Mario's Restaurant image

Mario's Restaurant

Restaurant Italian restaurant

Lasagna & meatballs, tiramisu & other Italian comfort food served in casual traditional quarters. People often mention Italian, restaurant, good, family, amazing, Boston, time, chicken, experience, service,


Address

347 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128, United States

Website

www.marioseastboston.com

Contact

+1 617-567-8608

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (481 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 3 to 9 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 3 to 9 pm
  • Tuesday: 3 to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 3 to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 3 to 9 pm
  • Friday: 3 to 9 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Italian (25) restaurant (19) good (19) family (17) amazing (14) Boston (12) time (11) chicken (10) experience (9) service (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jason H. 1 year ago on Google
    I live half way across the country and have only spent the time reviewing one other spot in Florida. This is the only other place I have put the time into writing about to this extent... It is rare to step into a.restaurant and feel an authentic, yet quaint experience the moment you walk in. I met Ursula and her son-in-law, Joe. Both were so welcoming and displayed the perfect example of hospitality and took care of every need as if we were the only people there. I instantly felt like a regular and through a short conversation they knew exactly what we should order. Their recommendations were spot on. I noticed right away they had a relationship with their customers I haven't seen since I was a child. It was charming to watch. Regarding the food, it sounds cliche, but you could tell it was made with love and a sincere quality a white table cloth/white glove "Italian" restaurant can't replicate - regardless of price. Speaking of price, the prices were completely reasonable and we happily would have paid much more for the same food. We started with the Arancini (pictured) and a bottle of Chianti. I could have had three of them (the Arancini, not the chianti) and would have been satisfied. Also, it's a little thing, but the bread and olive oil were fantastic. It was hard not to eat it all knowing we had a meal coming. We were so enamored with the main course, we didn't take pictures and enjoyed the dining experience. We ended up following Ursula's recommendation of the Veal Parmesan and Alla Lisa. I don't know how they made the Alla Lisa taste the way it did, but now I need to recreate it and will fail miserably. The Veal Parmesan lives up to Ursula's description and was perfect. Their side of pasta with the signature tomato sauce was bright, fresh and it was evident they never cut corners with the ingredients they use. Also, make sure you have the cannolis (pictured with a cream limoncello)! They don't advertise them, because that's all they would sell and have to shut the restaurant down to keep up with the demand. This place is totally recommended and you don't have to think twice about going here. I will be back as the whole experience is something I will never forget. We're just happy we found it and chose to go there on a hunch. The entire dining experience will be hard to beat. It was the perfect intimate date spot and one of those unique places I would put on our personal national map of a rare breed of dining experiences you can't replicate. I would chalk it up to Ursula's 38 years of family restaurant experience. Take advantage of it and treat yourself!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ezra W. 1 year ago on Google
    Their motto is "Closest thing to Mamma's Cooking" and all I can say is "Wish my Momma cooked half as good". This restaurant has been around for 39 years!!!! That should tell you something right there. In Boston or anywhere within a few hours drive it a quick flight? Do yourself a favor and boom a reservation at Mario's. Save the money it would cost to go to Italy and experience what I would consider the absolute best Italian dining experience! Mario's does feel like you walked into your grandma's kitchen. The family that runs it are lovely and will take amazing care of you. As you will see from my pictures we tasted quite a few dishes and none disappointed. Fresh, delicious and absolutely amazing!!! And don't forget, you have a separate stomach reserved for dessert, so put it to good use!!!!! We will be back in a couple of weeks!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kim R. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was spectacular. The service is crazy friendly. We had a party of 7 and they accommodated us immediately. I can't get over how amazing this little place is. Would visit again.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 PJ B. 10 months ago on Google
    Overall: Great spot for Italian food. Cozy space with nice staff and service. Food: Appetizers: We started with stuffed mushrooms and also decided to order the lobster ravioli as another appetizer. The stuffed mushrooms are really good. The "stuffed" is like a stuffing consistency, which is good. Very well seasoned and savory. One of our favorites. The lobster ravioli was good, but not out of this world. It came with 5 large size pieces. Entrees: We ordered the chicken parmigiana and chicken limone. The chicken parmigiana was very good and a large portion. My wife asked me to share it several times. It essentially became her dish. The chicken limone was good. I liked it, my wife didn't like that the chicken was fried. I thought it was good. Both entrees came with penne and sauce which were tasty and complimented the chicken entrees well. They also included a side salad. The salad was really good, but I'd ask for a touch less dressing next time. Dessert: Amazing! The tiramisu and cannoli were both incredible. The tiramisu was one of the better ones I've had (I AM from Atlanta, so take that with a grain of salt if you're from the NE and go to Italian restaurants often). The cannoli was good, the ricotta was creamy but not runny. It's very rich, but very flavorful. Drinks: We got aperol sprtiz, red sangria, and cappuccinos. All were pretty good. The cappuccino wasn't out of this world, but it's a nice touch post dessert. Service: The service was great. The staff was very friendly. They helped explain a couple of items and were attentive enough but not overbearing.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lyndon 9 months ago on Google
    This restaurant was amazing! My father got the lasagna and it was better than my shrimp scampi. The plates were presented very nicely. They give you complimentary bread and a salad. The waiter stayed on top of the water. Overall, great experience!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gerardo L. 1 year ago on Google
    Ursula is the best. I love everything about this place. My favorite is the chicken or veal parm. And save room for dessert
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arman J. 2 years ago on Google
    The owner was such a nice person!! We talked to her for a while and she hooked us up with some great food. She said her tiramisu is the best and after trying it she was not wrong! It's the best one I've ever had. Would rate this family business a 10/5 stars if I could!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jim A. 1 year ago on Google
    We came here on a Friday night for dinner and it was amazing. Started off with a bottle of red and the Bruschetta. One of the best i have ever had. Excellent dinner salads preceded my entree, the Bolognese. She had the Lasagna. I liked her's much better, but mine was good as well. For dessert, we had to try the Tiramisu and it was fantastic. Our server, Anthony, was part of this family-owned restaurant and very knowledgeable on every dish. Highly recommend finding Mario's because it's getting harder to find authentic Italian restaurants these days.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rock Creek Design Build R. 4 months ago on Google
    Great convenient location to Boston. Very comfy friendly place to get amazing home cooked Italian food. Staff is very friendly, helpful in suggestions. Plenty of street parking.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephanie H. 9 months ago on Google
    The food here is amazing and definitely the closest thing to your mama's cooking. This was my first time here, we ordered the arancini, bolognese, and their lasagna that was on special. Everything was amazing and the staff were so hospitable. We had pistachio gelato and lemon sorbet for desert since they were out of tiramisu, but we'll definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! Call ahead to put yourself on the waitlist / make a reservation!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael F. 1 year ago on Google
    Hands down this restaurant has the best authentic Italian food I have ever had! I went to Mario's last night and we arrived about thirty minutes before closing. The entire staff were extremely accommodating and attentive. From the start of the interaction with the restaurant everything was perfect. The bread was absolutely amazing. The salad was excellent as well, the vegetables were extremely fresh and you could tell they were all organic. The main course was delicious as well, I had the Gnocchi and it was perfect. For dessert I highly recommend the tiramisu it was the best tiramisu I ever had. Prices are very fair and the dishes are plentiful. Excellent home feeling Italian restaurant that I highly recommend and I will definitely be back.

  • 5/5 Geoffrey L. 3 months ago on Google New
    Wonderful food; friendly conversation; family setting. If you’re willing to absorb the vibe (and forget about counting the scrumptious calories for a night), you won’t ever want to leave! Mario’s is worth a trip at any time for any occasion.

  • 3/5 D T. 2 years ago on Google
    The service was top shelf. The space was small and can feel bunched up and congested. The setting was quaint. The flavor was ok

  • 5/5 Edward M. 2 years ago on Google
    After traveling a long day from Texas, Mario's was the place we wanted to be. From salad to calamari to incredible entrees to dessert, the customer service and incredible favors were superb. We will return to Mario's every time we are in Boston! Thank you. I highly recommended this place.

  • 4/5 Mike E. 5 months ago on Google
    Neighborhood Italian restaurant. Very good menu, classic Italian offerings - seafood, veal, chicken, pasta, Parmigiane, etc. Complimentary green salad with oil/vinegar and fresh Italian bread. Fresh Lobster ravioli was very good (4.5/5). Cheese lasagna special served with 2 meatballs, also very good. Cannoli with house-made fresh ricotta cheese filling was delicious, with a side of Cappuccino. Very satisfying. Service is friendly and professional. Wonderful older woman (I presume is the owner), and 2 gentlemen manage the room, which accommodates about 50 guests. Clientele is mix of regulars (friends/family) and everyone else. Simple atmosphere, circa 1980s or 1990s, with a lively chatter in the room. Give it a shot. And good luck with parking.

  • 5/5 Steven W. 2 years ago on Google
    Hands down the best Italian food I’ve ever had. If you want more authentic Italian, you better be prepared to fly to Italy! Extremely friendly family owned restaurant. This is a must visit restaurant if you are from out-of-town and are staying near (or at) the airport

  • 5/5 Tammy B. 5 months ago on Google
    The food is amazing! Mouth watering! Eggplant Melinzane, tender calamari, chicken with veggies dish snd the veal version. Arancini is huge with a to die for sauce!

  • 5/5 Steve C. 2 years ago on Google
    The staff were amazing and attentive. The food, from appetizers to desert were fantastic. From the moment you walk in You feel like family. Honestly a hidden gem in Boston. We had a large part and everyone raved about all aspects of their meal.

  • 5/5 Mo M. 1 year ago on Google
    I can’t believe the luck we had in finding this restaurant on a whim. I absolutely loved their meals, service and family dining room feel. Our three meals were phenomenal, and I will definitely make it efforts to get back there on a more regular basis. We basically had some time to kill before picking someone up at the airport, stopped here and ate and was back at the airport arrival gate in less than five minutes.

  • 5/5 Courtney O. 1 year ago on Google
    Very authentic Italian dinner. We had the arancini, Alla Lisa and Ravioli. Everything was perfect! We felt like part of the family. If you find yourself in Boston, this is a must do!

  • 5/5 Jazzy V. 1 year ago on Google
    There are not enough words in the English language that I could use and this is a moment when I wish I spoke Italian! Mario’s is a spiritual experience! Wholeheartedly can understand why this place was voted the best restaurant in Boston‼️ From the moment I walked in, it felt like I walked into someones home! The food is made with the love and care of the grandmother that likes you! Every single course that I had, I had to eat in silence because talking would’ve ruined the moment‼️ Nancy was so sweet and welcoming and I can’t wait to come back to Boston so that I can eat here over and over again‼️

  • 5/5 Courtney H. 2 years ago on Google
    My boyfriend and I just moved to Boston a couple of weeks ago. We went to East Boston in search for dinner one night and stumbled upon Mario’s. We were pleasantly surprised! The food was amazing and the staff was wonderful. I highly recommend going to Mario’s if you are wanting an authentic Italian meal. We can’t wait to go back and bring friends and family!

  • 5/5 Ken C. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in a restaurant. The staff was unbelievably welcoming and the food was AMAZING. We started with the Arancini based on the recommendation from our server. It was Fantastic! Next we had the Bolognese and the Gnocchi which were equally delicious. Final advice if you haven’t already decided to drop everything to make a reservation here - A lot of people serve good food. A lot of establishments have friendly servers and staff. But it is the incredibly rare establishment that makes you feel like you are having a meal with family. My wife, son, and I truly felt like we were with family this evening. We will be back every time we visit Boston and will MANDATE that any friends who come to this great city wine and dine with family at Mario’s.

  • 5/5 J D. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best Italian restaurant in the north east area. Huge portions and amazing tiramisu

  • 5/5 Anand M. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is amazing! food was phenomenal and very fresh. The staff and customer service were absolutely outstanding! such genuinely nice friendly people who clearly care about what they do.

  • 4/5 Justin K. 2 years ago on Google
    It was a nice intimate setting. The food was really good, and so was the service. I'd definitely recommend trying it out.

  • 5/5 G P. 2 years ago on Google
    It was my first time, I come from NY and I had no idea that I needed a reservation. But they were very nice and got me space. Delicious everything. The pasta was incredible. 100% recommendable.

  • 5/5 Mark W. 1 year ago on Google
    Mario’s is the real deal! You want authentic Italian? When customers are people who speak fluent Italian, yeah, you’ve got something special…. Everything we ate was off the chart delicious! Wine offerings were very good. Terrific place!

  • 5/5 Tim H. 2 years ago on Google
    This is the pinnacle of family owned and operated, “mom and pop” old school Italian in Boston. Simple, traditional menu, expertly prepared. Always consistent, always delicious. The owner and her so truly welcome you into their restaurant “home.” Don’t skip the Hot and Cold Antipasto! Pasta, chicken, and veal dishes are excellent. Don’t miss. Call for a reservation.

  • 5/5 Fantasy R. 2 years ago on Google
    Don’t listen to the reviews saying the place is too expensive, I’ve seen prices twice as bad for frozen seafood and pre-cooked deli meats in Brookline and Brighton alone. One of the reviews by a guy named Joseph actually had the audacity to complain about the veal being “razor-thin.”……uh, yeah Joseph, because Italians pound out their veal to be tender just like a German would with schnitzel. That means they’re doing it RIGHT and whatever you’re eating in Providence and Deerfield Beach FL is second-rate. Some of the worst Italian food I’ve eaten here is IN the North End. It’s just that most people here are tourists or college kids who are too dumb to know what they’re getting. I was born in New Jersey to a family of mostly Italian heritage. I lived in other states for awhile but moved here to Boston when my fiancé got an exciting job offer. I have had several mediocre Italian meals in the area the past two years, but Mario’s changed everything for me. This place reminds me so much of the old-school family operated places we’d eat at in Jersey, with all of the best parts of Italian home-cooking. The menu is the epitome of perfectly executed, unpretentious classics. There are no stupid trendy frills, garnishes or gimmicks to the dishes, just simple, nostalgic meals that ALWAYS come out correctly. They give you warm Italian bread and house salads with your meal, and there’s a fantastic wine selection. I highly recommend their Veal Parmigiana and Arancini. It has become one of my favorite places in the city and I now make it a point to come about once a month. They only take reservations by phone so be sure to call them a few days ahead of time if you intend to show up on a weekend evening.

  • 5/5 Jason M. 2 years ago on Google
    If you haven't ever been to Mario's you are seriously missing out on a homemade meal. This is an old school family environment restaurant where you feel like your back home at Nonna's house. I left there wanting to call Ursula Nonna. Definitely better leave room for the tiramisu!! Grazie!!! Ursula and Anthony for such a wonderful meal and time last evening. See you soon.

  • 5/5 Savanna B. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing food, and wonderful wonderful people. So much care put into service and food, and it tastes better than any homemade dish i’ve ever had. Would definitely go again and again!


Call +1 617-567-8608 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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