I was taken here on a date with my significant other, and it ended up being such a lovely experience. It's an intimate Italian restaurant inspired by the waterfront. The decor is minimal and calming, mimicking the movement and tones of the water, almost like dining on a boat. We sat at the bar top and were warmly greeted by who I believe was the owner, which immediately made the space feel welcoming. I ordered the tagliatelle al ragù bianco, served with a pink sauce, and my significant other got the ravioli. The ingredients tasted fresh and rich, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared without being heavy. We paired our meal with two glasses of wine, which complemented the dishes perfectly. Overall, the food was great. Compliments to the young chef and our waiter as well, both really added to the experience. read more

See all

I feel like this weekend we've hit the jackpot with restaurants. We took note of the menu in the window as we walked by a few nights ago decided to return. This Italian restaurant was a great find. The decor simple but perfect for this coastal restaurant. It's all shades of blue and white and aqua, with photos of coastal Italy. There is a bar with some wine and beer, but I'm not sure if I noticed any other alcohol. A great special that they have on tuesdays, wednesdays, and Thursdays. For $50 for a couple, you get your choice of appetizer, two entrees, and gelato for dessert. For appetizer, there were two choices: mixed salad or fried zucchini and mozzarella with spicy tomato sauce. We chose the mixed salad, and it was perfectly dressed and very good. There were several options for entrees. I choose the caccio e pepe, and hubby choose Salmon Piccata with potatoes and vegetables. Both were delicious! We finished the meal with two scoops each of gelato. There were several flavors to choose from, but we are a little boring--I got chocolate and strawberry, hubby got chocolate and vanilla. I think our server may have been the daughter of the chef, as I heard them talking and laughing together in Italian. She was great, attentive and very sweet. I am sure we will be back. This is just the kind of place thats right up our alley. read more

See all

Hurry! Have an unforgettable meal at this Chef/Family owned warm & friendly Osteria before the restaurant closes permanently on Sunday April 12th and Chef Nicola returns to Italy. Not only do the pasta dishes taste incredible (made with fresh ingredients and love), but the fish, steak, & chicken options are delicious & unique as well. Great assortment of Italian wines and refreshing spritz. Best gelato anywhere. Chef and his family will be missed. read more

See all

Another outstanding dinner. Everything was fabulous all around: the salad, the main course, the wine and the dessert. Definitely recommend this gem on Main Street in Seal Beach. read more

See all

Nothing beats homemade food and all of the dishes felt like they were made with love. The workers were lovely and it's hard to come by authentic Italian cuisine but this family business makes their dishes with fresh ingredients and I feel like it's exactly what food from Italy should taste like... although I don't know from experience unfortunately. The truffle gnocchi was the special of the night and it would've been one of my biggest food regrets had I not tried it because the sauce was delicious. I ordered the paccheri with San Marzano tomato sauce which was more acidic than I expected since they used fresh tomatoes. The beef meatballs were also delicious and they were swimming in the same sauce. It was my first time trying octopus like this and it was surprisingly refreshing since it came with cream of burrata and a medley of vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, celery, and carrots. read more

See all

Such a nice little Italian restaurant perfect for date night, GNO or even family night! The service is friendly and efficient. I so love this is a small family business, you can really feel the love and pride. The food was amazing! You can tell chef only uses the freshest ingredients. The sauce is perfectly fresh tomato ripe sweet. We had the octopus starter which was tender and delicious. The fish was flavorful and flaky and the pasta was perfectly cooked with a most delicious sauce. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. I also love that the chef changes the menu given what is in season. Definitely coming back! read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Roasted Octopus - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

Great homemade Italian cooking. Quality food, presentation and value. An intimate dining room gives you the feeling of family dining.

First off, really love this place. Great service and food. ...but....on our most recent visit was a little disappointed. We ordered the calamari appetizer which is very good, but the serving size what shockingly small compared to past visits. Also we had to ask for Parmesan for our pasta dishes and was surprised to have the waitress causally drop a shaker jar of Parmesan on the table. For a nice restaurant it felt like there should have been freshly grated Parmesan offered. Almost positive that they have in the past, but could be mistaken. Either way it felt out of place. Food was very good, although portion sizes seem smaller now. read more

Great tasting food friendly service, reasonable prices very Cozy atmosphere, Seal Beach Maine street read more

Osteria Mare Blu - P3 pasta - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

We visited Italy . Ate in Venice , Florence and Rome . Had to come back here again to taste authentic food . We validated our opinion that this chef's table gem in Seal Beach is very good and real Italian taste . The prawns in the squid ink pasta is fresh and sweet ! The Tric and Trac sausages Rigatoni is earthy and comforting. read more

See all

Great new Italian addition to Main Street. The service was exceptional. Very friendly staff who served with a smile, and took great pride in the restaurant. Overall my husband and I were pleased with the freshness and flavors of our dishes. The two biggest drawbacks from being a 5 star meal was the excessive use of olive oil (our plates were COATED in it!) and minuscule portion sizes for shared appetizers. We look forward to coming back to Osteria Mare Blu as they expand their alcohol options and fine tune the kinks. read more

See all

This has to be the best restaurant in Seal Beach, and I'd say the best authentic italian restaurant in Orange County. It's a super cute family-run kind of place, but the food is out of this world. Simple, earthy, authentic dishes done spectacularly well. Clearly the guys a legit chef, but the unique part is that it feel very family and low key. A true gem. read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

We came here after the birthday girls favorite restaurant had a 2 1/2 hour away, and we saw the good reviews. The place could use an upgrade, but the food was amazing. Especially the creamy pasta they recommend. I got the Bronzino, which wasn't bad, but I am comparing it to Branzino in other parts of the world. The portions were solid and just enough to fill everyone up they brought out a tiramisu for the birthday girl and I was actually impressed with how good it was. Would definitely recommend if you're craving some Sicilian food. read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Bronzino with really good mashed potatoes - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

What a beautiful addition to Old Town SB! Very friendly servers that also make great recommendations from their menu and daily specials! The chef came out and greeted us when we arrived, wishing our birthday guest a most happy birthday so warmly! Every dish was delicious and most of us ate every single bite! Looking for a special place to have the best Italian food - come here! Whether it's the pasta with salmon in saffron cream sauce, the amazing gnocchi or the lasagna special or the cioppino (just ask for extra broth when you order) etc., it's truly so good like your Nonna made it! It's my first time here, but not my last! It's only open for dinner from 5-9 pm! There's also a welcoming bar to enjoy your Prosecco or vino! read more

See all

This is a MUST TRY. The ambiance and service is true Italian. The food was incredible. We enjoyed an off-menu cioppino and the on-the-bone porkchop with mushrooms. Best mushroom I have ever had. Thanks to Nikola the chef and owner! read more

I have been here two times and each has been a special experience. The food is amazing. My first time going with my girlfriend we decided tha pasta was the way to go since it was Italian. It did not disappoint. However after the second time when ordering the lamb special, I caution against pigeonholing your experience to typical Italian dishes. Hands down the best rack of Lamb we have ever experienced! The service always makes it seem like you're the only one there. They take time to help make suggestions and wine pairings which have yet to miss for us! The owner took care of us the second time and i had a surprise in-store for my love. I called an hour ahead and Nikola was more than willing to help me make it happen with a special dessert addition even while short staffed! I could go on and on, but what I mean to say here is the food is amazing, the service is amazing, the people are amazing, and everything about this place is a must have experience for a special night out. Thank you again Nikola for helping make a night we will never forget! read more

Another delicious win at Osteria Mare Blu. We brought our Aunt here for a nice dinner and they delivered. We love the atmosphere and food here. Will be back! read more

See all

Dinner at Osteria Mare Blu on Main Street in Seal Beach. It is a cozy place and a neighborhood gem. It reminds me of the local, neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco. Everything was prep to order, so fresh and delicious. We shared a mixed salad and bread with two types of pesto. Service was attentive. My husband ordered the salmon filet which was crispy on the outside and soft, moist , and tender on the inside I considered ordering the Cioppino, though wanted pasta so got the spaghetti with clams and mussels. Go visit and explore this gem of a place yourself. read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Salmon excellently prepared crispy exterior and moist interior. - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

We were wandering in Seal Beach and found this relatively new Italian Restaurant. We loved it. Amal quiet place, excellent service. I ordered the spaghetti Pomadoro I believe, it was one of the best dishes I have had. A kind of pesto with cherry tomatoes. I did add chicken. Wow! Nick I believe is the owner or chef, incredible food. Thank you all. And the creme brûlée and calamari too were wonderful. read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Pomodoro spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

We are so sad to hear that this lovely restaurant will be closing its doors. We had many special dinners here including finding out we were pregnant and our last date night before our son arrived in October. We are sad that we won't be able to bring him in to experience the delicious food and warm environment. Wishing your wonderful family all of the best and thank you for the memories! read more

Went here seeking a romantic, intimate date spot and looking to try a new spot. The venue is very cute and quaint and romantic, located in the heart of Main Street in Seal Beach. My boyfriend and I thought the menu looked great and we both love seafood so I ordered the shrimp and he ordered the special. My shrimp came out and when I cut into them I was sprayed in the face with a shower of green mess. I cut into the other two shrimp and the same thing happened-they were full of disgusting green substance; looked as though maybe the shrimp were pregnant or full or something when they were cooked and it was VERY off putting. I immediately ran into the bathroom and got sick. My entire plate was covered in green goop. My boyfriend's food was overcooked and he was so disgusted by my dish that we couldn't eat. The server never came back to check on us and we eventually had to flag him down to get the check and leave, paying fully for our uneaten food. The experience was horrible and we were mortified. Will never return and I hope this restaurant is soon replaced with something with better quality food and much better service. read more

Their food is spectacular. We had the burrata & tomato appetizer and it was awesome. There were four of us and everyone reported their dishes were excellent. Our second visit, looking forward to our third! read more

See all

Small, quaint Main Street - side boutique restaurant. Simple atmosphere. Helpful staff from busboy , waiter to chef. Menu is limited but that makes the attention to quality all that much more . FOOD: The salmon with the yummy roasted potatoes, grilled zucchini (perfectly seasoned ) was the best of the night ! The Norma pasta special was delicious and good to have with my wine. Our waiter Igor was great! Wine selection although small does have some gems . Glass of the Nebbiolo paired adequately. read more

**Update** Your response to the negative reviews speaks for itself. I want to clarify that I never threatened you. I simply gave you an opportunity to address the issue. That said, I believe it's important to share my experience so that others can make informed decisions. I'm a big supporter of local small businesses, and my husband and I were hoping to enjoy a quiet Saturday evening with good wine and a nice dinner. I decided to look up nearby seafood restaurants on Yelp, and that's how we discovered Osteria Mare Blu. It's a fairly new Italian spot, and we thought it would be nice to give it a try. We ordered a bottle of wine, which paired beautifully with the Burrata Caprese with Prosciutto and La Mista salad. Both dishes were fresh, well-balanced, and absolutely delicious--we even commented on how much we were enjoying everything. One of the evening's specials was a pork chop, which I was especially excited about since I absolutely love pork chops. After about 20 minutes, we had finished most of our wine and noticed our main dish hadn't arrived. We flagged the server to ask about it, and he casually told us it was coming without an apology. At that point, we decided to cancel the order. I don't like giving bad reviews, especially to small businesses, so I kindly asked to speak with the chef to understand what went wrong. He told us our order never came through. Honestly, if we had just been informed and told it would be another 10 minutes, we would have gladly waited. What really disappointed me was the lack of accountability. I explained that while we loved the food, the service is a big part of the dining experience too. Unfortunately, the chef who I believe is also the owner just looked at me with complete indifference, like he didn't care at all. That part was really disheartening. It's a shame, because the food had so much promise. Sadly, we won't be coming back read more

What I ate was great--eggplant ravioli, beautifully plated. I was going to a show and hoped I wouldn't have to wait long for food, but it came right away. Chianti very good. Owner is Italian, so of course the food was good. Waitstaff very nice. I went on a Saturday, so I'm glad I made a reservation. It was busy, and two servers were running around like mad to fill orders. I will go back. read more

Food was very authentic! Atmosphere reminded me of small cafes in Italy. Chef told us the specials and staff tended to us very well. We will be back! Delicious! read more

Be prepared to be transported to Italy! This place is a true gem. We were casually walking by, on the hunt for food (I was seriously craving calamari), and decided to take a chance--and I'm so glad we did. From the moment we stepped in, we had a feeling we were in for something special. Hearing the Italian accent from the staff just confirmed it--this was going to be an authentic experience. The restaurant is cozy and intimate--definitely make a reservation if you can. We got lucky being seated because we arrived early. The menu is beautifully curated: not overwhelming, but filled with solid choices that made it easy to decide. Now let's talk about the service--top-notch. The staff was incredibly attentive, and even as the restaurant filled up, they didn't miss a beat. They were consistently on point with everything. And then... the food. Oh my goodness. Hands down the best Italian food I've ever had in America. The flavors, the seasoning, the balance--it was like every bite hit a different sense. Somehow simple yet complex, which just speaks to the chef's artistry. Speaking of which, the chef came out to check on every table--a beautiful touch that shows true dedication and passion. I could go on and on, but I'll just say this: do yourself a favor and experience it for yourself. It's not just a meal--it's a moment. read more

See all

It's sort of cute... in a local, rustic, small business sort of way. Not fancy by any means. But I'm wracking my brain as to why this place has such good reviews.... The hostess/waitress was lovely and it was nice to hear the staff speaking Italian. That's where the pleasantries ceased. The food was literally inedible. Ingredients were poor and cheaply sourced. Bad Valpolicella - tasted like vinegar. Bad salad. Flavorless dressing. Olives were gross. I literally could not eat the Rigatoni, took one bite and it was reminiscent of charred pan and dirt flavors. Worst Italian meal I've ever had, no joke. I wasn't going to say anything, but when I didn't eat it, they asked. Chef came out and tried to argue with me and made a scene "that's what it's supposed to taste like"... sad. At least the pasta was al dente. read more

I highly recommend this restaurant. We started of with a basket of bread. We loved our choices of pasta. I got Tric and Trac. My husband got the spaghetti del Marinaio. Both were delicious. We each got a glass of the chefs choice red wine as well. We will definitely be back! read more

WOW! This place is going to be the next hot spot in the Orange County/Los Angeles area! Authentic Italian food, from the moment you walk in to when you take your first bite. This experience was so memorable. This place uses high quality ingredients and you can tell! //CONTEXT// We came here on a Saturday evening right at opening and was a party of two. //ENVIRONMENT// Really bright and airy with blue accents but still warm and cozy vibes. I'm pretty sure many of the workers there are Italian which was so cool to hear them speaking! //FOOD// Me and my husband cannot stop raving about the food. In OC there's like your standard pasta, and then there's the pasta where you know it's authentic - Al dente cooked pasta, fresh cheese, real high quality ingredients! THIS IS IT! * Caesar salad: they use real anchovies and this padana cheese which was amazing! The salad was crisp and so tasty and the anchovy wasn't overbearing at all. * Beef carpaccio: another wow dish! I think there was some hint of truffle or something and greens. So delicious and the oil they used was light and nice. The beef was also soft and moist *La tric and trac: an amazing Italian sausage and sherry pasta dish with rigatoni! So good and the mushrooms champignons were so amazing! Umami packed * Pacherri di Gragnano alla Sorrenina: the highlight of our meal! San Marzano tomatoes and burrata - bursting with flavor but so simple! High quality ingredients that shine with each bite //SERVICE// Fantastic service from a few waiters! They were inviting and helpful Overall do go here before it gets too busy! I cannot wait to be back read more

Been here a couple times and have always had an amazing experience! The food is so delicious and the staff/owner is very friendly. I would 100% recommend going here!! read more

We enjoyed our first time at Osteria Mare Blu last night. I had the Sea bream... roasted whole fish w It's olives, lemon, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and served with chunks of roasted potatoes The chef filleted it for me tableside at my request. The fish was fresh, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Sea bream is a mild, sweet, and meaty fish... very delicious and satisfying if cooked with a "light hand' as this was. My dining partners had pasta puttanesca and pasta bolognese. We shared a salad and bread. Everything was very nice. I like the small friendly neighborhood atmosphere, wine list, food. We'll be back! read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Whole roasted Sea Bream - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

See all

The food is truly authentic Italian and the service is perfect. I strongly recommend their planned menu for two on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I felt like I was in my Italian grandmother's kitchen! read more

The pasta was wonderful. The service not so much ,we were so excited to come here as we've been told by a friend that It was good. I was a little apprehensive because I don't care for the ambience, bright and white & cold hard metal chairs not inviting at all . Not really a setting for an evening dining experience In my opinion . Non the less we decided to try it anyway . We informed our server that it's our first time ( he looked like he just rolled out of bed) he said oh it's your first time here , that's it . Didn't go over the menu with us so we took a while deciding on our own. We started with the Caesar salad and had two pasta dishes that were fabulous ( can't remember the names) . After we ordered our pasta. We realized our server never asked if we'd like anything to drink, so we waved him down. He was behind the bar. We said we'd like something to drink , so he took our order from behind the bar instead of coming to our table and going over our choices. After dinner we were not offered a dessert menu or coffee. We asked our server what he has to offer for dessert. He said I'll bring you a menu , he dropped off the menu. We ordered tiramisu which came in four little tasting squares that were very small and thin definitely nothing to write home about, on their website picture of the Tiramisu is how it should be . We ordered a scoop of chocolate ice cream which was delicious! Our Bus boys were fabulous. They talked to us more than our server. Unfortunately, this is a one and done for us and very sad as we live here and frequent the restaurants was Hoping to add a Osteria Mare Blu to our list of restaurants that we enjoy. read more

Updated rating due to passive aggressive DM from owner claiming that the bad service is somehow my issue. It was not the issue that we had to wait for our table, but we were ignored by the servers and not acknowledged even once while they smiled and greeted the people before us. Servers also never came once to ask how we were doing while they kept coming to chat to the people seated next to us. The people next to us even had to tell the servers to assist us. I also did wait an hour as I took a photo of the time the food came. I don't appreciate the owner gaslighting me. Pathetic service. read more

Osteria Mare Blu - Instead of apologizing for poor service and being ignored by waiters, owner tries to insult and gaslight me. - Italian Near Me - Seal Beach, California

This has become our absolute favorite weekly dinner spot. Six weeks running, and every single visit has been outstanding. The cooking is consistently on point, and the rotating specials give us something new to look forward to each visit. Service is warm, professional, and genuinely attentive without ever feeling intrusive. A special mention must go to Chef Nicola, who is a delight - he personally checks in, happily accommodates requests, and offers wonderful suggestions that always hit the mark. Save room for dessert! The flourless chocolate cake is rich, dense, and perfectly fudgy, and the cannoli, filled to order, arrive with shells that are still warm and crisp. Catch a reservation on Yelp and you will not regret it! read more

Absolutely delicious. This place is perfect. An absolute must for anyone traveling to Seal Beach and looking for a great Italian meal.

I had walked past this restaurant a few times after coming back from the beach, and each time I told my wife that the décor and design reminded me of the cozy restaurants you find in seaside towns in Italy. We finally decided to make a reservation, but about an hour before, our babysitter canceled. I called the restaurant, and they were incredibly flexible, welcoming us to bring the whole family at the last minute. The food was spectacular: the seafood was fresh, the pasta perfectly cooked, and the flavors reminded me of home. As an Italian myself, I'm often asked by American friends where they can find real Italian food. After dining here, I can confidently recommend Osteria Mare Blu to anyone looking for an authentic experience. Kudos to Chef Nicola and his staff for creating such a warm, genuine dining experience. read more

I've always mentioned that my experience took place on September 3rd, though in your reply you insisted it was last week. I clarified that at the time, but for me the bigger concern wasn't the date, it was the way the situation was handled and the lack of accountability I felt in your response. I also only just saw your message in my Yelp inbox. While I appreciate the offer of a 50% discount, what would have meant more was a simple acknowledgment that a mistake had been made. That kind of understanding goes a long way with customers. At this point, I think it's best I move forward and take my business elsewhere, but I truly hope this feedback helps in creating a better experience for others. read more

Truly authentic Italian food! The owner is Italian, and you can taste it in every bite. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Highly recommend! read more