Mario's Aperitif Bar & Restaurant

MARIO'S APERITIF AND RESTAURANT HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

Mario's Aperitif Bar and Restaurant is a charming little Italian bar and restaurant in the Rialto Theatre precinct of West End, serving the some of the most creative and delectable Italian food to be found in Brisbane.

The cosy rustic interior features a VJ'ed wall, polished floorboards and hanging terrarium, with seating available at the bar or at a handful of wooden tables with full dining service in the rustic restaurant next door. Customers can also take a seat outside, where there are a couple of velvet armchairs and more dining tables.

Unique to Brisbane, this little aperitif bar is the perfect place to enjoy a slice of Italy, from the cocktails to the wines, including a special Reserve list with wines you won't find anywhere else in the city. But no visit to Mario's should be complete without sampling the exquisite food, whipped up by owner-chef Raphael (ex-Luigi's and current owner of Mama Taco up the road).

The menu is a revolving affair, with seasonal dishes that may be around for a few weeks before being replaced by others. Examples of Raphael's creations, made from premium ingredients and designed to share, include small plates like melt-in-the-mouth Chantarelle plum bufala, Scampi Crudo and Pizza Bianca (made with Rafael's own mother-culture sourdough) with hazelnut butter and 26 year old balsamic vinegar. 

Large plates include the likes of Funghi Calzone fritto, Moreton Bay Bug Lasagne (with bisque made from crushed bug shells and cherry tomatoes, fresh hand made pasta and topped with pecorino) and Venison Crepe (crepe filled with wild Brisbane Valley deer, topped with Parmesan mousse). There's also a selection of traditional pizzas.

For sweets you can savour the likes of Pecan smoked grappa gelato or Green Mango sour strap sorbet or treat yourself to Dessert by the Glass such as a Spiked Affogato (frangelico, espresso & pistachio gelato) or Sgrappino (Grappa, prosecco and mango sorbet).

Mario's bespoke cocktails include a Classic or House Negroni, Aperol Spritz or Amaretto Sour Della Casa as well as some inventive creations by the accomplished bar mixologist while Aperitivos de Casa include Bavanda (Grappa, Amaro, espresso and tonic) and House Chinotto (Cynar, Limoncello, Bianco vermouth & soda).

The curated wine list derives from Italy's best wine-growing regions and there's also a special Premium Reserve list which includes a Camparo Barolo DOCG magnum. There is also a bar snack menu of artisan meats, cheeses and olives. 

A guide to all of Brisbane's tiny bars HERE 

See our full list of the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane HERE