- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Roma Café
Categories: Restaurants Italian Restaurants Steakhouses Italian, Steakhouses [Edit]
3401 Riopelle StDetroit, MI 48207
Neighbourhood: Eastern Market
(313) 831-5940
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 10:30 pm
Sat 11 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
59 reviews for Roma Café
Review Highlights
-
"Their meat sauce is heavenly; rich, meaty, savory and sweet." In 5 reviews -
"Old school Italian through and through." In 6 reviews -
"Family owned so the service is very good." In 4 reviews
Loading...
59 reviews in English
-
Review from Jaclyn S.
Village of Clarkston, MI
1/26/2012
This restaurant is only a couple minutes from my home, and it is a shame I haven't been here sooner.
Food
The food was great. We had the shrimp and scallop saute, as an appetizer. The scallops were amazing, and the sauce was perfect. The shrimp was unusually fishy, which I didn't care for, but my husband loved. For an entree, I got the petite filet mignon and my husband got the lobster tails. The filet was cooked to perfection, especially for a petite. Juicy on the inside, and very char grilled on the outside, it was a perfect combination. The lobster tails were apparently really good, too, but I have not much to compare. At the end of the night, we received two free cannolis. I didn't have any room left, but I definitely stuffed them down. Oh, and the drinks were very generous.
Atmosphere
Detroit's oldest restaurant, from the outside, doesn't leave too much to be desired, however, the inside, it definitely contains some old world charm that takes you back to Detroit's glory days.
Service
The service was impeccable. Everything you would expect from a 5 star restaurant. Very attentive and formal. The waiters seem to be, for the most part, Italian immigrants. Their service is almost a performance to make you feel the era and style. I was actually very impressed. -
Review from Emily M.
Warren, MI
5/20/2012
I had not been to Roma Cafe in years but it was always a place my family went to when I was growing up on special occasions. I remember it being one of the best Italian restaurants. Well.....not anymore. The place was packed with people, the tables were so close together I kept getting a waiter's butt in my face every time he served the table next to us. They must have had some A/C issues because the place was so stuffy. I had no idea it was such a big post Tiger's game stop, because I can't imagine eating an expensive Italian meal after a game. Apparently a lot of people do, because the place was full of loud, obnoxious, drunks. There were two couples at the table next to us and the men were so drunk they were swearing, arguing with their wives/girlfriends and one guy actually fell out of his chair. Of course this is not the restaurant's fault, but I couldn't believe they were still serving them! Even though this was a "date night" we didn't talk much the entire time because I was tired of yelling across the table, it was so loud in there.
So the atmosphere sucked, but I thought maybe the food might make up for it. I ordered the seafood pasta at $25 and was told they were out of scallops. I didn't see anything else on the menu I really wanted since most of the pasta dishes had meat, cheese or cream sauce so I went ahead and ordered it anyway. It was very bland, the clams were weird, the shrimp was crunchy, and most disappointing at all, nothing was homemade or fresh. I could tell the little bits of carrots and green beans were right out of a frozen bag. I could have made this dish myself and I'm not a good cook. I don't know where they get off charging $25 for this dish. I didn't even miss the scallops because I'm assuming they would have been crunchy as well. My boyfriend had veal and said it was just okay. On the plus side, our service was great and the food came out fast so we could eat and get the hell out of there. I can't believe without my Living Social deal this would have been an $80 meal, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine and a dessert. What a rip off!! I live right down the street from an Andiamo which is in the same price range and 10 times better. Actually I think I could get better Italian food at the Olive Garden or maybe even Pizza Hut Tuscani pasta. Anything would be better. I am so mad we went here. Not worth it!!! -
Review from D R.
Grosse Pointe, MI
4/11/2012
Dis-a-point-ed. Was very excited to try Detroit's oldest Italian restaurant. Driving up, the restaurant looked appealing, old school in a good way and even had a group of heavy- set, older "Soprano-esque" gentlemen entering which led me to believe this was the real deal.
Host/ mgr was very nice and gave us a good table even though my date and I were under dressed. We had planned on stopping in for a quick appetizer and a drink and did not expect there was a VERY limited appetizer menu and the cheapest thing on the menu was pasta with red sc ($15.50). Every other item was 18.50- 26.00.
I ordered the Chicken Tosca which I thought would be similar to an item I've gotten at another restaurant. Romas didn't come with the mushrooms and onions I was accustomed to, so I asked to have it added. "let me ask" the waiter said. He came back and said "no, but you can get the chicken cacciatorre" This was a completely different dish?!?!?. I asked what the Tosca came with - just sauteed chicken in sauce?, I asked. "no" was the reply. "What else is in it?" "There is no sauce in the Tosca" he said.
$18.50 for chicken dipped in egg and sauteed in butter. I ended up ordering another chicken dish for $20 and it was dry beyond belief requiring a steak knife to get through.
Bread on table had two black threads on top and there were long blonde hairs on the table cloth leading me to believe they reused the bread and didn't clean the table cloth after the previous diners.
Server was VERY attentive. Too much, which I didn't think was possible or could ever be a bad thing. We must have been his only table. He would ask if everything was alright, walk to the servers stand (10 ft away), then immediately back to the table and look, server stand, table, server stand, table with water to refill my full water, back and forth to the point that I couldn't have a conversation with my date.
I want to believe these were problems that could be chalked up to an inexperienced server and my crappy food was a fluke, so I may try again if I'm in the area. Tooooo Baaad -
Review from Larry S.
4/21/2012
Oh Roma Cafe, how I love you. This place is hands down the BEST Italian restaurant around. Located in Eastern market and the oldest restaurant in Detroit, you have to take a trip down there if you live out of the city. The veal is amazing and so is everything else. TRY THE VEAL.............
-
Review from Ankit M.
Ann Arbor, MI
12/30/2011
Came to Roma Cafe for my parents 30th anniversary. It must certainly be a favorite spot for the locals as I saw three different groups address the waitstaff and hostess as if they've known each other for a decade.
Anyways, food was traditional Italian - you can probably guess the entire menu. Our server was hospitable and very nice, but didn't blow me off my feet (I try not to put servers on pedestals just because they wear tuxedos). They were definitely understaffed, because nobody checked on us for 10 mins as soon as we sat down.
They ran out of minstrone soup (which was their only soup) AND gnocci by 9pm. That was disappointing since it was exactly the two dishes I ordered. Also, all the pasta dishes we ordered were overcooked (my brother said it tasted like Chef Boyardee).
Other notables: the tables are very close to each other (in case you're wondering), and if you're going there for a special occasion, tell them (they'll have someone sing to you and it sounds like the opera - this was the highlight).
Overall, I wouldn't come here again. Nothing special unless you wanna go to an average restaurant with legacy. -
Review from Maria B.
10/5/2011
Roma Cafe is a Detroit Legend!
A legend (as defined by the Miriam-Webster dictionary) is a 'story' coming down from the past...regarded as historical although 'not verifiable'.
In other words, the tale of Roma Cafe being this "Authentic" "Old school" "Italian" restaurant is nothing more than a myth.
My biggest issue with this place is the food and service.
Looking over the sticky sauce splashed menu, i couldn't decide what to order. So i decided to start off with a cup of Minestrone. Nothing says comfort and cozy on a chilly 45 degree day like a cup of soup. The Minestrone was okay, mediocre at best.
Then for the entree i ordered the Friday special, Linguine tossed in garlic & olive oil with calamari. An all around terrible dish! How can you go wrong with only 4-5 ingredients??? It looked and tasted like sad leftovers. The linguine were clumped together as if they had been cooked, put in the fridge or freezer, then dropped on a frying pan to heat up, getting wayyyy overcooked and crispy. Yes crispy! A word i have NEVER used to describe pasta.
As for the calamari, they were gummy, dry, and def NOT edible! Prob on par with the terrible calamari experience i had at the Beach Grill...what a nightmare!
Onto dessert, i had THE WORST tiramisu! The lady fingers were dry, no coffee flavor (which is supposed to be the most pronounced flavor in this dessert), and THEN they had the nerve to top it off with Hershey's squeezable chocolate syrup!!!! A disgrace to Italians everywhere!
The canoli, on the other hand, was actually pretty decent. Probably the only highlight of our dining experience. Fresh ricotta was used and the shell was nice and crispy.
However, this fuzzy feeling didn't last long once my eXpresso arrived. What 'authentic' Italian restaurant spells espresso with an X? Who does that? Even the local diner by my house and McDonald's for that matter, knows better. I know i'm going off on a tangent, but these little nuances get to me. As an Italian, i was offended by this ignorace. Not to mention that disgrace of a caffenated drink they were calling an eXpresso, which was nothing more than hot water with a hint of espresso.
Service was equally bad. Our server was rude, obnoxious, and not in the the least bit hospitable. When taking our table's order, one of my co-workers asked for soup instead of salad and he asks her "are you trying to make my job harder?"....i guess he was the one cooking the soup back there, who knew???
Also, the tables in Roma Cafe are packed sooo tightly that every time our waiter was going by or collecting our plates, his swinging suit jacket kept hitting me and others at our table with whatever he kept in those pockets. Then at the end our meal, it was like our waiter was in an aggressive competition to try and collect everyone's plates, napkins, and silverware, ALL in one visit. I've never seen anyone clank, stack, and rush so much in collecting plates. Was this some new extreme sport?
All around, Roma Cafe was a bad experience. Do yourselves a favor and skip this restaurant! -
Review from Brian S.
Detroit, MI
9/26/2011
Since 1890 Roma Cafe has been open here in Eastern Market. So it has a rich history, but you know what, I am leaning on ONE STAR.
THIS PLACE IS LIKE EATING IN A FUNERAL HOME !
$15 for spaghetti ? Are you kidding me ? It would be okay, if everything were homemade, but who are you fooling ?
I am Italian and I know Italian, truth is, THIS PLACE IS A ROYAL JOKE. Anyone who praises this place either has A.) not been here in 20 years. B.) Drunk when they came here. C.) Or just does not have clue what Italia food should be !
If you want true Italian, save your money and head to Windsor ! Or go to Giovanni's on Oakwood, or Vince's on Springwells.
I ordered the Gnocchi and I asked the waiter if it was homemade. He stated that it was and when my plate arrived, I knew I had been lied to. All the Gnocchi perfectly cut and bland, just like the bag in the freezer section of the grocer.
Get me back to Spagos.
WORST RESTAURANT IN THE CITY OF DETROIT !
The Sossi family ought to apologise on where they have let this landmark go as Mrs Marazza would turn over in her grave knowing what her restaurant has become.Listed in: All things Detroit....
-
Review from Heidi M.
7/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hmm, maybe my expectations were too high....maybe it will be better after they finish their renovations (happening the next week)? I respect that this is the oldest Italian restaurant in Detroit, but I'm not sure if the owners and employees do. I wanted old, charming, and filled with character. I got hurried, dirty, and character from the 1970's.
If I didn't have a Groupon to save me some green, I would also be complaining that this place is way over priced.
The joke there was, "You better hurry up and finish your (insert food or beverage here) or the waiter is going to snatch it from you!" Talk about hovering, could ya give me some room to breath?
Regarding the food...
-The fried calamari was fair, the red sauce served with it was very good, probably the best part of the meal.
-The minestrone soup was good, nothing too special. Lots of rice, not many beans, and no other soup options to choose from.
-The baked canelloni had decent flavor but was very salty, greasy, and mushy. The pasta was way overcooked and nothing had any texture. I ate maybe 1/3 of my entree and didn't care to take the leftovers with me.
-I thought the wine was overpriced at $8 a glass for a no name pinot grigio.
Everything on the menu seemed very heavy. Not many fresh things to choose from.
Maybe they need to renovate more than the interiors... -
Review from Lorna D.
5/8/2011
It's old, it's sweet. A comforting constant in a shifty world. Glad we were in their book-it was absolutely packed, the pace frenetic. Our two-spot was wedged in a corner against a wood-paneled wall as were the other small tables in that room and we settled in, enjoying our bread and wine. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant, just a bit scrambly from all the running.
The calamari is a combo of rings and tentacles...was hoping for less of the daunting, grey clusters. Our entrees were quite good, though too pricey for the portion size. Rich, layered creations of sauce and cheese served up in the hottest casserole dishes. My eggplant parm was delicious though a bit salty, and Uncle Butch's cannelloni was devoured with gusto.
Intermittently we'd hear a sweet voice singing over the din and sure enough we'd find a waiter bent down smiling whilst serenading a birthday girl-six and sixty, respectively. Aww-more of that, please. More charm, less bustle. Fewer tables, more air-it was stuffy. Lower lights. More romance, please-I found myself missing the old Lelli's. This was a special anniversary dinner, and though it was fun to enter the throng and later get spit back out into the city full and wineglowy, was it special?
It's old, it's sweet...it is what it is. *(Not sure why there's a link in that last sentence or how to get rid of it!)* -
Review from Paul M.
Troy, MI
3/3/2012
Wretched, burnt tasting sauce on mushy spaghetti served with cold, dried-out chicken. What a dump. Worst tasting Italian food I've ever been served.
-
Review from Lynn H.
5/24/2011
We visited here in February with friends. Although we had a reservation, we waited for a full 20 minutes to be seated. Since our wait was spent in the extremely people-watching-friendly bar area, we didn't mind, but still...
Once we were seated, service was expert and friendly without being intrusive. All four of us enjoyed our dinners. Mine was pan-fried scallops, which doesn't strike me as traditional Italian, but which was delicioso nonethesless. -
Review from Xiang L.
Livonia, MI
12/18/2011
after having been spoiled by chicago-style and new york-style italian cuisines, i decided to find the places to go to in detroit land.
my favourite italian restuarant is GIULIOS CUCINA ITALIANO in livonia michigan, however, it is local and i am curious about detroit land.
several of my friends raved about ROMA cafe and i was so excited to eat there, having spent so much at bert's in eastern market and not knowing it was only a couple blocks away (walking distance!!!) from bert's marketplace.
so i get there and immediately charmed with the building and outdoor decor.
you go inside and realise it truly is one of the oldest restaurants in town. they have kept up that charm wonderfully.
since i usually eat alone (this first time with a new acquaintance --- let's face it, blind date from a another friend) i sit at the bar.
immediately i meet the REGULARS! they are all inviting and charming. there is one family which is a mother and son and friends and another table (booth) --- there are three booths in the bar area --- and the other one is occupied by the family (three generations!)
the bartender was excellent.
our server was a bit on the pushy and annoyed side. he was friendly - but pushy and wanting to 'hurry us along'. it was a big day downtown with the game and getting people in and out.
the crowd got to be pretty thick in the bar to watch the game previews. and dining area was full!
will give roma's another try.
when i go into italian restuarants, i opt for the eggplant parmagiana or lasagna. my accompaniment chose a white sauce dish.
the salad was good. the bread could be improved. my soup was excellent.
next time, will go there alone. or with a bunch of girlfriends.
cheers,
xiang cclc -
Review from Pam L.
Northville, MI
12/28/2011
Detroit's oldest restaurant located in Eastern Market was a wonderful experience. My first time there. Hubby has not been there in 25 years. Some of the best Italian meat sauce I have ever had and I ordered the Gnocchi which was perfection. Definitely HOMEMADE! I also ordered eggplant and chicken parm and it was delightful. Huge portions. I ate for 3 meals!! Minestrone soup was some of the finest I have had. Hubby had some of the finest frog legs Roadhouse Style he has had in years. Excellent waiters in tuxedos offer fine service. No long wait for our food. You don't have to dress really fancy anymore to dine in a place like this which is nice. Lots of locals and downtowners dining there. Get there early to avoid the crowd or make a reservation. We will be back!! Nice Coupons available online. to get a discount too.
-
Review from Joan W.
Walled Lake, MI
2/28/2012
We were in Eastern Market area for a photo shoot. Several of the people recommended going to Cafe Roma for lunch. The next time I see the people that referred us, I am going to ask when was the last time that they ate here. Before I share all that was not good, I do want to say the service was impeccable. However, this place is sorely in need of an update, the decor, server uniforms, and menu felt like something from the 60s. All white male servers, really in this day and age? The food was really unimpressive. I ordered their chicken with archichoke and aparagus, which came without the asparagus. My colleague ordered one of their ravoli dishes, which the pasta was over done and mushy. Both dishes and my side of spaghetti were blah; the garlic and oregano were definitely MIA! The food came out incredibily fast, seriously within 10 minutes, which after we tasted our meals led us to the conclusion we were eating food from steam tables versus fresh meals prepared to order. The Tiramisu was like eating yellow cake with a few layers of icing. The chain Italian restaurants have more flavorful foods.
-
Review from Ron C.
2/10/2011
Dined here last Night , to beat the Valentine Crowd of this weekend.
I also bought the Groupon a week ago $40 worth of Food or Wine for
$ 20 [ Sweet Deal ]
We arrived at 6:55 pm and were Promptly Seated and "PAULIE" was our magnificent Server! A +
I ordered the Petite Fillet , Minestrone soup , & a side of pasta
A+
My Bride ordered the Chicken Marsala , Minestrone and a side of pasta
B-
as the Marsala sauce was too thin & runny and lacked that bold color & taste
The Sturdy Bread they Serve was also a A
And Dave Rozema was seated near us and gave us a hearty hello
always good to see a TIGER -
Review from Anna S.
2/2/2011
I've been to Roma's three times now, most recently with the new Groupon that came out. All three times we've been adequately impressed, but not blown away. I'd really give Roma 3.5 stars.
The service is strange. It's very hurried, and almost sloppy. I made a reservation for John and I (my husband), just to be sure that we'd be able to get a seat on their Monday night Italian Buffet. When we arrived a manager guy asked us to wait for the hostess - we stood there for no more than a minute or two and he frustratingly asked a server to seat us. As the server lead us through the crowded dining room to our table, he sloppily grabbed an extra chair and proceeded to attempt to drag it between two seated guests, thusly banging it against both of them and interrupting their meal. It was both funny and embarassing. He did it again later while seating another table - just ridiculous, in a silly kind of way. The service was good-enough for the rest of our meal, however.
The food is fantastic. Not uber-gourmet italian, just perfect, homey comfort food. Their meat sauce is heavenly; rich, meaty, savory and sweet. Chicken Marsala was divine - tender chicken with a slightly sweet marsala sauce over light breading. Italian sausage was okay, not that flavorful to me. The veal parmesan was great; tender, lightly breaded and seasoned nicely - paired with the meat sauce and melted cheese and you'll plotz. The antipasto trays and salad is great as well. The salad is lightly dressed and flavorful. The canolli for dessert is always a nice touch.
The pricing is a bit much, which is why the Monday night buffet is really a good deal. Veal parm, baked penne, spagetti, chicken marsala, green beans, some other type of beef dish and lots of sides including the canolli and salad is only $17 per person. Most of their dishes on the menu start at $15 and go up.
All in all I say go, best if armed with an Entertainment book coupon or a wealthy relative. Get something with meat sauce, too. -
Review from Robyn T.
4/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I want to like Roma Cafe more than I think I actually do. Don't get me wrong, they make a mean lasagna, but to be honest, I've found one on http://allrecipes.com that can top it.
My party and I went for Detroit Restaurant Week. I was early so I stopped at the bar and ordered a Cosmo. It was good, I mean really good. The bartender said it was her specialty and I believe it.
The rest of the party showed up and we were seated. Now I don't know if we were treated differently because of DRW, but I instantly got the strange feeling we were considered less of a priority to our neighboring tables.
When our server reached us, we placed our 3 course dinner orders and off he went. It took an unusually long time for our food to arrive but when it did, it looked great.
We ordered lasagna and chicken parmesan. Everything was very tasty and the lasagna was gooey and cheesy (aka perfect). The only complaint was the marinara sauce seemed really thin. And that's a huge pet peeve of mine.
The service was average and the food was good, but I probably wouldn't make a special trip. Definitely the highlight of dinner was the history of the building. -
Review from Michael D.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
12/28/2011
Great staff, food authentic atmosphere is oldschool!
-
Review from Wally S.
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Can I say old school again. And I mean that in the best way possible.
The Roma Cafe is "old school" Italian and it's wonderful. It brings back the a simpler time and place. Don't look for fancy nouveau dishes here. No matter what I try, I think they specialty is a nice heavy tomato sauce with a lot of meat and a wonderful taste of olives mixed in.
The bread is thick crusted and tasty as expected, the salad is light, cool, and fresh. The soup, that day was chicken, was mild yet flavorful.
For my main course I ordered Chicken Scaloppine a la Tosca (ok.. it's a little fancy). Thinly sliced chicken coated with an egg, cheese & garlic butter & sauteed in butter. Awesome.... butter, butter, butter... and a bit of chicken on the side. The chicken was superb, perfectly cooked, the sauce was light and flavorful as it moved across my tongue.
I think we need more restaurants like Roma Cafe. Fine food, excellent service, and a wonderful old atmosphere. It's so unique that you fell that Sinatra might just be the next person to walk in the door. This is a place to share food and drink with friends and family. This is what dining used to always be about and still is today. -
Review from Barry S.
New Baltimore, MI
10/17/2011
Shithole. that is that the place is. Sauce here = ketchup and ground beef.. The tortilini was inedible. So overcooked that it was unbelievable. The lasagna was nothing but one pasta layer and a bunch of microwaved cheese. Do you self a favor and go to La dolce Vita. This place is terrible. I'm not sure how anyone who knows what italian food is can enjoy this place, certainly no italians can like this place. Not to mention it was so damn cold in there the waiter didn't put ice cubes in my water. (he really did but go with my exaggeration).
"o hi barry what did you get for lunch yesterday?"
"O i got a lump of cheese with ketchup. for 18$."
"o i wouldn't go back there again."
"i'm not."
^ that is the conversation i would have if someone asked me what i had for lunch the day after i went to this place. -
Review from Karen C.
Sterling Heights, MI
3/26/2011
The food was just ok. The staff was friendly. It's a family owned restaurant and the oldest restaurant in Detroit. That night, the ceiling was dripping water because of the rain. They waiters started poking at it and the whole tile crumbled down. It was disgusting but didn't ruin my appetite.
I ordered the veal which was just alright. The spaghetti that came with it wasn't that special either. My brother ordered the chicken marsala. The sauce was runny but tasted ok. My bf ordered half pesto, half marinara pasta. The pesto was not good and the marinara was just ok. It was nice that the waiter accommodated for him being a vegetarian.
All in all, the food was just ok. Nothing to brag about. Over priced for what they gave you. -
Review from Paul S.
Novi, MI
5/18/2011
My favorite Italian place in Detroit. The restaurant is tucked away in a pretty obscure corner of Eastern Market, but I think it's definitely worth a visit. Between the dim and intimate atmosphere and the great dishes, I'm a fan of this place.
I like the heavier more traditional Italian dishes (lasagna, cannelloni, etc.), but their veal, steak, and fish dishes are also really good.
The prices are a little high, but it's a cool spot for a date or family dinner. Not necessarily an everyday restaurant, but worth checking out. -
Review from Vicki C.
Royal Oak, MI
3/24/2009 ROTD 8/14/2009
My family has been going here since way before I was born - I was even baptized on a Saturday so they could have the meal after at the Roma (they're closed on Sundays). We always went here or to Joe Muer's for birthdays and other family holidays. We still go as a family at least a few times a year.
The food is the best Italian in the entire Detroit area. I realize that is a bold statement, but I'm stickin' to it. I'm part Italian, so I'm pretty finicky about Italian cuisine.
There's something about the meat sauce at the Roma that just transcends all other local places - it tastes like the Bolognese in Italy. There's a touch of nutmeg (which I normally can't stand) that just rounds out the meat and tomato flavors perfectly. Everything they make it super-fresh (the Eastern Mkt. location facilitates this very well) and since they've been cooking for over 100 years, they know what they're doing!
The Roma's meat entrees are great too: "How's the veal in this place?" "Best in the city!" (The Godfather). The saltimbocca is my favorite, but the marsala is delicious as well. The chicken with artichokes is very good as well.
The meals are ENORMOUS - you will definitely need a doggie bag, and you'll have enough for 2 more meals. All of the entrees come with soup, and also pasta if you get a meat dish. However, I would recommend getting the soup wrapped up and just taking a couple bites of the pasta, so you can order the Roma salad to share to start the meal. Each waiter makes it himself - the basic recipe is the same but with an individual touch. The quality of the ingredients is what transforms a plain salad w/ vinaigrette into a special treat.
If you have room for dessert (yeah, right), I highly recommend the cannoli (filled to order) or the spumoni ice cream from Alinosi's - both are delicious.
So, if the food is so incredible, why only 4 stars? I liked the decor as a kid, because it was the scene of so many happy family memories, but as I've gotten older, the place feels as if it lacks intimacy. The bar has a good feel, but the tables are very oddly positioned in that room. Always feel like I'm eating on stage or something in the other 2 rooms, it's the weirdest feeling.
The newer waiters don't seem very friendly, but the old guys who have been serving at the Roma for over 25 years (I think there's only 1 or 2 left at this point) are sweethearts. Granted, they've watched me grow up, so that may have something to do with it.
Don't even try to eat here on a Saturday night without a reservation. Not gonna happen. It's worth planning ahead to take a trip back in time and dine on the best Italian food in the Detroit area - buon appetito! -
Review from Tom S.
Waterford, MI
9/7/2011
Honestly, I am shocked at the mediocre reviews this place was getting. I thought it was fantastic. We went during the summer on a Saturday afternoon and absolutely loved it. I had the ravioli and italian sausage; it was by far the best italian sausage i have had since my grandparents died. unbelievable, and we make our own, so we were impressed. the sauce was great. My wife's lasagna was great. Bread and salad: great, great. Waiter -- ok, he was pretty funny. They gave us great service and were extremely courteous. I don't have a whole lot of clever things to say except that you should try it. There is not a ton of good, authentic Italian food, but this was tops that I have had in metro Detroit
-
Review from Matt B.
Ypsilanti, MI
10/3/2008
In the world of Italian eateries, there are many originals, and many imitators. Roma Cafe is one of the originals, doing traditional Italian classics up in a manner that would evoke images of sitting in a small family home in Rome, or Milan, or Sicily (whatever suits your fancy), and being served a big heaping plate of food by some old Italian grandmother with the words, "Mange, mange!"
My roommate, who is not a huge fan of Italian, has argued that the food here is some of the best Italian he's ever had...and I agree with him.
When I was there last, I got a plate of spaghetti with meat sauce and italian sausage, and I could tell just by looking at it it was going to be good. Rich, red sauce, with tomato flavor that tasted like they'd crushed perfectly-ripe tomatoes that day (given their proximity to Eastern Market, they likely had!), savory meat mixed in and just enough oregano, onion, and garlic as to give it a slight spice, but nothing overpowering. The pasta itself was flavorful, mixing nicely with the sauce, but again, the flavors married, rather than overpowering one or the other.
Then came the sausage -- and this wasn't hot Italian sausage, and it wasn't sweet, either. It had a little spice to it -- thyme, garlic, onion, and sage, but it wasn't overpowering, nor was it so muted that it was invisible behind the pasta and sauce. The best way I could describe it is intense -- you KNOW what you're eating, but again, it doesn't steal the show.
So why do I give the place 3 stars if the food was so amazing? Well, the service is the main reason why. While the place hearkens back to 1920s and 1930s style dining (all the waiters are in tuxedos, and there isn't a waitress to be seen anywhere), the service is more like 2000s dive than anything else. The waiter we had seemed inattentive, uninterested, and really didn't seem to care, almost like we were occupying "his valuable time" or something. He had put on airs a bit, and it was off-putting enough that I will think twice before returning there. Best Italian in Detroit it may be, but if the service is substandard, I don't want to go there.
That said, you may not have the experience I had, so if you really like tasty Italian, Roma Cafe's probably it. -
Review from Lindsey G.
Beverly Hills, CA
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
My great aunt & uncle who have lived in Detroit their whole life said that this was the one place they had to take me to when my mom and I visited. This place is amazing. Old school Italian through and through. The waiters are in tuxes for gosh sakes! Great little rooms, wonderful bar, it looks like they also had a venue for hosting larger events but I couldn't see it from our seats. The food was also amazing. Pesto pasta, chicken parmesan, even the bread was fantastic. We had a reservation for lunch and the restaurant was packed.
Their claim to fame is that they are Detroit's Oldest Italian Restaurant and it doesn't seem like much has changed since they opened - and that's a good thing. If you're in Detroit - go! -
Review from T P.
Southfield, MI
1/28/2011
Best part of the meal was the calamari & spumoni ice cream.
Very disappointed with the baked polenta in meat sauce & the lasagna. Far too much cheese and the meat sauce was too salty. Was out of balance and did not taste like authentic Italian with crisp, clean flavors. Our neighboring table ordered the shrimp and scallop saute, which smelled good, but she rejected it and asked to order something else from the menu.
Staff was very nice and welcoming but it won't be enough to bring us back to eat here. It was just ok, probably won't come here again. -
Review from Janis C.
4/2/2011
Yesterday was my first visit in twenty years. I must say that driving into this area during the day one sees what appears to be an embattled war zone. Abandoned, ravaged and crumbling buildings with multiple "tags" on them. The streets in much need of pothole repairs and debris littered.
The outside of the restaurant itself is inviting and quaint looking.
The valet attendant was polite and professional.
The inside is a timewarp. Light fixtures from the sixties. Dark wood paneling reminiscent of the seventies. Actual cloth napkins and tablecovers. Waitstaff in black suits.
Some of the diners were dressed to the nines. Giving a Sopranoish effect to the room.
We started with salads. Which turned out to be one of the best salads I have ever encountered. Fresh and crisp with a flavorful light olive oil dressing. Served with a crusty, thick and tasty bread.
I enjoyed my veal parmesan. The spaghetti side was just alright at best. My S.O. was happy with his choice of sirloin steak. But also thought the spaghetti side was just alright.
We ended the meal with coffee and tiramisu. Both were good.
I agree with other reviewers that pricing is a tad high. On the other hand the portions served are huge. I took home enough for another meal.
Service is somewhat slow. So be prepared for a relaxed dining experience.Listed in: Let's Go Downtown
-
Review from Aaron A.
Dublin, OH
10/3/2010
I come in annually for the NAIAS and like to find new places to eat. As an out of towner, I actively search local postings about what/where is the best place to eat. I'd heard good things about Roma.
The people that told me good things about this place were telling the truth. The food is top tier, the wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the atmosphere is quite perfect.
The restaurant was BUSY. With a buffet option, and with good food, obviously word has gone out. It was shoulder to shoulder walking to and from, and the people all are after the same thing.
Again, as an out of towner, I can't say much about the location - quite a "shady" area of town... I'm spoiled and sheltered though, so maybe it was just me.
If you're in town, go. Call and get a reservation if you don't want to wait too long. -
Review from damian a.
Rochester, MI
4/21/2010
I really wanted to like this place. Allegedly the oldest italian restaurant in detroit, I've heard a lot about it and was excited to be trying it. We went before the opera last week, and the valet and shuttle service from the restaurant to the opera house is very handy.
That's about the extent of the good though. The atmosphere (old italian restaurant feel) and music were really nice, and i was hopeful, but the food ranged from bleh to mediocre, with a couple good things. The cannolis and the minestrone soup were good. Sausage and peppers were ok, but i've had much better (especially at Lino's). The gnocchi was not good, and the eggplant parmiggiano was pretty much just caked cheese and sauce. It didn't taste that great either. It was just adequate.
The worst part was the service. It wasn't "bad" or even unfriendly. It was just rushed. Every time the waiter talked to us he sound like he was impatient and wanted us out. My father in law paused for about 10 seconds to decide between two things and i thought the waiter was going to have a stroke.
We may or may not be back, but I don't know. It might be worth trying on a slower day to see if anything changes. -
Review from Amy H.
Detroit, MI
1/1/2010
We decided to go to Roma for New Years Eve since we had a http://Restaurant.com certificate. We were so excited to finally try this historical Detroit restaurant! Our mouths were watering with the thought of Italian food recipes that have been around for over a hundred years!
We had made a reservation and were impressed we got seated so promptly. A huge pet peeve of ours is when you make a reservation and have to wait and wait for a table. We were seated at a table for two in the packed dining room and I took in the decor. It is a bit dated, but I could care less about that if the food is up to par.
We started feasting on the bread basket, which was delicious, and ordered calamari as an appetizer. The calamari came out so quick and it was good, but not anything unique. I ordered veal parmasean and my husband ordered a pasta with proschuitto and peas with a light cream sauce. Both dishes were good, but not blowing us out of the water.
We were wrapping up our dinner and looked at our watches and I was shocked. We got seated, served (with an appetizer) within 45 minutes. Now, I like prompt service, but I felt a bit rushed. I usually have 2 glasses of wine when I get Italian food and I had finished about 3/4 of my glass. We got our bill, paid and were back to our car a hour from when we parked it. Prompt and great service, absolutely, but I felt like they were just trying to clear our table.
We will probably go back at some point, but we will stick with our favorite east side Italian place, Antonio's in GPP as our go to restaurant. -
Review from Kristine T.
Grosse Pointe, MI
4/22/2010
I was excited to try Roma Cafe as I have heard that it is "the" Italian restaurant that transcends all others in the metro area. We didn't have a reservation, so we waited for about 30 minutes for a table. When we got seated, we were put into a very crowded dining room. The tables were so close together it was hard to get to our seats without being crowded.
The waiter we had was not very attentive and was pretty aloof. We definitely didn't feel rushed, we felt ignored. My date and I weren't formally dressed, but we were not casually dressed either. The veal dish I got was dry and the sauce was nothing to write home about. I really did like the salad though.
Now, I went there a second time and had a slightly different experience. I went with somebody who is a regular and knows a lot of the staff. We were seated in a much nicer room, and our waiter was much more attentive. I had the chicken parmesan, which was surprisingly very tasty, but I'm just not a fan of their pasta sauce. Just not as much flavor as I'm used to.
I don't know if I would go back -- the food is just a bit over priced for what you get. It definitely feels dated, but steeped in tradition. If this is what you enjoy, then go to Roma for sure. -
Review from b b.
Birmingham, MI
7/18/2008
Love it! Sometimes restaurants aren't all about the food. The food here is good, not great, but Roma has the atmosphere and the ambience. The waiters who have worked here for years, all have distinct personalities and a few can even sing some arias. Some look as if they would be right at home in a Scorsese flick. There are two eating areas and a bar. The bar dates back to the 20's or earlier while the other rooms are a combination of the worst of the 60's and 70's but somehow it works. On a busy Friday or Saturday it's like eating in a New York City neighborhood cafe. Dress code is casual, lots of old Grosse Pointers and Eastsiders frequent the place. Very busy on hockey and baseball nights.
As far as the food goes---typical Italian fare: pastas, veal, chicken, seafood and steaks---strip steak Siciliano(not on the menu so just ask) is especially well done, the perch is always good and the pasta servings are generous and tasty. Try the house salad, it is made by your waiter and it is very good. Nice wine list and full bar. You never know who you will be rubbing elbows with, many sport stars, team owners and local news celebrities frequent Roma. It's worth the trip downtown and it is safe.
Usua -
Review from Jenny J.
7/4/2008
Love this place. The wait staff is very attentive, the food is amazing and fresh. The meat is priced at Eastern Market prices. The waiters have always made our visit special. An experience you will not find at other chain Italian restaurants.
Be sure to wear something nicer than jeans and a t-shirt. The first time we went that is exactly what we wore, but the attire of others dining says otherwise. Regardless, we were still treated like kings and queens. The valet parking is nice, but if you are cheap you can still hoof it. -
Review from Lauren W.
10/18/2009
This is just one of those rare Detroit gems that MUST be visited! Roma's is your classic old school Italian family owned place. Love the mobster feel -- complete with dark wood paneled walls and red accents. The waiters are all over the age of 50, but serve with great pride.
My fave is the salad. All the pastas are delish too, but if you're feeling a lighter meal, salad is the way to go! If you claim to love Detroit and its history, this place is a must-try. -
Review from Cocos B.
Toledo, OH
8/31/2009
The first time I came here I didn't like it too much...it was basic but I think maybe slacked because we got there right before closing time. Since then I have been there twice and had progressively better times...
The service is excellent and this last time we had a small wait but it was no problem to sit at the bar for a while and chitchat.
The bread was FANTASTIC...and I love that they give you a side of spaghetti with everything. There were 4 of us at dinner and we all felt necessary to sample one another's dishes LOL. So I tried the Minestrone, Prime cut Filet, Veal Parmsean, Calamari, and I, myself, ordered the French Fried Shrimp. Each dish was fantastic, even the calamari, which I am not too much of a fan of in other places.
The ambience is great. It's an older place and very charming. Family owned so the service is very good. They know how to take care of ya! I will definitely go again when in the area and probably sample a few more dishes that I hadn't tried yet... -
Review from Cara S.
Nashville, TN
3/10/2011
My 2nd favorite italian restaurant! Fish, chicken Parma and eggplant Parma are outstanding! All male waiters, over 100 years in business! Valet parking available. Reservations I highly recommend! Great wine selection! Pasta sauce taste just like my grandmas! Amazing!
Listed in: Best Italian Restaurants
-
Review from Matt A.
Huntington Woods, MI
2/19/2011
Just attempted to dine there. Dangerously over crowded and filthy. After waiting 30 minutes past reserved time with no end in sight we left our groupon on the hostess stand and picked up sushi for dinner at home.
-
Review from Miranda J.
Warren, MI
4/7/2010
Holy Moly-- I can not believe that I have not been to this place in my life. A random evening, looking for food...my fella and I went here. At first he was concerned that we would not be dressed for the place, however they accepted us with our sneakers and t-shirts rocking.
1) Listen to the staff..they have been there over 30+ years...our waiter just started there and had been waiting for this job for 8 years. And I bet he will be there until he has to retire...ask for Patrick, he is the coolest.
2) Get the Tomato, mozzarella, and basil app. The best..
3) No matter what the beef is unbelievable. With the resources that they have being in Eastern market, the food is nothing but goodness. It is Prime Choice meat and by far is what that place is about..
4) It is one for Detroit's finest gems...oldest place in Detroit... even if you are not hungry, pop in and take a look at the bar 120 yrs old.. looks like something out of the King movie The Shining.
Go.. you must go here.. your gunna spend some dollars, but totally worth it. -
Review from Alex I.
Oak Park, IL
4/10/2008
Jordan W has it all wrong, Roma is not even downtown, it's in Eastern Market.
Anyway, Roma is only there for one reason: it's been there for a hundred years. It's not like the food is anything special. Same deal with Mario's, although it's a little bit better than Roma. It's a stinking plate of macaroni and gravy, big deal.
