Italian restaurants

Mario's Restaurant

4.5 527 reviews Closed 515 Hardin Rd, Forest City, NC 28043, United States

Discover this place

Mario's Restaurant in Forest City, NC, is a hidden gem for Italian cuisine enthusiasts. Renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and authentic flavors, this establishment invites diners into a warm and inviting space where the owner cooks with passion. Reviewers applaud the homemade dishes, emphasizing the care taken in preparation, which can result in a slight wait as meals are cooked to order.

Diane Preslar highlights the delightful buffets available on certain days, particularly appreciated during Sunday lunches. Roberta Hemer praises the experience, noting that the wait time is filled with camaraderie over delectable appetizers. The personal service adds to the charm, as Linda Mason discovered during her visit after biking nearby. Despite initial hesitation due to a quiet parking lot, she was thrilled with the vibrant flavors and swift, friendly service that showcased the restaurant's local reputation.

Clementine echoes this sentiment, calling her meal one of the best she's had, with large portions that promise delightful leftovers. Jade Moore's first visit was marked by exceptional dishes like baked stuffed clams and fettuccine Giovanna, complemented by attentive staff. Mario's Restaurant is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that resonates with locals and visitors alike. Prepare for an authentic taste of Italy right here in Forest City.

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Amenities & More

Service options

Delivery
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights

Fast service
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Great wine list

Popular for

Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Dining options

Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities

Restroom

Atmosphere

Casual
Cozy
Quiet

Crowd

Groups
Tourists

Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Mario's Restaurant before visiting.

Reviews for Mario's Restaurant

4.5

527 reviews

100%

19%

Review highlights

Based on 527 reviews

Mario's Restaurant is widely appreciated for its authentic homemade Italian cuisine, with many patrons highlighting the quality and generous portion sizes. The restaurant's family-friendly atmosphere and personalized, attentive service contribute to a warm and welcoming dining experience. Several reviews note the value of cooking-to-order dishes, which may require some wait time but enhance the overall freshness and flavor. Customers also appreciate the occasional buffet offerings and the accommodating takeout service. Despite its unassuming exterior, Mario's consistently draws positive feedback for delivering both excellent food and a comfortable environment, making it a favored choice for locals and visitors alike.

DIANE PRESLAR

Jul 09, 2025

Great food by owner cooks. Family friendly with great Italian food. They have buffets some days like Sunday lunch.

Roberta Hemer

Jun 12, 2025

Very good homemade itialin food . Everything is homemade, you may wait a few on certain items due to they cook to order, but if your with friends or family the time you wait can be filled with great convo time with some appetizers . I definitely will go back!

Linda Mason

May 19, 2025

We were visiting in town to ride the local bike trail. We happened on this restaurant and initially were a bit reluctant to go in as there were no cars in the parking lotv at the time. We decided to take a chance and are so glad we did. Our dinners were fantastic, the service was personable but still efficient. They do a busy take out service and others came in through the course of our meal. Clearly this is a place known by locals who appreciate full flavored, authentic Italian cuisine. Go to Mario's, you won't be disappointed.

Clementine

May 13, 2025

By far one of the best meals I've ever had from a restaurant, coming from hole-in-the-wall dining experiences in Madison, Wisconsin. The people were kind, the food was incredible, and the energy was warm and inviting. Can't wait to eat here again after I demolish the leftovers from the MASSIVE portions of food!!

Jade Moore

May 08, 2025

Amazing experience on my first trip here! Baked stuffed clams and fettuccine Giovanna. Alba was so kind and attentive without being off-putting. Will be back for sure

Juanfer Ibarra

Apr 28, 2025

The food was amazing! You can tell that Alba and her husband Mario put love and effort into every single preparation. Everyone should know this place!

wayne schwiegerath

Apr 07, 2025

Great place. Did not know it was there. Kinda of randomly found it. So glad we did. Staff was very friendly and food was prepared as ordered. The rubin was very good and tasty. Serving size was huge. If you left hungry your have something wrong. Fantastic place.

UB NC

Mar 25, 2025

My friend and I enjoyed our food immensely. The stuffed mushrooms are the best that I have had in a very long time. I loved the crab stuffed shrimp and chose penne as my pasta. I asked them to add capers and it made it even better. The lemon butter sauce was so yummy, I had to ask for bread to sop up the delicious sauce. The caprese salad was just ok. My friend enjoyed her chicken dish. We both enjoyed the dessert! The owner was our server and was super sweet. I can’t wait to go again and will definitely order the stuffed mushrooms!