Welcome to Osteria Maria
Osteria Maria, nestled in Front Royal, Virginia, is a haven for authentic Italian cuisine. Inspired by traditional flavors, it offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that evokes the charm of a quaint Italian café. Each dish is crafted with care, from the tender Gnocchi Sorrentina to the celebrated Lasagna—touted by patrons as the best they've tasted, elevating dining to a heavenly experience. The menu showcases artisanal starters and pastas, complemented by friendly service that makes every visit memorable. Whether you’re indulging in a classic Eggplant Parmigiana or relishing a glass of fine Italian wine, Osteria Maria invites you to savor genuine Italian delight.
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510 S Royal Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630, United States Hotline: +1 540-631-1101
Welcome to Osteria Maria, a charming Italian oasis located at 510 S Royal Ave in the heart of Front Royal, Virginia. This quaint eatery offers a delightful culinary experience, transporting guests straight to Italy without the need for a passport. With a commitment to authenticity and quality, Osteria Maria serves a variety of traditional dishes that celebrate the rich flavors of Italian cuisine, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers.
The ambiance here is inviting, fostering a laid-back atmosphere that is perfect for casual dining with friends or a romantic meal for two. As you step inside, you're greeted by a cozy decor that sets the stage for a truly memorable dining experience.
- Starters & Small Plates: The menu kicks off with a selection of enticing starters. The Smoked Salmon with Capers and Red Onions ($11.50) is a standout, featuring fresh ingredients that awaken the palate. For heartier appetites, the Boar Sausages with Balsamic Glaze ($9.50) offers a smoky, sweet flavor that is irresistibly enjoyable.
- Pasta & Entrees: Osteria Maria excels in pasta dishes, where freshness and flavor reign supreme. The Gnocchi Sorrentina has won rave reviews with its delightful, filling nature. Traditional options such as Spaghetti al Sugo di Carne ($14.50) and Lasagna have managed to capture the hearts—and taste buds—of many diners, including those who can distinguish authentic Italian cuisine from its Americanized counterparts.
- Desserts: To conclude your meal, do not miss out on the delectable Tiramisu. Described as "authentic" and "light enough to defy gravity," it promises to be the perfect sweet ending to a wonderful culinary journey.
What truly sets Osteria Maria apart is its dedication to customer satisfaction. Guests often highlight the friendly service, where staff are attentive without being intrusive, ensuring all needs are met. It’s no surprise that reviews from patrons like Shawn Prather and Dallane Sandoval sing praises of both the food and the welcoming atmosphere.
In conclusion, Osteria Maria isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a delightful escape into the heart of Italy. Whether you are yearning for a casual lunch, a cozy dinner, or a special event, this restaurant delivers an exceptional experience that will leave you eagerly planning your next visit. Bring your friends, indulge in the flavors of Italy, and prepare to be enchanted by Osteria Maria.
My wife and I really enjoyed the laid-back and Italian café atmosphere. Our meals were prepared to perfection. We will be back to try more dishes. They are now open for lunch on Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 to 2;30 pm.
A Caesar salad, lasagna and tiramisu. Get this and you will be so happy. Everything is fresh and delicious! The best lasagna I've ever had. Period. Unbelievably delicious
I came here for a Christmas dinner event with my colleagues, which was my first time coming here. I liked the ambience of the restaurant; it was quiet and peaceful the moment you walked in. Service and staff were excellent; they checked in on us to make sure everything was okay and explained the menu thoroughly. Overall, the food was excellent. I had the Gnocchi Sorrentina, which was delicious and filling. I highly recommend this place if you've never been there before. You won't be disappointed.
Incredible food and friendly service! I had the puttanesca, which was the perfect mix of salty and spicy. The gorgonzola gnocchi and cacio e pepe were flavorful and delicious. The stuffed mushrooms were also terrific. Our party of 8 was thoroughly satisfied. Highly recommended!
Amazing Italian food. Fun craft Italian beer and great red wine by the glass. We had pasta with vodka sau e which was amazing and a custom pizza. Recommend highly. We will be back.
Wonderful place. We started off with the calamari which was very tender. I had the Lasagna my wife had the Eggplant Parmesan and the father-in-law had Spaghetti and Meatballs. I had the Gelato and they had the Chocolate Mousse for dessert. The wine was also very good. Service was very friendly and they made you feel welcomed. I would highly recommend it.
In the late 80s, I lived in Germany. Although I am deeply in love with jaegerschnitzel, as a matter of variety, I also explored three different, first-generation Italian restaurants. The food was from Heaven. It was my first taste of Italian food absent the overly-sweetened American influence. 20 years later I ate authentic Italian on the Hill (an area of New York where five Italian families serve non-Americanized Italian dishes). Yet today I sit in Front Royal, Virginia, staring at a menu filled with the names of Italian dishes. This begs to ask. Is this real? Or is Virginia foolishly taunting those who would actually recognize real Italian food? I simply had to find out... To recap: I was seated immediately. My table and chair were immaculately clean. I was waited on within 10 seconds of being seated. It was a quiet, quaint little place, with an ambiance that begs you to fall in love. And so I started with an orange San Pellegrino and a caesar salad. The salad was fresh, and the dressing as perfect as any caesar salad could be, not drowned, but yet not wanting for more. For my entree, I went straight to the real test. Yes, the lasagna. While I command a thorough mastery of the English language, there is no language of this world that is even nearly capable of doing this lasagna justice. It is the single best I have ever tasted. Aside from returning here, I will eat no other lasagna for the rest of this earthly life. None. Ever. Only this. The tiramisu was authentic as well, and light enough to defy gravity. This entire dining experience was Heavenly. Am I awake? Or only dreaming? Perhaps there is only one way to find out. I must come back. I will return to this place one glorious day. Oh yes, I will.
Food was delicious. We got 2 different pastas which were perfect - closest to authentic Italian I've had in a long time. Meatballs were moist and so flavorful. Chocolate mousse was perfect: thick, smooth, chocolately. Calamari was fine - maybe too much breading and no sauce. Pizza (artichoke, ham, etc) was really good: thin crust, not burned but well cooked with light crunch; but hardly any toppings on it so not worth the price. Service 1st time wasn't bad - smiling and kind waitress, tho she never brought the complimentary bread and ended up bringing husband's 2nd beer at the end of the meal when we were ready to get the check. 2nd time the waitress hardly gave us much attention: never rude or nasty, but barely looked or talked with us bf hurrying away. No one was outright bad, just could have been better. Restaurant is small, simple, but quite cute and cozy. Maybe not crazy grand or high class, but one of the best homey and inviting Italian restaurants we've been to. Would absolutely return. :)