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    Marios Place

    4.1 (1k reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Marios Place Photos

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    MARIOS PLACE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - Marios Place

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    Tenderloin
    Pete F.

    First time at Mario's Place and had a great meal. Each of my 3 courses were delicious. The white corn soup was so flavorful and naturally sweet. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and so tender. The dessert, some kind of caramel with cream topping, was decadent yet not heavy. The sourdough bread was crusty on the outside and pillow soft on the inside. Service was attentive and personal. Overall a great evening.

    Inside back patio
    Jan L.

    We sat in the back outdoor space which was decorated very nicely for the holidays. But what was out of place was the music playing fromZZ top to Michael Jackson Thriller. It made us laugh and thought we're probably listening to the early day setup music that never changed. Staff didn't even notice. Staff was very on top of things from refill of water glasses to bread. Always felt very taken care of. I ordered a salad with arugula and beets. For dinner a margarita pizza with glass of wine. He ordered the steak frites with caramelized onions and a Caesar salad. Very good and we will be back.

    Tanya D.

    Grant provided great recommendations from the Penne Rigate, to the wine, and espresso martini. It was a great experience, The crew works so well together, and I truly felt appreciated for coming here. The Penne pasta was amazing with the oxtails that were seasoned very well. That was a nice combination. The ambience is very romantic, and I really enjoyed myself. They do have live music check. The schedule is towards the end of the month. Yes that was great. Everything Grant this is delicious.

    Menu
    Shivali S.

    Mario's Place was highly recommended to me through word of mouth, especially for special occasions/ a romantic date night, and it lived up to the hype! First off, it's located in the heart of lovely downtown Riverside, which already creates an enjoyable ambiance. Secondly, I knew we had picked a winner when we walked in and saw that they had printed a "Happy Anniversary" placard for the table! I was very impressed by that above and beyond effort. All the staff were so friendly, sweet, and attentive and helped me choose the right dish for my dietary requirements. I ended up going with the traditional Marinara Pizza, which naturally has no dairy. Let me tell you, I did not miss the cheese at all, the quality of the ingredients here are so top notch, I had an absolutely mouth watering experience, and would highly recommend this dish! Now on to the dessert, which I'm SO GLAD we stayed for, because while neither of us are big on sorbet, this sorbet, especially the chocolate one, was to die for. Never have I had such a rich, smooth, and flavorful sorbet! All in all, I will definitely be back! Don't miss out on Mario's Place!

    Alex M.

    Location is right across Mission Inn hotel. We had the window seat and it was very quiet and comforting. The staff were friendly and the service was quick. The pasta was our favorite dish and the sauce was delicious 9/10. The diavola pizza was good, however it was too burnt on the bottom, which unfortunately overpowered the flavors of the rest of the pizza 5/10. The angus beef tenderloin was flavorful however nothing too special 6/10. Overall, great service, however not order the same food items. Thank you

    Justin - our excellent & very knowledgeable waiter
    Michael R.

    After a long day soaking at the Glen Ivy we needed something special before heading back to the coast. Yelp said Mario's was the special spot we needed to squeeze in and try. Being Mother's Day it was totally booked. We went anyway and opted for two seats at the bar.... Then the miracle happened! If we were done by 7:30 (6pm) then we could take a main booth specially reserved. We jumped at the chance! First off, every encounter with staff was a pleasure. The food was totally delicious! Coming from old world family recipes by a single family for over 1/2 a century we knew we scored! The pizza sauce was spicy, sweet and tangy. A real treat. I can't say enough about the atmosphere. Vintage California with a long history of great food and jazz performances. A great dinner club from the yesteryear. We are not often in Riverside but we'd love to combo dinner and Jazz on our way out of town! A true legendary spot worth everyone's attention. Thank you Justin for fantastic service and great commentary!

    Inside Mario's Place
    Charlie L.

    I'de been going to Mario's place for years, when in was in a house in a different location. Took my mother every Xmas eve. Haven't been since they moved .. so a long time. I have to say I was terribly disappointed. The menu lacked authentic Italian dishes and more important attentive , warm personal service. I was really looking forward to revisiting a wonderful memory and great food. I received neither one. I won't be visiting again.

    Rack of lamb with confit of summer vegetables, mint, parsley, pesto, sweet garlic, and juice
    Cathy L.

    What a meal. The chef has a beautiful way of combining flavors, and colors to create a major treat. We were there for a private wine tasting which included a fixed price dinner. The ones we brought.. the best of the best... mouton, lafite, Margaux, haut brion, d'yquem, and more ( totalling 20) each glass numbered by the sommolier etc. Now for the food. Epic. Amuse had the sweetest tomatoes imaginable with burrata. We had 7 courses each paired perfectly. The pasta with rabbit outstanding. I'll make notes under the photos.

    Mozzarella special -- the name escapes me. The Shula was so flavorful
    Nathan B.

    What is the difference between polenta and grits? Hint: They both deal with types of corn. And, if I'm being honest, polenta just sounds like boogey grits. But Damn. Just damn. This experience was phenomenal from beginning to end. Delightful specials. Stellar service. Butter that was soft and easy to spread. Like seriously. This is an underrated, but awesome, aspect. I dont eat much lamb, mainly because the times I've had it, it tasted meh. But this was the best lamb I've ever had. Only the 5th or 6th lamb dish I've had. I was slightly disappointed when my scotch old fashioned with Balvenie Double wood arrived with a multitude of ice cubes instead of just one. If you're going for the old fashioned, drink earlier when you're thirsty so the multitude of cubes don't drown out the flavors. But the creation was good, with an aftertaste of scotch and cinnamon. The bar is loud and darkish, with a romantic vibe. The rest of the restaurant quiet, with a mixture of well lit ambient light by the windows and classy/romantic vibes further back. The dessert has a welcome surprise of cheese choices. Very cool. But I went with the tiramisu, and it didn't disappoint.

    Spicy chicken breast (Diabola)
    Felipe G.

    I was very, very disappointed with the so called spicy chicken breast "diabola" withsome kind of semi dry type of grains,also the acidic sauce(taste like tapatio sauce) on plate(discussting). Dish very simple no presentation and obviously the taste not good at all. Not again to Mario's for a good while.

    Salad
    Steven S.

    I had the best dinner at this restaurant. The ceaser salad and the steel salmon was outstanding and was perfectly cooked. The ambiance of the place was very fancy and pleasant and our Server was very friendly and engaged my table in conversation! I give them 5 stars ! I would like to have given them 100 stars if that was an option

    Oxtail pasta
    Christina K.

    Food 4/5 Service 4/5 Ambiance 5/5 Higher end Italian restaurant located across the mission inn. I've been here a couple of times and it's good, but never blows me away. Dimly lit, mature and older vibe. Indoor seating only. Have to find street parking or parking structure next door. Pricier dishes, probably $50-$70 a head. Does come with complimentary bread and butter which was delish. Ordered wine but my wine had a piece of the wine bottle paper in it. Ordered a Cesar salad but as you can tell from the picture, way too much dressing. 2/5 for this dish Oxtail pasta was very good. Flavorful, al dente and a good amount of protein. Cheese stuffed zuchinni was okay, was a special of the day but too much cheese. Steak and frites was good. Meat cooked well, tender and juicy. Overall not bad and would still be back.

    The Jazz Band
    Sasha P.

    I'll be honest and start with the not so good and end with the gooood. Our reservation was for 8pm but we were seat at 8:40pm. The goood, our server KAT was very friendly, personable along with very professional. She made excellent yummy dishes for us. Gareth one of the busboy explained the specials in detail! We all thought he would be our server. Alejandro one of the waiter told us abut the Chef Dinner( you have to call ahead for this. All in all we will be back. The Jazz Band was great. The band starts at 9pm-11:30pm. The music was not loud or disturbing. We all enjoyed the live music. The drummer has an excellent voice. Remember as for KAT !!!!

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    1 month ago

    Food and service were excellent. We made a reservation for our 20th anniversary, and the table was reserved for us for two hours.

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    Marios Place Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Marios Place

    Is it good for kids?

    No.

    What days/time is happy hour? And what are the happy hour specials?

    Half off drinks 4-6pm Tuesday-Friday But not in December

    I've called to make a reservation and leave a message since nobody answers. Haven't received a call back to confirm. How else can I make a reservation?

    They only take reservations by phone

    What is the best way to make a reservation? Also is there a band playing on Mondays?

    Best way to make reservations is via phone... not sure about band post Covid...

    Is Mario's open for Happy Hour?

    Yes it is!!

    Do we need to make reservations?

    Yes, highly recommended

    Can you eat in the bar area?

    Yes

    What is the corkage charge if you bring your own bottle from your cellar?

    $25. 2 bottles max

    Is it a family friendly place?

    What are the vegan options?

    Go online to look at menu or call them

    Has live Jazz started back up on the weekends?

    No it has not

    Do they require formal wear or business casual wear or are jeans and t shirt appropriate?

    I've seen a variety but mostly casual. I've worn jeans, but I've also seen women in cocktail dresses. I think anything goes in true SoCal style.

    Do they Allow dogs?

    Yes, only on the front patio.

    View All 21 Questions

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    Antone's Italian Eatery

    Antone's Italian Eatery

    4.0
    (243 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    A Riverside Classic That Never Misses!…read more Antone's is one of those rare gems that feels like home the moment you walk in. It's more than just a restaurant -- it's a piece of Riverside's history and heart. The moment you step through the doors, you can feel the nostalgia -- that comforting old-school charm that reminds you of family dinners, laughter, and the best kind of memories. The food? Absolutely incredible. Every dish tastes like it's been made with care and tradition, from the perfectly seasoned entrees to the warm, buttery rolls that arrive fresh to your table. You can tell they use quality ingredients and take pride in every plate. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. The customer service is second to none. The staff truly make you feel like family -- attentive, friendly, and always ready with a smile or a great recommendation. You can tell they love what they do, and it shows in the way they treat every guest. Antone's isn't just a restaurant; it's a Riverside institution. A place where generations have gathered, stories have been shared, and the community has come together over great food and genuine hospitality. If you're looking for a local favorite that still embodies that classic Riverside warmth -- Antone's is it.

    I am very disappointed to call first, then order on their website. After going to pick up our…read moreorder the place is closed (for repairs, open on May 15th), not!..it's the 30th moran! Doordash took my money ( from Antones website) and no refund! What an A hole!...come on people fix your website and stop doordash from screwing YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS!

    Photos
    Outside the place
    Outside the place
    Old Antone's
    Old Antone's
    Delicious pizza!

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    Delicious pizza!
    Pietro's Italian Cuisine

    Pietro's Italian Cuisine

    3.4
    (425 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    My wife picked this spot for our anniversary dinner. We agreed we wanted a cozy place that we…read morehadn't tried before. The food was pretty good. I got fettuccine alfredo with broccoli, my wife got the mushroom artichoke fettuccine with their marinara. One of us got the italian bread and the other the garlic, so we could try both. Portions were pretty good, not enormous but definitely enough. The sauces were good, and the vegetables and pasta itself were all cooked to perfection. Can't say it was an unforgettable-tasting meal, but was at least as good as other restaurants nearby. Our waitress said she was relatively new, but she was very attentive and we never felt like it was hard to get her help or attention. Wish I had gotten her name to pay her a more formal compliment. It also happened to be one of their spaghetti special days, and $9.99 spaghetti with salad and bread is a great value. When we do come back it'll definitely be on another special day. Can't think of another Italian place nearby with the same portions for that price. My one and only complaint- I felt like the music was a HUGE missed opportunity. We went seeking cozy, and the old style booths provided a bit of that, but they were playing current country music hits the whole time. Would have totally completed the package and checked every box had they played something a little more on-theme. Nothing wrong with country music, but in a small, cozy italian restaurant, it would've been so much more immersive to play something Italian, or at least classical. Don't skip the good food and prices because of that, but hopefully a helpful suggestion to make the place just a little bit cooler!

    David the manager was incredibly helpful and responsive to all my questions. I placed a large…read morecarry-out order for 40 guests, and he guided me perfectly on the quantities -- everything was exactly to the T with no waste and everyone was happy. After doing my research, they truly offered the best prices and value compared to others. It's rare to find this level of customer service and honesty. Please support small businesses that bring so much value to our communities. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Cool place
    Cool place
    Parmigiana with a side of spaghetti
    Parmigiana with a side of spaghetti
    Front entrance.

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    Front entrance.
    Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro

    Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro

    3.0
    (933 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I visited Bella Trattoria at the Mission Inn in Riverside on July 4th, and it was a beautiful…read moreevening. We began with handmade meatballs and a Caprese salad featuring heirloom tomatoes and burrata mozzarella, both appetizers were fresh and full of flavor. For our main courses, I had the lasagna and my friend ordered the spaghetti Bolognese, both were cooked to perfection with rich, comforting flavors. While the food earned a solid 4 out of 5, the service was a bit inconsistent, likely due to the holiday rush, so I would rate it a 3 out of 5. The staff did correct a mix-up and even gave us an extra piece of tiramisu and cappuccinos to go. Afterward, we took them to the park as the fireworks began at Mount Rubidoux. The ambiance of the Mission Inn gave the evening a classic, European feel, so I would give it a 4 out of 5. Overall, it was a memorable evening filled with great food and a wonderful atmosphere. We will return. Bon appétit, ¡Buen provecho, Buon appetito, Guten Appetit, enjoy!

    It's not hard to find from the hotel because of good signage. Service was good, from the friendly…read morehostess to the waitress. Food was good but I don't feel good enough to justify the prices. $27 for spaghetti and meatballs. Spaghetti sauce was plentiful but bland. Meatballs were much tastier. I don't think they cooked the meatballs in the sauce, which would have enhanced the flavor of both. It's a nice and fun place to try but I wouldn't put it on regular rotation.

    Photos
    Empty inside
    Empty inside
    Calamari
    Calamari
    Dirty Goose martini & espresso martini

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    Dirty Goose martini & espresso martini
    The Old Spaghetti Factory

    The Old Spaghetti Factory

    3.2
    (1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    My grandkids love it here, and honestly, that's what matters most to me…read more This restaurant has been around for over 25 years, and it's filled with memories for our family. I remember bringing my own children here when they were young, and now I get to continue that tradition with my grandchildren. No, it's not high-end Italian dining, and it doesn't try to be. What it does offer is a family-friendly atmosphere, comforting food, and a place where kids are genuinely excited to visit. My grandkids love the butter pasta just as much as I do, and it's always a guaranteed win when we dine here. We recently stopped by after their school recital, and they were absolutely thrilled when we were seated in the trolley. Their excitement alone made the visit memorable. The staff was friendly and welcoming, service was prompt, this location tends to be quieter than many family restaurants, which made it easy to relax and enjoy our meal. For me, this place isn't just about the food it's about the memories and the spumoni ice cream . Watching my grandchildren enjoy the same restaurant that my children loved years ago is something I treasure. We'll definitely continue coming back for years to come

    Well, the place is nice, the people are nice but the food no so good! I had the Chicken Parm and it…read morelooked delicious, after a couple of bite the chicken was horribly cooked, when I was chewing it, it felt like I was just chewing rubber, it was disgusting and to top it off my wife got the same thing and it came with the same issue!!!! Extremely disgusting, the manager offer to replace our food with something else but my appetite was gone and my stomach was feeling kind of weird. Tasting the chicken like that it actually ruined the whole experience. Also, we order meatballs, they were not tender like they are supposed to be. Would I recommend this place? NO! I think there are better places with better food than here. As I was typing this here at the restaurant, my wife just informed me that her lasagna was not good either, the pasta was over cooked and mushy (my wife replace her chicken parm for lasagna). Funny thing is that while we're waiting to get a table an older gentleman told us "this is the shittiest food I ever had" my wife and I looked at each other and laugh because we did not believe him but he was 10000000% right. PS The manager tried to blame me for not liking the chicken, but how can I like something that half was really tender and the other have was not? She said, it all depends on the customer's preference! Really lady? I had two different texture in one piece of chicken. I am 46 years old and I have eaten a lot of chicken in my life so I know when something is not right. Accountability is very important instead of trying to blame the customer.

    Photos
    Interior decor
    Interior decor
    The Old Spaghetti Factory
    Complimentary bread

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    Complimentary bread

    Marios Place - italian - Updated August 2026

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