Absolutely Mario Italian Restaurant
About This Spot
Stepping into Absolutely Mario Italian Restaurant feels like arriving at a cherished neighborhood gathering spot where time slows just enough to savor the moment. Nestled in Farmingdale, this warm and inviting space balances the familiarity of a family table with the subtle excitement of a night out. The cozy, yet spacious dining room, often lit by soft glows and the flicker of a fireplace in cooler months, sets an easy rhythm to the evening—a place to relax, connect, and let the day’s worries drift away.
Here, every detail, from the friendly greeting at the door to the hushed hum of conversations, forms part of a quietly joyful experience. It’s a spot where servers know their menu like old friends, ready with thoughtful suggestions that feel personal rather than rehearsed. This approachable expertise invites guests to explore a rich palette of flavors framed in classic Italian comfort with just enough creative flair to surprise and delight.
The kitchen’s offerings evoke the kind of meals meant to be shared and savored slowly: imagine fresh bruschetta arriving crisp and fragrant, or the sweet richness of lobster ravioli wrapped in delicate pasta. The allure lies not in a multitude of choices, but in the well-crafted balance of each plate. Whether it’s a robust veal special, the gentle tang of a Caesar salad brightening the start of the meal, or a perfectly brewed cappuccino signaling a calm moment at the table, the menu supports a leisurely pace and meaningful connections.
What truly animates Absolutely Mario is the sense of community that ripples through the space. It’s a place where servers and guests feel less like strangers and more like extended family, where the owner circulates with a genuine warmth that leaves a lasting impression. The atmosphere encourages you to linger, savor dessert, and hold on to the feeling that dining here is less about rushing through a meal and more about sharing a slice of life.
Whether you’re settling in for a casual lunch, celebrating a special evening, or simply craving a comforting plate of Italian fare paired with thoughtfully mixed cocktails, Absolutely Mario offers a welcoming escape rooted in authenticity and heartfelt hospitality. It’s where the love of food and the joy of human connection come gently together, inviting visitors back time and again.
What’s Available Here
-
Outdoor seating
-
Kerbside pickup
-
Delivery
-
Takeaway
-
Dine-in
-
Fast service
-
Fireplace
-
Great cocktails
-
Great coffee
-
Great dessert
-
Great wine list
-
Live music
-
Serves local specialty
-
Lunch
-
Dinner
-
Solo dining
-
Wheelchair-accessible car park
-
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
-
Wheelchair-accessible seating
-
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
-
Assistive hearing loop
-
Alcohol
-
Beer
-
Cocktails
-
Coffee
-
Comfort food
-
Happy-hour drinks
-
Healthy options
-
Private dining room
-
Small plates
-
Spirits
-
Vegetarian options
-
Wine
-
Lunch
-
Dinner
-
Catering
-
Dessert
-
Seating
-
Table service
-
Bar on site
-
Gender-neutral toilets
-
Toilet
-
Wi-Fi
-
Wi-Fi
-
Casual
-
Cosy
-
Romantic
-
Trendy
-
Upmarket
-
Family friendly
-
Groups
-
LGBTQ+ friendly
-
Tourists
-
Transgender safe space
-
Dinner reservations recommended
-
Accepts reservations
-
Credit cards
-
Debit cards
-
NFC mobile payments
-
Credit cards
-
Good for kids
-
High chairs
-
Kids' menu
-
Free of charge street parking
-
Free parking lot
-
Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 02:00 PM - 11:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM |
Lena Artusa 29 Dec 2025
Great atmosphere. People are very friendly. Food was so delicious. We had fettuccine bolognese, veal special and chicken scarpariello. And dinner wouldn't be complete without a visit from "Absolutely Mario" I highly recommend this place.
Lois Bentivegna 26 Dec 2025
Absolutely Mario’s was absolutely fantastic! My husband and I went for Sunday dinner. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for the Christmas season. The restaurant is spacious yet cozy with a roaring fireplace. Our server, Raul was amazing! He was so attentive and knew everything on the menu and was able to make suggestions which were spot on. We had the special stuffed ziti and shrimp in a spicy cream sauce for appetizer, calamari, and the Mario salad which were fabulous! For our entree, I had the bolognese sauce with farfalle pasta, my husband had one of the specials with chicken, sausage, artichoke in wine and lemon sauce — both entrees were amazing! We have been here a few times now and have made this our go to place for Italian - Absolutely Mario’s never disappoints!
Asadur Rahim 15 Dec 2025
My family and I stopped by here on a weekday to eat lunch together. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by staff and accommodated accordingly. The waiters provided us menus and provided their own tips when we questioned them on the best sellers. We went with the Calamari and fried zucchini for appetizers. Both dishes were served fresh and tasted delicious. For entrees we went with chicken Parm, Pasta, and shrimp. Although the delivery took some time, it was expected as each dish was made fresh. The dishes were well proportioned and the waiter even took the courtesy to pack up our leftover for us to bring home. Perhaps the most notable aspect of this family owned restaurant is the way you feel welcomed and accepted as family; Especially considering we were of a South Asian Background. The owner himself ( Mario ) came to us personally several times asking us if we needed anything, providing jokes, and making our visit more than just eating food. If I am in the neighborhood again, I plan to come back. It goes without saying, but I ABSOLUTELY recommend this restaurant !
Dot Santo 16 Nov 2025
Our first time at Absolutely Mario’s and what an absolutely amazing dining experience. The staff was amazing and so welcoming, the food was perfectly cooked and dessert was delicious. It was a pleasure to meet Mario who goes around to greets everyone. They treat you like family and don’t rush you out the door. Definitely we will be back many more times to come.
Joanne Spataro 07 Nov 2025
Every time we come to Absolutely Mario we are always treated like family. The food is always impeccable, amazingly presented, and above all super delicious! We continue to come and look forward to the warmth feeling we get every single visit.
Christina 12 Oct 2025
This restaurant is next door to White Castle. It has a parking lot and one outdoor seating area, but I don't know if it is only for display. I came here during lunchtime on a weekday and it was not busy. There is a bar area in the middle of the restaurants. In addition, the lunch menu prices are cheaper than the dinners menu prices. A bread basket with butter was provided to the table. I got the grill salmon, which comes with a side of vegetables and pasta. The server also provided cheese to top off your food. The food was good.
Market Man 21 Sep 2025
My wife and I have been patronizing Absolutely Mario’s restaurant in Farmingdale for well over a decade and it’s always a phenomenal dining experience! Today we were fortunate to have Raul as our server. He is exceptional, knows his menu inside and out and the dishes he recommended were spot on delicious!!! It’s rare today to find someone of his talents, gentlemanly and classy!!!! Can’t say enough about how wonderful he made our dining experience. 5-Star all the way, well done and thank you Raul and Mario, this restaurant is rare gem on Long Island, now in its 20th year, it is consistently great, warm, welcoming and truly fine dining!!!!
Steve McGinniss 20 Sep 2025
We made a last minute decision to go out for dinner and called ‘Absolutely Mario’ to see if we could get a table. I asked “do you have a table for 2 available within the next 30 minutes? The cheerful response was “absolutely!” We were shown to a comfy booth. The service was great. My dinner - Rigatoni al forno was excellent. Pasta cooked perfectly. The pomodora sauce was made with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. Atmosphere was nice. Highly recommend.