TLDR
Retro-future spaceship vibes meet highly creative, whimsical Italian cuisine at this Gowanus standout. Perfectly funky for a celebratory night out.
Café Mars, a new Gowanus restaurant, offers an 'unusual Italian' experience with unique starters, creative pastas, and distinctive main courses.
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Café Mars, a unique Italian restaurant in Gowanus, highlighting its retro-future ambiance, creative cocktails, and standout dishes like baked potato gnocchi and pork rib Parm.
Details
Located in Gowanus, this destination offers a whimsical and retro-future spaceship-adjacent atmosphere that sets it apart from typical Italian eateries [1]. The menu features modern, creative takes on classic Italian cuisine, including inventive starters and housemade pastas [1], [5], [6]. It is widely considered a neighborhood standout for those seeking a stylish, non-traditional dining experience [1], [2].
Food Overview
The menu is noted for being whimsical and non-traditional, featuring hits like the decadent pork rib Parm and the baked potato gnocchi, which is praised for its spot-on flavor profile [1]. While the jell-olives offer a creative texture, the menu's housemade pastas—such as the Slinky-like 'waves'—are consistently high-ranking [1].
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended items include the baked potato gnocchi, the 'waves' pasta with shrimp, and the decadent, cold-smoked pork rib Parm [1]. For groups of five or more, the restaurant offers a convenient set menu [8]."
Customer Sentiment
Patrons consistently praise the restaurant for its unique, modern, and funky atmosphere, which is frequently cited as an ideal choice for birthday celebrations [2], [5]. Feedback highlights a genuinely interesting and superior dining experience compared to larger restaurant groups [5].
Caveats
The 'Sonic Rickey' cocktail is quite assertive and may be too sweet for some palates [1]. Additionally, the jell-olives are considered a unique textural experience, but the reviewer noted that a single bite was sufficient [1].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About CAFE MARS
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Elevated Family Stylechefs Choice But Not A
"The user suggests Cafe Mars for parties of five or more, noting they offer a set menu."
PositiveFrom post: Im Bored Of Italian Food Italian Restaurant For
"Cafe Mars is highly recommended for its genuinely interesting and modern take on Italian cuisine, positioning it as superior to other restaurants from large groups."
PositiveFrom post: Im Bored Of Italian Food Italian Restaurant For
"Cafe Mars is noted for having a very whimsical Italian menu, suggesting it offers a creative and non-traditional Italian experience."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurants Like C As In Charlie
"This user suggests Cafe Mars, describing its atmosphere as pretty funky."
NeutralFrom post: Iso Recc For A Celebratory But Not Stuffy Or
"The original poster notes that Cafe Mars is a great recommendation but they have dined there recently for another celebration and are looking for a different place."
NeutralFrom post: Iso Recc For A Celebratory But Not Stuffy Or
"Cafe Mars is recommended as a good option."
NeutralFrom post: Iso Birthday Dinner Recs In Brooklyn
"This user recommended Cafe Mars, stating that it has a unique atmosphere suitable for a birthday celebration."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurants With Nice Private Dining Areas Or
"Cafe Mars was recommended as a place with a private dining area."
Positive