Café Mars – Italian
Bathed in the glow of neon and buzzing with a playful, avant-garde energy, this vibrant eatery reimagines the Italian dining experience as a whimsical technicolor dream. The kitchen transforms nostalgic flavors into inventive, artful plates that surprise the palate, inviting diners to linger over bold textures and unexpected twists in a space that feels like a high-spirited dinner party.
272 3rd Avenue, NY 11215 +1-347-987-4225 https://cafemarsbk.comRating: 4.6/5 (164 reviews)
Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, low-carb, paleo, pescatarian, whole30, anti-inflammatory, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Café Mars
Dairy-Free at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 2 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Seasonal Beverage Pairing and Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Paleo at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 paleo-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Pescatarian at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 2 pescatarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Seasonal Beverage Pairing and Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Whole30 at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 whole30-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Anti-Inflammatory at Café Mars
Café Mars in Brooklyn has 1 anti-inflammatory-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Café Mars
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Feast of the Seven Fishes | 12 g | 10.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently open
Hours
- Wednesday - Saturday
- 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
- Sunday
- 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
What diners are saying
Diners celebrate Cafe Mars for its wildly creative and playful approach to Italian-American cuisine, set within a funky, modern space in Gowanus. Standout dishes frequently praised include the "ah-mazing" monkey bread with garlic butter, the unique gel olives, and the lemon-forward girelle pasta. While some found portions small or certain items hit-or-miss, guests consistently highlight the excellent fried options like asparagus and mushrooms. The service is widely described as friendly and attentive, contributing to a memorable, fine-dining experience with a relaxed, vibrant vibe.
Menu
Tasting Menus
Special seasonal and holiday offerings
- Feast of the Seven Fishes: A 7-course, family-style (ish!) tasting menu, consisting of 12 different servings with 20+ products of the sea. Each dish is inspired by Global Italian regions, including Tropical Italian influences. Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free
- Seasonal Beverage Pairing: An optional curated beverage pairing to accompany the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic
Frequently Asked Questions about Café Mars
- What is the restaurant's atmosphere and style?
- Café Mars offers a funky, modern Gowanus space characterized by neon lighting, playful avant-garde energy, and a high-spirited dinner party style.
- How extensive is this restaurant's menu selection?
- The menu features creative Italian-American options including monkey bread, gel olives, girelle pasta, fried asparagus, and the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Café Mars specializes in creative Italian-American cuisine featuring inventive dishes like monkey bread, gel olives, and lemon-forward girelle pasta.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include monkey bread with garlic butter, gel olives, lemon-forward girelle pasta, fried asparagus, mushrooms, and Feast of the Seven Fishes.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Café Mars has an overall average rating of 4.6/5, reflecting positive diner feedback regarding its creative Italian-American menu offerings.
- Is this a good spot for a date or special occasion?
- With a 4.6/5 rating, this funky, modern space offers playful Italian-American cuisine and attentive service suitable for special occasions.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- Café Mars has a total of 164 reviews from diners who have shared their feedback about the restaurant's dining experience.
- Does this restaurant offer good ambiance?
- Diners praise the funky, modern space in Gowanus for its playful energy and friendly, attentive service.
- What is the overall customer sentiment about this restaurant?
- Rated 4.6/5, diners praise the creative monkey bread and friendly service, though some find portions small or certain items hit-or-miss.
- Does this restaurant have a website or online ordering?
- Café Mars has a website at https://cafemarsbk.com, but the provided information does not specify if online ordering is available.
- Is Café Mars dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Café Mars has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Feast of the Seven Fishes.
- What can I eat at Café Mars on a dairy-free diet?
- Feast of the Seven Fishes carry the dairy-free tag, out of 1 tagged dish on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Is Café Mars gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Café Mars?
- Feast of the Seven Fishes, at roughly 10.1g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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