italian restaurant absolutely a go to place in Madeira Beach!!! The food was outstanding and service was fantastic at reasonable prices!!! Don’t miss out get there and see for yourself!!! Get there early is a small place!!!

Shoulda’ Been Better Every neighborhood needs that go-to Italian restaurant—cozy, friendly and with hearty food. Unfortunately, Mario’s isn’t it. The atmosphere is very nice. The servers are friendly, but service wasn’t very good. No one checked on our food until we were done. The neighboring table had to hail someone for a water refill, and I was finally able to get a refill as well. On to the food. It’s very nice to have free bread service—and very good bread at that! For an appetizer we had the mussels which were properly cooked and tender. The broth needed a richer flavor—maybe more butter. It was nice that soup or salad was included with the entrée. The salad was good, but the soup was thin—my mother would have called it dishwater. For entrees we had lasagna. It was fine except for the marinara sauce. Again, it was thin and bland—a crime for an Italian restaurant. We also had the Veal Saltimbocca which was pretty good. While Mario’s was far from bad, it just wasn’t great. At least not good enough for a return visit.

The best fish dish I have ever tasted. I am thoroughly impressed. Homemade food which we enjoyed so much!

We were a party of 10 and all had a wonderful experience Saturday night at Mario’s. On our server’s advice we ordered multiple appetizers of Arancini and Fried Calamari, the Arancini was to die for. All entrees were excellent and served hot. We accompanied our dinner with reasonably priced bottles of Classico Chianti. For dessert all ordered either Tiramisu or Limoncello, the Limoncello was light as a feather and the Tiramisu was the best we’ve had this side of Carmines in NYC. Cappuccinos were the perfect ending to this exceptional dining experience. I should also mention Erica our gorgeous server who handled our large party with grace and professionalism.

It's not very often that I find spaghetti with meat sauce that is even better than my homemade. I wish I knew their secret. 🤤

Delicious spaghetti with meat sauce and meatballs! Bread and soup were delicious too. Small restaurant- get there early!

Amazing!! Fast, delicious, soooo friendly!! Best food I've had since I've been here 😋. Great job Mario's ! We will be back 🥰

Great authentic Italian food. So delicious and great customer service.

We called on Saturday evening at 5:45 inquiring about wait time -- no wait, hurray! Arrived at 6:05 and all tables occupied and perhaps one couple waiting ahead of us. Mario's is a small family business,only ten tables for four (established 1999). They also have "bar seating" 4 stools. A couple was sitting there (ordering food) so we took the remaining stools, ordered wine and beer, waited for an open table. Their "bar" is really just an opening through which you get a great view of their small kitchen. The kitchen staff (3 or 4) was amazing! So friendly yet efficient filling their orders. We were seated in maybe 5 minutes, no time to drink, carried them to the table and placed our orders. We started with a soup, a chicken broth with tortellini, spinach, and celery; a salad with their one dressing (house made balsamic vinaigrette). Both very good. I then ordered the Chicken Parmesan with Linguine and Marinara Sauce -- the cutlet was tender and cooked perfectly, the pasta and gravy just as good. My wife had the Linguine Alio Olio, pasta, tossed with garlic, olive oil, crushed red pepper and parsley. It too was excellent. Most amazing was watching the staff wait on the customers. We stayed about 90 minutes -- the pace was perfect. Everyone was smiling, customers and staff. For the most part all ten tables were in use. As a table became available a new customer arrived. At no time was there a crowd of people standing around waiting to be seated. This is the way a restaurant should be run -- we look forward to returning!

Small place, one server but the food was delicious!! We'll definitely be going back! Lots of vegetarian options 😀

The waitress didn’t understand what I said to her on a couple occasions my veal was very though had a hard time cutting the veal with a knife the red sauce had no flavor at all I will never go back also took forever for out app and food

Good authentic Italian food. Eggplant parm was good

This is a tiny little restaurant, but the food is good, and the staff were great. They don’t take reservations. It’s first come first serve but it’s worth the wait.

This is a gem. The food is some of the most authentic Italian in the area. A must try.

Wonderful small family Italian restaurant ...soo good!

Best Italian we’ve ever had!! Feels like you’re in someone’s Italian house and they are cooking for you.

First time eating here and was really impressed. Cozy atmosphere that feels like you’re in a friends kitchen. The food was the best Italian I have ever had. Homemade. Delicious. Make sure you check it out.

If you are looking for delicious Italian food, this is the place. Service is good but be aware that is small restaurant.

The place actually leaves a bit to be desired but the food is amazing and more than makes up for it. Definitely recommend.

Exceptional food, wonderful wait staff, quaint home Italian decoration inside. The best lobster ravioli I’ve had in my life (and I’ve had a lot), lasagna was top 2 for my husband, childrens pizza was delicious for our 4yr old. Only recommendation is more available drink options for children (milk or juice).

Too dark inside the restaurant, my partner had the lasagne hardly any meat. I had spaghetti and meatballs, sauce was bland and I only got 2 meatballs….2!!!! Wouldn’t be too bad if they were big, but no. Would not recommend the place at all

I had an amazing meal at Mario's Ristorante Italiano. I ordered a seafood dish that was simply divine, along with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs that tasted like a slice of Italy. To top it off, the clams were cooked to perfection. It was a fantastic Italian dining experience.

Food here is amazing. I would know bc I’m a foodie. Small intimate space but decorated well & feels comfortable. & very good wine prices!

Such a cute little restaurant, nice ambiance, felt a little rushed though. The food was good.

I have been going to this place to eat on and off since the original owner Mario was here. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal from this place. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great, and the staff is very friendly. If you want to order food for takeout, make sure you visit their website and do not refer to prices found on google👌

Delicious food and great service!

Made us feel like mama's home feel good home cooking was one place you need to go to and not miss if you want good Italian food 😋 I was truly surprised we ordered just about every thing on the menu and shared family style for 5 people great place loved the food. Wish I would have taken a picture of the food ...have to go back! You can't go wrong with whatever you order. You'll 😘 love it.

This place was so amazing that we went both nights of our weekend at the beach. The chicken saltimbocca is absolutely amazing, and the staff is so friendly.

Best Italian food in my opinion.

Great little Italian restaurant. Food and service amazing! We'll be back!

Small intimate space (10 tables) aroma of garlic perpetually in the air. Seems like family owned and operated for generations (unconfirmed but convinced). Food is fantastic.

On the expsive side, you don't get a whole lot of food, but leave filled (just no take home box) but the food you get is worth the price.

Quaint Italian restaurant. Food was outstanding! Everything was delicious, perfect portion sizes. Service was impeccable... all of the staff works together to make sure you are well taken care of! Will definitely stop again if we're back in Madeira Beach!

Never had a bad meal here. They’ve all been great actually. The lobster ravioli is perfectly cooked and the chicken romano was nicely breaded and the spaghetti was perfectly cooked.

Authentic Italian, scratch made dishes, artfully made. Definitely not chain restaurant food. Truly a treat.

Amazing food!! Had the lobster ravioli 💯. It’s small inside, I would suggest calling ahead if you have a group larger than 4. Highly recommend .

Excellent classic Italian cuisine, chicken and veal saltimbocca delicious. Desserts equally wonderful. Nothing left on anyone's plates!

This was my first time coming after hearing multiple recommendations and I can truly say I was genuinely happy with my entire experience. Stop reading and go, you will not regret it. The setting was small but warm and inviting. Our servers switched mid service but both were kind, respectful and attentive. From the warm bread, soup, to our meals everything was delicious. The prices were fair especially for the quality of food you will receive. My chicken piccatta was very flavorful, Alfredo linguini was some of the best I've had in the bay area. I honestly can't wait to come back again.

Perfect food! Small restaurant but good environment and nice waitresses. Only negative is slow service.

Nice and quiet dining with excellent food!

It does not get more Italian than this. Quaint, 10 table restaurant. Feels family-owned (not sure if that's true). The food was superb, there were people waiting when we got there & when we left - for good reason.

Excellent service and excellent Italian food, friendly folks.

Very authentic and delicious Italian cuisine.Had spicy arrabbiata penne pasta and chicken soup.Both dishes were very good.The services were also great!

Very tasty Italian food and staff are very polite and courteous

Excellent food, service was great and did I mention the food was outstanding!

Average food and not very friendly waiter.

Food had no flavor. Heard great things anxious to try it. Very bland

Authentic and delicious Italian dishes and great nightly specials. Laid back atmosphere, attentive and friendly staff. Try the chicken romano special or the veal piccata or scaloppine.!

Mario's is always the best all around. Will never have anything bad to say, Staff, food, service always exceptional

Fantastisk mat och vin! Bästa italienska restaurangen i området!

I went here and had a great experience. The dining room is small so get there either early or late. The service and food was good. It is a popular local spot. You would not know that looking at it from the outside. Give it a shot.

We come down from ATL to visit the beach a few times a year. Marios is our favorite place to eat while we visit. Best Italian food I have ever had. Each sauce is made at the time of order, which is great if you have a vegetarian in your family.

I truly love the place.my husband and me have been going there for years. We always get the chicken parmesan and soup. It is always consistent and delicious. They deserve more than five stars. I would recommend this place to everyone

Pleasant surprise. We did not plan to go to the restaurant, but we were glad we did. Amazing food, amazing service!

Small place, only 10 tables but great food, service, dessert & wine!

We had the pleasure of trying this hidden Gem in a small setting, but very cozy and Family like. Linda waited and served us, the girl was phenomenal, she kept circulating the room making sure everyone was all set and she was pleasant and did it with a smile. ( She's a great employee). Next ( my friend), he got a salad with blue cheese that was great and I got the soup of the day delicious on both counts ! I'm critical on Italian food as I'm a great cook, however I had the outstanding LASAGNA, and he got LINGUINE AND CLAM SAUCE WITH WHOLE CLAMS, the sauce on both were outstanding. I used all my bread to eat the gravy with my meal. Next onto YELP. we definitely will be back to Madera Beaches hidden treasure !!!! J.Markey

Us four adults, two kids came in for dinner. As a light eater, I had the calamari and the caprese salad for dinner, and both were delicious. The other couple started with an antipasta salad, and it was loaded with a variety of scrumptious items-very hearty. The Zupa di pesce was dilectible-lots of shrimp, muscles, calamari, clams and Grouper - wow 👌. And finally, the Grouper Mario was fantastic. Our server Gina was fantastic. She took very good care of us.

Had a Birthday party 9 people and I paid for someone else's meal in addition to mine. The Alfredo tasted more like chicken not cream and Parmisano Reggiano Not happy Dennis

First time coming here. Cute small place, prices and quantity ok considering area. The salad and dressing was really good. The sauce excellent. Only wish we were given bread like most restaurants but otherwise, no complaints. Great place will go again!

Really bad experience racist waitress make us wait forever the table was ready and she didn’t say anything at all intensionally looks like that she doesn't want us to eat there.

We arrived about 30 minutes ahead of our friends who were running late. We ordered an expensive bottle of wine while waiting and after 20 minutes was approached by the not friendly waitress who wondered if our friends were coning as they had people waiting…. as if she needed us to leave. I told her we hadn’t been asked if we wanted appetizers and she said….”Oh so you are waiting on us?” She was just plain mean and seemed like she was challenging me. If we weren’t meeting people we would have left. When they arrived, we felt hurried and by the way there were many open tables by that time. It seems the people in the kitchen were working hard and the food was good but not good enough to put up with that attitude. If you want fast food…go to McDonald's don’t spend this kind of money. Our bill was 150 and still left her more than 20% as we felt bad for the other server.

Calamari Tuscana was on point and the Lasagna was wonderful...great atmosphere Went back a second night Veal Parmigiana was really good the Spinach Ravioli in a marinara was terrific...they are definitely on our list when visiting the beach...oh yes and they have Moretti....

Cute place, food was good! Would go back.

Absolutely the bomb,it was delicious, ever in Maderia Beach check this place out... Real deal ♥️

TERRIBLE !!!! Was told 20 minute wait , after 45 I asked why people arriving after us got a table and we were still waiting ? Girl said she didn’t see us and just came out and said two. Don’t know why she asked our name if she’s not going to use it and just take any TWO. I’ll NEVER be back !

Service and food were top notch. Atmosphere is very cozy. Would definitely go back.

Great food and great service 😁😋😋

Disappointed. Spent $60 on two entrees that were poorly prepared. Small portions, over salted sauces and chewy chicken. It was brought to a servers attention and the owners attention, yet nothing was done. Why ask how the meal is if you don't intend to fix what isn't right? Will never return or suggest others go there based on the owner not attempting to offer a solution or fix the problem with the meal.

The food was great the service was very good

Wow! Veal was amazing and super fast service!

Not sure how this restaurant is still open 🤔? If people that go here and rate it so well they don't know what italian food is, nor do the people that run it. From the front door to the bathroom and kitchen I wish I had taken pictures. As well as the food that came out five minutes later. Total garbage in our opinion for food that came out looking like dog food. Non the less as anticipated if you read this whole review we walked out.