Mario’s Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Stuart

Disappointing Experience All Around

We’re new to the area and decided to try a random local restaurant we found on Google. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the worst Italian dining experience we've ever had.

The restaurant was uncomfortably warm inside, making it hard to enjoy our meal. Our server was inattentive, and at one point, we overheard staff arguing loudly in the kitchen, which didn’t help the already awkward atmosphere.

We started with the garlic rolls, which were inedible. They had no garlic or olive oil—just a tough roll with some melted cheese on top. We sent them back.

I ordered Chicken Francaise, a dish I’m very familiar with as someone of Italian heritage. What I received was completely unrecognizable—drenched in a reddish sauce with minced vegetables, and oddly tasted more like Chicken Marsala. When I asked the waitress, she insisted it was Chicken Francaise, but it definitely was not.

My husband ordered a basic pizza, which should be hard to mess up. Somehow, it was. It was bland, lacked seasoning, and had almost no flavor.

To top it off, our total came to $60 for food and drinks—a complete waste given the poor quality of the meal.

An additional awkward moment came when an elderly woman (possibly an owner or manager?) approached our table and repeatedly asked if we knew someone she was referencing. Despite politely saying no, she continued the conversation and made us feel even more uncomfortable.

Overall, this place had the worst combination of food, service, and atmosphere. I genuinely don’t understand how it has been rated #1 in Stuart. We will not be returning and definitely wouldn’t recommend...

As my grandparents got older, they tended to like their food softer, sweeter and without any spices or seasonings. So I was a bit concerned when we walked in and found a flock of snowbirds had descended in the dining room. But clearly this breed of snowbird, of mostly Italian heritage, still has its tastebuds in tact. The rolls were as garlicky and soft as previous reviewers promised, but the basket also contained little pieces of pepperoni-studded pizza. Though we were a bit surprised when the "sautéed broccoli" appetizer showed up steamed, but we dusted the bowl with dried parm and chili flakes and were delighted when we bit into the al dente florettes, perfectly salted, and got a hint of the garlicky broth. The minestrone, packed with enough beans and vegetables to meet our daily requirement, tasted like grandma's and was exactly what we needed after a bout of the flu. The server warned us that the bolognese would look a little different since they serve it with vegetables on top - and it was lovely. The little chunks of carrots and chopped herbs brightened the dish visually and the flavor was excellent. The helpings were so large that we've got enough for lunch today, and once the garlic is out our systems, we'll surely be...

Mario's is Stuart's hidden gem, offering the best Italian cuisine in the area. Nestled in an unassuming commercial strip across from the school district offices on US1, this longstanding restaurant has been delighting diners since the 1980s. The food is nothing short of spectacular, and the attentive service makes every visit memorable.

If you’re unsure what to order, I highly recommend any dish featuring their lemon butter wine sauce—whether it’s scampi, francese, florentina, or venezia, each bite is pure heaven. And for lovers of classic Italian flavors, their rich and flavorful red sauces are equally incredible. Choosing between the two is always a delicious dilemma!

No meal at Mario's is complete without dessert. Their homemade cannoli and tiramisu are a must-try—crafted with perfection, from the creamy filling to the crispy shells flown in from Brooklyn. This isn’t your typical prepackaged fare; it’s authentic, fresh, and utterly indulgent.

I’ve been dining here since 2002, and Mario's has never let me down. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out on one of Stuart’s best-kept secrets. This is a dining experience you’ll want to savor...