Went there yesterday for a double date. Friendly service and excellent local seafood. We had raw oysters, a cold shellfish platter, several amazing cocktails (and a mild headache today, well worth it), the wild snapper, the moules-frites and the crispy brussels sprouts. Everything fresh and yummy. The place is a bit crowded and noisy (in part because of our group, lol) but that is the vibe you expect anyways. Will come back soon,

Vangeli: Congratulations for the September 22nd, Birthday Party honouring your Mom for her 80th birthday. It was such a delightful, enjoyable and happy gathering. The food was delicious, the service superb and the cake was scrumptious. The decor of your establishment is very beautiful and elegant and I loved the multiple vases of the gorgeous sunflowers. Thank you for the invitation, I had a wonderful time. I wish you the best of luck with your restaurant and continued success!

This is by far my favorite restaurant in all of Astoria. An unassuming exterior leads to an elegant interior with comforting decor and cozy dim lighting. There's outdoor seating for nicer weather and coat racks for the cooler months. A great oyster selection and outstanding food and cocktails. I've taken my entire family here multiple times when they visit because this place is so good. Great date spot. Great everything spot, really

Top notch food, cocktails, service and vibe in low key environment. Had one of the best Boulvardier cocktails here. Very good raw bar. Great job to the entire team. It’s hard to find places like that.

I love Mar's. Go there and have a nice time. Watch the setting sun cast crepuscular light across the Kaufman Studios, and sip on a beverage. Draw a finger, lazily, across the rim of a glass, ok?

Had a great night at Mar's! I have been a semi-regular patron for a few years but the other night was special. The food was excellent, the pre-dinner cocktails were very creatve and the staff was lovely to us. We had Steve as a server who was funny, attentive and gave great recommendations. My dining companion said the burger was one of the best she's had. I ordered the Salmon and it was really flavorful and tender. The wines that Steve recommended paired beautifully with our choices. It was a really busy night but didn't feel crowded... the atmosphere was elegant and friendly.

Oysters were fabulous and fresh, surroundings quaint and our host/ bartender was tremendous will be back again

Love love love this spot! The food was phenomenal. Drinks were delicious. The broth with the mussels was perfect. Taylor took spectacular care of us- attentive, knowledgeable and very kind. Don’t skip dessert!

Excellent service and delicious food! There’s plenty of seating, making it easy to enjoy a relaxed meal. Be sure to try their Oyster Martini—it’s a unique and flavorful must-try!

Phenomenal service, great food and unique & yummy drinks. A piece of treasure in an unlikely place!

This is THE best dining experience I have EVER had in Astoria. The drinks were amazing (If you want to try something sweet and experimental - get The Red Planet), appetizer (Brie with honey, figs, and mini toasts) was stunning. I got the beautifully plated roasted squash which had a phenomenal peanut butter sauce and toasted pumpkin seeds and boyfriend got the roasted pork dish which he said was the best he’s ever had (I tried a bite and couldn’t argue it was so tender and flavorful). Finished the night with the Mars bar dessert which was the perfect amount to split - it was a fudge-like dream, with candied thyme on top! Every plate and drink was so wonderfully curated in taste and aesthetic. My tastebuds went on the ride of their lives. We savored every bite and sip. I don’t write many reviews but this - if you want a fantastic dining experience - this is it. Plates are smaller, but the quality that your getting is beyond compare - we left content without feeling overly full as often happens when going out. The service was also fantastic as well! Can’t wait to come back.

Highly recommend for events! Working with Nur from the Mar's event team, planning my daughter's first birthday, was a dream. She was so kind in working with me within budget and working to accommodate my vision for my girl's special day. I can't say enough good things about the team there. If you're looking for an event venue, definitely consider Mar's!

I’ve been here several times… it does not disappoint.

I've been wanting to go to this place for so long. We finally made it for our anniversary and we loved it. Friendly staff, nice atmosphere and the food was the best!

Swanky, warm, funky, classic, great atmosphere. Dark woodwork and bulb lighting really set a good mood, music was well selected, and added to the great vibe.. Service was attentive and available, but never seemed intrusive. The room was full, but didn't get loud... Mar's is known for seafood, but we ordered burgers, which were cooked perfectly to our ordered preference, fries were excellent too! They also had a very big selection of cocktails and beer. Will definitely go back when in Astoria!

Only had the grilled octopus and assorted oysters. Definitely recommend the Wayne's world oysters above the others.

This is one of my partner and my favorite restaurants. The quality of the food is top notch, and their menu changes from time to time, giving it variety. The service is incredible and the atmosphere is lovely. The steak is our favorite meal to get when we want to celebrate and splurge.

This is one my favorite restaurants/bars in all of New York City. The bartenders here are superb and can recommend you something or will make you exactly your vibe of cocktail. The oyster specials are the best in the city bar none. The quality is amazing. I miss living in queens so much because Mars is the best.

The food was great and felt fresh. We ordered the octopus, steak, and the dorado. The fish was definitely my favorite, but the sage fries were simple and delicious. The staff was friendly and helpful and the restaurant had such a good vibe. This is one restaurant I would definitely go to again. I want to try the oysters and the duck confit next time!

Came here for a late dinner with friends. The food and drink menu was amazing, and they easily accommodated requests for both cocktails and dietary restrictions. Amazing atmosphere! A HUGE thanks to the gracious bartender who was kind enough to let us stay a few minutes after closing - we lost track of time!

My absolute favorite speakeasy. Great mixologists! Amazing oysters! Delicious food

Great finding in Astoria, NY. Had a great time with my brother. Small cozy warm place. Had an early dinner on a Sunday. Great cocktails. Great food. Great service. You feel like you've walked into another place and time. Highly recommended

+4

This place is amazing. If you love raw fish this is your place. The oysters are very good and the waiters are very professional and will guide you through the experience. Perfect for a date, an anniversary or just for a taste of good food.

With one of the best martinis in the city, Mar’s is perfect for a first date or an anniversary dinner. Quick service, elevated bites and a lovely atmosphere makes this neighborhood gem a must visit when in Astoria

What a lovely evening we had at Mar’s! The cocktails are without a doubt some of the best I’ve had, so many unique yet amazing options. The atmosphere is perfect for a date night. The only downside was the portions… while the fries were amazing and the portion was generous, the cheese plate we ordered consisted of two small slices of cheese with some pecans, and dollop of jam and honey - wasn’t cheap either. It sucks because they do everything else right. Our server, Tristan was such a stand up guy, made the evening even better with his friendliness and quirkiness. I think all in all, a great spot to drink their cocktails and get a snack. I’ll be back!

Was there for Valentine's dinner with a prix fixe menu. Was seated at the rounded corner table which gave us a unique view of the restaurant. Service was amazing, you to the waitresses, hostess, and bartender for keeping things in order for the event. Dinner itself was great, it came with complimentary champagne which was very enjoyable. Most dishes I got, I believe are not from the main menu which I wanted to try. The lobster salad was good, it did feel lacking with a cold lobster, some grapefruit, and onions on a bed of leaves but it was still good. The mushroom ravioli was very good, sitting on a sea of butter. I would've liked it to be more filling but it was perfect considering a prix fixe setup. For the main dish, I got warm whole lobster which came with butter and white asparagus. I focused mainly on the lobster which was nicely cooked and warm theoughout. I personally normally wouldn't get lobster because it can be a messy eating process, but I was glad to have a whole lobster. The white asparagus was also delicious but I didn't get to fully enjoy it since I was focused on the lobster. For dessert, I got the cocoa bites which consists of 3 items, almonds that were bunched up in chocolate, a brownie, and chocolate mousse. The almond was OK, cant go wrong with chocolate covering but hard to eat because it was a spiky assortment and felt like it was hardened in chocolate than covered. I loved the brownie, it was very moist inside but crispy outside. And the chocolate mousse was very delicious as well, couldn't get any better. Overall nice experience, I do recommend looking at the menu beforehand to decide if you'd like to dine at the restaurant. I mainly did so to eat dishes that were normally not served.

Mar’s is a quality neighborhood spot. The vibes are great it’s cozy it’s welcoming. It’s all of the things you want. They have a nice little patio area for outdoor dining in the summer. The staff is attentive, friendly, and do a great job when it’s busy. The food is also great! The oysters are great especially on Happy Hour! The Brussel sprouts and crab cake are both delicious as are the Sage Fries. The whole fried sage leaves are so crunchy and flavorful. The burger is also simple but very well done. It’s not too much or too little, flavorful and understated. 8.3/10

Our favorite spot in Astoria. The absolute best cocktails (in all of NY). So much care and passion. A relaxed setting. Service that is untouched. Romantic. Cool. Forever patrons.

Food and cocktails were beyond excellent. I do wish the chairs for outdoor seating were a touch more comfortable but all in all, amazing experience and can’t wait to go back.

The paella was AMAZING!! The happy hour is great! The service super friendly! I loved this place! Super recommend!

Love the ambiance, nothing better than a wooden bar. Portions were in the bit smaller side. One of the best Brussel sprouts appetizers I ever had. The basque cheesecake is a must have.

+6

Lovely surprise when we visited Mar's yesterday by the first time. It is located in Astoria in this unassuming neighborhood; inside reminds me of old restaurants, pretty, refined and cozy. The service is top notch, everyone is so friendly and helpful. The drinks were craftily made and you can see that they spent some time thinking about the ingredients and recipes. The oysters were MAGNIFICENT - fresh and delicious. If you only go for oysters and drinks, it is worth the trip. We asked for grilled octopus as appetizer, super flavorful and the quantity was pretty good. Our entree was the snapper with two sides, and let me tell you, it was superb. I love the experience of dining at Mar's. It is a keeper for sure!

+1

Leather + Lace cocktail is definitely recommended. Fondue was interesting. Service was exceptional! It’s a classy place so you should come here for special occasions

+6

The waiter is very knowledgeable and helpful. There is an oyster happy hour that’s also on the weekends, and the oysters are my favorite in the city. The mignonette sauce is very good. This purple drink on the happy hour menu is good too. Some of the best cocktails!

Dimi Cha

Mars Astoria has been my go-to spot for years. The food is consistently great, the cocktails are always on point, and the cozy vintage vibe makes it a place you want to come back to again and again. Whether it’s a casual night out or something special, it never disappoints.

Harry Blunder

Great spot to hang out with friends for the happy hour. The East coast oysters (part of the happy hour deal, 6 oysters for $15) were incredible fresh and shucked well. Cocktails are mixed correctly and taste great. Lovely all around.

Ana Butler

Their approach to food keeps both staff and customers engaged. They maintain high standards. They've decorated nicely without excess. Staff members too were very helpful. The dining was wonderful.

Lauren Malik

Super cozy great for a great night! Yummy shareable plates and interesting cocktails.

Lindsay Alexander

This rating is just for the drinks! Their non alcoholic drinks are so well curated. They have lots of flavors and ingredients like teas and spices etc. One is even smoked. Can’t wait to go back for the alcoholic ones!

Bahar Kelekci

Came in for the oysters and ended up loving everything. Great happy hour, tasty bites, solid drinks, and the friendliest service. Definitely coming back!

Jazz Chomboon

Perfect spot for a date night with oysters and well-crafted cocktails! The oysters tested really fresh. The atmosphere was also nice, it looked upscale inside but with their everyday happy hour the prices were’not bad at all. We live in the neighborhood and I’m glad we have this bar for our impromptu night out.

+4

Hannah Norman

My dining experience here was incredible! The food, the holiday decor, the cocktails and the service were above my expectations! Highly recommend!

+3

Kelsi Cleary-Hammarstedt

What a fabulous experience! The waitstaff was so kind and attentive. Gave us space but were also readily available as needed. Their recommendations were excellent! We got the chef’s special Sunday pot roast, very flavorful and balanced, as well as the special oyster’s Rockefeller which was a true standout! Probably some of the best oysters I’ve had!! We also tried the chocolate ganache dessert which was thoughtfully prepared with a dash of olive oil, flaky sea salt, and candied thyme which we were instructed to crumble over the chocolate. That tactile component was actually quite fun! Overall it was a lovely experience. The ambience felt like you were in a cozy neighborhood cafe in Europe, with warm lighting, paintings, and original word work. I’ll be happy to come back sometime soon. Do yourself a favor and check out this delightful spot!

Alex G

In my opinion Mar's is one of the top three restaurants in Astoria. The rustic interior is the vibe I love, but let's talk about the cocktails! Their cocktail menu keeps changing meaning they love to experiment! Needless to say there will always be staples. Recently I came in after work and sat at the bar. I tried the of their cocktails and their were all fantastic. The bartender is top notch and knows his stuff including music! I had the following: - Heat Wave (seasonal summer drink) - The Paper Plane (a staple) - Spicy Margarita All fantastic!! Their food menu is underrated but this time around I didn't order a bits, but I will next time. Cheers!

Bridget Coolick

Fantastic service, and the atmosphere was nice, like a European cafe. The food was good, but not great. The quality was ok...what you expect. The portions were on the small side for the price, atmosphere and location. The saffron seafood risotto was full of flavor - I recommend this dish. The happy hour oysters were good as well.

Cannot recommend more. One of the best in Astoria. Oysters are an easy 10 (so fresh and beautifully shucked), I cannot express how delicious. Cocktails with fresh ingredients. Service is lovely and professional. Not over priced, worth the ambience and quality.

I had the urge for oysters today at 4pm and I took a day off from work. When I have an urge like this I must have it! Si my hubby and I decided to go to Mar's and OH! Man I was so glad I did!We were greeted by Tom. who was our waiter. We ordered oysters, clams and their happy hour beer. His service was impeccable, food, Music, dessert and drinks were great. We were so happy from the time we got there until we left. We LOVE this place and recommend it highly.

A friend and I walked in right as Happy Hour was ending but the waitress was very nice and still put in our HH orders. I ordered the shrimp and they were very overcooked. The cocktail sauce on the side was good, but could have used a little more bite to it. I didn't try the oysters, but my friend did not complain about them. My favorite of the night was the calamari frito as it came with fried peppers and chickpeas which I've never seen before, but maybe that's just me. The crab cake was very salty, but the portion was big enough for 2. The restaurant got progressively louder as the night went on, and I was almost shouting by 9pm. Not an awful experience, but probably not a good first date spot. The tables were also very close together which I personally don't like. Overall a cute spot but not worth going out of the way for.

Quiet spot off the beaten path in Astoria. Delicious food! Good service. Pricey, dinner for two easily over $100. Oysters are normally $3, $2 all day Sunday and $1.50 at happy hour (I think 5pm-7pm) and or server was very helpful with selection. Will definitely be back for happy hour.

Great ambiance and service. Their food was fresh and delicious. Their cocktails were amazing. So glad to have this spot right in the neighborhood.

+3

Excellent cocktails and service but small overpriced dishes. I paid $25 for these fish tacos. Thanks but prob not ever again for a full dining experience

It was my first at this spot and I was in a date. It has such an intimate ambience that really sets the tone for dates of any type. I say at the bar and asked for a mango margarita, unfortunately there was no mango syrup but the bartender was gracious enough to make me one with a pineapple flavor. It was SO GOOD. Just a little small in terms of quantity, lol. I ordered for another one and this time it was a really good pour. My date’s first pour was also little then subsequent ones were a lot more. I’m guessing this is the bartenders way of making you order for more. All in all, I enjoyed my time here and will definitely be coming back!

Lovely vibe, great decor, food good for brunch but not the most exciting options. Looking forward to coming back for happy hour

Still a great spot haven't been back since before the pandemic. Great food great Sunday oysters for $2. Great drinks friendly service parked on the street.

Went out with a couple of friends last night. Place and cocktails are amazing. We ordered tons of plates. Loved all - except they sent out the lamb Italian sausage raw. They were apologetic but shame on that cook. Also because I so wanted to try it!!!! Looked delicious, maybe next time.

gary Pacheco

Love this place really the only reason I take a star off was that it’s kind of pricey for what you get even though it is a top-notch restaurant in ASTORIA I think they need to add a few more low cost items to the menu but what they do serve is different than what you get it. Most of the story RESTAURANTS and the setting is absolutely relaxing. The bar is magnificent and I highly recommend you. Check it out if you like find food and HS that really really nice environment.

Diana Zorina

I was passing by this spot a lot and it looks so picturesque. And it was always busy. So one day I decided to have a dinner there. I had lobster roll, desert mars and mocktail. The lobster roll was cold. I was expecting hot. And it didn't meet my expectations. The desert was fancy, small and really good. The waiters were a little bit too annoying, keep coming, keep asking, I had to talk to at least 5 different persons while my dinner

Heather Brooke-Ryan

This was my first time dining here and my friends and I did so out of convenience to her apartment. Food (3/5): We ordered an appetizer of fries which were a 4/5, especially with the sauce it came with. I got the burger as my dinner and it was dry and not much flavor. I asked for a side of Mayo but I was told they don't carry plain Mayo. I ordered the Mars Bar for dessert and it was good but not great. Service (5/5): we had a great waitress who was attentive to our needs and our waters were consistently filled and were asked if we needed anything. However, I asked for no tomatoes with my burger and it came with one. Atmosphere (5/5): I went on a cold winter night and it was dimly lit with beautiful bathrooms, unique wooden bar and spacious tables next to a brick wall. I loved the atmosphere.

Jason Eng

Great atmosphere during dinner and the cocktails were very tasty. Unfortunately the food was high quality but slightly lackluster. Service was a highlight; friendly and attentive. Brussels Sprouts were my favorite appetizer. Go for the cocktails and a snack.

+2

Rich G.

My wife and I came here for the first time for our anniversary. Reservations were for 2 at 6pm. First impression of the establishment was it had an old school vibe and decor, almost like a speakeasy. We started off with a LEATHER AND LACE drink, the server spritz with what looked like a perfume bottle. Wife was intrigued and really enjoyed the cocktail. I started off with the TABLE BEER SAISON which was ok, im more of an IPA man but gave it a shot. For appetizers we began with the CHARRED BABY ROMAINE SALAD. It was ok, flavor was mild and I personally think the almonds should be slivered instead of whole. The STEAMED CLAMS were great. For the price I think 4 clams instead of 3 would be nice especially for sharing. My wife ordered the CROWD PLEASER which transported her to the Caribbean! For the mains we had the TSIPOURA Dorado fish which was delicious!!! The charred corn was incredible. I ordered the 5 boroughs summer ale on tap which did not taste fresh and was very flat. I then ordered the SINGLECUT 18 watt IPA which tasted like it was poured straight from the brewery which is not far away. We also had the STEAK & FRIES.The steak Bavette cut which im not familiar with was cooked perfectly but was a very small portion. It came with Sage fries which were ok. I would have preferred Steak fries. I'm not a fan of very thinly sliced fries with steak even if they are fresh. The sage did not make much of a flavor impact and seemed unnecessary but overall not bad. Lastly for dessert my wife had the MARS BAR which appropriately named was great. It was not overly sweet. She washed it down with a Saveiro Madeira which was an excellent pairing! I finished with the HONEY WALNUT CAKE. I think it could have been a bit warmer. The description does say sweetened only with Honey but it was not sweet at all and was not crazy about it. Overall would return and would love to try the rest of the menu.

+23

Xabier Granja

I quite enjoyed this place. Staff was very courteous, much more than I would've expected. We got brunch here and I went for their dirty rice, which was very well cooked, with great flavor and overall even looked very nice presentation-wise. Their coffee was very "deep", dark without being bitter at all, it took quite a bit of creamer to get it up to the shade I like, but it tasted excellent. I'd definitely come back here.

A huge disappointment. Came for the Sunday roast which for $36 got you 4 slices of overcooked beef, a pile of spinach and a small helping of mashed potato - a far cry from the ‘British weekend tradition’ that the menu claims. Service was good but otherwise this place really missed the mark

Seafood could have been a tad fresher, but the staff was very helpful and the menu extensive.

Went for our anniversary because we always see it packed. Everything we got was fresh and good quality meat, seafood etc. but very bland; not much flavor in any of the dishes. The drinks and service both were lovely.

Very friendly staff. The interior has a worn out vibe. We came because we love ❤️ seafood and raw bar and are GF. main attraction was the deep fried items - like fish and chips. VERY small portion of the fish and think it cost $27. The carrot 🥕 cake was VERY dry. These folks have a simple menu. Wish they’d master it. Stay in Brooklyn or Manhattan for seafood 🦞! There are places that offer GF fish and chips and calamari at restaurants as an option and the restaurants are much better overall.

The first time I came here and sat at the bar I had a great time, great cocktails and attentive bartenders. When I went back for dinner the food was great, but the EXTREMELY poor service ruined the experience. It was not a busy night and the server was rude and constantly ignored us. It took us 15 minutes to get a refill on a glass of wine and we had to ask three times. Our server walked past us several times and stopped to drink wine with another table. At some point the busser tried to come over and help us but couldn’t speak english. If you go here, please sit at the bar.

Had a $39 steak dish that was full of gristle, bland, and cold. Service was spotty as well - had to wait quite a long time for drinks, entrees did not come out at the same time, and couldn't find the server when we needed them. The seafood in the plateau was fresh and tasty and the fries were good. Great ambience and really wanted to like it, but probably won't be back.

Friday night with one service one waitress is tuff. However they pulled it off. Good food & great drinks.

Would come back for the drinks. The food was eh. Would’ve been great if there was a sauce or something added to my hamburger. A little over-priced.

Came here for the oysters, the oysters didn't disappoint so that was great. The restaurant is a little pricy but if you come during their happy hours then it's not so bad. Also got the calamari, burger, and mussels. The calamari was flavorful, theirs is less crispy but super tender. Mussels were simple and decent. I would have enjoyed the burger more but the one I got was undercooked, I had asked for medium but mine came out more on the rare side and honestly might have been a bit under that... My main complaint is on the service, not sure if they're just understaffed at the moment but service was noticeably slow for me. I saw 2 tables that were seated after us that got their entrees before we did. And for further context, we were just a party of 2 and we only ordered 4 items (dozen oysters, calamari, burger +add ons, mussels) and we were pushing almost 2hrs in there... probably would have went over 2hrs if I hadn't asked for the check ahead of time when the entrees came out. Also my water glass still had some lipstick stains on them... Overall, it's a cute spot and food was decent, despite the burger issue I'm sure they would have done something to correct this if I had complained about it (hopefully!) I don't mind the price tag but was kind of hoping to be taken care of a bit more given the price point.

Went here during the happy hour for drinks, oysters and a dinner entree as well. Oysters were delicious and well shucked. Drinks were alright, the sign outside says cocktails $9 during happy hour so I assumed all cocktail drinks were $9 like most places but it only is $9 for their happy hour cocktails which I must have not heard our waiter mention. The entrees are the reason for the 3 stars. The food was just not good. We both ordered 2 separate dishes of mussels and both were not good tasting at all. I wish their seafood was as good as their oysters because I would come back all the time. However, I would only suggest this place for its happy hour.

Great vibe, good music. Drink menu is pretty varied and interesting. They have a good selection of beers, plus wine! I got the seafood stew...it could be a little more flavorful either by having more seafood stock and/or salt. Clams were a bit chewy. My boyfriend had the steak and fries...steak was a bit tough even though it was medium rare. Perhaps we should have ordered rare. Overall it was a decent meal. I would come here again simply for the drinks and service. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

I heard about this place from a couple websites listing the best restaurants in the area, so I wanted to give it a shot. Overall, it was alright. I went for brunch, and the food was overpriced and nothing amazing. My meal was essentially two hard-boiled eggs with some mustardy sauce, cole slaw, and one sausage patty for $18. My friend's dish (dirty rice) was equally underwhelming. The portions were small and unimpressive. The drinks were good, the vibe is nice, and the service was fine, but I probably wouldn't recommend this place for brunch.

It's a lovely space and the staff is great! I thought the oysters were ok. $2 oysters all day Sunday. An interesting selection. Coffee is standard. The pancakes were horrible. I couldn't finish it. Asked for butter and it was still stiff from the fridge (which is not what you would expect from a restaurant like this). But I overheard others who were very happy with their food so I'd give it another chance.

The escargot was served in a shallow bowl with gummy bread. We brought it up to the server, but we were ignored.. There wasn’t even enough butter if you wanted to soak it up with the bread. The one crab cake portion was tiny and expensive for the serving. The burger bun had a weird texture. It was dry and flat. When I bit into the burger it fell apart. No one came to ask how everything was. We went 20 minutes before the kitchen closed on a Saturday. They should still be on their game for the price of the burger and the $180 we spent. This was big disappointment. When we paid the check, I didn’t mention the burger being bad, but we were so hungry I had to eat it anyway. Also the servers didn’t seem to care about anything.

Ambience and decor was dark and cozy. Ordered a dozen oysters, most had shell fragments. Calamari seemed cut in house from a small squid, but was on the dry and chewy side. Fried nicely, and fried chickpeas and peppers are a nice touch. Ordered steak tartar, didn't try, but saw on the menu it came with a baguette but didn't see it, maybe I misread the description 🤔.

Eddie J

Mar’s Restaurant Review: 3/5 Stars Hey everyone! Just a heads up, this is my personal take on Mar’s. If you’re curious, I definitely recommend checking it out for yourself! First off, Mar’s is a nice spot for a dinner date, but I found it to be a bit overpriced for what you get. The quality of the food didn’t quite match the price tags, which was a letdown. **Service:** The service was fantastic! The staff was super friendly and professional, making sure we were well taken care of throughout the evening. We never felt neglected, as our waiter was always nearby. **Atmosphere:** The atmosphere is lovely—perfect for a romantic dinner. We opted to sit outside, and it was surprisingly peaceful, with minimal noise from traffic. The interior looked great too, but we chose the patio since it was quite warm. **Drinks:** We tried the Old Fashioned and the Box of Chocolates cocktail. The Old Fashioned was impressive—balanced and well-made, which is a big deal for a cocktail enthusiast like me. The Box of Chocolates was also fun and unique, making it a great choice for anyone looking to try something different. **Food:** Here’s where things get dicey. The food was pretty average and definitely not worth the high prices. We had the oysters and shrimp cocktail (forgot to snap a pic of the shrimp). The oysters were okay, but the shrimp cocktail left a lot to be desired—four pieces for $19 felt a bit outrageous. I’ve had better for less at local bars. For our mains, we ordered the Top Burger and Fish & Chips. The burger, priced at $26, was bland and lacked creativity. No fries or salad included, which felt like a missed opportunity. If I’m paying that much, I expect something special! The Fish & Chips were similarly disappointing, with just a couple of small pieces of fish and one shrimp (which seemed like a repeat from the cocktail). While the flavor was decent, it still didn’t justify the price. Dessert was the Mar’s Bar, but it really needed a dollop of whipped cream or some sauce. Especially some sort of crumble on the bottom. Something. Anything. It was dense and lacked texture, tasting more like a dry fudge tart than anything special. With a confusing sugary rosemary on top, that didn’t add anything other than it made it look good for photos. Overall, the service, atmosphere, and drinks were the highlights of the evening, saving the experience from being a total letdown. I’m not sure I’d return for dinner, but I might swing by for breakfast or just drinks in the future. If you’re in the area, Mar’s is worth a visit, but unless you’re mainly after the service and ambiance, I’d recommend exploring other options for food.

+7

Beautiful day to sit outside. Girls wanted Oysters, my Son a Hamburger; both were good. I ordered the Cacio e Pepe. It was a small portion of watery pasta with scant cheese & pepper- completely flavorless! There were no salt & pepper shakers and our waitress did not return. Managed to eat it by adding mushrooms from my Daughter’s plate. I didn’t want to ruin our happy reunion; but will never order pasta from here again!

I’m conflicted writing this review. I’m a long time Astoria resident and everyone always says how amazing Mars is. I finally went and personally don’t get the hype especially amongst such an amazing restaurant scene in Astoria. It’s fine inside, cute enough. The service we received was great, very nice gentlemen who checked in quite a few times so I will give them that. However I simply cannot get past the portion sizes. The smallest portions I think I’ve ever seen. I think tasting courses have bigger portion sizes that I’ve had. The food itself tasted good but we literally got one crab cake smaller than the palm of my hand. We ordered the scallop dish off the “medium plates,” it was one singular scallop. ONE. The fries were the only generous portion. The mushrooms off the medium plates were also beyond small. We knew we needed more food seeing it come out so we ordered the “whole” chicken. Though tasty, it also had very little meat. We paid 65 dollars each….for very little food. Price tags absolutely do not match the portions. If you come here, maybe just come for appetizers as I don’t think it’s a true dinner spot for the above reasons. Sad to say, I don’t think I’ll be back.

Nice decor. Good music. Despicable wine list. Not sure about the cocktails either, I ordered two: it took about twenty minutes to get them and the place wasn’t that crowded ....and why the spirits bottles have no labels? The food tastes fine but portions are small.

Most of the bigger oysters were good and fresh but the octopus was chewy worst than a chewing gum and the wine wasn't that good,maybe because of happy hour?? Anyway won't be coming back

To be clear, the service was great. The waiter was very pleasant and the service in general is very attentive. But, for a Saturday night, half of the items we tried to order were not available. Also, not serving fries with the burger is fairly aggressive considering the price point. The bun was dry and unappetizing. Fish and chips was ok. Given everything, i doubt i will be frequenting this venue.

I've been here a few times. If you don't drink alcohol or live nearby, probably best to leave this off your destination list. The food is suggestive of fine dining, yet hits like an under-seasoned meal from Sanford's diner. The lettuces were not well prepared or well dressed. It felt everything could've use more seasoning and salt. The steak was well cooked but the oils laden bed of fries was fine. The "special" orange wine served was delicious but the expense wasn't worth it when paired with subpar food. The ravioli duo was bad, I suggest not ordering it (and removing it from the menu). Overall, the staff were nice and service was fine. Visit for happy hour but you can find a delicious meal for less money elsewhere.

You probably won't have a good experience here if you're a person of color. I've come here several times and always felt dismissed and unwelcome. Once came for an oyster happy hour and it took over 30 minutes to put raw oysters on a platter.

Literally very upset about this service. Our woman waitress was nice and kind and has nothing to do with this. The fuller sized blond male waiter who was walking around approached us and ask if my kids were going to "stay seated" . After ordering a bottle and many plates I then asked if they welcomed children as this is NOT a comment for an empty restaurant that we have happily ordered more than enough for this treatment. As a local astoria/ lic restaurant they should know this is a family neighborhood and would help business if he didn't act RUDE to familes!! I used to come here regularly the service has put a different taste in my mouth as we ALWAYS eat out in lic and manhattan and have never had someone speak like this.

My wife & I went for happy hour on this past rainy Saturday with our well behaved 15 pound toy Australian Shepard and it was a bit of an astounding experience. They have a fully outdoor wrap around patio for which we assumed would be no problem with small dogs, not to mention it was COMPLTELY EMPTY. When we arrived for a table, they made us sit out in the street on a rickety table in their non kept dilapidated outdoor covid street seating. It eventually started to rain and we were going to have to leave and they painstakingly allowed us on the rain safe patio for which the owner apparently scolded the server for allowing us to get out of the rain. We than get our oysters and you can tell they put the largest/grossest oysters off to the side for their happy hour "deal" it was literally the size of a softball. Overall, I will not be returning and there are a lot other options in Astoria that respect their customers. The one star is for the servers who were lovely and for having to deal with that type of ownership.

Never again. Customer service was a real turn off. First, they "lost" my reservation despite confirming that I had booked it via Resy and then they wanted us to dine on these dingy-looking table and chairs away from the restaurant on the side-street because we had brought a service dog. I had requested to have them dine us on the patio, but they refused to accommodate citing their "policy". Would not recommend, especially if you're bringing a service animal.

This place does not offers too much options on the menu but the food was okay. I was like to mention that this place is an extremely white oriented restaurant, I can feel the passive racism from the workers (all the white ones), unsafe being there as a woman of color. Should’ve not tipped. Fix your attitude before running a business.

This place was recommended by a friend. I was going to be introduced to an orange wine. We asked if we could taste the 2 types of orange wines from the menu. We could only try one of them. The waitress brought 5 drops of the wine in shot glasses 🤣. I was not crazy about it so we ordered the other one which was only available by a bottle. It was smoother. Before we finished the bottle, the bus girl took it away. When I told the waitress about it she said that the bottle is probably in the garbage now. It was the end of the wine story. We also ordered a small ceviche. It was xxsmall. The steak tartar was hard to chew and the meat was served in chunks unpleasant to eat.

Jarem Suarez

I recently dined at your establishment for Thanksgiving dinner on November 28th. While the atmosphere was pleasant and the service was attentive, unfortunately, both my partner and I experienced severe food poisoning after our meal. I ordered the swordfish, and my partner had the glazed ham. We were both ill for five days following the meal. Additionally, I was unable to finish my meal and had it wrapped to go. I wanted to bring this to your attention, as it was a very concerning experience.

Lia Kim

Walked in on a sunny Saturday at 3pm, but only one table was dining. Very surprising. We ordered a few varieties, oysters from the raw bar, fish and chips, and a burger. Their Eastern oysters were okay, but the Dutch oysters were HORRIBLE. First, they were extremely fishy. I had to spit out. Also too many little shell pieces that almost stuck on my tooth and felt like the kitchen doesnt know how to shuck the oysters. Fish and chips were not fresh. I could tell the fish has been re-fried multiple times for the past few days. It’s not a day old. More than that. It was hard and dark batter. Crunchy and hard is different. It was beyond ridiculous kind of fish and chips. Burgers were very dry. The bun was cold and dry. Homemade burgers are better. Overall, foods were horrible. $125 before tip for dozen of HAPPY HOUR oysters, a coke, a burger and fish and chips was not worth it. I know my food. Spend your money to other local good restaurants. *it is a cute (decent) place