When you think Italian restaurants you think of something out of The Godfather or Goodfellas, not waterfront on the south shore of Nassau County... but while lacking the traditional Italian ambience, this place DELIVERS. Can't say enough nice things about the staff, from the hostesses to the servers. Incredibly friendly, great with the kids and very attentive. The food is great and everything I sampled came out perfect. The pork chop special was very flavorful, the chicken alla ross was a favorite, and the fried zucchini was a hit (especially with the kids). If you want me to get real, this place blows the place up the street out of the water (pun intended), and I hope with the new spot opening next door people don't overlook Fabio's. read more

Delicious meal with a view! Service was great, our server was attentive and friendly and helped us make a few tough decisions (since we wanted to eat everything). All of the food was excellent - the shrimp was one of my favorites. Definitely a great spot for a sunset and tasty seafood meal! read more

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I was on a solo business trip and this place was near my work so decided to give it a try. The food was really good, but what made it five stars was my server (Hailey)... she helped with the menu and a pleasure to talk with during the meal, like the perfect amount of attention and great conversation. I had the stuffed salmon with spinach. read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Stuffed salmon special - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

Came here with a group, and I thought everything from the service to the food was superb. We ordered many different items and I had a chance to try all of them. The restaurant offers half and full size dishes. We mostly ordered full sized, and the portions were humongous! For starters, we ordered the Fried Zucchini and the Baked Clams. Both were excellent, and it was at this point that I knew that I would be eating a lot during our visit here. For entree, we ordered the Frutti Di Mare, the Shrimp Oreganata, the Broiled Salmon, the Eggplant Parmigiana and the Chicken Scarpariello. I tried all of them and each was delicious. As someone who's a big fan of seafood, my favorite was the Frutti Di Mare. They were even able to make it spicy with a Fra Diavolo sauce. For dessert, we had a Napoleon cake. I'm not sure when the last time I had a Napoleon cake, but I didn't know that they tasted so good. This one was flawlessly flaky inside and the pastry cream was perfect. Although it was rainy when we dined here, the view of the water is beautiful from here. I highly recommend Fabio's for a great dinner with family and friends. read more

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Excellent service and the food was excellent..I have been to Fabios several times and have never been disappointed..0

This restaurant is located in a residential area on the water. It has a spectacular view and nice seating area. There's also an indoor and outdoor section and there's also a private party room upstairs. The food is basically family style and huge huge portions. You will not leave hungry that's for sure. The service was really cool and very nice. We had a wonderful time for a family birthday. read more

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I just came from Fabio's . I went out for a last minute dinner with my brother and sister in law . All I can say is it was a 10 out of 10 . From the scenery , the service , the food . It was absolutely amazing. Great Job Fabio's read more

I've been here twice and I cannot recommend this place enough. Fabio's isn't just the owner's name but also a proper description because this place is truly fabulous. Not only was it great for a just a nice quiet evening for a family-style dinner, but it also surpassed all of my expectations at my joint birthday party with my husband 2 weeks ago in the upstairs party room. Rose and Frank were so helpful and friendly, with consistently amazing service despite how busy the floor got during prime dinner hours downstairs. Everyone raved about how amazing the food was, (and yes I am spoiled with left overs!) . They were also so happy to be on the beautiful outside terrace as we were truly blessed with terrific weather. We couldn't have been happier and I can't wait to come back. read more

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Update. We were early and found spots a block away, but it seemed as if most folks used their valet service. Reminder - most "1/2" portion entrées are sufficient, so their "full" portions can usually serve two. My 1/2 cold antipasto had balsamic vinegar drizzle that I'd switch out next time. The salami and provolone at the corners, the red peppers, mozzarella cheese, lettuce and tomatoes were all fine, but the prosciutto ham was too fatty and I also didn't like the olives (I had asked for black olives, but didn't get them). My shrimp marinara was generally very good and served over a central pile of spinach. However, the surrounding tomato sauce was too soupy. We ate our dinners at one of the outside tables, but there were so many annoying gnats, that most of the customers outside moved to tables inside. Still 4****, but we'll reserve indoors next time. read more

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Another fantastic dinner at Fabio's, NEVER disappoints .... Amazing and delicious food. Shout out to Hailey best waitress ever. read more

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We came here for a work holiday party. The food was ok but the chicken pieces were on the thin side. I felt the staff was overwhelmed because a co-worker who needs gluten-free which was communicated way in advance, was served so delayed. Our drinks came really after. Very long wait. The valet parking was horrible! I was among the first ones to go out, they lost my ticket and I was among the last ones out. read more

Went to Fabio's for a wonderful Valentine's dinner. It was wonderful. Andy our server recommended the Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini (Valentine's special). I ordered one and when my husband tasted mine, he ordered his own. It was so good. Hope they keep it on the menu. I got to have my Moneybags pasta. This dish, by far, is one of the best pasta dishes I have eaten. Even in NYC and even Florence! My husband had the shrimp scampi which was delicious. This restaurant has it all - the food, the service and just a great feeling to be there. Try it, you will not be disappointed! read more

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My family hosted our niece's confirmation dinner and the food, service and atmosphere was perfect. Thank you!

Food was delicious. Service was great I had the pork chop martini, which was absolutely delicious. If you like a little spice, that's definitely something to get the linguine with garlic and oil was definitely tasteful and the chicken à la Fabio was also amazing. read more

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Came here on a Saturday at 5 pm with a couple of friends for a nice dinner and had a nice time. There was street parking across the restaurant, not sure if the restaurant is valet only. We opted to sit outside and had a view of the water and boats so that was nice. John was our waiter and he was very attentive and helpful. For apps, we got the Calamari Arrabbia (half) and Burrata salad both were very good. For the mains to share, we got a full tray of the Luciano with linguini and Chicken Francese. Really liked the Luciano. Good amount of seafood. For dessert, we got tiramisu and a pistachio dessert, forgot the name of the pistachio dessert but it was very good. Prices listed are credit card prices and they have a cash discount if you pay cash. read more

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I went here on a Thursday night to celebrate my friend's birthday. This is an excellent restaurant to go to for a special event. I had an excellent time. The ambiance is exquisite. The service is more than just great, it was top notch. Food was delicious too. I would go here again read more

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I was lucky to have a friend take me here for my birthday. We came at 3pm on a Saturday which it was very sparse of people although the had a big group event going on at the upper level. We were seated quickly and our waiter was attentive from the start. Upon entering, there was a bar to the left, and the entry to the main floor dining area and outside seating. It was a nice day (NY style) of about 55 degrees so no one was outside. However, it being right on the water, there were many boats right outside, though mostly docked. We quickly ordered a cocktail and heard the specials. The buffalo calamari appetizer caught our attention and it was absolutely delicious in the words of my friend. I was skeptical but also very pleased with the different taste from the norm. I recommend it For our entrees I hade the Sole Oreganota and my friend had the veal Marsala. There were only 3 fish entrees, and about 7 shrimp entrees on the Seafood side. The sole, a salmon and a talapia. I wished for more, but none came lol. I enjoyed the sole and the garlic sauce was delicious. I wasn't as thrilled with the thick layer of breadcrumbs on top. The veal Marsala was good, but I much prefer the chicken variety. You'll have to taste for yourself. The broccoli accompaniment with the sole was cooked perfectly but it had a somewhat stale taste to me. I did order a dessert, the crème brûlée cheesecake, which was tasty enough, but the crème brûlée topping was not like the topping that I have come to love, hard and crunchy. The service was good, although we shared our waiter and it seemed there were times we waited a bit between check ins. However, he was quick to respond to our needs when he came . I would definitely recommend the restaurant and surely be back to try other items and when the weather allows for outside seating which will be devine! read more

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What an exquisite hidden gem tucked away by the water in Merrick! We were fortunate to have date night dinner here on (12/06-2023). Under the giant canopy, the room was beautifully decorated with tasteful holiday lights. The piped in music of Sinatra and Bennett set the mood perfectly. Although we thought the techno music was a bit out of place. Strictly a personal preference on our part, the volume of the music was appropriate. We were greeted warmly by the hostess when we arrived for our 6:30pm reservations. We were the first ones seated. It wasn't crowded at all and during the evening another couple and a party of three rounded out the diners. Our server John was extremely hospitable. He was professional and attentive. You may think that he couldn't help but be attentive, given that it was not crowded. However, I observed his demeanor was consistent with the other patrons as well. It was a pleasure to let him know how he made this experience all the more fabulous. Ahh..the drinks! The food! The Toasted Almond Martini...was just as perfect as the Perfect Margarita! Our mussels appetizer with its red sauce was super flavorful! Dipping our complimentary semolina bread in the sauce was the perfect start to our meals. I chose the chicken cutlets special. Sautéed with butter and garlic and topped with melted mozzarella. I opted for a side of penne. Perfectly seasoned, served at the perfect temperature.....HEAVEN! The bf devoured his Frutti Di Mare with linguine dish! Once again the red sauce made the meal! The bf ordered the Rainbow Cake dessert for us to share. I was totally against it! Not the dessert part, the sharing part. After all, I'm trying to keep my girlish figure. John was complicit by bringing two plates and forks with the cake. Fresh and delicious are the two words to describe the reward I received for my weakness! The entrees are listed by full/half sized portions. Which I find wonderful, so patrons can order according to their appetites. Along with a full bar, they do offer a wine list as well. I look forward to returning during the spring/summer to experience the space in all its warm weather glory. However, I know I will be visiting again before that. Regardless of the time of year, I appreciate great food, impeccable wait service and aesthetically pleasing surroundings. Treat yourself to a visit here...Thank me later read more

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Great place to sit out on the water and grab a cocktail and some fresh seafood. They offer valet parking and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. read more

I recently had my daughter's bridal shower here in the private room upstairs. The service, ambiance and food was excellent. Fabio was a pleasure to work with and very accommodating. I would highly recommend this establishment, not only for an event but also for the delicious food. Thank you Fabio. read more

Great views. Good service. Great portions, and options with half vs full entrees to choose from. read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Pistachio martini - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

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Very nice elegant restaurant. Service was very good and efficient. Food was delicious and great portions and a place we will be going to again. read more

This is a tough one. I had been to Fabio's before both times in large group settings. While flavor is not something you will go without when you visit you might question whether it's worth it. I ended up in the hospital with food poisoning after having dinner here. It seeems as though the cleanliness of the space is something they skimp on. There was a deep noticeable odor near our table that smelled like remnants of something trapped in a vent or wall. The curtains hanging had noticeable mold spots. The restrooms were not clean. The dining area is warm and very humid. While looking from far it looks beautiful these are all tells of a space being neglected. I sure paid for it the following days. Safe to say it's a restaurant I will skip. Shame because food actually does taste good. read more

Food is excellent service is good. The upstairs is great for parties. Fabio the owner is a great guy. They make an excellent Napoleon cake. Keep up the good work. read more

We came for mother's day. We sat outside but regretted it later because there were too many gnats. I got bitten up. Next time I will opt to eat indoors. The food was good. The view wasn't that great. Lots of boats blocking your view of the water. Not worth the up-charge for the location in my opinion. You can get food just as good elsewhere. The service was a little slow due to the busy holiday rush but I don't blame them for that. It's also a bit out of the way to get to this place. I suggest parking a block or two away to avoid the valet. Worked for us. read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Chicken Marsala - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

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Tucked in at the south end of Bayberry Avenue is Fabios on the Water, once named Acqua. From what I read, the name change from Acqua to Fabios occurred sometime in 2023. Fabio's is a fashionable outdoor restaurant where one can arrive by land or by boat. During the winter, Fabios adds transparent glass walls so one can appreciate the water sights. An Italian restaurant on the water is unusual, but they have plenty of seafood options on their menu. The food is delightful along with their selective cocktails, which are normally excellent pours. The bar is set in the back by the car entrance and faces the dining area, which is closer to the water. The staff is friendly and accommodating. We entered the restaurant much earlier than our reservation, so we would have an opportunity to dine outdoors on their patio. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a cocktail before being seated. Our choice of entrée was delicious, especially the Chicken Alla Fabio's. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience. read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

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Overpriced food small portions Will not go back Very loud and felt rushed We were seated right away but went The waitress by accident spoiled spaghetti sauce on my sons jacket on the back. He didn't notice it till the second he got home. We called the restaurant the minute we got home. I had to call several times in the next few days to get the manager. finally got the manager and explained and he said let me look into it, that was 3 weeks ago. Never heard back. I will not go back. read more

Our server John was exceptional. His attentiveness was amazing and perfect. The food is delicious and served cooked hot. It is loud acoustically and the music is too so we have to shout across the the table. That said we still come for the food and we get something different each time. A must try ! read more

I love the food and the ambiance. I will definitely keep coming back. I loved the antipasto and the shrimp dishes the best. I will bring back my family and friends as well. read more

Came here with a Groupon and enjoyed ourselves. I forgot the waitress' name but she was funny and easy to speak to. The full portions were large enough for me to eat and bring some home. Our seafood order was fresh and tasted great. I LOVED the pork chop but wish it came with a side instead of just mushrooms, maybe cooked spinach or potatoes as a side. The space was quiet, and nice for a special date or dinner occasion. I'm sure it's great during warm weather near the water. Good: -Frutti de Mare (full) clams, mussels, shrimp sautéed with garlic -Fried pork chop special!!! -Large dining area -Groupon for restaurant Bad: -Valet parking wasn't necessary to me, parked down the block and walked. -Wish the pork chop came with a side read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Frutti Di Mare (full) mussels, shrimp, clams, penne sautéed in garlic sauce - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

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Went there for my graduation dinner yesterday... was pretty good, service was attentive & the view spectacular! The Calamari as appetizer was A+ very fresh and marinara was tasty. My son's dish, the chicken Marsala, was my favorite. We also ordered clam linguine and some Alfredo. Those were good as well. But I ordered the chicken francese, and I def wouldn't order it again. Very disappointed in the flavor and sauce consistency. It wasn't terrible, just definitely not what I expected. I ate the chicken but that's pretty much it. The sauce was super thick, and sweet almost? A bit odd. I'm used to ordering this dish in other places and it def let me down. But the dessert ! My fave : Rainbow Cake. It was sooooo delicious! I'd come back for this alone lol read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Chicken Marsala. Best dish we got! Def recommend it was delicious! - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

We had an excellent server who helped us get the best value out of our GROUPON. The food was delicious and the menu includes dishes served as half or full portions. Sharing is encouraged. Half portions are very large and filling. Parking is convenient and restrooms spotless. We dined in the permanent tent affixed to the building that houses the kitchen, bar, etc. we dined here in October, the off season, but it was lovely. read more

Food is excellent. Unfortunately there is no air conditioning for seating downstairs. Very large tent room. Every time I go they have a party upstairs so not sure if they seat people there. Bathrooms do not have changing tables which is unfortunate for us. read more

I don't typically write reviews but i feel compelled to for Fabio's. It was 715 pm on a Sunday and the place was empty(3 other small groups beside me and my 2 friends) - yet the service was SO slow. We had to ask for our waiter at least 4x. We literally asked for butter for our (cold) bread two times and never got it. The food took 1 hour to come out. Which is crazy for a restaurant that's empty. We barely saw our waiter. Also, after reading reviews I'm now seeing that Fabio abuses his staff????? I'm horrified. Also, the penne aka vodka tasted like watery Mac and cheese read more

We had a large group for a birthday celebration at Fabio's. Our server was wonderful. He fully explained the dishes suggested the amount to order for the number of people and was attentive throughout the night. We had someone order a vegan meal and they were able to accommodate with a delicious pasta and vegetable dish. The view from inside doesn't allow you to see much of the water but we did walk outside at times. The food overall was outstanding and the portions were large. read more

I'll be the first to admit I can be a bit of a snob when looking at a restaurant menu- my general observation of the menu at Acqua was that the food seemed very heavy and in my opinion, basic, and I am here to tell you I was incorrect. We were blown away by the quality, the portions, the flavors, everything we had was monumental and the service by the staff, beyond outstanding. To start, mussels white wine and garlic- giant perfect globes of garlic, gloriously prepared mussels, delicious broth to dip the bread into- magnificent! I was already on my way to feeling full, the entrees were on their way and I wanted so badly to have more room in the belly - was only able to eat a few bites- I ordered the Veal Acqua, delicious, and took the majority of it to go and looked forward to having it again the next day. Dining partner ordered the lobster ravioli, that was well received, I tried it, very good. Overall, definitely an establishment I will return to and appreciate the view, the coolness on the water and fantastic service and cuisine! read more

Fabio’s On The Water - Mussels - Italian Near Me - Merrick, New York

Arrived at 6:45pm for a 7:pm reservation for a table for seven. 45 minutes later finally got a table in dinning room which was 60% full. Waited for appetizer's for 1hr and 35 minutes. Of which I must add that a person at our table ordered mussels in white broth. It was sent in red sauce. Waiter started to realize that all orders were mixed up. Took back everything to kitchen which included the red mussel order that was started to be eaten. Finally got our main course. Total of 3 hours later leffor home. What a terrible experience. read more

Nice place and great service! Easy parking during the cold season but that's all I can rave about. The food is a hit or miss. I would say their appetizers are good. We had the mussels and calamari. They were both delicious. However, none of the entrees I would say are great. Medicore at best. The chicken parm was a bit soggy. I know, sauce on breading... of course it will be soggy but that breading... it was off... The shrimp scampi over spinach was overcooked, leaning towards rubbery. The The frutti de mare was a disaster. There wasn't much taste to it and the seafood had lots of sand or sediments, especially the clams. Of all the entrees, the fettuccine was good among the kids. Food was definitely lacking. read more

Tonight was fantastic! We came with a larger group of people. The place was busy, service was great. Maggie helped with everything from telling us about the menu, to delivering great service! Would return and look forward to it. read more

Went above and beyond to help us! Excellent Food! Super Delicious! Recommend Highly!