Buon Giorno!
When you're here, you're family!
Mario's Italian Café | Our Story
How it started in Brooklyn
The story of Mario’s Italian Cafés began in 1961 when founder Mario Del Guidice started his career in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. After vacationing in Palm Springs, Mario moved his family here in 1972 and opened his first Mario’s location.
Now boasting three generations of restaurateurs, Mario’s Italian Cafés has served the Coachella Valley for over 50 years, with locations in Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Bermuda Dunes, and Sun City / Palm Desert. Mario and his family have been delighting residents with old-world family recipes and authentic Italian food and pizza prepared at their award-winning restaurants.
Made fresh, every single morning
With over fifty years in, Mario still arrives in the kitchen each morning to make sauces, sausages, and pastas — that's why each bite has homemade Italian love in it.
Giving back every Monday
Every Monday, Mario's donates meals to more than a thousand first responders, neighbors, and local causes. Being voted Best of the Desert is an honor, but helping the community is what they're most proud of.
Come as a guest, leave as family
Generous portions, fair prices, and the Valley's famous $5 glass of wine — Chianti, Chablis, or Burgundy. Whether it's your first visit or your five hundredth, you're always welcome at the table.
