I very rarely write a bad review of a restaurant, especially now when they've suffered for two years to stay open. Given that, one would assume the restaurants would be trying to put out the best quality meals and service to get back on track. This was my third time at Mars. The first two experiences were great; both for food and service. While a bit pricey, the food was so good it was worth it. However, third time was not the charm. We waited over 30 minutes for our food while folks who came after us got their food and left before ours even came to the table. The wine the waitress suggested for me to try came about 15 minutes after we ordered it. The loukeniko my husband ordered was a $17 appetizer. It was ONE sausage cut in half with a large stem of broccoli on the side. That's right, one sausage. $17. I ordered the steak and fries at $39. For $39, I expect more than 4 slices of steak. It was maybe about 3-4 oz of steak and I think I'm being generous. We finished our food and immediately asked for the check, not wanting to be there anymore. The waitress who served us stood near the bar and barely looked in our direction. After about 15 minutes, we asked for the check again. Finally our server brought the check and that's when she decided to apologize for the delay in us getting our food. The optimal time would have been after serving our food, to come and ask how everything was and apologize for the delay. Apologizing while dropping the check is clearly you trying to woo us into a better tip. We left a 15% tip, which was more than I wanted to leave. The food was absolutely delicious which makes me even more sad to write this review. I'm big on customer service and Mars lacked it tonight. Unfortunately they lost two customers tonight. Astoria has LOTS of options. Act accordingly. read more

I went to Mar's about a month ago with one other person. It was a Saturday night. The restaurant is decently sized, with some sidewalk seating. We were seated outside on a really nice, crisp fall day. I really liked the outdoor seating option, as it is not that common in this part of Astoria. The service was good. The waiter seemed new but was really helpful. However, the food took forever to come out. This was acknowledged by our waiter, and we got some items comped. I tried the following dishes: "Old Fashioned" Shrimp Cocktail (3.5/5): Not bad. THe shrimp was really fresh, and the cocktail sauce was good. It was nothing special overall, as the dish consisted mainly of just shrimp. Mushroom Ravioli Duo (4/5): A very nice mushroom ravioli. Comes with two huge raviolis that are filled with cheese and butter. Definitely a nice, non-seafood starter to share. Today's Wild Catch (4.5/5): I cannot remember which specific fish it was, but it was a white fish, and I want to say it was skate. The fish was really well cooked - flaky but not dry at all, and was simply prepared in a really wonderful way. I had a lovely experience at Mar's and would certainly return. I know that there's a pretty sweet happy hour that I plan to attend in the future. read more

Can restaurants refuse to serve customers based on what they order? We came in on a Sunday afternoon, they had empty tables and we were immediately seated inside. The server lady came to take our orders and immediately refused to serve us because we only ordered 2 cups of cappuccino without food. Their reasoning was that they had been partially closed for months due to COVID so they need to make as much money as possible. Needless to say, we were offended and disappointed. Does that mean someone who orders a more expensive bottle of wine would be more welcome than another person who ordered a coffee? People may take this differently but I take this as an act of discrimination and should be taken very seriously. read more

Very cute, rustic decor. Staff was dressed nicely in speakeasy-esque garb. And I arrived in a T-shirt and jeans... No judgment, right? I also liked how quiet it was on Super Bowl Sunday, but who knows maybe it's always like that on Sundays. Waitress recommended a nice red wine for me based on my preferences and my entree. Mushroom Ravioli app - B+ (delicious and expensive, you only get 2) Poutine - C (soggy fries and tough burrata, and really shouldn't be on the entrees list) Calamari Marinara - A+ read more

Mar's - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

Very over priced, strange menu, small portions. Shrimp cocktail - 3 small shrimp and the shrimp were mealy; muscles - the broth was tasty but they weren't cleaned properly and were sandy; steak was tasteless and so small. The steak dinner was a very small piece of steak with half of a potato and not even a vegetable ($49) (some weird garnish was on the plate). And that was what they consider a large plate? I left hungry. There are so many good places in Astoria, I will not be returning. read more

This restaurant was so disappointing...the food was was below average and very over priced for very small portions. With so many great options nearby, we will not be returning. read more

Bartender was good, food bad. The $12 fries were bottom of the bag, all looked like leftover pieces less that an inch long. The oysters were not properly shucked despite being over $5 an oyster. Big waste of money. read more

Must get the mussels toast! The best thing on the menu!! If you're starving, do not come here. Otherwise, the flavors in each of their dishes were superb! I would not recommend the mushroom ravioli - almost choked on some rosemary! The menu itself looked kind of lacking so instead, we just ordered a bunch of starters: Oysters - we had them all! I cannot remember the name but there was only one really meaty one that was the best. All the rest were small and one was a bit fishy. It didn't come with ordinary horseradish and cocktail sauce which I would've preferred. Steak tartare - my friend didn't like it but I thought it was delicious. I would only complain that the portion was too small! The meat was so red and fresh and went well on the soft slices of bread. I would definitely recommend. Mussels toast - oh my goodness, the best thing I've ever tasted! What's great is that the mussels were out of the shells already so it was easy (and clean!) to eat. The bread was perfectly toasted and soaked into the really creamy white sauce - oh man, I'm salivating while writing about it. Scallop - it one came with one piece, which was disappointing. Legit enough just for a taste! But it was really good otherwise, had a little candied layer on top. Mushroom ravioli - this i wouldn't recommend at all. It was like mushroom mush inside the ravioli and almost-raw rosemary sprinkled all over. It tastes exactly how I'm describing it - save your money. I had the Gibraltor which was a very fragrant vodka cocktail. There was another cocktail I tried that tasted like a celery juice + vodka - i called it the v8 cocktail and wouldn't recommend it. The waiter was super friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. Overall, would definitely suggest it for a lovely date night. read more

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I attended a wedding reception at this low key bar/restaurant. Staff were efficient, food-mostly seafood was tasty, bartenders agreeable. We all enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. I would go back if I feel like visiting Astoria. Location is near 2 subway stops. I took the R train at Steinway/34 Avenue in Astoria, Queens. read more

Had a special meal there recently and it was fun and tasty. Food is divine, starting with the oysters and the small and large plates (loved the risotto) and ending with their mars bar dessert. The setting is more bistro style with tables close and the servers are attentive but not fawning over you. Had a memorable night here and it looked like others did too. read more

I don't want to leave bad reviews, but feels wrong for this place to be charging the prices they do for the quality of food they put out. Great ambience, but they don't deliver on the flavor of food/quality of the food for the price point they market. read more

I picked Mar's out of a lineup because we were craving oysters in November and anyone in the LIC area knows, there aren't a lot of places that serve oysters. This one popped up with having reasonable prices and what looked like a solid menu for dinner as well. We ordered 2 dozen oysters, octopus and the mussels. Oysters were solid, I liked the two mignonettes that came with, one spicy and one signature shallot. Weren't the best oysters but were above average. I had hot toddy (drink special) which was alright, nothing worth writing more about. The rest of the food was a bit lack luster. While the mussels and octopus was good, it was a missing a sort of umami, punch to it. I wouldn't say completely bland but it wasn't overly memorable either. Definitely disappointing! As for the tables, they offer indoor and outdoor, we sat outside with ample space. Lots of the other diners were locals who clearly came to this spot multiple times. I would say if you live nearby, why not, but otherwise it was worth a try. read more

While the service is good, this place was a disappointment - especially from all the positive reviews reviews. We had oysters (delicious) and the cheese board (VERY tiny, totally blah). My boyfriend ordered the fish taco's (3 MINIATURE TACOS with NO side - literally 2 bite's each to finish) for $24, which is absolutely ridiculous. I had the mushroom risotto, which was watery and bland (so, not really risotto) for almost $20. Both were VERY bland. We also had two cocktails which we both found incredibly strong and not really worth the $12 cost. Go for the raw bar - that's about it. read more

A real gem in Astoria! The decor is wildly romantic and the food and wine is always fantastic. This is one of my favorite places to get oysters and it feels like a special treat to come here. The mussels, octopus, and steak tartare are some of my other favorites. read more

Mars was our last stop in our "Passport to Queens" adventure and I have to give them props for their drinks. I had the Aztec Gold and my wife had the Natasha. Both were excellent. Strong yet balanced and tasty. Unfortunately we were not impressed with the food. We tried the seafood stew and it was really bland. It was crying out for some kind of seasoning. The herb fries were decent although I think it could have used more flavor. If we come back here, it will be for the happy hour. read more

Mar's - Seafood stew - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

Wow. What a great brunch. Mars also serves a raw bar special $2 oyster and clams and they are super fresh. Dirty Rice and eggs was different and delicious. Eggs Benedict was cooked perfectly. The carrot cake desert recommended by our awesome server was a good end to the meal. The best part the restaurant is located in residential part of Astoria and doesn't get crowded as some of the more popular brunch places in the neighborhood. read more

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I honestly cannot stop thinking about the drinks from this joint. I really am dying to come back. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable about what they're serving and when you give them your preferences they truly nail it every single time. The food is above average but that being said I've never eaten a full meal here and only got apps/small plates. Will update next time I go. read more

The oysters are all fresh. For $2/piece is a really good deal. French fries were not oily and very good. I had the duck special and really enjoyed it. We also ordered the calamari. Wish it was a larger serving because we inhaled it. Mussels were soft and not heavy creamed. The steak bavette was ok. read more

Mar's - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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The oysters were delicious as was the sophisticated dips, not just regular horseradish but marinated with other tasty shallots. I loved the music and lovely service. It had a beautiful ambiance as well and lovely paintings inside. My only complaint was the calamari was a tad over cooked but everything else top notch! read more

I stopped in for just a drink and to see the menu with my boyfriend one evening. We ended up sitting down to grab some food since it was a chilly night and the menu looked delicious.... and it was. We ordered oysters, octopus, steak and some sort of fish that was the special - all came out perfect. Not to mention our server, as well as the rest of the staff were absolutely amazing. Very attentive and informative. Will most definitely walk back over soon! read more

OMG! It's the second time I am eating here and food is so tasteful. I am really impressed. Everyone is so nice and friendly. Definitely becoming a regular ;) I had the special Fish Tacos today read more

Mar's - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

You walk into this place and you're immediately transported into another time. The place is cozy, rustic, romantic - everything you'd want from a restaurant that serves such delicious food. Usually for delicious food, I'm stuck going into the city, but all this has changed since my trip to Mar's (hehe - see what I did there?) We started with the oysters. They have a decent selection of east coast oysters. Wish I remembered the ones I really liked but I always forget the names. Next we split the root salad. It was such a refreshing yet filling salad. Then on to the entrees. We split the lobster roll and the braised beef short ribs. The lobster roll had a decent amount of lobster meat and the combination of watercress, green apples and whatever their rendition of mayo is brought the most amazing flavor combo I've ever had with lobster. Who knew lobster and apples could marry so well? Okay, foodies. That's a rhetorical question. I'm sure this has been going on for ages but it's the first I've tried it so thanks to Mar's for introducing me to this. The braised beef short ribs were so friggin' good! I'm not usually a red meat person but every bite just melted in your mouth. Couple that with the polenta and brussel sprouts and we couldn't even finish the plate. It was so decadent and filling. Mar's, I'm in love. I wish I'd taken photos of all the food but as I was on a first date, I didn't want to creep the guy out. I'll be back though, camera ready and hoping to try their brunch and happy hour oyster special. read more

Nice spot for seafood. Try the oysters on the half shell and Grilled Octopus. Delicious cocktails in a homey, wood-filled setting.

Stopped in recently for oyster happy hour, appetizers, and cocktails. The Salvation Cove oysters (at $1 each during happy hour) were shucked perfectly, and accompanied by horseradish and a mignonette. We had several appetizers: steak tartare, lamb sausage, octopus, fries, and a mushroom gratin. It was all pretty great, but the standout was definitely the octopus, which was perfectly tender. I had one of their specialty cocktails, which featured tequila and St. Germain (delicious), as well as a glass of cava. The BF had a couple of Manhattan cocktails. I've also been in during brunch, and the bartenders make a superb bloody mary. The space itself is very cool, with loads of vintage charm. If you use the bathroom, take note of the toilet paper holder and the light fixture over the sink. Lots of the details utilized in the restaurant are salvaged, which help give Mar's a quirky yet romantic feel. Finally, the service was impeccable. Paul (the dapper gentleman in the bow-tie) and Dan (the bearded fella) are both charming and made us feel very welcome. I'm really happy to have Mar's in the neighborhood, and I'm very much looking forward to my next visit. read more

Mars is a hidden Speakeasy type restaurant located in Astoria, Queens. Located on a corner... but easily missed. I love the Speakeasy atmosphere. Food? Delicious! - Kale Salad - Mar's Lobster Roll - Braised Beef Short Ribs Pretty good selection of beers. I stuck with Singlecut (Go Queens)! Enjoy! read more

Went there on a date with my boyfriend on a Friday night. It's in a serene place in Astoria. The outside looks cute, and really not easy to notice. The interior is awesome!!!!! I love the antique German style. However I would say to improve the lighting. It's almost too dark that made the food less attractive. And it gives people the feeling that the restaurant is just too old. We had happy hour oysters and wine. Just so-so. The appetizer is the roast pork. And we both thought it's great. For the main course we had lobster roll and mussels. They are really mediocre. I wouldn't recommend them. The lobster doesn't taste fresh enough and the mussels taste flat. One big issue of that night is that our waitress poured our bottle wine into the glass with the happy hour wine in. We were kinda pissed and amused at the same time. In conclusion, I probably won't go back there. read more

Mar's - The lovely facade - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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I really enjoy this place and am sad that the outdoor seating will probably be gone soon. I think the inside smells a little off and so the outdoor seating is a godsend. I went on a Sunday with the lady friend and her roommate right near the end of oyster happy hour. $1 oysters (blue points, pretty standard) but still a pretty delicious deal. Like most places in NYC on Sunday there's a mimosa special. I honestly don't remember what it was because I was pretty mimosa'd out at the point. What I did get though was the steak tartare which was pretty tasty, the meat was cut a little too coarse but still pretty good. I had been in an oyster mood for a while so I ordered another half dozen and happily slurped down another six oysters while the lady friend and gf drank their second glass of wine. I ended up wanting a drink, the Sazerac but they didn't have any Pernod's so I got the Old Fashioned at that point which was okay. I thought it could be a little stronger. Our check came and it was a little much even with the cheap oysters, it was a little on the more expensive side. I feel like I need to let me wallet recover from the punishment a little before I come back. read more

Second time coming to Mars, first time for dinner. Mars is a diamond in the ruff, seriously. Objectively, it's amazing - the atmosphere, the manhattan quality plates And drinks ... I'm so happy this place landed in queens. The raw bar is as fresh as any, the Kale Salad is one of the best salads I've had in awhile, and the Cornish hen was actually cooked properly. Wherever you live, check this place out ... You'll have a reason to go - or stay - in queens. read more

Mar's - Thats Atmosphere, baby. - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

This place is a gem. The food, drinks, and service are amazing! There is a very calm energy about the entire place. I will warn you, it's probably the most expensive restaurant in Astoria. read more

Service is amazing - EVERYONE was so welcoming, friendly, and helpful. Starting with the hostess, a bright smile and happy energy --- and not the fake kind either -- already set the tone of how things would go. Our waiter, busy, but very pleasant as he told us the specials, the wine, and answered any questions we had regarding the menu. Even a different guy who took our dessert order, cleaned up our plates and took the time to chit chat a little....no one was rushed or rude here, and that's something that can be rare in the food service establishment. While customer service goes a long way, the food also has to be standout, especially at these prices. I don't think it was here -- at least what we ordered. I can tell most people love the booze and oysters here -- every table ordered platters of them! So this review isn't based on the oysters or booze, but the other dishes I tried. The atmosphere felt warm and cozy, but also divey, with dark colors, a lot of wood. In a way, it added to the charm. Bathrooms were super dark, almost couldn't see in there at all. Maybe strategic, as to hide any uncleanliness, but I'm not going down that road. Food: We were a bit bummed not to see some of the menu items that were listed online. They don't update their menus for seasonal changes. Porterhouse for two: Expensive! Mac and cheese: Dry, not really cheesy to be classified as such, and basically a simple pasta with some meat in a cute cast iron dish. Fish and chips: Very thick breading on the fish and chips. I prefer thinner, breadcrumb coasting as opposed to this doughy texture. I want to enjoy more of the fish, want a crisper bite versus a mouthful of oily fried dough with salt on top. Tartar sauce was amazing -- think there were capers in there and that made such a difference compared to other tartar sauces I've tried before. Clams: Very good, not terribly briney, and a lovely hint of garlic in the broth. Loved the buttered bread that came along with it. Seasonal fruit tart: A great ending to the meal. Delicious tart crust with a subtle and sweet juicy glaze on top. read more

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Food cook correctly , menu looks yummy but seasoning was on the dull side. Nothing I ate made my taste buds pop. For example the caminare, it's crispy but has no flavoring it almost taste like layas potato chips. Oysters on point, good variety. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Astoria. I do not think there is a dish you can go wrong with. It can get pricey if you buy a lot of oysters (and I mean over a dozen) and lits of drinks. If you keep your intake reasonable then it is a reasonable price. But food, drinks and service are the best here. The ambience is warm, classic and intimate. They seasonally change their menu. Its great for both brunch and dinners. My favorite things are Blood Moon drink, lobster Benedict, foie gras french toast (although I haven't seen this on the menu in a while and it needs to come back) lemon burger, steak tartare, crispy spearlings, mussles fritte. And last but not least all of the oysters! read more

Mar's - A proper way to start the day. Oysters, Bloody Mary and Blood Moon - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

3.5 stars. We've been here a few years ago and although it still tastes good, their service slowed down. Their food portion also got significantly smaller but keeping the same price point. Would not have ordered the salmon if I knew it was going to be that small. The atmosphere is rustic and appealing. read more

Amazing old school charm with perfect prohibition mixed drinks, oysters happy hour to die for, and a great vibe! Loved this place since their opening, and loving it more and more with each visit. The bar stays open till 4AM, oysters are served till midnight, perfection. For brunch the lobster benedict was amazing. For dinner the steak for two, fries & beef tartare were divine. My favorite place in Astoria! read more

Mar's - Oyster happy hour $1 - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. The atmosphere is fantastic! The space has a warm 1920's feel and we loved the music. The oysters were reasonably priced and fresh. If you just try one item, get the oysters. The cocktails were well crafted and also definitely worth trying. We enjoyed our lobster rolls. My lobster roll had a ton of lobster meat, but it was very over priced...costing 34 per sandwich. Service was very attentive and friendly. They helped me arrange a special birthday dessert ahead of time. The bartender made me a custom cocktail that was awesome. Overall, a very romantic and fun night. I'm looking forward to going back! read more

Mar's - Lobster roll - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

It can be easily overlooked from the outside. The inside is very charming and cozy, but we chose to sit outside. Came here last Saturday for brunch. It was a beautiful day and ordered the lobster benedict. The presentation was nice. They should serve it with more potatoes tho. There was a good amount of lobster in it, which I loved. The service was good and definitely not in your face. We were not rushed at all. Coffee was good too. Refills were offered for the drip coffee, so that was appreciated. Glad I stopped by. Will try coming back to check out their happy hour. read more

Mar's - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Came here after dining in Astor's room on Sunday night. We were planing to just have few drinks.(cocktails $11-$14) They were recommending their oyster happy hour to us. (Oyster $2 for each.)So we tried some oysters and crab claws. Very delicious. read more

Mar's - Queens seasonal sour $11 - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Mar's is a really cool spot! Incredible drinks and love the 1$ oysters. They change the special every day so you get the chance to try oysters from different places depending on what they have the special for that day- very cool! I took my boyfriend for dinner here for his birthday, the food is good, although the menu is small and a bit pricey. The service is very very attentive. Update: I still love the oyster special and their cocktails. Sat for dinner and I have to say, although the food is really good they are really overpriced. $19 for mussels, $23 for gnocchi, $31 for a lobster roll... Yes the food was good, but not good enough to justify these prices. Point being, with their limited menu you can find better food at much better prices and better selections elsewhere. Still keeping the rating as 4 stars bc this is a really cool spot for drinks/oysters and the service and ambiance is fantastic. read more

What a rare find in Astoria a great place to chill and enjoy your dates company we ordered all the oysters assorted with the 3 sauces terrific choice Nur the hostess/waiter was exceptional fun times innQueens read more

Mar's - The full eating menu - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York

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What a cool little place. The food is fantastic. Steak and Frites is so delicious and simple. Alex behing the bar took us on a journey with his well crafted cocktails and tales of how they came about. read more

Mar's - Fernet Old Fashioned - New American Near Me - Astoria, New York