Known for serving up comforting Italian food to Fitzroy locals for decades, Marios is an iconic Italian restaurant established in 1986. Nestled in the heart of Fitzroy, Melbournians have long enjoyed the familiar red signs at front of the restaurant as they eat and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Brunswick Street. We spoke to the person who started it all, Mario, about what hospitality, the arts and what building community means to him.
What do you think makes Mario such a local favourite?
“Longevity is helpful, it’s played a crucial role. 35 years ago there were fancy restaurants and not a lot of middle ground. With a background in fine dining, we were confident we could strike a balance between creating an arts-centric space with a focus on accessible, high-quality fare. A strong connection with the arts, our menu’s focus has always been on delivering quality accessible Italian cuisine to communities made of artists and students, a niche that wasn’t extensively addressed back then”.
What is unique about your restaurant and its relationship with Fitzroy?
In adapting to Fitzroy’s evolving landscape, Mario highlighted the restaurant’s transformation into a haven for accessible, quality meals. He noted, “We crafted an enduring aesthetic, staying true to roots with good coffee, fresh vegetables, and traditional pasta dishes. Our approach emphasises authenticity, fostering a casual atmosphere and embracing Fitzroy’s genuine soul with music and art. Marios commitment to being open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner remains unwavering, challenging the conventional rhythms of the 1985 restaurant scene.”
Where does your interest in the arts come from? You have always had art in the restaurant and a strong focus on the arts, why is this?
The synergy between art and hospitality at Marios is no mere coincidence. Mario explains, “my profound interest in the arts stems from a personal passion for music, performance, and creativity.” For the past 30 years, Marios has upheld a tradition of hosting exhibitions in the restaurant every three weeks, seamlessly integrating art into its fabric.” Mario underscores, “It’s an integral part of Marios because Fitzroy has always been the epicentre of an alternative art scene frequented by musicians, actors, visual artists, performers, dancers, and numerous writers. Since our inception, embracing this ethos has been a constant thread weaving through our identity.”
What do you think is important about a strong connection between the arts and hospitality?
Mario reflected, “there is a natural synergy between artists and the hospitality industry. Artists, broadly speaking, have often needed to do other work to pay the rent. It’s been a continual through line from the beginning. There’s a mutual respect in the day-to-day lifestyle, shared between the arts and hospitality. We understand the artist’s way of life, a perspective that perhaps some other restaurants might not understand, fostering a vibrant cultural exchange.”
What made you switch to ArtsPay?
“In a simple way, people pay fees on transactions, and ArtsPay redirects these fees to support the arts. This incentive aligns with our ethos of championing local art and culture in a grassroots approach. ArtsPay is about nurturing the community, fostering a sustainable vision where diverse artistic expressions can thrive, and our businesses can continue to contribute to that.”
Marios’ enduring legacy stands as a testament to the intertwining of culinary delights and artistic endeavours, creating a vibrant space where food and creativity harmoniously converge. Marios remains an emblem of Italian comfort and cultural vibrancy, a testament to the rich tapestry of Melbourne’s culinary and artistic landscape, and it’s fantastic to have them be part of the ArtsPay story.
ArtsPay community member
Story by Vivian Nguyen.