Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood describes itself as "a unique interpretation of a Classic American Steakhouse" — and that framing holds up. Located in the heart of Marco Island, Florida, the restaurant layers French, Italian, and Asian influences over a core commitment to USDA Prime beef and high-quality seafood, with Executive Chef Roberto Rocha bringing a distinctly Peruvian sensibility to the kitchen that sets it apart from any conventional steakhouse.

The Chef Behind the Menu

Chef Rocha's path to Marco Prime is worth knowing. He began teaching himself about cuisine at 25, then joined the Carvelli Restaurant Group in 2007 to train under Chef Francesco Carvelli. That foundation led him to Tanta, a celebrated Peruvian restaurant in Chicago, where he refined his understanding of fine dining. His return to Marco Prime as Executive Chef signals, in the restaurant's own words, "an exciting new era" — one grounded in Peruvian cooking techniques applied to the finest available ingredients.

What's on the Plate

The beef program centers on American Black Angus Hi Choice and Prime cuts alongside all-natural Australian Wagyu, raised in the manner of Kobe beef for high marbling and maximum tenderness. On the seafood side, whole fish is received daily from around the world and broken down in-house by the kitchen team — a deliberate step to ensure quality control. Guests have singled out the sea bass, salmon, and filet mignon in reviews, with one party of eight noting that "all steaks were perfect — the filet was tender like butter."

Beyond the à la carte menu, the Signature Experience offers an exclusive six-course chef's tasting menu with optional wine pairings, available with 48 hours' notice. The restaurant also hosts wine dinners — including multi-course collaborations featuring producers like Hundred Acre — that draw on its custom-built wine cellar.

The Wine List and Recognition

That cellar is no afterthought. Wine Spectator has recognized Marco Prime with its Award of Excellence every year since 2014, most recently with the Best of Award of Excellence in 2025 — the program's mid-tier honor, reserved for restaurants offering both depth and breadth across regions and vintages. The bar extends the wine focus with a broad by-the-glass selection, signature cocktails, single malts, and a seasonal happy-hour menu served exclusively at the bar.

The Room and the Experience

The atmosphere is described as "modern yet warm" — a balance the front-of-house team works to maintain through attentive, knowledgeable service. The Carvelli Restaurant Group, which operates several Marco Island properties, brings institutional hospitality experience to the floor. Whether the occasion is a wedding anniversary, a large group dinner, or a quiet weeknight table, Marco Prime has built a consistent reputation as one of the island's go-to destinations for fine dining with genuine substance behind it.